Job Board
Pathways to Education

Director of Private Giving


Posted On: January 29, 2025
Closing On: February 16, 2025

Location: Toronto
Effective: Immediately
Employment Type: fulltime
Level: senior
Salary Range: $135,000-$145,000


Director of Private Giving, Donor Programs, Pathways to Education Canada
We are searching for a leader who can transform the landscape of private giving in Canada. Someone passionate about driving impact through philanthropy, inspiring donor communities, and leading a high-performing team. Does this sound like you?
Pathways to Education is a national, charitable organization breaking the cycle of poverty through education. Its award-winning program is creating positive social change by supporting youth living in low-income communities to overcome barriers to education, graduate from high school, and build the foundation for a successful future. Through the collective power of partnerships, Pathways to Education’s innovative program is preparing youth for tomorrow.
The Opportunity 
As the Director of Private Giving, you will lead and grow the individual and foundation giving portfolio, with a focus on securing transformational six-figure gifts. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, you will oversee strategic donor engagement, personalized stewardship, and impactful fundraising campaigns that inspire giving. You will manage a team of philanthropy professionals, setting the course for ambitious revenue goals and ensuring continued support for the thousands of young people served by Pathways programs.
Your leadership and relationship-building skills will be instrumental in fostering a culture of philanthropy, building meaningful connections with donors, and positioning Pathways as a top philanthropic choice for individuals and foundations nationwide.
What You’ll Do 
  • Secure significant commitments from individual and foundation donors, ensuring sustained and increased revenue through strategic donor engagement.
  • Create and execute cultivation and solicitation strategies tailored to donor preferences, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
  • Lead strategic proposal development for solicitation of major and principal prospects; ensure that ask amounts and designations align with organizational needs and donor preferences
  • Inspire and steward key donors, delivering personalized updates, compelling impact reports, and opportunities for deepened engagement.
  • Initiate and maintain external / donor-facing activity including cultivation and solicitation meetings, agreement of gift negotiations, and continued engagement.
  • Oversee mid-level and mass-market solicitations and implement a proactive Legacy Giving program to build future revenue.
  • Provide leadership and mentorship to a team of fundraising professionals, fostering growth and achieving team performance goals.
  • Engage senior volunteers in fundraising activities to extend the organization’s reach and effectiveness.
  • Collaborate and develop stewardship plans for key funders
  • Support identification and qualification of new prospects, at various giving levels
What You Bring  
  • 8+ years of experience in fundraising with demonstrated success in securing major gifts, managing donor relations, and leading teams.
  • University degree or equivalent experience and Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) designation preferred.
  • A deep commitment to the mission of Pathways to Education and an understanding of the transformative impact of education.
  • Experience creating and implementing cultivation and solicitation plans for individual and foundation donors at various giving levels.
  • Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to create compelling donor proposals and deliver presentations.
  • Solid proficiency with donor management tools like Raiser’s Edge and an ability to use data effectively to inform strategies.
  • Proficiency in both English and French is an asset.
What We Offer 
  • An exciting opportunity to be part of a leading not-for-profit dedicated to excellence and impact.
  • A collaborative work environment with a culture of innovation.
  • Opportunities for learning and professional development.
  • Competitive salary.
  • Generous vacation and health benefits package.
  • Group RRSP program.
To confidentially explore this opportunity, please submit a cover letter and resume using the online application process. Applications will be accepted until 5pm on February 16, 2025. Pathways Canada thanks all applicants for their interest. Due to volume, only those who qualify for an interview will be contacted.  Should you require any assistance and/or accommodation through your application process, please send an email with the subject line ‘Director of Private Giving – Request’ to talent@pathwayscanada.ca.
Pathways to Education Canada is committed to fostering a diverse work environment, one that is inclusive of different races, ethnic origin, citizenship, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, ages, family status, disability status, and intersectional identities. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply and advise us of any accommodations or supports needed to ensure fair and equitable access throughout the recruitment and selection process.