Director of Fundraising

About the Job:

Reporting to the Chief Executive Office, the Director, Fundraising and Initiatives is responsible for developing and executing a fundraising strategy to support our mission and growth. The Director leads and oversees a fundraising team to develop and grow SHIPs funder base and establish individual giving, major gifts, grants, corporate sponsorships, and special events, while fostering a culture of philanthropy across the Organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:

General

• Integrates SHIP’s vision, mission and values
• Translates strategic goals into practical actions
• Develop and implement a fundraising strategy aligned with organizational goals and targets
• Develop annual fundraising plan, forecast and track annual departmental budget
• Cultivate and steward relationships with individual donors, foundations, and corporate partners
• Lead grant writing and reporting processes in collaboration with other program teams
• Oversee planning and execution of fundraising events and campaigns
• Manage donor database and ensure accurate tracking, reporting, and acknowledgment of gifts
• Collaborate with the communications team to create compelling fundraising materials and donor communications
• Foster and secure corporate sponsorships including applications, budgeting and confirming agreements
• Provide regular reports and fundraising forecasts to the Leadership team
• Supervise and mentor development staff and volunteers as needed.

Donor Engagement & Stewardship

• Design and implement donor stewardship programs to enhance donor retention and upgrade giving levels
• Conduct donor prospect research and maintain a pipeline of potential major donors
• Coordinate personalized donor recognition and cultivation program
• Implement capital fundraising campaigns as required for new capital projects

Campaigns and Appeals

• Lead the planning and execution of annual giving campaigns, including direct mail, online fundraising, and peer-to-peer initiatives
• Develop and manage capital campaigns or special fundraising initiatives

Collaboration & Communication

• Work closely with program staff and communications to understand funding needs and impact stories
• Represent the organization at community events, donor meetings, and public speaking engagements
• Collaborate with communications, board of directors and the leadership team to align messaging and branding across fundraising channels

Team Leadership

• Lead, motivate, and support the team, providing guidance, training, and performance management
• Set clear, open and transparent communication
• Goal setting for the program team to give direction and purpose

Key Attributes:

• Proven track record of securing major gifts, grants and corporate sponsorships
• Excellent written, verbal, and organizational skills
• Effective problem-solving skills and the ability to evaluate and interpret findings to determine a viable solution
• Ability to prioritize tasks and execute work efficiently in a fast-paced environment
• Budget Management
• Passion for community engagement and social impact
• Strong understanding of policies, regulations, and relevant laws

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, or equivalent (Master’s is Philanthropy is an asset)
• 7+ years of progressive fundraising experience, preferably in a nonprofit or community-based setting
• Training or certification in grant writing, major gift fundraising or planned giving
• Strong leadership, strategic thinking and project management skills
• Proficient with donor management systems
• Excellent verbal/written communication and interpersonal skills
• Proven experience for analytical and organizational skills
• Demonstrated ability to work without direct supervision in a team environment
• Proficient in MS Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook)

Reporting Function:

The Director, Fundraising and Initiatives reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer. They have the authority to manage staff members appropriately. They work with both internal and external stakeholders and interact with all levels within the organization and donors.

Working Conditions and Requirements:

• 8:30am - 4:30pm (Monday – Friday) with the ability to work afternoons, weekends and excess/overtime hours where required
• Able to work well with internal and external clients
• Able to sit/stand for prolonged periods of time
• Computer screen use (multiple screens if applicable) for prolonged periods of time
• Able to lift up to 20lbs (product, devices, marketing materials etc.)
• Vehicle with adequate insurance coverage for applicable travel is required

Ship Values

• Compassion, Hope, Inclusive, Respect, Professional

“SHIP strives to be equitable and inclusive in all that we do. Equity is a core value, and we are committed to providing an inclusive selection process. We encourage applicants from equity deserving communities including women, Black, Indigenous, other racialized groups, 2SLGBTQ+ persons, individuals with disabilities and others who will contribute to and enrich the organization and its values. We are committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment, selection processes, and work environments. Please advise the People and Culture Department of any accommodations needed in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Ontario Human Rights Code to ensure you have access to a fair and equitable process”. 

Please note that we use automated screening tools as part of our recruitment process and are reviewed to support fair and equitable hiring practices