Director of Development

Director
CompanyCity Year
LocationKansas City, MO
Category-
SeniorityDirector
Workplace-
Posted2026-08-25
Viaworkday

Description

Application Instructions

Click Apply to submit your online application. Please attach a resume and thoughtful cover letter on the "My Experience" page in the "Resume/CV" field.

Active City Year Staff members must login to Workday to apply internally.

Number of Positions: 1

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Position Overview

Since its founding, City Year has relied on its corporate, foundation and individual partners to create meaningful social change, leveraging both private and public investors. With a wide range of support from some of Kansas City’s philanthropic leaders, City Year Kansas City has a strong fundraising track record.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Development manages the implementation of the fundraising and local external relations strategy for City Year Kansas City, including the management of the annual gala. A specific emphasis is placed on managing and building relationships with philanthropic corporations and foundations, high-net-worth individuals, other local businesses, and media outlets to maximize financial resources and brand awareness opportunities, helping City Year Kansas City achieve its revenue and marketing objectives. Support for these efforts comes from leveraging the leadership of City Year Headquarters, the local advisory board, and other champions of the organization. The Development Director will manage the Development Events & Operations Manager and be responsible for ensuring the site meets its private revenue goal of $1.6 million, helping the organization meet its annual budget of approximately $3.2 million.

This position is primarily in-person, with potential for some remote work.

Job Description

About Us

City Year is a trailblazing, youth-powered organization working to create conditions that enable young people to reach their full potential, build leadership skills, and contribute to vibrant communities.   Research   shows the more time a student spends with a City Year AmeriCorps member serving as a   student success   coach, the better the student outcomes—academically, interpersonally and in terms of attendance. A public-private partnership, City Year is a proud member of AmeriCorps,   operating   in 29 U.S. cities with international affiliates in the U.K. and South Africa. Today, 40,000 alums continue to lead and serve where they live and work. Learn more about City Year’s impact:   www.cityyear.org ,   Facebook ,   X   and   LinkedIn .

Position Overview

Since its founding, City Year has relied on its corporate, foundation and individual partners to create meaningful social change,  leveraging  both private and public investors. With a wide range of support from some of Kansas City’s philanthropic leaders, City Year Kansas City has a strong fundraising   track record .

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Development manages the implementation of the fundraising and local external relations strategy for City  Year  Kansas City, including the management of the annual gala. A specific emphasis is placed on managing and building relationships with philanthropic corporations and foundations, high-net-worth individuals, other local businesses, and media outlets to maximize financial resources and brand awareness opportunities, helping City Year Kansas City achieve its revenue and marketing  objectives . Support for these efforts comes from  leveraging  the leadership of City Year Headquarters, the local advisory board, and other champions of the organization. The Development Director will manage the Development Events & Operations   M anager and  be responsible for  ensuring the site meets its private revenue goal of $1.6 million, helping the organization meet its annual budget of approximately $3.2 million.

This position is primarily in-person, with potential for some remote work.

Responsibilities

Minimum Qualifications

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5-8 years of progressive fundraising/development experience with proven fundraising  track record  that includes multi-year giving. Comparable  experience  will be considered.

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Experience leading a large-scale annual fundraising event.

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Proven relationship  manager   who can   recognize the importance of outreach and partnerships for   advancing the   organizational mission.

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Self-starter with strong initiative, while  maintaining  a willingness to work in a collaborative and team-based organization.

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Solid, persuasive writing  & communication  skills.

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Passion for education and youth development

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Ability to work with diverse groups of young adults in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial team environment.

Responsibilities

The   Director of Development   will perform the following roles and responsibilities as described below:

Strategy Development & Leadership

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Develop City Year Kansas City’s  short and long term  fundraising strategy, alongside Executive Director and in partnership with the Development Team.

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Work closely with the Executive Director to develop a plan to implement the strategy of donor cultivation & engagement across sectors: private,  government  and education (state policy and local government).

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Add development capacities to   execute against   City Year’s multi-year site plan .

Manage & Develop Team of Development Professionals:

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Supervise one  additional  team member (Events & Communications Manager) and collaborate with other supporting staff members  assisting  with Development duties .

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Support and develop the professional growth of the Events & Communications Manager .

External Relations

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In collaboration with national marketing efforts and with the support of Development Team, oversee the implementation of localized marketing strategies and tactics to increase City Year Kansas City’s overall brand awareness and ability to recruit 18 to-25-year-olds to serve as City Year AmeriCorps members .

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Serve as representative of City Year within the Kansas City community, attending events on a frequent basis .

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Serve as staff point for media relations, helping to  acquire  publicity for City Year Kansas City .

Corporate and Foundation Strategy:

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Oversee the implementation of City Year Kansas City’s corporate sponsorship program, as well as the grant proposal and reporting process for corporate, foundation, and government donors.

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Strategizes with the Executive Director and Development team to  identify  and cultivate new corporate and foundation partnerships .

Individual Major Gift Strategy:

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Refine City Year’s high-net-worth individual giving circle with innovative strategies to increase individual major gifts of $10,000+ and promote overall donor participation .

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In collaboration with Executive Director and Development  team   identify , cultivate,  solicit  and steward a portfolio of current and future major donors.

Fundraising Events

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Work with the Development team and the Executive Director in managing  special events  to raise the awareness of City Year ; fundraise  and engage individuals, foundations, and corporations as champions and donors. Events include but are not limited to: City Year Kansas City’s Annual Idealist Gala, Specialty Market Events, Opening Day, Graduation, and Private Receptions.

Donor Management :

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Develop successful identification, cultivation,  solicitation  and stewardship strategies to direct and  monitor  the progress of donor relationships.

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Oversee the alignment of City Year’s mission/values with actions and community impact of  donors .

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Ensure diversity and sustainability of site donor base.

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Identify  major donors' philanthropic interests and provide them with opportunities to deepen their connection to City Year’s values/mission.

Advisory Board Management and Engagement:

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Lead quarterly fundraising discussions and updates for City Year’s Advisory Board Meetings.

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Support Executive Director’s stewardship of Advisory Board Members, helping to ensure Board retention, satisfaction, and 100% Board giving.

Organizational Leadership:

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