Director of Philanthropy

Director of Philanthropy
YMCA of Columbia-Willamette

Reports to: Chief External Affairs Officer (CEAO)
Direct Reports: None
Payscale: $75,000 to $95,000
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Association Office (Portland, Oregon) / Hybrid, with regional connections and in-person meetings across Metro Portland and Southwest Washington

Position Summary
The Director of Philanthropy strengthens the sustainability and impact of the YMCA of Columbia-Willamette (YMCA-CW) by leading a disciplined, relationship-centered fundraising program. The Director manages individual giving, mid-level giving, corporate giving, donor communications, and fundraising events; supports the CEAO and CEOs major gift work; and ensures clear, consistent donor experiences across all regions.

This position owns the donor communications strategy, corporate giving strategy, stewardship frameworks, donor journeys for small and mid-level gifts, and the strategies, standards, and systems that support strong donor movement. The Director works closely with the CEAO to support major-gift strategy, regional philanthropy capacity-building, and portfolio governance. The Director partners with Marketing to ensure brand alignment, partners with Finance to maintain disciplined financial processes, and leads the operational rhythms of the philanthropy function.

The Director works with the CEAO to prioritize workload, maintain sustainable expectations, and protect the role from administrative over extension by ensuring operational tasks flow appropriately to the Philanthropy Operations Specialist.

The Director maintains high professionalism, clear communication, confidentiality, and diligent follow-through in service of a strong, equitable culture of philanthropy across the association. This role has significant influence over donor experience, fundraising priorities, and how philanthropy shows up across the association.

WHO WE ARE: Were an organization like no other. The YMCA is the leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community by empowering young people, improving the health and well-being of people of all ages and inspiring action in and across communities. The Y is a powerful association of men, women, and children of all ages and from all walks of life joined together by a shared passion: to strengthen the foundations of community.

OUR MISSION:
To put the Christian principles of love, respect, honesty, responsibility, and service into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. ABOUT THE YMCA OF COLUMBIA-WILLAMETTE:
The YMCA of Columbia-Willamette is an equal opportunity employer committed to valuing diversity and practicing inclusion. The Y proudly serves as a hub of health and community engagement for individuals and families across six counties in the Portland metropolitan area and Southwest Washington with a population of 2.7 million. https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). EQUITY STATEMENT:
Our Y is committed to treating everyone with dignity and empowering all to reach their full potential as we build thriving, inclusive communities. While we have not always lived up to that vision, our Y is on a journey toward creating an organization that fully embodies anti-racist, multi-cultural values and advances equity for all.

Key Responsibilities

• Leads cultivation, stewardship, and movement strategies for individual and mid-level donors, translating YMCA-CWs mission and community impact into meaningful donor relationships.
• Manages a portfolio of individual and mid-level donors, with a focus on meaningful engagement, retention, and growth.
• Designs and advances donor journeys that reflect equity, belonging, and clear articulation of community impact.
• Uses donor data, reports, and insights to inform outreach, stewardship timing, and movement strategies, in partnership with the Philanthropy Operations Specialist.
• Reviews and relies on reports, dashboards, and lists prepared in partnership with the Philanthropy Operations Specialist to guide decision-making and leadership updates.
• Maintains accountability for the accuracy and integrity of donor data within their portfolio, escalating discrepancies or system issues as needed.
• Partners with Finance and the Philanthropy Operations Specialist to ensure donor intent, pledge commitments, and financial reporting align with YMCA-CW standards.
• Upholds confidentiality and professionalism in all donor records, communications, and leadership-facing materials.

2. Grants, Institutional Giving & Business Partnerships

• Cultivates and stewards corporate donors, workplace giving partners, and ongoing business sponsors.
• Develops a healthy pipeline of sponsorship prospects for programs, events, and association-wide initiatives.
• Owns corporate giving strategy, except for tier-one partnerships managed by the CEAO or CEO.
• Collaborates with regional leadership to identify and cultivate new business prospects.
• Ensures accurate donor tracking, stewardship, and reporting for all…