Communications & Development Specialist

Job Title: Communications and Development Specialist

Status: Full Time, Permanent

Union: N/A; Non-Union Position

Salary: $74,176 - $85,990

Location: 3 Concorde Gate, Toronto ON M3C 3N7

Schedule: 40 Hours per week. Monday to Friday

Positions Available: 1

Department: Executive

Supervisor: Chief Executive Officer

The Communications and Development Specialist will play a critical role in advancing the mission of Bellwoods by crafting compelling content for internal and external audiences. This position is responsible for developing clear, persuasive written materials, including grant proposals, fundraising appeals, annual reports, donor newsletters, and content for our digital platforms. Working closely with CEO, Corporate Teams, and Senior Leaders, the Communications and Development Specialist will ensure that our communications reflect the values, goals, and impact, engaging stakeholders and potential funders effectively.

Primary Responsibilities

General Responsibilities

- Work with CEO to develop an annual communications and marketing strategy.

- Develop an annual budget aligned with annual plan and adhere to that budget.

- Monitor effectiveness of annual plans and strategies.

Grant Writing

- Research, write, and edit high-quality grant proposals, letters of intent, and reports to secure funding from foundations, government agencies, and corporate partners.

- Collaborate with staff to understand project objectives, outcomes, and financial requirements.

- Develop and manage a calendar to track proposal submissions, reporting deadlines, and renewal opportunities.

Communications Content Creation, Marketing and Brand Development

- Create compelling content for a variety of channels, including newsletters, social media, website updates, marketing materials, annual reports, and press releases.

- Draft and edit case studies, success stories, and donor profiles to highlight the impact of the organization’s work.

- Work with team to align messaging across platforms, ensuring consistency in tone and style.

Stakeholder Engagement

- Tailor messaging to different audiences, including staff, clients, donors, grant‑makers, community partners, and the general public.

- Maintain relationships with funders by providing them with updates and information on the organization’s progress and impact.

- Assist with the development of donor stewardship materials and other engagement tools.

Fundraising

- Conduct background research on potential funding sources, industry trends, and competitor activities.

- Analyze donor data and engagement metrics to refine communication strategies and improve outreach effectiveness.

- Support the organization’s fundraising programs, track monthly donors, recruit new partners, and support fundraising initiatives.

Collaboration and Cross‑functional Support

- Coordinate with internal teams to gather necessary data and information.

- Attend team meetings and brainstorming sessions to contribute creative ideas and insights.

Requirements

- Bellwoods is a service provider covered under the Home Care and Community Services Act. The successful applicant is required to provide proof of the two dose COVID‑19 vaccine.

- Applicants must declare whether a) a family member is assigned to work at the same physical location and/or b) whether the position will be reporting to a family member as outlined in HR Policy, Restrictions- Family Members (HR-B4-01).

- Legally entitled to work in Canada.

- Bachelor’s degree in Communications, English, Journalism, Nonprofit Management, or related field.

- Proven experience in grant writing, nonprofit communications, or development.

- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill complex information into accessible, engaging language.

- Strong research and analytical skills; familiarity with nonprofit funding landscape preferred.

- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with content management systems and donor databases is a plus. Ability to manage multiple deadlines, prioritize tasks, and work collaboratively in a fast‑paced environment.

- Proven experience developing social media content.

Key Skills

- Grant Writing & Fundraising

- Strategic Storytelling & Persuasive Writing

- Social Media Management

- Content Creation

- Audience Analysis & Engagement

- Project Management & Deadline Tracking

- Collaborative Communication

Bellwoods is committed to inclusive and accessible recruitment practices for applicants with accessibility needs in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act (AODA). Reasonable accommodations are available on request for candidates with disabilities taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

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