Fund Development Manager

Position Title: Senior Fund Development Manager Organization: REST Centres (Restoration and Empowerment for Social Transition) Location: Peel Region, ON (Hybrid: in-office and remote) ReportsTo: Executive Director Employment Type: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week Compensation: Competitive salary with benefits, commensurate with experienceAbout REST CentresREST Centres is a Black-led, community-based non-profit organization in the Region of Peel dedicated to ending youth homelessness among Black, Indigenous, and other racialized (BIPOC) youth. We provide culturally responsive transitional housing, mentorship, and wrap-around support for youth transitioning out of care or experiencing housing instability. Our programs help youth secure safe housing, build life skills, and move toward independence and long-term stability.Position SummaryREST Centres is at a pivotal stage of growth. To sustain and scale our impact, we are recruiting a Senior Fund Development Manager to build a strong, diversified, and sustainable funding base.The Senior Fund Development Manager will lead the design and implementation of a multi-year, multi-channel fundraising strategy, with a focus on growing non-government revenue (corporate, foundation, and individual giving), securing multi-year commitments, and building the fundraising capacity of our Board and staff.This role is both strategic and hands-on: you will develop the strategy, manage the pipeline, write and oversee proposals, lead donor campaigns and events, steward key relationships, and leverage technology and data to drive results.Key Responsibilities1. Strategy & LeadershipDevelop and implement a multi-year fundraising strategy that aligns with REST’s strategic plan and growth goals, with clear revenue targets and KPIs (including increasing non-government revenue ).Conduct a fundraising audit and donor pipeline mapping to identify gaps, opportunities, and priority segments.Create and maintain an annual fundraising calendar, including campaigns, events, grant deadlines, and stewardship touchpoints.Provide regular fundraising reports and forecasts to the Executive Director and Board, using data to guide decision-making.2. Revenue Development (Grants, Corporate, Individual & Major Gifts)Lead the research, cultivation, and solicitation of funding from foundations, corporations, government (where strategic), and faith-based or mission-aligned partners.Prepare high-quality grant applications and proposals, coordinating input from program staff and leadership.Design and grow a robust individual giving program, including:Annual giving and digital campaigns (email, social, website).Monthly giving and mid-level donor programs.Major gifts pipeline development and cultivation plans.Develop and steward corporate partnerships and sponsorships, including cause-marketing, events, and program sponsorship opportunities.Identify and lead opportunities for peer-to-peer fundraising and community-driven campaigns.Lead the achievement of REST’s annual fundraising targets, with a focus on increasing non-government revenue (corporate, foundation, and individual giving) and securing multi-year commitments.3. Donor Relations & StewardshipBuild and manage a portfolio of key donors and prospects, including foundations, corporations, and individual major donors.Design and oversee a stewardship strategy to improve donor retention (e.g., impact reports, personalized updates, recognition opportunities, donor events).In collaboration with Communications staff, create compelling case for support, donor communications, and impact stories that highlight REST’s work with Black and racialized youth.Plan and support donor and partner engagement events (virtual and in-person) to deepen relationships and grow support.4. Board & Staff Capacity BuildingIn collaboration with the Board Fundraising Committee, develop a Board engagement plan that clearly defines roles in fundraising and stewardship.Coach and support Board members to participate confidently in donor meetings, events, and outreach.Deliver training for Board, staff, and volunteers on fundraising tools, messages, and best practices, helping to embed a culture of philanthropy across the organization.5. Systems, Data & TechnologyImplement and optimize fundraising systems and tools (e.g., CRM, Feathr, Mailchimp, Keela, CanadaHelps, Grant Connect, donation pages) to support:Donor segmentation and journeysPipeline managementCampaign tracking and A/B testingReporting and analyticsEnsure accurate, timely donor data entry and reporting, in collaboration with administrative and finance staff.Use data to track key metrics (donor acquisition, retention, average gift, ROI by channel) and continuously improve strategies.6. Cross-Organizational Collaboration & Equity FocusWorking closely with the Executive Director and program leads to understanding program funding needs, impact data, and emerging opportunities.Align fundraising narratives with REST’s equity-focused mandate and ensure culturally responsive storytelling that honours youth voices and lived experience.Support the Executive Director’s efforts to secure partners and sponsors for initiatives like the Black Youth Housing Equity Summit and knowledge-sharing collaboration with the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness.Contribute to strategic discussions on social enterprise and earned-revenue opportunities, ensuring they connect to overall fund development strategy.Qualifications & ExperienceRequired:Minimum 7+ years of progressive experience in fundraising, development, or a closely related role, preferably in the non-profit or charitable sector.Demonstrated success designing and delivering multi-channel fundraising strategies, including:Foundation and corporate grantsCorporate sponsorships and partnershipsIndividual giving (annual, monthly)Major giftsDigital and/or peer-to-peer campaignsProven track record of growing revenue and securing multi-year commitments across several funding streams.Experience working with and supporting Boards of Directors in fundraising and donor engagement.Strong proposal and grant writing skills with the ability to communicate complex programs clearly and compellingly.Hands-on experience with fundraising CRMs and digital tools (e.g., Keela, Salesforce NPSP, Mailchimp, CanadaHelps, Feathr, or similar).Excellent relationship management skills; able to build trust and rapport with donors, partners, community leaders, and internal teams.High level of strategic thinking, planning, and project management ability.Deep commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and understanding of systemic barriers faced by BIPOC youth and communities.Assets:CFRE designation or equivalent training in fundraising and philanthropy.Experience with youth-serving, housing/homelessness, anti-racism, or Black-led/Black-serving organizations.Familiarity with social enterprise models and revenue diversification strategies.Comfort speaking at events and representing the organization in donor-facing spaces.Core CompetenciesStrategic and analytical thinkingStrong written and verbal communicationDonor-centric and relationship-orientedResults-driven with clear accountability to targetsCollaborative, coaching leadership styleCultural humility and trauma-informed lensHigh integrity, discretion, and professionalismWorking ConditionsHybrid work environment with some in-person work required in Peel Region (meetings, events, donor visits).Occasional evenings and weekends to accommodate donor events, campaigns, or Board meetings.'Join us in making a difference If you are driven by purpose and ready to lead impactful fundraising initiatives, we invite you to bring your expertise to R.E.S.T. Center. Let’s work together to transform lives.'Job Type: Fixed term contractSalary: $80,000-$85,000Contract length: 12 monthsBenefits:Company eventsDental careEmployee assistance programExtended health careMileage reimbursementOn-site parkingPaid time offVision careWellness programWork from homeWork Location: Hybrid remote in Mississauga, ON L5R 4J9