Black Creek Community Farm, Development Manager (Maternity Leave)- HYBRID

Development Manager

Black Creek Community Farm (BCCF) is an 8‑acre urban farm rooted in the heart of the Jane and Finch neighbourhood in Toronto. BCCF is a Black‑led, community‑driven program of FoodShare Toronto, and a leader in Toronto’s dynamic urban agriculture and community food sector.

BCCF is committed to building strong, equitable food systems by providing healthy food, training, and employment opportunities rooted in sustainability and cultural relevance. As a community anchor in Jane‑Finch and the largest urban farm in Toronto, we serve as both a food security hub and a model of urban agriculture.

Main Tasks

• Support BCCF Leadership in the development of the annual fundraising plan and budget.
• Design and execute individual giving plans employing key metrics for measuring ROI across direct mail and online giving channels.
• Manage revenue development and lead fundraising programs such as “End of the Year” annual campaign, corporate sponsorship, Farm Fundraising Dinner, small scale fundraising events and other digital campaigns.
• Develop and implement strategies and tactics to grow funding from all sources, including existing and new one‑time and monthly individual donors, public and private foundations, corporate donors and sponsors, fundraising events and targeted grant applications.
• Manage all aspects of donor stewardship throughout the full life‑cycle of giving, from donor identification, making the request, securing gifts, and ongoing support and recognition of donors.
• Oversee gift acceptance and collaborate with Foodshare Development team in depositing gifts cheques and tax receipts.
• Develop and maintain database use and management for donor records and acknowledgements.
• Collaborate with the FoodShare Development team with online giving platforms such as CanadaHelps.
• Track, evaluate, and report on fundraising program performance across all campaigns and giving channels.
• Design and execute an annual direct mail campaign which includes identifying key content themes, target audience and performance tracking measures and developing letter content.
• Maintain a current monthly donor base through regular appeals and stewardship and develop a plan for growth.
• Develop and steward major donors and prospects as directed.
• Manage portfolio of corporate donors as well as multiple smaller and/or occasional corporate partnerships.
• Develop proposals and implement annual partnership plans for corporate donors, including coordinating recognition activities such as group volunteer days, support in preparing impact reports, and implementing ongoing stewardship.
• Contribute to regular prospecting of potential corporate partners in accordance with the annual fundraising plan and revenue targets.
• Provide support to solicit in‑kind donations from event sponsors, vendors, and prospects as required.
• Oversee and manage annual communications, promotional strategies, and associated budget in support of BCCF planning and revenue targets.
• Manage and collaborate with staff to grow corporate programs, events, and overall BCCF Communications.
• Organize and implement fundraising opportunities and events for the organization.
• Lead the planning and execution of external teambuilding, public awareness and promotional strategies for new and existing initiatives, projects, campaigns and events.
• Assess potential risk to organizational brand and reputation providing timely management and response strategies.
• Work with BCCF staff to ensure that the farm and BCCF programs communications complement one another and align with our organizational mission.
• Support program teams in identifying, preparing, and submitting grant applications to prospective funders.
• Coordinate monthly/quarterly Development e‑newsletters in Mailchimp.
• Provide supervision to staff within the Development team.
• Participate in BCCF Management Team meetings, other internal committees, staff meetings, and staff training.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience

• A passion for nonprofit fundraising and an understanding of its importance in social change work.
• Demonstrated commitment to the principles of food justice and our mission, vision, and policies.
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in development, preferably in the nonprofit sector.
• At least 3+ years of experience securing major donors.
• At least 2+ years of experience facilitating donor stewardship.
• At least 2+ years experience supervising administrative staff, volunteers, and/or interns.
• Organization and project management skills with the ability to multitask and meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment with multiple stakeholders.
• Advanced written and verbal communications skills with a demonstrated ability to produce clear and mission‑aligned communications.
• Ability to integrate the value of volunteerism into staff and volunteer relations, fundraising initiatives, and donor engagement/stewardship activities.
• Solid understanding of social media platforms and the importance of integrated fundraising and communications efforts that work together effectively to convert followers to supporters.
• Digital literacy and familiarity with tools such as donor management databases, Mailchimp, Google Analytics, et al.
• Knowledge of design and design software (Adobe, Canva, Mailchimp).

Job Requirements

• Must be legally authorized to work in Canada.
• This role directly supports BCCF’s on‑site community and fundraising events.
• It will be necessary for the successful candidate to work occasional evenings, weekends and/or holidays as required, anticipating at least 5 times a year.
• Must be able to navigate farm space, for example uneven ground, gravel surfaces, soft/soil surfaces, and grassy/woodchip pathways.
• Must be able and willing to work at events that are outdoors in various weather conditions.

Salary and Benefits

• Salary: $72,000 per year (37.5 hrs/week).
• Benefits: Health Benefit Reimbursement up to $1,000 per calendar year, prorated based on start date.
• Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract - 1 year maternity leave coverage.
• Reports to: BCCF Director / Leadership.
• Location: Hybrid work environment; occasional travel to Black Creek Community Farm and other locations until COVID‑19 protocols are lifted. Role will operate from the farm a few days a week and from other sites occasionally.
• Anticipated start date: June 1 2026.
• Additional Leave: Personal Leave Days (10 paid per year, prorated); Wellness Days/Sick Leave (20 paid per year, prorated).

Equal Opportunity Employer

Black Creek Community Farm is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other legally protected factors.

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