Vice President, Mission Advancement -

Position Summary

The Vice President of Mission Advancement (VPMA) serves as the senior leader responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive individual giving and major gifts strategy to advance the mission, equity commitments, and long-term sustainability of the YMCA of Greater San Francisco. Reporting to the Chief Advancement & Strategic Partnerships Officer, the VPMA oversees all aspects of donor engagement for individual contributors—including annual leadership giving, mid-level giving, major gifts, transformational gifts, and legacy giving.

The VPMA manages a personal portfolio of high-capacity donors, leads a team of gift officers, and collaborates frequently with the CEO, Executive Leadership Team, Branch Executives, and Board members to cultivate philanthropic relationships across the region. With a strategic, donor-centered approach, the VPMA drives revenue, deepens donor loyalty, and builds a strong pipeline for future campaigns and initiatives.

Job Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Planning

• Develop and execute a multi-year individual giving and major gifts strategy aligned with organizational priorities.
• Partner with the Chief Advancement & Strategic Partnerships Officer to set revenue goals, forecast projections, and track performance.
• Lead strategic planning for major gifts, leadership giving, legacy giving, and individual donor stewardship.
• Strengthen organizational readiness for future comprehensive or capital campaigns.

Major Gifts & Individual Giving Portfolio Management

• Manage a high-value portfolio of major donors and prospects capable of significant annual and multi-year investments.
• Conduct donor discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship with a strong moves management approach.
• Create compelling cases for support and fundraising materials tailored to donor interests.
• Work closely with the CEO, board members, and volunteer leadership to facilitate donor engagement and solicitations.

Team Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing individual giving and major gifts team.
• Provide coaching, professional development, and portfolio strategy guidance to gift officers and advancement staff.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, donor-centered culture grounded in excellence, equity, and shared impact.
• Oversee hiring, onboarding, and performance management for team members.

Donor Engagement, Stewardship & Communications

• Oversee a robust stewardship program that recognizes donor impact and increases retention.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to enhance donor storytelling, impact reporting, and recognition programs.
• Design and support donor engagement events—such as cultivation gatherings, program site visits, leadership briefings, and Heritage Club events.
• Ensure a seamless and personalized donor experience for individual contributors at every giving level.

Organizational Collaboration & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner closely with Branch Executives to align donor strategies with branch priorities and community needs.
• Work with program leadership to translate mission outcomes into compelling donor engagement opportunities.
• Collaborate with Finance and Operations to ensure accuracy in budgeting, forecasting, data management, and gift reporting.
• Support organization-wide fundraising initiatives, campaigns, and strategic projects as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional and community experience.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive fundraising experience with a strong emphasis on individual giving and major gifts.
• Proven track record of closing six- and seven-figure gifts.
• Experience managing and developing a high-performing fundraising team.
• Strong strategic planning, donor relationship-building, and solicitation skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal, and presentation abilities.
• Proficiency with CRM systems.
• Ability to navigate a complex, multi-branch nonprofit environment.
• Deep commitment to the YMCA’s mission, values, and equity work.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in nonprofit management, business, public administration, or related field.
• Experience leading major fundraising campaigns or capital campaigns.
• Familiarity with planned giving vehicles and endowment development.
• Knowledge of Bay Area philanthropic landscape and donor networks.
• Experience partnering with board members and senior volunteer leadership.
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• This position operates in a professional office setting and requires regular interaction with internal teams, donors, and external partners.
• Occasional travel within the Bay Area for meetings, events, and site visits.
• Standard business hours with flexibility for evening or weekend events as needed.
• Ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods (e.g., working at a computer).
• Frequent communication via phone, email, and in-person meetings.
• Occasional lifting of materials up to 20 pounds for event setup.

Disclaimers

• Must successfully complete a background screening, including criminal and employment verification. Some positions may also require a credit check.
• All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions subject to reasonable accommodation. The YMCA of Greater San Francisco promotes an equal employment opportunity workplace, which includes reasonable accommodation for otherwise qualified disabled applicants and employees. Please contact your manager if you have any questions about this policy or these job duties.
• This job description may not be all-inclusive, and employees are expected to perform other duties as assigned by management. Job descriptions and duties may be modified by management as needed.
• Job offers are conditional and contingent upon background clearance. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance and CA Fair Chance Act, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment.

Salary Description

The VP of Mission Advancement – Individual Giving & Major Gifts position offers a salary of $190,000 - $220,000 per year, based on experience, qualifications, and alignment with salary benchmarks for similar roles.

The YMCA of Greater San Francisco offers:

• Competitive compensation
• Comprehensive health benefits - medical and dental plans for full time employees
• Retirement benefits -- 12% employer contribution after completion of eligibility requirements
• Employee Assistance Program for all employees
• Commuter Benefits via pre-tax payroll deductions
• Flexible Spending Account -- Medical and Dependent Care on a pre-tax basis
• Use of YMCA of San Francisco Fitness facilities
• Paid time off benefits for part time and full time employees upon completion of eligibility requirements
• Training and staff development for all employees

• Bilingual or multilingual abilities preferred