Aug 1st, 2025
YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago
About the Organization
TWB Fundraising is conducting this search on behalf of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago.
Please visit twbfundraising.com to see all executive search opportunities.
The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago is a community-focused organization and the largest in our network, serving more than 300,000 individuals annually throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. With 14 community hubs, 120 "Y's without walls" locations for childcare, 5 overnight camps, and 13 early learning centers (9 are Head Start & Early Head Start sites), we are committed to being deeply embedded in our communities, supporting neighborhoods and responding to local needs.
As a 166-year institution with a history of being on the cutting edge of community responsiveness, the Y offers a holistic approach to health and well-being, providing opportunities in fitness, aquatics, chronic disease prevention, and nutrition education. We're currently undergoing an organizational transformation and renewal under new leadership, building the foundation for even greater impact in the years ahead.
The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago offers an extraordinary opportunity to join a supportive and energetic work environment that encourages both personal and professional growth. As our Chief Development Officer, you'll make a meaningful impact in communities across Chicagoland while working with one of the most recognized and trusted brands in the nation.
When you join the Y, you're not just taking a job – you're joining a community of dedicated individuals working together to strengthen the fabric of Chicago, one neighborhood at a time.
Job Description
Position salary range: $190,000 - $220,000
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
Team Leadership and Development
▪️Assess the current development department structure and make strategic staffing decisions to create a high-functioning operation, including adding or eliminating positions as necessary
▪️Lead and develop the optimized team, providing coaching and professional development to maximize individual and team performance
▪️Build team capacity through mentoring and skills development while maintaining efficient operations
▪️Establish department objectives, benchmarks, and KPIs at both organizational and individual levels, creating metrics management systems to track progress and ensure accountability across all fundraising activities
▪️Foster collaboration across all levels of the organization, from field staff to senior leadership
Major Gifts and Partnerships with CEO
▪️Be a skilled relationship-builder and someone who knows how to move prospects through the pipeline and successfully close major gifts
▪️Work as a collaborative partner with the new CEO in fundraising activities, including developing strategies and tactics for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts
▪️Personally manage a portfolio of major gift and planned gift prospects and cultivate transformational donor relationships
▪️Create and oversee all fundraising-related special events to ensure that financial goals and objectives are met
▪️Bring knowledge to leverage digital platforms and emerging technologies to expand donor reach and engagement
▪️Develop donor stewardship programs that go beyond events to create lasting engagement
Grants Management and Strategic Evaluation
▪️Develop grant strategies that support both programmatic needs and general operations funding
▪️Oversee strategic grant portfolio management with a focus on grants that provide positive ROI and align with organizational priorities
▪️Build and maintain corporate partnership relationships, identifying alignment opportunities between corporate goals and YMCA's mission
Board Transformation and Engagement
▪️Transform board culture to create a highly engaged, productive fundraising board
▪️Serve as liaison to five distinct board structures: Development and External Relations Committee (fundraising committee), Nominations and Governance Committee, Board of Managers, Board of Trustees, and Associate Board
▪️Provide ongoing board support to ensure members have the tools and knowledge needed for effective fundraising participation
▪️Mine board relationships for prospect identification and warm introductions, leveraging board networks for organizational growth
Organizational Positioning and Messaging
▪️Develop a compelling case for support that articulates the YMCA's unique value proposition across our diverse program portfolio
▪️Position the YMCA effectively in Chicago's market, emphasizing our community service focus in underserved areas while addressing our unique position as a mission-driven organization
▪️Create strategic messaging that resonates with Chicago's philanthropic community and differentiates us from other youth-serving organizations
Community Engagement and Market Leadership
▪️Develop systematic processes for identifying and cultivating community prospects, ensuring consistent outreach and engagement across all neighborhoods we serve
▪️Leverage deep knowledge of Chicago's philanthropic landscape to identify and cultivate opportunities
▪️Build and maintain strong relationships across all levels of the organization and throughout Chicago's fundraising community
▪️Actively engage in field operations and community activities, understanding local needs and building grassroots support
▪️Navigate Chicago's unique market dynamics with expertise in both urban and suburban philanthropic communities
▪️Support and coach YMCA Executive Directors by taking primary responsibility for fundraising strategy and execution
▪️Maintain active field presence through your visibility in the communities we serve, understanding local needs, and building grassroots relationships
Essential Qualifications
▪️Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred
▪️7-10 years of demonstrated success leading fundraising efforts in nonprofits with budgets of $30 million or more
▪️Demonstrated ability to build, mentor, and lead high-performing development teams
▪️Exceptional communication and storytelling skills with the ability to articulate mission and impact in a compelling way to diverse audiences, including major donors, institutional funders, and community stakeholders
▪️Experience engaging and leveraging boards and volunteer leadership with a demonstrated ability to inspire, support, and partner with board members and volunteers to enhance fundraising outcomes
▪️Proven ability to develop and execute multi-year development strategies aligned with organizational priorities
▪️Demonstrated ability to convert prospects to donors and successfully secure transformational gifts
▪️Strong experience with Raiser's Edge database management and optimization preferred, with the ability to bring order to complex donor databases and utilize technology for maximum impact
▪️Established history of successful event leadership
▪️Experience working with hub/multi-location organizational structures and complex, diverse program portfolios
▪️Track record of building fundraising infrastructure including moves management systems, donor databases, and development processes
Personal Characteristics
▪️Strong emotional intelligence and adaptability - ability to connect with people from all walks of life and adapt to different personalities and situations
▪️Personable and approachable - genuine and authentic personality with high energy and an engaging presence
▪️Self-starter and collaborative team player - can work independently while building strong partnerships
▪️Mission commitment - passionate about the YMCA's mission and dedicated to creating an inclusive environment that serves our diverse communities
▪️Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in philanthropy - Experience cultivating donors across diverse communities and integrating inclusive practices into fundraising.
▪️Exceptional communication and storytelling skills - Skilled in articulating mission and impact in a compelling way to diverse audiences, including major donors, institutional funders, and community stakeholders
The salary range for this position is $190,000 to $220,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. In addition, benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; a Y membership for you and your family; an exceptional employer-funded retirement plan with a 10% contribution; and flexible work arrangements that recognize the importance of work-life balance.
The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or marital status. Increasing diversity of all kinds at the staff and board levels is an organizational priority. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment that welcomes and values differences.
Contact email for applicants hpepper@twbfundraising.com