Director of Fundraising

Organization Overview

The Mel Jr. & Marty Zajac Foundation is a not-for-profit organization located in Vancouver, BC, whose mandate is to support children, seniors, and individuals with special needs through innovative community projects focused on developing lifelong skills and independence.

Our current major focus is Zajac Ranch, a fully accessible camp in Mission, BC, dedicated to providing enriching experiences for children with chronic, life-threatening, and/or debilitating conditions.

Reports To

Executive Director

Job Type / Schedule

Full-time, on-site, Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM. Evenings and weekends occasionally required for events and meetings.

Location

#300 – 2006 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC

Opportunity

The Director of Fundraising is a visionary and results-oriented leader responsible for designing, leading, and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies that advance the Foundation’s mission and financial sustainability.

This role oversees all aspects of fundraising, donor relations, and development operations, while collaborating with senior leadership, the Board, and community stakeholders to expand philanthropic impact.

The successful candidate will be an accomplished fundraiser and relationship builder, with a proven ability to secure major gifts, inspire donors, and lead a high-performing development program.

Are You…

• A strategic leader with a passion for philanthropy and measurable impact?
• Skilled at cultivating meaningful relationships with major donors, corporate sponsors, and community partners?
• An inspiring communicator able to craft compelling proposals and cases for support?
• A creative problem solver who thrives in a dynamic, mission-driven environment?
• Motivated to build and lead a team toward ambitious fundraising goals?

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Fundraising & Leadership

• Develop, lead, and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy that aligns with organizational goals.
• Set annual revenue targets across major gifts, corporate sponsorships, foundation giving, and special events.
• Identify new funding opportunities and oversee donor cultivation plans for each giving stream.
• Work closely with the Director of Operations and President to engage Board members in fundraising initiatives.
• Provide mentorship and leadership to development staff, interns, and volunteers.

Donor Relations & Stewardship

• Cultivate, solicit, and steward individual, corporate, and foundation donors to increase engagement and contributions.
• Oversee personalized stewardship and recognition plans to ensure donor satisfaction and retention.
• Manage a portfolio of major donors with giving levels ranging from $10,000 – $250,000+.

Grants & Corporate Partnerships

• Lead grant strategy and oversee proposal writing, submission, and reporting in collaboration with the Development and Communications teams.
• Build and maintain relationships with corporate partners, ensuring mutually beneficial sponsorships and long‑term commitments.

Events & Campaigns

• Oversee planning and execution of all major fundraising events, including Zajac Nights Gala, Lunch with a Legend, and Giving Tuesday.
• Lead the development of creative event concepts, sponsorship strategies, and donor engagement opportunities.
• Support post‑event evaluation, ensuring continuous improvement and donor follow‑up.

Marketing, Communications & Brand Alignment

• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to develop cohesive fundraising messages and materials.
• Oversee production of donor-focused communications such as annual reports, newsletters, and digital campaigns.
• Ensure consistent alignment between fundraising messaging and organizational branding.

Budgeting & Reporting

• Prepare and manage the fundraising budget, ensuring responsible allocation of resources.
• Track and report on fundraising performance, donor engagement metrics, and ROI for leadership and Board review.
• Provide strategic insights and recommendations based on data and trends.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7–10 years of progressive experience in nonprofit fundraising or development, including at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Proven success in securing major gifts, corporate sponsorships, and grants.
• Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Business, Communications, Marketing, or a related field (master’s an asset).
• Strong leadership and team management skills with the ability to inspire collaboration.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to craft persuasive proposals and deliver impactful presentations.
• Knowledge of the BC philanthropic landscape and established donor networks.
• Experience with fundraising software and CRM systems (Raiser’s Edge/Blackbaud preferred).
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills; ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and discretion when handling confidential information.

Compensation

• Starting at $85,000 (commensurate with experience)

Benefits

• Dental care & extended health care
• On‑site parking
• Two (2) weeks annual vacation