March 24, 2025
Now Hiring: Director, Fund Development and Communications
Position Summary
The Director, Fund Development and Communications is responsible for developing and executing strategies to secure funding, increase donor engagement, and enhance the visibility of Mentor Canada through effective communications and marketing. Reporting to the Executive Director, this role leads marketing and communication strategies, fund development, fundraising campaigns, grant writing and research, business development, sponsorships, and donor relations. Additionally, the Director oversees fundraising events, community engagement initiatives, and strategic partnerships to support the organization’s mission and long-term sustainability.
This is a full time, remote position. The Director of Fund Development and Communications will be reporting to the Executive Director.
Key Responsibilities
The following outlines the key responsibilities of the Director, Fund Development and Communications:
Fund Development & Fundraising
- Develop and implement a multi-year fund development strategy aligned with the organization’s goals.
- Identify, cultivate, and steward relationships with individual donors, corporate sponsors, foundations, and government funders.
- Plan and execute major fundraising campaigns, including annual giving, capital campaigns, and legacy giving programs.
- Develop and manage donor recognition and stewardship programs to build long-term engagement.
- Research and implement innovative fundraising techniques, including peer-to-peer fundraising, crowdfunding, and digital campaigns.
- Collaborate with leadership to align fundraising goals with organizational priorities and programs.
- Track, analyze, and report on fundraising performance, using data-driven insights to improve future efforts.
Marketing, Communications & Donor Relations
- Lead and execute the marketing and communications strategies focused on developing effective marketing and communications and fundraising and donor engagement materials, including the annual general report, case for support documents, impact reports, newsletters, and website and communications content.
- Work with marketing to ensure cohesive messaging across all donor and stakeholder touchpoints, including website, email campaigns, social media, and direct mail.
- Develop donor segmentation strategies to tailor communications and engagement efforts.
- Ensure all donor records, interactions, and transactions are accurately tracked in donor management systems.
Grant Writing & Research
- Research and identify new grant funding opportunities from government, private foundations, and corporate sources.
- Develop compelling grant proposals and funding applications, ensuring alignment with funder priorities and compliance with eligibility requirements.
- Collaborate with program staff to gather data, impact stories, and budget details for grant submissions.
- Manage all grant-related reporting, including financial tracking, progress reports, and post-grant evaluations.
- Maintain a grants calendar to track deadlines, reporting requirements, and submission schedules.
Business Development & Sponsorships
- Develop and execute a corporate sponsorship strategy, identifying potential partners aligned with the organization’s mission.
- Prepare sponsorship proposals and negotiate agreements with corporate partners.
- Manage relationships with sponsors, ensuring fulfillment of sponsorship benefits and reporting.
- Identify new revenue-generating opportunities, including fee-for-service models and partnerships that support organizational growth.
- Collaborate with leadership to create sustainable revenue streams outside of traditional grants and donations.
Event Management & Community Engagement
- Lead the planning and execution of the annual mentoring summit as well as other conferences, learning and special events.
- Plan, coordinate, and execute fundraising and donor engagement events, including galas, auctions, community fundraisers, and appreciation events.
- Develop event sponsorship packages and secure financial and in-kind contributions.
- Oversee event logistics, including venue selection, budgeting, marketing, and volunteer coordination.
- Build relationships with community stakeholders, ensuring the organization is well-represented in the community.
- Represent [Organization Name] at networking events, speaking engagements, and public forums to build awareness and attract supporters.
Financial Oversight & Reporting
- Develop and manage the fund development budget, ensuring cost-effective use of resources.
- Work closely with finance to track revenue from grants, sponsorships, and donations.
- Provide regular financial reports on fundraising performance to the Executive Director and Board of Directors.
- Ensure compliance with charitable giving laws, financial reporting requirements, and donor agreements.
Board & Governance Support
- Work with the Board’s Fund Development Committee to develop fundraising strategies and initiatives.
- Provide regular updates and reports to the Board on fundraising activities and outcomes.
- Support Board members and leadership in donor cultivation and fundraising efforts.
Qualifications
Education
Post-secondary degree or diploma in Fundraising, Business Development, Communications, Non-Profit Management, or a related field.
Skills & Experience
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in fundraising, donor relations, business development, or grant writing, preferably in a non-profit setting.
- Proven track record of securing grants, sponsorships, and major gifts.
- Experience planning and executing fundraising events and donor engagement initiatives.
- Strong knowledge of grant application processes, donor databases, and fundraising best practices.
- Expertise in developing and implementing fundraising strategies.
- Ability to write compelling grant applications and conduct funding research.
- Strong ability to cultivate corporate partnerships and secure sponsorships.
- Experience in managing fundraising and donor engagement events.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills to engage and inspire donors.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and fundraising initiatives effectively.
- Ability to identify new funding opportunities and develop innovative fundraising approaches.
- Experience with donor management systems, fundraising software(Salesforce), and financial tracking.
This posting will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.
To apply, please send your cover letter and resume to careers@mentorcanada.ca.