Fundraising and Development Manager (Contract)

About Futurpreneur

Futurpreneur is a national non-profit organization that empowers diverse entrepreneurs, ages 18-39 to start, buy and grow their businesses in Canada, by providing loans with mentorship and resources.

Founded in 1996, we have helped more than 20,000 young entrepreneurs launch over 15,600 businesses, promoting entrepreneurship among Canadian youth as a critical pillar for strengthening the economy while generating employment opportunities, and fostering a sustainable future.

Futurpreneur is a founding member of the G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance, the Canadian founding member of Youth Business International and the Canadian host of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW).

Our Purpose (why we exist): To drive inclusive Canadian prosperity by fostering the success of young entrepreneurs

Our Mission (what we do every day to achieve our purpose): To empower diverse entrepreneurs ages 18-39 by providing loans with mentorship and resources to help them start and buy successful businesses that contribute to sustainable and inclusive economic prosperity, in their communities and across Canada.

Our Values (how we work – our core principles & commitments): We are mission-driven, collegial & collaborative, diverse & inclusive, and accountable & transparent.

Here’s the opportunity:

As the Fundraising and Development Manager you will play a key role in building and strengthening Futurpreneur’s connections with corporate partners and philanthropic donors. You’ll work to expand and deepen these relationships, maximize fundraising potential, and identify new opportunities for growth. By managing stewardship activities and cultivating new prospects, you’ll help generate resources that support Futurpreneur’s and Futurpreneur Foundation’s mission and impact.
Reporting to the Senior Director, Partnerships, you will build collaborative partnerships with both internal and external stakeholders, leveraging Futurpreneur's extensive national network to deliver on our fundraising potential and meet annual targets. You will be a self-starter who will engage our current and prospective funding partners and philanthropic donors to deepen our impact with young entrepreneurs and mentors across Canada.

This new role is a full-time temporary 16-month contract role based in Toronto, ON. The incumbent will work on a hybrid work model, requiring a minimum of 2 days in-office per week.

What You Will Do:

Secure funding partnerships 50%

• Secure six- and seven-figure funding partnerships from corporate and philanthropic sources through strategic sponsorships, value in-kind, and program-specific contributions, with a focus on multi-year commitments.
• Develop and nurture lasting relationships with major philanthropic and individual donors to meet and exceed revenue targets.
• Execute and evaluate comprehensive fundraising strategies, including engagement with private funders, foundations, legacy and major gifts, special appeals, and fundraising events
• Conduct ongoing research on new corporate, foundation, and High Net Worth (HNW) funding prospects at the $100,000 level and above, understanding funding prospects’ needs and priorities to inform high-impact, unique, and differentiated proposals that lead to long-term relationships.
• Develop tailored, high-impact pitches and proposals that showcase Futurpreneur’s unique value to prospective partners and donors.
• Organize strategic meetings between donors and Futurpreneur’s senior leaders, delivering persuasive presentations and compelling communication that secures long-term engagement.
• Maintain rigorous stewardship practices to ensure donors are recognized and informed about the impact of their contributions.
• Support the Senior Director, Partnerships in negotiating the terms of financial partnerships and securing funding at the $100,000 level and above.

Develop and Cultivate Strategic Relationships 25%

• Identify, prioritize and maintain strong working relationships with key funding stakeholders and prospects across Canada, and in collaboration with Futurpreneur Regional Directors.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to develop and implement partner cultivation plans and strategies that lead to major funding from corporate and philanthropic partners around core areas of mutual interest that advance our mission.
• Secure partnerships at the $100,000 level and above and manage ongoing relationships at the $500,000 to $1M level through the development and execution of stewardship strategies tailored to each partner.
• Develop and oversee the management of our prospect database and manage the use of prospect data & analytics to guide the experience of current and prospective partners.
• Develop, participate in, and host unique networking events or experiences to support the prospecting and confirmation of potential partners.

Fundraising planning and execution 25%

• Work with the Senior Director, Partnerships to develop and implement our corporate partnership and philanthropic fundraising annual plan to drive long-term impact.
• Design and implement a major gift strategy to secure funds to diversify our funding base, as well as annual Giving Tuesday or other mass-market fundraising initiatives
• Contribute to a fundraising plan that attracts long-term partners to help us achieve our mission, consistent with Futurpreneur’s overall business plan strategy and objectives.
• Cultivate new and diverse fundraising relationship opportunities and strategically manage a portfolio of existing donors.
• Using knowledge of the market and competitors, identify and develop unique selling propositions and differentiators, continuously testing and evolving messaging and pitch concepts with existing partners and prospects.
• Support the Partnerships team in the delivery of appropriate short and long terms plans to engage and steward funding partners and donors to elevate both Futurpreneur Foundation’s mandate and Futurpreneur’s corporate and government support.
• Leverage the Futurpreneur Foundation to secure funding from corporate and family foundations, and individuals.

What you will bring:

• Relevant experience may include education with a focus in fundraising, partnership development, and/or sales success or equivalent hands-on career experience
• 5+ years of demonstrated success in fundraising, and/or sales success, project management, with demonstrated capacity in closing six- and seven-figure funding agreements
• Exceptional knowledge of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies and techniques, particularly in the area of corporate and philanthropic relations
• Ability to initiate and build relationships with prospective corporate and philanthropic donors, and interact via telephone, video conferencing and in-person
• Motivated and disciplined to consistently achieve and exceed targets
• Proven ability to work across an organization, and to provide coaching to staff members
• Ability to advocate Futurpreneur’s priorities to an external audience
• Clear and confident communicator, skilled at engaging and connecting with diverse audiences.
• Collaborative and adaptable team player, bringing a proactive, solutions-focused mindset.
• Strong organizational skills, able to balance multiple priorities effectively in a dynamic hybrid work environment.
• Demonstrate curiosity and a growth mindset, embracing and championing change.
• Bilingualism in French & English (spoken & written) is an asset
• Alignment with Futurpreneur’s values and commitment to the mission/purpose of the organization
• Be a role model for Futurpreneur’s organizational culture by creating a positive impact at every touchpoint with people

HOW