Director of Philanthropy

at  Easter Seals Alberta

DIRECTOR OF PHILANTHROPY

Are you passionate about working with Albertans with disabilities and supporting your local community? Do you have what it takes to champion our Vision to Inspire Potential, Build Community and Enrich Lives?
Easter Seals Alberta (ESA) is a provincial not-for-profit organization that has been in existence for 70 years. Our mission is to provide services that foster inclusion, independence and recreation for individuals with disabilities and medical conditions. We strive to ensure that the resources Albertans need for an independent and full life are available.
Easter Seals fosters a work environment that’s inclusive as well as diverse, where our people can be themselves. Every idea and perspective is valued to reflect the people we serve.
The Director of Philanthropy reports to the CEO and is responsible for leading and supporting ESA’s development team as well as strategic planning, and procedure development for key fundraising operations supporting the organizations development goals and partnerships. This position is also responsible for advancing donor relationships through face to face meetings, personally managing a number of the organization’s key donor relationships and driving a significant portion of the organization’s annual fundraising goal.
This position requires an ability to work under pressure, juggle multiple timelines, negotiate with donors, and interact with a diverse client base including other members of the fundraising team. The impact of the decisions of the incumbent will have a significant effect on the clients and operations of Easter Seals Alberta.

Responsibilities:

• Manage the ongoing fundraising responsibilities for Easter Seals Alberta.
• Build and sustain an integrated fund development plan across Alberta.
• Lead the organization’s fundraising strategic planning, budget and solicitations with CEO, ESA board, volunteers and staff.
• Develop focused cultivation and solicitation plans and proposals for donor prospects
• Manage the timelines for proposal development. Develop content for proposals and provide potential donors with appropriate, well-researched and customized gift opportunities.
• Evaluate progress toward goals, prepare reports on fundraising progress for the ESA Board, ESA staff team and appropriate volunteer committees and recommend changes or additions to the plans as needed.
• Maintain thorough and updated information in Raiser’s Edge of all relevant donor information. This includes preparing regular reporting to the CEO, Board and appropriate volunteer committees on the present status of relationships - meetings, tours, events, mailings, online giving, etc.
• Guide the ESA staff and volunteers in accordance with ethical fundraising practices.
• Accountability for building major gift donor support to Easter Seals Alberta through identification cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of individual and corporate and foundation partnerships.
• Lead in all fundraising activities and success in the areas of: Corporate Donations; Sponsorships; Employee and Individual Gifts.
• Donor administrative responsibilities such as the preparation of fund agreements, major proposals and public presentations.
• Actively responds and takes initiatives on fundraising opportunities with donors, ensuring appropriate cultivation and stewardship.
• Identifies opportunities for cross-promotion between annual giving and major gifts.
• Takes a donor centric approach to all fundraising activities and consistently delivers effective stewardship and engagement practices.
• Acts as the relationship manager to assigned portfolio of loyal and new donors.
• Manages donor pipeline in RE-NXT with respect to moves management tracking.
• Ensure monthly donors receive the right number of touchpoints during the year (5 to 7 touchpoints).
• Actively identify and research prospects to bring forward to monthly meetings;
• Provide Camp tours to donors, groups, and prospects.
• Provides engagement opportunities (Work parties, volunteer experiences, etc).
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• A degree in Communications, marketing, business or related field in recognized Post secondary institution
• Sector-specific training in integrated fundraising plans, annual campaigns, major gift fundraising, sponsorship, prospect research and planned giving.
• Accreditation as a Certified Fund Raising Executive is an asset. A certificate in fundraising or non-profit management is an asset.
• 8-10 years’ professional experience managing and implementing complex fundraising programs
• Experience conducting province wide campaigns and documented success in campaign management
• Proven track record of staff management, working with volunteers and building effective teams
• Experience working in or with national organizations with a federated, chaptered Structure

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Strong understanding of the Alberta donor base and philanthropic community
• Knowledge of and adherence to Imagine Canada’s Ethical Fundraising and Financial Accountability Code and AFP’s Code of Ethical Principles & Standards of Professional Practice.
• Professional, energetic and creative individual with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong cultivation, negotiation and relationship management skills.
• Ability and willingness to focus on donor-centred communications and respond effectively to donor expectations.
• Exceptional writing, presentation and verbal communication skills. Excellent interpersonal, problem-solving and relationship building skills. High capacity to inspire teamwork and cooperation.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently and integrate with a diverse team.
• Experience working with volunteers as part of the fund development process.
• Knowledgeable about donor cultivation and stewardship.
• A firm understanding of the legal aspects of charitable giving (such as tax receipting) and ability to comply with Canada Revenue Agency regulations.
• Experience in creating digital fundraising campaigns.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office, Excel, Outlook and Raiser’s Edge software.

• Manage the ongoing fundraising responsibilities for Easter Seals Alberta.
• Build and sustain an integrated fund development plan across Alberta.
• Lead the organization’s fundraising strategic planning, budget and solicitations with CEO, ESA board, volunteers and staff.
• Develop focused cultivation and solicitation plans and proposals for donor prospects
• Manage the timelines for proposal development. Develop content for proposals and provide potential donors with appropriate, well-researched and customized gift opportunities.
• Evaluate progress toward goals, prepare reports on fundraising progress for the ESA Board, ESA staff team and appropriate volunteer committees and recommend changes or additions to the plans as needed.
• Maintain thorough and updated information in Raiser’s Edge of all relevant donor information. This includes preparing regular reporting to the CEO, Board and appropriate volunteer committees on the present status of relationships - meetings, tours, events, mailings, online giving, etc.
• Guide the ESA staff and volunteers in accordance with ethical fundraising practices.
• Accountability for building major gift donor support to Easter Seals Alberta through identification cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of individual and corporate and foundation partnerships.
• Lead in all fundraising activities and success in the areas of: Corporate Donations; Sponsorships; Employee and Individual Gifts.
• Donor administrative responsibilities such as the preparation of fund agreements, major proposals and public presentations.
• Actively responds and takes initiatives on fundraising opportunities with donors, ensuring appropriate cultivation and stewardship.
• Identifies opportunities for cross-promotion between annual giving and major gifts.
• Takes a donor centric approach to all fundraising activities and consistently delivers effective stewardship and engagement practices.
• Acts as the relationship manager to assigned portfolio of loyal and new donors.
• Manages donor pipeline in RE-NXT with respect to moves management tracking.
• Ensure monthly donors receive the right number of touchpoints during the year (5 to 7 touchpoints).
• Actively identify and research prospects to bring forward to monthly meetings;
• Provide Camp tours to donors, groups, and prospects.
• Provides engagement opportunities (Work parties, volunteer experiences, etc).
• Other duties as assigned