Manager Major Gifts

Summary of the Role

Feed the Need in Durham (FTND), Durham’s largest emergency food distribution center, seeks a Senior Manager, Major Gifts to lead its major gifts fundraising program . Reporting to the Director of Fundraising and Communications , this role is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and securing major and leadership gifts from corporations, industries, and foundations. The successful candidate will develop new revenue streams , strengthen donor relationships, and support fundraising strategies aligned with FTND’s mission .

Key responsibilities include portfolio growth, donor engagement, stewardship, and securing high-value funding . The role requires strong relationship management skills , strategic planning, and compliance with fundraising best practices . The Senior Manager will work closely with the leadership team , manage corporate and foundation funding strategies , and represent FTND in public and fundraising engagements .

Candidates should have 5-7 years of experience in major gifts fundraising, donor relations, or business development , a track record of securing five- and six-figure gifts , and strong communication and presentation skills.

Role Details

Key Performance Measures

• Revenue Growth
• Portfolio growth. Manage current donors and identify and qualify new prospects while developing funding opportunities
• Key metrics include calls, visits, funding requests, and funding outcomes
• Tracking donor progression through the stages of research, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship

Strategic Development

• Develops and manages the strategic plan for major gifts fund development initiatives, including corporate donations, foundations and grants, planned giving, and signature events.
• Develop and maintain relationships with FTND donors and prospective donors, including conducting in-depth prospect research and qualification.
• Ensures seamless coordination of fundraising efforts with ongoing marketing and communications initiatives.
• Creates an environment that fosters and develops effective working relationships, inclusion, and diversity; encourages a high level of performance and continuous improvement; proactively addresses any morale, cooperation or productivity issues.
• Ensure compliance with fundraising best practices, including all ethical guidelines and principles outlined by the Canada Revenue Agency, Imagine Canada, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and the Canadian Centre for Philanthropy.

Fund Raising, Donor Relations and Stewardship

• Leads the implementation of major gifts fund development initiatives such as corporate donations, foundations and grants, planned giving, sponsorship donations, etc.
• Develop and execute a proactive lead generation strategy to secure new funding, diversifying the funding base through new industry segment growth.
• Identify and cultivate donors, developing conversion and activation programs.
• Develop an understanding of the target donor base and offer unique experiences to attract new donors.
• Build and implement stewardship and engagement programs to maintain and, where possible, increase donor involvement, interest and financial support.
• Cultivate, solicit, and follow up with key planned giving and foundation-giving prospects, their legal advisors, and their financial planners.
• Develop corporate and foundation funding strategies and prospect management, ensuring timely funding applications, reporting and full compliance with grant requirements.
• Support the Chief Executive Officer by establishing and maintaining relationships with public funders, developing and implementing advocacy, public information, and government relations strategies.
• Develop prospect research profiles and present and promote business initiatives and opportunities to new audiences and partners through presentations, briefings, and reports.
• Works closely with the leadership team to identify funding opportunities and food needs and develops the case for support.
• Ensure adherence to department program budgets.

Communications

• Ensure effective systems and rules are in place, ensuring accurate record keeping and reports are maintained, monitored and analyzed on a routine basis; all active donor files, including all related donor record administration, briefing notes, and contact reports.
• Ensure compliance with Raiser’s Edge NXT operating policies and procedures.
• Prepare and deliver written and verbal presentations, including media appearances.
• Working with the senior leadership team, identifies key strategic issues, social or political developments, and emerging trends that may be opportunities or threats and recommends responses.
• Represents Feed the Need in Durham as the face of the organization, speaking and fundraising engagements within Durham and other areas as required.

All other duties as directed by the Director of Fundraising and Communications.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Post-secondary degree and education/training in fundraising, marketing, communications, or related field. A combination of relevant education and experience, including business development or sales, may be considered.
• 5-7 years of progressive experience in achieving fundraising targets (or comparable sales/business development experience - with an ability to articulate how this experience translates to this role).
• 5-7 years managing donor relationships with a post-secondary degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Proven track record of securing major gifts in the five and six-figure range, as well as building relationships with high-net-worth individuals and private foundations
• Ability to produce stimulating and informative written proposals and presentation decks.
• Commitment to providing an exceptional donor experience.
• Sound written and verbal communication/presentation skills that attract, retain and grow major gift support.
• Working knowledge and experience in Raiser’s Edge (data entry and ability to use data analytics to support fundraising) would be considered an asset.
• Passionate about eliminating food security issues.
• Current Driver’s License with valid proof of insurance and reliable vehicle access.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Feed the Need in Durham values the contributions of its staff and treasures their ability to plan, work, laugh and grow together as a team. This position is a full-time, salaried position at 37.5 hrs a week with daily on-site hours scheduled by management in accordance with operational requirements. The Senior Manager, Major Gifts, has an office workspace located at 371 Marwood Dr in Oshawa. Work is performed in an office environment, and regular travel is required throughout the Durham Region. It is understood that it may be necessary for the position to work irregular hours/days at times to ensure that the organization's objectives are being met.

WHAT WE OFFER YOU:

• $80,000 - $90,000 annually
• Extended Health, Dental, and Vision Care coverage
• RRSP Matching Program
• 10 Paid sick leave days; 3 Personal days
• 4 week’s paid vacation (& your birthday off)
• Career Development (mentorships, internal and external training opportunities)

APPLICATION PROCESS

Feed the Need in Durham values inclusivity and diversity in the workplace and is committed to building an organization that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, racialized persons/persons of colour, persons with disabilities, women, LGBTQ2S persons, and others who may contribute to fostering innovative ideas and solutions. We are committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes, as well as employment practices that comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please notify us at any stage of the hiring process.

No phone calls or e-mails, please. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.