Required Experience:
Skills and Qualifications
Required
Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business, human services, or a related field.
510 years of leadership experience in nonprofit fundraising or advancement, including managing multifaceted development programs.
Demonstrated success cultivating and soliciting major gifts.
Experience supervising and developing staff.
Strong background in budgeting, forecasting, and financial management.
Experience with annual giving, major gifts, campaigns, foundation/corporate giving, stewardship, and special events.
Skills and Competencies
Exceptional relationshipbuilding skills with donors, volunteers, colleagues, and Board members.
Strong strategic planning, leadership, and project management abilities.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, including public speaking.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work with discretion and sound judgment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Raiser’s Edge CRM
Preferred
Experience working with organizations focused on youth development, camps, outdoor leadership, or education.
Experience managing campaigns or fundraising initiatives of significant scale.
CFRE certification
Work Environment
Mix of officebased work, donor events, Board meetings, and time outdoors at AYF program sites. Hybrid work from home and office based schedule.
Some weekend and evening work required.
Ability to travel for donor meetings and site visits.
Ability to walk significant distances and lift up to 25 pounds when participating in sitebased activities.
Business casual attire with flexibility based on setting.
Compensation
Benefits o Health, dental, and vision insurance.
Retirement plan. oFamily accommodations during on-site required living periods.
Tuition discounts for dependents. o12 annual holidays.
Paid Time Off.
Company Culture
The AYF believes that how we act and interact reflects who we are as a community. In practice, at the AYF we value investing in youth, stewarding the environment, encouraging participants and staff to explore and develop their values and beliefs, belonging in community, and growing together.
Recognizing the full value of all, the American Youth Foundation affords equal opportunity for employment and program participation to all individuals based on merit and / or eligibility without regard to race, color, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, familiar status, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required for this position. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.
Mission
The American Youth Foundation dares people to discover and celebrate the very best in themselves and others, inspire them to explore diverse perspectives and complex challenges, and embolden them to live courageously, engaging their full capacity.
About AMERICAN YOUTH FOUNDATION
The American Youth Foundation is a nonprofit youth development organization that engages thousands of youth year-round through community and school programs, summer camps, and leadership conferences at our beautiful properties, Merrowvista in New Hampshire and Miniwanca in Michigan. Since 1925, we have welcomed young people from around the world to our campuses to discover the richness of our outdoor environments, the fun of interacting with a positive community, and the challenge of self-discovery.
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Duties / Expectations:
Director of Development
AMERICAN YOUTH FOUNDATION
St. Louis, MO 63117
Hybrid work
$110,000 - $125,000 a year - Full-time
Skills
Do you have experience in Volunteer management?
Education
Do you have a Bachelor's degree?
Benefits
Retirement plan
Paid time off
Vision insurance
Dental insurance
Paid holidays
Work from home
Full job description
Position Summary
The Director of Development leads AYF’s fundraising strategy and donor engagement efforts to advance the organization’s mission and impact. Based in St. Louis and working in close partnership with the President/CEO, this role oversees a comprehensive development program that supports AYF’s programs at Miniwanca and Merrowvista and strengthens relationships with donors, alumni, families, foundations, and community partners. The Director of Development provides strategic leadership across all giving channels, manages a major gifts portfolio, stewards key philanthropic relationships, directs development operations, and serves as a visible ambassador for AYF locally, regionally, and nationally.
Key Responsibilities
Fundraising Strategy and Leadership
Develop and execute a comprehensive multiyear fundraising plan aligned with AYF’s strategic priorities.
Establish annual revenue goals, performance metrics, timelines, and accountability structures for all development functions.
Lead all aspects of annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, special events, and alumni engagement.
Advance a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization by engaging staff, volunteers, and Board members in fundraising efforts.
Major and Planned Giving
Manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects; cultivate, solicit, and steward annual and multiyear gifts.
Partner with the President & CEO and Vice Presidents on highlevel donor strategy, including campaign initiatives.
Develop personalized cultivation plans for top prospects and ensure excellent donor stewardship.
Strengthen planned giving outreach and documentation.
Alumni, Annual Fund, and Community Engagement
Oversee AYF’s alumni engagement strategy to deepen lifelong relationships and volunteer involvement.
Plan strategy for increasing annual fund, including segmentation, messaging, and donor retention.
Collaborate with program teams to connect alumni, families, and supporters with AYF’s mission in meaningful ways.
Development Operations and Budget Management
Prepare and manage the development budget, ensuring accurate forecasting and responsible oversight.
Oversee donor databases, CRM accuracy, reporting, analytics, and datadriven decisionmaking.
Ensure consistent systems for tracking donor interactions, stewardship, and recognition.
Lead and supervise development staff, offering coaching, goalsetting, and professional development.
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