Development Specialist
Organization: Ontario Justice Education Network (OJEN)
Location: Toronto, ON (Hybrid: remote and in-office)
Position Type: Full-time (5 days/week), 1 year contract
About OJEN
OJEN is a charitable not-for-profit, non-governmental organization with a province-wide mandate. We develop innovative educational tools that introduce young people to the justice system, help them understand the law, and build their legal capability. We work to help prepare young people to manage the legal aspects of problems that arise in their own lives. Our programs are delivered across Ontario by a staff of 12 and a pool of approximately 1600 justice sector volunteers, including judges, lawyers, police officers, and law students. Thousands of high school students and their teachers participate in OJEN programs each year. We also partner with community organizations, after-school groups, and summer programs to bring our workshops to hundreds of youth in under-served communities. For more information about OJEN, please visit our website: www.ojen.ca.
About the Role
OJEN is hiring our first dedicated fundraising role. This new, intermediate to senior-level role will help shape our long-term sustainability by building relationships, expanding revenue streams, and strengthening our funding base. This is a one-year contract and reports to the Executive Director.
We’re looking for someone who is passionate about social justice, thrives on relationship-building, and can balance big-picture strategy with hands-on work like prospect research, writing grant proposals and developing donor communications.
Key Responsibilities
- Fundraising Strategy: Develop and lead a fundraising plan to grow and diversify funding from foundations, government, sponsors, and individual donors. Collaborate with OJEN staff to develop compelling anniversary appeal campaigns, including a special 25th anniversary fundraising initiative to engage donors and celebrate organizational milestones.
- Grant Writing & Management: Write compelling letters of intent, grant applications and impact reports; manage deadlines and funder relationships.
- Donor Engagement: Build and steward relationships with donors, partners, and supporters.
- Partnership Development: Engage with legal, education, and philanthropic communities to explore new funding opportunities.
- Collaboration: Work closely with program and communications teams to align fundraising goals with organizational impact and storytelling.
- Reporting & Evaluation: Track and analyze fundraising outcomes; prepare updates for the Executive Director and Board.
What We’re Looking For
- Proven success in non-profit fundraising, especially with securing grants and donor relations – minimum 3-5 years experience
- Exceptional written and verbal communication with the ability to turn impact data into a persuasive narrative
- Experience developing fundraising strategies and donor engagement plans
- Ability to work independently, collaboratively, and strategically
- Familiarity with the justice, education, or youth sectors is an asset
- Commitment to equity, access to justice, youth empowerment, and OJEN’s mandate.
Compensation & Work Environment
- Salary: $75,000 – $85,000 annually
- Benefits: Flexible scheduling, and a supportive hybrid work environment
- Location: Hybrid role based in Toronto, with remote and in-office work (one day per week in our Toronto office)
How to Apply
Please send your resume and cover letter (in a single PDF) to recruitment@ojen.ca with the subject line: Development Specialist Application – [Your Name].
OJEN is committed to building an inclusive team. We encourage applications from individuals who identify as Indigenous, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQ+, living with a disability, or with other lived experiences of systemic discrimination.
OJEN will provide accommodation in all phases of the hiring process, up to the point of undue hardship, upon request.
OJEN does not employ the use of AI technology in the screening, recruitment, or selection process.
This job posting will be retained for a minimum three-year period.
This position does not fill an existing vacancy.
Thank you for your interest. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis as qualified candidates are received. Due to the anticipated volume of applications, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.