Chief Development Officer
Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada is the only national foundation dedicated exclusively to improving outcomes for children and youth involved in the child welfare system. Working alongside approximately 100 child- and youth-serving organizations across the country, the Foundation invests in evidence-informed programs and partnerships that create lasting impact in education, employment, mental health and well-being, and strong families and lifelong connections. As the Foundation implements its ambitious 2025–2030 strategic plan, it is entering a new chapter, building on a strong legacy while evolving into an impact-focused foundation that uses philanthropy as a catalyst for innovation, stronger systems, measurable outcomes, and lasting change for children and youth across Canada. While grant making remains central to its work, the Foundation is expanding its focus on strategic partnerships, outcomes-based investment, evaluation, and systems-level impact.
Reporting to the President & CEO and serving as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the Chief Development Officer (CDO) will lead the Foundation’s national fundraising strategy and oversee all development activities, including major gifts, corporate partnerships, planned giving, community giving, events, and direct response. Leading a team of approximately 15, the CDO will provide both strategic leadership and hands-on fundraising expertise, personally managing a portfolio of major donors while building a culture of performance, collaboration, and accountability. Working closely with the Board of Directors, Campaign Cabinet, volunteers, and senior leadership, the CDO will play a central role in advancing philanthropic growth, cultivating transformational partnerships, and ensuring the Foundation has the resources to achieve its mission and long-term strategic objectives. Beyond growing revenue, the CDO will help shape the Foundation’s evolving philanthropic strategy, engaging donors as partners in long-term solutions and helping position philanthropy as a catalyst for innovation, measurable outcomes, and lasting systems change.
The ideal candidate is an accomplished fundraising executive with a demonstrated record of securing major and transformational gifts, leading high-performing development teams, and building enduring relationships with donors, corporate partners, foundations, and volunteers. They bring experience engaging donors around a compelling vision for impact, translating complex social challenges into meaningful philanthropic investment opportunities that deliver lasting outcomes. They understand how to engage donors not only around immediate needs, but around investing in innovation, strategic partnerships, and measurable outcomes that create lasting change.
Equally comfortable setting strategy and personally leading donor conversations, the successful candidate is a collaborative, values-driven leader with exceptional communication skills, sound judgment, and the credibility to represent the Foundation nationally. Experience in the Canadian charitable sector is essential, while knowledge of child welfare, social services, or systems-change initiatives would be considered an asset. Above all, the next Chief Development Officer will be motivated by the opportunity to help shape the future of philanthropy for children and youth connected to child welfare across Canada, inspiring donors to invest not only in immediate needs, but in solutions, innovation, measurable outcomes, and lasting impact.
This is an opportunity to join the Foundation at a pivotal moment in its evolution. The successful candidate will help shape the next generation of philanthropy for children and youth connected to child welfare across Canada, working alongside an experienced leadership team to build transformational partnerships, inspire bold investment, and advance lasting change for some of the country’s most vulnerable children, youth, and families.
To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume directly at boyden.thriveapp.ly/job/3352. For more information, please contact Nick Chambers and Kate Ralston at kralston@boyden.com.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Early applications are encouraged. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those under consideration for the role will be contacted.
Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and accessible work environment. We welcome applications from individuals who reflect the communities we serve, including Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those from LGBTQ2S+ communities.