VP of Advancement (Full Time)

Description

Ready to lead bold fundraising and lasting partnerships? Bring data, storytelling, and heart to advance our mission.

As our Vice President of Advancement, you’ll be the chief architect of a modern, community-powered philanthropy program that fuels the Summit Area YMCA’s mission. You’ll partner with the President & CEO, an engaged Board, and leaders across programs to set bold fundraising goals, cultivate transformational major gifts, and deepen support from foundations and corporate partners. You’ll lead a talented team, build a best-in-class advancement operation (from pipeline strategy and grantmaking to stewardship and analytics), and serve as our chief storyteller—translating program outcomes into compelling cases for support that inspire generosity and long-term partnership.

What makes this role exciting: the scale of impact in our communities, the chance to shape strategy at the executive table, and the mandate to innovate—integrating data, digital engagement, and inclusive fundraising practices to broaden who gives, how they give, and why they stay involved.

You May Be the Right Person If You…

• Love blending strategy with hands-on relationship building.
• Are energized by setting bold revenue goals—and meeting them.
• Can coach, inspire, and hold a team accountable.
• Translate data and donor insights into smart action.
• Thrive collaborating across departments and with community leaders.

What You’Ll Do

• Lead our philanthropy engine: Oversee the planning and execution of the Annual Campaign, planned giving, grant strategy, special events, and donor stewardship programs.
• Drive major gifts & partnerships: Build a robust pipeline; identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individuals, corporations, and foundations.
• Activate board & volunteers: Serve as staff liaison to the Advancement Committee; equip leaders and volunteers to champion philanthropy.
• Tell the story: Collaborate with Marketing to develop compelling cases for support, reports, and donor communications.
• Run a high-performing shop: Supervise the Development Team; manage the department budget; ensure accurate CRM use (Bloomerang), gift processing, acknowledgments, reporting, and compliance.

Salary & Benefits

This full-time, exempt-level position generally works Monday–Friday during standard business hours, with occasional evening or weekend responsibilities. The salary range for this position is $102,000 – $120,000 annually, based on experience.

The Summit Area YMCA offers a generous benefits package that includes subsidized medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance. Paid time off for vacation, wellness, and holidays, Free YMCA family membership, discounts on YMCA programs and services (including childcare), Ongoing professional training and development and a 12% employer contribution to the YMCA retirement plan upon eligibility.  

At the Summit Area YMCA, we are committed to equal opportunity employment regardless of gender, age, disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or religious affiliation. Our main purpose is to strengthen the community. Every day, we work side-by-side with our neighbors to make sure that everyone can reach their full potential, and we strive to live our cause with purpose every day. No matter who you are or where you’re from, we believe that we’re stronger when we come together. 

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree or CFRE preferred.
• Minimum of 6 years of progressive fundraising experience, including major gifts, capital campaigns, annual campaigns, and special events.
• Proven success identifying, cultivating, and soliciting major donors, corporations, and foundations.
• Experience leading and mentoring a development team.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to craft persuasive donor communications.
• Strong organizational, time-management, and project-management skills; ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure.
• Proficiency with fundraising software (Bloomerang preferred) and reporting tools.
• Extensive foundation grant writing experience required.
• Availability to work evenings and weekends as needed.

About The Summit Area Ymca:

We were founded as the Young Men's Christian Association in 1886, but today, we are The Y. Part of a world-class organization, we are one of the area’s leading nonprofits, that values, and is made stronger by, its diverse people. The Summit Area YMCA is committed to strengthening community by connecting all people to their potential, purpose, and each other. Working locally, we focus on empowering young people, improving health and well-being, and inspiring action in and across communities. By bringing together people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and generations, we ensure that we all have access to the opportunities, relationships, and resources necessary to learn, grow and thrive.