Director of Grants and Donor Relations

YMCA of Rapid City•Rapid City, SD

15d•$70,000•Onsite

About The Position

At the YMCA of the Black Hills, we believe that the power of community begins with connection. It starts with people coming together to care, to serve, and to build something lasting. Every act of generosity, every partnership, and every shared vision helps strengthen the foundation of a healthier tomorrow. We are seeking a Director of Grants and Donor Relations (DGDR) who will be a bridge builder: someone who connects hearts to purpose, generosity to impact, and stories to the future we are creating together. The Director of Grants and Donor Relations plays a vital role in ensuring that the Y's mission continues to grow and thrive across the Black Hills. This role is not only about fundraising. It's about relationship building, storytelling, and vision. The DGDR helps others see the YMCA for what it truly is: a movement dedicated to nurturing youth, inspiring healthy living, and fostering social responsibility. Through authentic relationships, strategic leadership, and heartfelt communication, the DGDR connects donors, partners, and community members to the real stories of lives changed every day at the Y. Reporting directly to the CEO, the Director of Grants and Donor Relations will lead the Y's comprehensive fundraising and resource development efforts, including annual giving and capital campaigns, writing and managing high-visibility and local government grants ($1M+ experience preferred), YMCA endowments, and planned giving. Working closely with a passionate Board of Directors and volunteers, this leader will help shape the YMCA's story in a way that inspires generosity and action. Each donation, whether from an individual, a business, or a foundation, becomes a bridge between compassion and transformation, allowing the Y's programs to reach further and impact more lives. The person in this role will be both strategist and storyteller, with the ability to see the big picture while caring deeply about the people behind it. They will translate the heart of our mission into words and experiences that resonate, ensuring every donor understands how their support directly strengthens youth programs, families in need, community health initiatives, and safe spaces for belonging. By building trust and cultivating meaningful relationships, the DGDR ensures that philanthropy at the Y is not just about dollars raised. It's about shared vision and collective impact. Leadership at the YMCA is rooted in service. The Director of Grants and Donor Relations embodies that spirit, leading with authenticity, collaboration, and hope. The right candidate will bring both experience and empathy, a background in fundraising strategy and grant development, paired with a genuine passion for community building. They will understand that the true power of development work lies in connection. At the YMCA of the Black Hills, our culture reflects our cause. We are welcoming to all, genuine in our relationships, hopeful in our outlook, nurturing in our support, and determined in our mission to make our community stronger. Here, your leadership will make a tangible difference. You will have the opportunity to help tell the story of who we are, and to invite others to be part of that story. If you are a bridge builder with grant-writing and grant-management experience who believes in the power of philanthropy to create a better tomorrow, we invite you to bring your voice, your vision, and your heart to the YMCA of the Black Hills. Together, we will continue to strengthen the fabric of our community-one connection, one story, and one act of generosity at a time.

Requirements

Experience and empathy
A background in fundraising strategy and grant development
A genuine passion for community building
Grant-writing and grant-management experience

Responsibilities

Lead the Y's comprehensive fundraising and resource development efforts, including annual giving and capital campaigns
Writing and managing high-visibility and local government grants ($1M+ experience preferred)
YMCA endowments and planned giving
Working closely with a passionate Board of Directors and volunteers
Shape the YMCA's story in a way that inspires generosity and action
Translate the heart of our mission into words and experiences that resonate, ensuring every donor understands how their support directly strengthens youth programs, families in need, community health initiatives, and safe spaces for belonging
Building trust and cultivating meaningful relationships