Associate Director OR Director, Philanthropy

Salary: $100,000 to $140,000

ABOUT US:

Fraser Academy Association (FA) was founded to serve a vital community need. Since 1982, it has become recognized as a leader in North America by leveling the playing field for students with dyslexia, primarily as an independent school (Fraser Academy). Today, FA has expanded its impact through an Outreach and Training Centre (FAx) reaching across BC, Canada and the world. Leading a pioneering initiative and Campaign to establish Canadas first Centre for Dyslexia, it is now on an exciting journey to deepen its commitment to the community.
We serve a gap in the system where approximately 20% of the student population is under-served by mainstream education. While people with dyslexia have skills and strengths that are in demand in the 21st century, when unsupported, they are vulnerable to social and emotional risks such as mental health issues, substance abuse, homelessness, higher drop-out rates, and poverty/underemployment.
We are proud to be at the forefront of educational and training practices with the most effective research-based methods. Our track record shows whats possible in setting children and youth with dyslexia up to thrive in education and life. For more information, please visit us at and

THE OPPORTUNITY:

An exciting opportunity for an accomplished major gift fundraiser to play a leadership role in establishing Canadas only Centre for Dyslexia. You will help realize impact across BC, Canada and the world across various domains including education, health, homelessness and poverty. Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO), and working collaboratively to contribute to the success of the entire Advancement Department, the Associate Director/Director, Philanthropy is responsible for securing major gift level commitments for FAs top campaign priorities.

ABOUT YOU:

• You have a passion for social impact and are energized by the opportunity to scale fundraising strategies and grow a sustainable donor pipeline. You have hands-on experience with securing 6 & 7 figure level major gifts, ideally within Campaigns, and amplifying donor engagement and unlocking new levels of philanthropic investment across diverse audiences.
• Donors are inspired by your authenticity, strategic mindset, and deep commitment to their philanthropic journey. You build lasting relationships and steward donors with care and creativity. You follow through on your promises and bring professionalism to every interaction.
• You have highly developed writing skills, demonstrated success in crafting compelling funding proposals and donor engagement materials.
• You are a self-starter who thrives in a collaborative, mission-driven environment. Your work embodies hard work, humility and integrity.
  

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Relationship Management & Solicitation

• Develop and manage a personal portfolio of major gift donors and prospects, coordinating and making face-to-face visits and other strategic touch points for the purposes of discovery, cultivation and solicitation of prospects at the major gift level to meet/exceed campaign and other annual goals.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders to design and implement personalized cultivation and stewardship plans.
  

Donor Acquisition

• Proactively identify and qualify new major gift donors and prospects.
• Grow funding from private funding from private, public family and corporate foundations.
• Build and maintain a healthy pipeline of qualified leads, ensuring regular movement and tracking in CRM.
• Identify donor suspects through CRM and external databases; gather relevant prospect research materials to inform fundraising strategies.
• Collaborate with Annual Giving and Alumni Officer in qualifying and upgrading donors.
• Develop compelling proposals and presentations tailored to donor interests and organizational priorities.

Writing & Donor Engagement

• Craft compelling cases for support, major gift funding proposals, presentations, letters of inquiry/intent, impact reports, as well as donor stories.
• Work with relationship managers and subject matter experts to create bespoke communication materials for major and transformational donors and prospects. Synthesize information from different sources and create accurate and impact donor stewardship reports and updates.
• Ensure that appropriate and timely donor recognition, acknowledgment and stewardship take place.

Tracking & Reporting

• Maintain timely and accurate records of donor activity and revenue tracking using Raisers Edge NXT. Provide to CAO regular updates, projections, and reports on portfolio progress including solicitation outcomes and stewardship.
• Monitor and report to CAO on campaign specific revenue streams and fundraising metrics to track progress and identify areas for enhancement.
• Report on a weekly and quarterly basis on grant applications, major gifts, and other funding streams to advise on challenges and shortfalls or surpluses expected in order to help with financial planning, mitigation and foresight

Collaboration & Leadership

• A model ambassador and maintains proficient knowledge on FA; can speak to strategic plan, programming (and impact), case for support, campaign/ fundraising priorities.
• Work effectively and efficiently with the CEO, Head of School, Executive and Leadership Teams and volunteers as well as other staff and faculty, always respecting the use of others time.
• Assist in the recruitment and management of leadership volunteers.
• Collaborate effectively with the rest of the Advancement Department to share relevant information and provide support, as needed.
• Participate in planning meetings, prospect strategy sessions, and cross-functional working groups as needed.
• Maintain a high level of sector and best practice knowledge relevant to the role, and share this with the Department, to model a culture of continuous improvement.
• Attend and support applicable events.
• Support the CAO in other assigned duties that contribute to the successful operation of the Department.

As is typical with the nature of the role and sector, this may require after-hours / weekend events and meetings and some travel within Greater Vancouver.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors degree or higher; CFRE certification is an asset.
• 6+ years of progressive experience in fundraising and campaigns, along with a proven track record of meeting or exceeding revenue goals.
• Demonstrated success in identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding 6 & 7 figure level major gift donors.
• Deep understanding of different giving vehicles, from annual giving to major and principal gifts to legacy givingand the ability to grow a sustainable donor pipeline.
• Persuasive communicator and active listener; able to quickly build trust and rapport with donors and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability in crafting impactful donor communication materials (including comprehensive funding proposals) that engage audiences from intellectual and emotional standpoints. Highly developed writing and editing skills along with a proven track record in proposal and impact report writing for six and seven-figure gift funders.
• Demonstrated ability to absorb and synthesize large volumes of information in order to prepare accurate and compelling proposals and reports. Enthusiastic and curious about FA and committed to making positive change.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain trusting relationships with internal and external partners (including organizations most senior volunteers, donors and staff), while promoting and growing a culture of philanthropy.
• Proficiency with CRMs (Raisers Edge NXT preferred) with the ability to run applicable reports.
  

COMPETENCIES & SKILLS:

• Results-oriented personality with a collegial approach and a high level of integrity. Ability to manage up, down and across the organization with authenticity and professionalism.
• High degree of initiative and accountability; takes ownership and possesses a growth mindset. Flexible and adaptable - able to work independently, strategically and be hands-on as required with minimal supervision.
• Strong time management, planning, organizational and execution skills; capable of working in a fast paced, high functioning, goal driven environment, often managing competing priorities and high-volume workloads.
• Well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills combined with exceptional attention to detail and quality, ensuring accuracy and consistency across all tasks.
• Financial & analytical skills, including understanding of budgets and how to review, present and research data, information and identifying trends.
• Demonstrated discretion and professionalism in handling confidential or sensitive donor and organizational information with tact, diplomacy, discretion and sound judgment.
  

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

The salary range for the position is $100,000 to $140,000 depending on major gift and campaign fundraising experience. Hybrid considered. FAoffers an inspiring, supportive, and flexible environment, with competitive benefits including (but not limited to) extended health and dental coverage, access to an HCSA, group RRSP with significant employer matching contribution, individual annual meetings on retirement planning, generous vacation and other time-off and tuition reduction for children of staff (who successfully apply and enroll at FA). Title flexibility available at the Director level for more senior applicants with demonstrated experience and expertise.

APPLICATION

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter directly through the Fraser Academy Careers page

Please address the cover letter to Kaman Ng, Chief Advancement Officer.

Applications will be accepted until the position has been filed. Please note that screening and first-round interviews will commence on a rolling basis - candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.