Who we are:
Directions for Youth amp; Families (DFYF) is a nonprofit organization providing community-based mental health and prevention services through a resiliency-oriented and trauma-informed framework. Our programs are organized into three service areas: Treatment, Prevention, and Education. From specialized mental health counseling and kindergarten readiness to afterschool and summer programming, we provide innovative services that meet the diverse needs of youth and families throughout our community.
Each year, DFYF proudly serves more than 8,500 youth, adults, and families fulfilling our mission to build and inspire hope, healing, and resilience for youth, families, and communities through counseling and education.
At DFYF, people are at the center of everything we do. Our commitment to both our clients and our employees has earned us recognition as the #1 Workplace in Wellbeing. As our Senior Director of Advancement, you'll play a vital leadership role in expanding the resources and partnerships that make our mission possible. By cultivating donors, strengthening community relationships, and leading strategic fundraising initiatives, you'll help ensure that thousands of children and families continue to receive needed services.
We believe that investing in our employees is essential to fulfilling our mission. That's why we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including free healthcare with $0 deductibles, generous paid time off, 10 paid holidays, retirement benefits, professional development opportunities, and a collaborative, mission-driven culture where your leadership and impact are valued every day.
We are seeking an experienced, strategic, and mission-driven Senior Director of Advancement to lead and grow our fundraising and advancement efforts.
Position Overview:
The position of Senior Director of Advancement supports the implementation of DFYF’s mission: Build and inspire hope, healing, and resilience for youth, families, and communities through counseling and education.
The Senior Director of Advancement is a member of the executive leadership team and leads DFYF’s advancement strategy, including philanthropy, corporate and community partnerships, grants, donor engagement, events, marketing, and communications. Strategic and results-oriented leader who develops and executes comprehensive revenue and communications strategies that strengthen and diversify funding sources and brand awareness across the city and region.
The position leads a team of three advancement professionals (with future opportunities to expand the team) and plays a key role in leading an organization with an annual operating budget of nearly $10 million.
Responsibilities:
Advancement Strategy amp; Fundraising
- Lead and implement a comprehensive advancement strategy focused on sustainable revenue growth and diversification.
- Oversee fundraising efforts across individual giving, board member events, corporate and program partnerships, foundations, grants, sponsorships, estate gifts, and multi-year commitments.
- Cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major donors and strategic funding partners.
- Partner with executive leadership and board members to support fundraising and community engagement efforts.
- Lead major fundraising campaigns and signature events, including DFYF’s annual State of the Child.
- Oversee donor pipeline management, fundraising systems, reporting, and CRM utilization; potential to identify / implement new CRM software platform.
Communications amp; Brand Strategy
- Oversee organizational communications, marketing, and brand strategy.
- Ensure alignment between fundraising, storytelling, communications, and community partnerships.
- Support development of compelling messaging and materials for donors, partners, and external audiences.
- Jointly plan with the Marketing/Communications Manager an annual marketing and communications plan, grounded in brand strategy and in alignment with the agency budget and business plan.
- Collaboratively oversee, with the Advancement team, preparation of effective marketing/communications materials including, but not limited to, brochures, fundraising appeals, annual reports, speeches, newsletters, websites, etc.
Leadership amp; Operations
- Serve as a thought leader and partner with CEO on advancement strategy, including donor relationships, fundraising growth opportunities, and marketing plans.
- Lead and support the advancement team while setting clear goals and expectations.
- Monitor fundraising and marketing/communications performance and provide updates to executive leadership and board members.
- Collaborate across teams to align advancement strategies with organizational and program priorities.
- Adhere and promote the values and ethics of the organization.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree preferred; sustained experience considered.
- 8–10 years of progressive leadership experience in fundraising, advancement, development, or related executive leadership roles, preferably with nonprofits.
- Demonstrated success of securing major gifts, institutional funding, and strategic partnerships.
- Strong relationship-building skills with external (donors, corporate leaders, community stakeholders) and internal (DFYF staff, volunteers, board members) constituents.
- Excellent strategic planning, communication, and project management skills.
- Demonstrated success leading a team of professionals in achieving stretch goals, ensuring strong employee morale and dedication to mission.
- Experience with donor management systems and fundraising analytics.
- Ability to bring structure, clarity, and focus within a growing organization.
- Comfortable operating with uncertainty and change, ready to take advantage of unexpected opportunities and adapt quickly as the context shifts.
- Maintain strict confidentiality with donor and beneficiary data and information.
- Job location: Columbus, Ohio with hybrid work schedule.
What Makes Us Great:
- ✅ Free healthcare with $0 deductibles
- ✅ Ranked #1 for Workplace Wellbeing
- ✅ 403(b) with employer contribution
- ✅ Generous PTO (up to 160 hours after first year) + 10 paid holidays
- ✅ Fun, healthy, and supportive culture
- ✅ Mission-Driven Impact
- ✅ Work that Matters
- ✅ Meaningful Community Connections
Our Mission
Build and inspire hope, healing, and resilience for youth, families, and communities through counseling and education
Our Vision
Building healthy individuals, strong families, and safe communities through innovative treatment and prevention services
Our Values
Quality • Diversity • Accessibility • Acceptance • Collaboration •
Investment in individuals, families, and communities