Director of Annual Giving and Stewardship
YMCA of Greater Louisville•Louisville, KY
•Onsite
About The Position
The Director of Annual Giving & Stewardship is a key leader within the YMCA of Greater Louisville’s Financial Development team and serves as the strategic lead for the association-wide Annual Giving program and donor stewardship efforts. This role is responsible for developing and driving Annual Giving strategy, campaign structure, branch and board engagement, donor growth, and stewardship initiatives that strengthen a culture of philanthropy across the association. This role works closely with the Sr. Director of Development & Major Gifts to align Annual Giving strategies, stewardship initiatives, and branch engagement efforts with broader organizational fundraising priorities. The Director maintains a portfolio of leadership annual donors while partnering closely with the Associate Director of Annual Giving & Strategic Events to support campaign execution, branch engagement, and overall fundraising momentum across the YMCA.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required
- Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, annual giving, donor engagement, or related field
- Demonstrated experience leading fundraising initiatives and collaborating across multiple levels of an organization
- Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills with the ability to motivate, coach, and influence others
- Comfortable making direct asks and engaging donors in conversations about giving and impact
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a donor-centered approach
- Strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills with attention to detail
- Ability to analyze campaign data and translate insights into strategy and action
- Experience with Microsoft Office and CRM systems; Raiser’s Edge NXT preferred
- Self-starter with initiative, energy, and commitment to the YMCA mission
- Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends during campaign and event seasons
Nice To Haves
- Prior experience working in the nonprofit sector or YMCA
Responsibilities
- Lead and execute the strategy, structure, and performance of the association-wide Annual Giving campaign in collaboration with the Chief Development & Philanthropy Officer, Sr. Director of Development & Major Gifts, and branch leadership
- Support annual goal setting and campaign planning across assigned branches and association-wide fundraising initiatives
- Manage a shared portfolio of assigned branches, providing strategic leadership, accountability, and support to branch executives, boards, and campaign volunteers.
- Develop and implement Annual Giving strategies that strengthen donor acquisition, retention, and growth across the YMCA.
- Create and align campaign messaging, tools, communications, and resources that support consistent execution across branches
- Monitor campaign performance, analyze trends and data, and provide actionable recommendations that improve fundraising effectiveness
- Work with YMCA Branch Boards to strengthen Annual Giving and Volunteer participation
- Develop, lead, and execute campaign training, coaching, and educational opportunities for staff, volunteers, and boards
- Create energy, urgency, and accountability across branches throughout the campaign cycle
- Support and participate in direct donor solicitation and fundraising efforts
- Design and lead an association-wide stewardship strategy that supports long-term donor engagement and retention
- Ensure a consistent, meaningful donor experience across all branches and affinity groups
- Oversee donor recognition and engagement strategies, including giving societies, campaign recognition, and stewardship communications
- Strengthen donor retention and growth through intentional stewardship touchpoints and relationship-based engagement
- Align stewardship efforts with Annual Giving and major gift priorities in collaboration with Development leadership
- Collaborate with Development Operations and branch leadership to ensure accurate, timely, and personalized stewardship practices
- Manage a portfolio of leadership annual donors focused on retention, upgrade, and long-term engagement
- Utilize moves management practices to support donor relationships, cultivation strategies, and next steps
- Represent the YMCA at events, meetings, and community engagement opportunities as an ambassador of the organization
- Collaborate closely with Development teammates, Marketing & Communications, Finance, and branch leadership to support fundraising success and donor engagement
- Support development and continuous improvement of fundraising systems, stewardship practices, and fundraising processes
- Assist in preparing campaign updates, donor briefings, and fundraising reports for leadership and volunteers
- Contribute to strategic development initiatives and organizational fundraising priorities
- All other duties as assigned
Benefits
- Generous employer-funded retirement plan with 12% contribution
- 403(b) savings plan options
- Complimentary YMCA membership for employee and immediate family
- Paid time off and holidays
- Professional development opportunities
- Discounted childcare and YMCA programs
- Employer-paid life insurance and voluntary benefits
- Mission-driven, collaborative, and inclusive work environment
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
Upload and Match Resume
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Executive
