Philanthropy Engagement Specialist
Are you passionate about nature and driven to help ensure we take care of it for future generations? Are you looking for an opportunity to leverage your proven philanthropy skills at an impact focused organization that supports priority Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) science and research, protection and restoration and outdoor education programming initiatives? Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundation (LSCF) has an exciting opportunity for the right individual to advance their career as our Philanthropy Engagement Specialist.
With an affinity for our mission and a proven track record of success and innovation, the Philanthropy Engagement Specialist will collaborate with staff, donors, volunteers and the community to reach ambitious, but realistic fundraising revenue goals.
What you will do
The Philanthropy Engagement Specialist is a new position on our small team, a fundraising generalist who will help envision, plan, implement and adaptively manage fundraising programs, partnerships and donor relationships that will ultimately enable LSCF to achieve its vision of a healthier, more resilient Lake Simcoe and its surrounding land that will enrich our lives for generations to come. You will oversee the Climate Champion Fund (CCF), our annual giving portfolio that includes major gifts, events, grants, direct mail, monthly and leadership giving, tributes, and staff engagement.
Reporting directly to the Executive Director, you will work collaboratively with the Senior Administrative Assistant, Annual Giving Coordinator (Signature Events) and the Board of Directors to nurture support through the delivery of multi-channel fundraising programs and an annual calendar of donor stewardship and engagement activities.
- Manage fundraising programs including the implementation and execution of strategies to grow our annual giving fund.
- Lead and collaborate with staff on grant opportunities and identifying new sources of funding.
- Manage Foundation semi-annual appeals via direct and digital mail to donors and stakeholders.
- Collaborate with the Annual Giving Coordinator to support the signature events.
- Manage corporate giving programs.
- Research sector trends and investigate new fundraising program ideas that may resonate with Foundation donors and prospects.
- Monitor fundraising program success, analyze results, report, recommend and implement improvements.
- Ensures fundraising procedures and policies are in alignment with best practices and the Foundation’s certification in Imagine Canada’s Standards Program.
- Working with the Senior Administrative Assistant, ensure accurate donor records in e-Tapestry are maintained, tracking interactions, contributions and engagement. Provide analysis on trends and recommend enhancements.
- Provide any required reporting to internal and external stakeholders.
- Manage relationships with external vendors and internal departments to meet relevant deadlines.
- Provide input on LSCF’s overall strategic directions.
- Oversee the Climate Champion Fund budget, including signature events.
- Working alongside the Senior Administrative Assistant, act as a trusted point of contact for donors, ensuring a consistent donor-centric approach.
- Oversee the development and execution of strategies for donors to move effectively through a meaningful cycle of giving and engagement, including the development of a donor pipeline process.
- Collaborate with the team to implement compelling print and digital communications products ensuring alignment with goals and mission. This includes e-newsletters, Annual Gratitude Report, proposals.
- Lead the ideation and execution of donor recognition and retention activities. Ensures the timely, appropriate acknowledgement of donor appreciation, including maintaining accurate data in e-Tapestry.
- Support professional management and appreciation of volunteers, including the Foundation Board of Directors.
- Other duties as assigned.
What you offer
- Relevant post-secondary degree or combination of relevant academic qualifications and experience.
- Minimum 5 years of non-profit fundraising experience with a demonstrated track record of developing and executing successful and innovative annual fundraising programs.
- Donor facing experience and strong interpersonal skills, an ability to build and nurture solid relationships.
- Understanding of good governance and Imagine Canada standards of excellence.
- Experience developing and executing fundraising plans and programs that meet and exceed revenue goals.
- Communications experience specifically e-Newsletters and social media.
- Design experience in creating social media posts, email headers, infographics, and donor reports and presentations.
- Excellent writing, proofreading and editing skills with a demonstrated ability to write clear, engaging content for a variety of communications materials, purposes and audiences.
- Collaborative mindset; strives to work effectively with others. Has experience working with volunteers and Boards.
- Ability to rise to new challenges and find creative and innovative solutions – resourceful and tenacious.
- Knowledge of fundraising best practices and trends, new ideas and the ability to incorporate it into an effective and realistic fundraising plan.
- Exceptional organizational skills and ability to handle multiple and competing deadlines.
- Experience working with donor databases, (particularly Blackbaud’s e-Tapestry) data entry, report generation and writing.
- Access to a vehicle on a regular basis.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office 365 (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, OneDrive, Excel).
What we offer you
- Salary range of $66,519.10 to $77,817.94
- Enrollment in OMERS pension plan.
- Comprehensive Health and Dental Benefits Plan (enrollment from first day of employment).
- Employee Assistance Program for you and your dependents.
- Conservation Ontario Pass – provides free access to most Conservation Areas in Ontario.
- Hybrid work opportunity.
Hours of work
35-hour work week, Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm
Please forward a single pdf document that includes a résumé and covering letter to the Conservation Authority’s Human Resources department, referencing Competition #21-2025, by 4:00 pm on June 23, 2025, to careers@LSRCA.on.ca.
The Conservation Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, the Authority will provide accommodations throughout the recruitment, selection, and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities. If you are contacted regarding this competition and you require disability related accommodations, please inform Human Resources.
This job advertisement is for an existing vacancy. All personal information is collected in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. We thank all applicants for their interest in the Conservation Authority; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.