National Director of Major Gifts

Founded in Memphis, Tennessee in 1986, Youth Villages is a nationally-recognized organization that helps troubled youth and their families live successfully. With a high-performing and dedicated staff of more than 2,600 working in 12 states and an annual operating budget approaching $200 million, the organization serves more than 20,000 emotionally and behaviorally challenged youth annually through its comprehensive, evidence-based programs: intensive in-home services, residential treatment, foster care, adoption, group homes, transitional living, specialized crisis services, and intensive residential treatment.

Since 1994, when Youth Villages began an emphasis on intensive in-home services focused on building strong, permanent families to support troubled youth both in and out of state custody, success rates have soared: in 2011, 83% percent of the youth served by YV have remained at home successfully two years after discharge. A remarkable 82% have had no trouble with the law, and 83% are either still in school, have graduated, or are getting their GED. Youth Villages’ success rate is extraordinary when compared with a 60 percent failure rate for traditional child welfare services.

Along with the high impact on children’s lives, Youth Villages has also achieved 15% growth per year for the last fifteen years. President Obama recognized Youth Villages as a nonprofit with “promising ideas that are transforming communities.” Youth Villages Chief Executive Officer, Patrick Lawler, was named one of “America’s Best Leaders” by U.S. News and World Report and the Center for Public Leadership at

Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

For more information, please visit www.youthvillages.org.

Position Overview:

Youth Villages is currently seeking a dynamic and experienced development professional to join their team in the newly created position of National Director of Major Gifts. The National Director of Major Gifts will be responsible for building, training, and overseeing a comprehensive major gift fundraising program throughout the national organization. Specifically, this organizational leader will develop the strategy and structure for a national major gifts program, support and train the regional Development Managers in their work with high-net worth funders, and manage a portfolio of their own key prospects and donors. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, this position will be a part of national Youth Villages’ leadership team and will work closely with the CEO and national Board of Directors. This is a phenomenal opportunity for a strategic and passionate professional to have a major impact on a growing, dynamic organization, and on youth services in this coun try.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop a robust national major gifts program to support current and future resource needs with a specific focus on high-net worth individuals
• Develop, cultivate, solicit and steward a qualified pipeline of 50-75 new major donors
• Develop comprehensive, proactive strategies for maximizing giving among existing and prospective major donors
• Develop strong relationships with the National Board of Directors to support national major gift fundraising, working closely with the CDO and Development Committee
• Support the final phase of Youth Villages’ current $100 million strategic growth plan, including closing out the current national growth campaign

Support for Local Site Development Teams:

• Share best practices and major gift fundraising strategies with development teams at sites around the country
• Collaborate with local development teams and, as necessary, local boards in order to identify, cultivate, and solicit prospective major gift donors
• Serve as a strategic and tactical fundraising coach of development and volunteer leadership in major gifts cultivation and solicitation

Qualifications:

• Significant experience leading strategic fundraising initiatives and growing diversified financial revenues and resources, with demonstrated success cultivating high-net worth individuals and major donors
• Record of accomplishment that includes the identification, solicitation, and stewardship of multiple, high-capacity donors in the $100,000+ and $1,000,000+ range
• Success in building a major gifts program as part of a comprehensive development department with a relatively small established donor base and no naturally affiliated constituencies
• Demonstrated leadership ability, and strong team development experience; with specific experience coaching and training staff in major gifts work
• Exceptional presentation, organizational, interpersonal and writing skills
• Willingness and enthusiasm for travelling a significant portion of time, both to work hands-on with development staff and to meet with donors
• Ability to thrive in a goal-driven and results-oriented culture
• Passion for Youth Villages’ mission of helping America’s most vulnerable children and families, and deep knowledge of the youth service environment

Application Instructions

Please upload a resume and thoughtful cover letter, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position and stating how you heard about this opportunity, both in Word format, to Richard Shaw at http://jobs.cgcareers.org/application.aspx?id=1939 Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Youth Villages is an equal opportunity employer.

About Commongood Careers:

Youth Villages has partnered with Commongood Careers to conduct the search for a National Director of Major Gifts. Commongood Careers is a mission-driven search firm that supports the hiring needs of the nation’s most innovative and high-performing nonprofit organizations. Since its founding in 2006, Commongood Careers has completed over 500 searches at 150 organizations in 26 states. Founded and staffed by nonprofit professionals, Commongood Careers offers personalized, engaged services to jobseekers and organizations throughout the hiring process, as well as access to a wealth of knowledge about nonprofit careers. Learn more about nonprofit jobs at Commongood Careers.

Job Type: Development/Fundraising
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organizations