Director, Major Gifts

You are an accomplished major gifts fundraiser who enjoys leading and developing a team, all while chasing ambitious – yet attainable – fundraising goals.

Your peers would describe you as creative, entrepreneurial and courageous. You are energized by being surrounded by a capable team and you develop relationships based on integrity and respect. Relationships with donors and ultimately securing major commitments on behalf of the organization you represent brings you energy. You believe fundraising is a team sport and you model this behaviour daily through your actions and interactions with your team. You aren’t afraid to pick up the phone and be a self starter.

Ideally, you’ve worked for a hospital foundation and understand the nuances. Inter-professional staff respect you because you respect them, their time and the vital work they are doing. You are curious about the research discoveries and clinical work.  The hospital environment invigorates you.

You have a comfort level working with senior volunteers. You’ve worked with a board before – perhaps you’ve even coached and mentored a board member who doesn’t have experience fundraising with good success. You encourage and support board member participation on donor visits. You are comfortable being in the asking seat or stepping back and encouraging another; you’ll play either role, so long as the best interests of the donor are in mind.

Are you eager to join a dynamic, growing team who is passionate about creating a work environment that is inspiring, productive and fun?  If this sounds like you, read on.

As the fundraising arm of Baycrest, the Foundation helps fund breakthrough research into cognition, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and aging brain health; clinical programs and services for older adults living in their community; and education that supports healthy aging and healthcare solutions for a growing aging population.

Thanks to generous donors, the Foundation is able to meet the varied needs of Baycrest, where government funding does not cover them.

Mission

To advance aging-related cognitive, emotional and physical wellbeing as an exemplary healthcare provider for older persons. We strive to deliver transformative research, care, innovation, and education in aging and brain health.

Vision

A world where every older person lives with purpose, fulfilment and dignity.

Goal 1: Deliver innovative health care for older persons in the community.

• Design, test and introduce specialized healthcare and wellness services through innovative approaches and strategic partnerships in the local community and across the province.

Goal 2: Provide global leadership in Dementia

• Provide new insights that advance prevention, detection, treatments and care approaches through research, innovation and education.

Goal 3: Redefine the residential living experience for older persons

• Provide sector leadership through the introduction of transformative social, recreational and wellness programs and best-in-class healthcare services in all Baycrest congregate residential settings locally, nationally and globally.

Goal 4: Be a leading voice in advancing the lives of older persons

• Raise societal awareness and influence public policies that enhance the wellbeing of the world’s aging population, enabling older persons to explore their possibilities and live with purpose, fulfilment and dignity.

Baycrest Values

Founded by the Jewish community and guided by the principles embedded within their heritage and culture, Baycrest is committed to pursuing its mission and achieving its vision through its values, I.C.A.R.E.:

Inclusive: They promise a workplace culture that welcomes and appreciates everyone equally and without discrimination or judgement.

Collaborative: They focus on teamwork and nurture the cooperation of internal and external partners to maximize their collective strengths.

Ambitious: They are driven by relentless curiosity and an imperative to challenge the status quo by making bold choices, learning from failure and celebrating success.

Respectful: They treat everyone with compassion, professionalism and kindness, and believe each person is unique with intrinsic dignity and worth.

Excellent: They are committed to excellence in everything they do by fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

In this newly created role reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Director of Major Gifts provides leadership in developing and executing the major gifts strategy for Baycrest Foundation. The role manages half of a personal fundraising portfolio of assigned prospects and donors while also coaching and supervising a team of Major Gifts professionals. The Director will strengthen donor relationships, advance cultivation and solicitation planning while engaging volunteers and campaign leaders. They will be a key contributor to ensuring the alignment of major gifts activity with campaign and organizational priorities. This position plays a key role in revenue generation, donor pipeline growth and team performance.

Why Baycrest?

Baycrest puts people first, offering rewards and programs to support your health, well-being, and growth. (Eligibility varies by role and employment status.)

• Competitive pay
• Extended health and dental coverage
• Defined-benefit pension plan (HOOPP)
• Paid vacation and statutory holidays
• Maternity and parental leave top-up programs
• Employee and family assistance program (EFAP)
• On-site fitness facilities
• Employee discount program
• Tuition reimbursement

Major Gift Fundraising & Portfolio Management

• Manage a portfolio of high‑value prospects and donors, advancing relationships through cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
• Develop personalized strategies to secure major gifts that align with donor interests and Baycrest priorities.
• Work with the campaign team and writers to prepare customized proposals, presentations and impact materials to support gift conversations.
• Achieve annual revenue targets and contribute to multi‑year campaign goals.
• Work with clinicians, researchers and program leads to articulate compelling cases for support.

Team Leadership

• Provide leadership, coaching and professional development to a team of five Major Gifts Managers and one coordinator.
• Set performance goals, monitor progress and ensure accountability for donor strategies and revenue targets.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, professionalism and continuous improvement.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, training and retention of team members.

Volunteer & Campaign Cabinet Engagement

• Engage key volunteers, board members and campaign cabinet members in cultivation and solicitation activities.
• Provide guidance and tools for volunteer-led donor engagement.
• Coordinate strategic briefings, meeting preparation and follow-up to advance relationships and asks.

Proposal Development & Gift Agreements

• Collaborate with the campaign team to develop high-quality proposals, gift agreements and supporting documents.
• Ensure alignment with donor intent, legal guidelines and institutional requirements.
• Partner with Finance and program leads to monitor gift deliverables and reporting.

Strategic Planning & Pipeline Development

• Support the CDO in building, refining and executing the major gifts strategy.
• Monitor emerging trends, donor insights and opportunities for growth.
• Lead pipeline development activities, qualification strategies and portfolio optimization.
• Champion data accuracy, timely documentation and donor insights within the CRM system.
• Use analytics to evaluate donor potential, portfolio performance and forecasting.

• At least 10 years of progressive experience including significant experience in major gifts, campaign fundraising and relationship-based philanthropy.
• Undergraduate degree in business, marketing, a certificate in fundraising or related field.
• CFRE designation considered an asset, not required.
• Experience in healthcare, research, education or a complex nonprofit environment is strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to cultivate, solicit and close 6-8 figure gifts.
• Demonstrated success managing a major gifts portfolio with measurable outcomes.
• Experience developing compelling cases for support and donor offers.
• Strong understanding of philanthropic trends, donor motivations and high net worth engagement.
• Strong analytical skills to evaluate donor data, pipeline strength and revenue forecasting.
• Expertise in portfolio optimization and prospect strategy development.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience supervising fundraisers with a track record of developing high-performing teams.
• Proficiency with donor databases (e.g. Raiser’s Edge, or similar).
• Strong Microsoft Office skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams).

This is a rare opportunity to lead with purpose in a respected 108-year-old organization at the forefront of aging and brain health. Baycrest Foundation offers a collaborative and inclusive culture, a passionate and committed team and a mission that inspires.

Baycrest Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applicants from equity seeking groups. Baycrest Foundation is committed to providing reasonable accessible employment practices that follow the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodation for disability during any stage of the recruitment process, please indicate this in your cover letter.

Preston Human Capital Group is conducting this search in partnership with Baycrest Foundation. If you are looking for an outstanding challenge and meet the qualification criteria, we look forward to hearing from you. Please include a cover letter and CV addressed to Lindsay Preston. The posting closes on May 22, 2026 at 5pm ET.  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Thank you for your interest.