Fundraising Manager
Position starts: March 4, 2022 or earlier
Term: Permanent full-time
Summary
Oceana Canada is an independent charity committed to rebuilding Canada’s oceans by winning science-based policy victories that increase biodiversity and abundance. We have successfully campaigned to end the shark fin trade, make rebuilding depleted fish populations the law, improve the way fisheries are managed and protect marine habitat. Oceana Canada is part of the largest international advocacy group dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Globally, Oceana has won more than 200 policy victories for marine life and habitats. From stopping bottom trawling in sensitive habitat areas to protecting sea turtles from commercial fishing gear, our victories represent new hope for the world’s oceans.
Oceana Canada is hiring its first dedicated fundraiser to establish and grow a major gifts program and achieve our annual major gifts fundraising goals. Oceana Canada’s new Major Gifts Officer will be based in the Toronto head office, report to the head of communications and fundraising and work closely with the Executive Director, Executive Assistant, communications team and Oceana’s global fundraising teams. The successful candidate will be responsible for increasing revenue from existing and new major gift donors. He or she will bring experience to the team in the strategy and solicitation of major gifts, be confident in all areas of the donor cycle (identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship), possess superior communications, interpersonal and persuasion skills, and be dedicated to helping Oceana Canada achieve its mission and campaign goals.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
- Help set and manage the direction, design, execution and evaluation of an effective Oceana Canada major giving program and strategies to secure gifts in support of campaign priorities.
- Identify, qualify, prioritize, cultivate, solicit and steward a portfolio of major gifts donors and prospects to generate commitments to reach financial targets.
- Work with leadership and campaign staff to secure project information for creating donor offers (front-end) and reporting to donors on how their giving made a difference (back-end), ensuring the timely execution of gift follow-up, pledge fulfillment, donor recognition and stewardship activities.
- Create a personalized contact, marketing and communication plan for each major donor that is focused on fulfilling their interests and passions. Execute the customized donor plan and modify it as circumstances change.
- Research, write and present major gift proposals, grant applications, correspondence, gift agreements and other materials for prospects, seeking input from the communications team to develop key messages and communication materials to support these efforts. Find opportunities to better leverage existing communications platforms for fundraising purposes.
- With the Executive Director, the head of communications and fundraising or other senior staff, plan for and conduct face-to-face and virtual meetings to cultivate, solicit and steward annual and major cash gifts, gifts-in-kind and sponsorship from individuals, businesses, and organizations.
- Coordinate all cultivation and stewardship event production, including drafting all donor-related correspondence, including solicitation letters, invitation and program text, acknowledgements, and other correspondence.
- Represent Oceana Canada at organizational and external events as appropriate. This includes donor and prospect meetings, cultivation events, dinners and galas, professional industry gatherings, and speaking engagements.
- Ensure that fundraising actions and information is tracked and recorded in Salesforce. Regularly update the Executive Director and the head of communications and fundraising on yearly major gift donors and prospects comparisons, developing metrics and monthly reports to monitor performance against goals.
Requirements:
- A minimum of five years of progressive fundraising experience with a priority preference for major gifts fundraising experience in a research- or campaign-based non-profit organization. Other relevant experience or education may be substituted.
- Achievement-oriented, with demonstrated progressive gift development experience and a proven track record of consistent fundraising success.
- Solid understanding of prospective donor behaviour, the Canadian philanthropic environment, fundraising cycles, best practices in donor cultivation, closing, acknowledgement, recognition and stewardship.
- Excellent networking, interpersonal and negotiation skills, a proven ability to build trust, inspire confidence, and maintain authentic, mission-centred relationships with donors, prospects and colleagues.
- Experience in use of Salesforce or other CRM software, prospect research tools and general proficiency in the use of MS Office software is also required, along with the ability to leverage data to identify top prospects.
- A positive and can-do approach to decision-making and problem-solving, with a strong sense of professional judgement and a customer service orientation.
- Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines effectively.
- Familiar with Canada Revenue Agency guidelines and the Federal Income Tax Act regarding charitable donations and sponsorship.
- Superior presentation, written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to take initiative, multi-task, and work graciously in a fast paced environment, with rigorous attention to detail, excellent organizational abilities and an ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously.
- Must be willing to accept varied workload, including travel and working outside of normal work-week hours.
- Knowledge of environmental issues and the non-profit community.
- Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) professional designation (or in progress) would be an asset.
- French bilingualism is an asset.
Oceana Canada offers a competitive salary and benefits.
Oceana Canada is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, support will be provided in the recruitment process and accommodations for disabilities will be provided on request wherever appropriate. All offers of employment are conditional upon the successful completion of reference checks and a criminal background check.
While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those short-listed will be contacted.
TO APPLY: Please apply at the link below by 5:00 p.m. EST on Monday, January 17, 2022 for the best consideration. Applications will be assessed upon receipt; therefore, we encourage early submission. Please include your salary expectations in the cover letter.