Description

The Director of Major Gifts leads the strategy and execution of major donor fundraising efforts for the YMCA of Central Ohio, managing a portfolio of high-capacity donors to drive sustainable revenue growth. This role partners closely with senior leadership to cultivate, solicit, and steward meaningful philanthropic investments aligned with organizational priorities and community impact. Ideal candidates bring a strong track record in relationship-driven fundraising, strategic thinking, and a commitment to advancing youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

Thinks, communicates and behaves as a cause-driven leader and role model for other staff and members when it comes to desired staff behaviors; promotes youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility in all job-related functions.
Develops and implements a comprehensive major gifts strategy aligned with organizational priorities and campaign objectives
Partners with the Chief Development Officer and senior leadership to establish and achieve annual revenue goals and long-term growth strategies
Manages and strategically grows a portfolio of 100+ major gift prospects and donors ($2,500+ capacity), with a focus on retention and pipeline development
Leads full lifecycle donor engagement, including identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
Conducts regular in-person visits and meaningful donor touchpoints across the service area to strengthen relationships
Builds and maintains trust-based relationships by aligning donor interests with programmatic priorities and community impact
Leverages active listening and discovery techniques to understand donor motivations and inform engagement strategies
Develops and delivers compelling proposals, case materials, and storytelling to secure major, multi-year, and planned gifts
Maintains accurate donor records, monitors performance metrics, and collaborates cross-functionally to inform strategy and drive continuous improvement
Adheres to policies related to boundaries with youth. Participates in required abuse risk management training. Reports suspicious and inappropriate behaviors. Follows mandated abuse reporting requirements. Adheres to job-specific abuse risk management responsibilities.
Ability to work effectively with diverse groups and viewpoints from all social and economic segments of the organization and community. A commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism is expected from our staff.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

5+ years of progressive fundraising experience with a focus on major gifts and direct donor engagement
Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, communications, business, or related field; or equivalent experience
Proven success identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and closing major gifts ($2,500+)
Demonstrated success managing a donor portfolio and achieving revenue goals
Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills with ability to engage diverse stakeholders
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including proposals, presentations, and donor communications
Strategic thinker with ability to translate organizational priorities into actionable fundraising strategies
Ability to work collaboratively across departments in a matrixed environment
High level of professionalism, discretion, and commitment to ethical fundraising practices

Summary

The Director of Major Gifts is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive major gifts strategy to support the YMCA of Central Ohio’s philanthropic goals. This role manages a portfolio of high-capacity donors, leading all aspects of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship to secure and grow significant philanthropic investments. The position partners closely with senior leadership to strengthen donor relationships, align giving with organizational priorities, and drive sustained revenue growth.