Manager, Major Gifts

Position: Manager, Major Gifts
Reports to: Director, Development & Communications

Start Date: January 2026

About The Stop

From our origins as one of Canadas first food banks in the 1980s, The Stop has blossomed into a thriving community hub where neighbours participate in a broad range of programs that provide healthy food, foster social connections, build food skills, and promote civic engagement. We believe that nutritious, sustainable, and culturally appropriate food is a human right for all.

At The Stop, we hire people who are passionate, dedicated and love what they do. We have a mindset of community support and a culture of collaboration, passion and dedication. Our goal is to deliver, both to our community and to our employees. We are excited to foster an environment that allows people to meet challenges and provides the opportunity to make an impact on the community within which we operate.

Role Overview

Reporting to the Director of Development and Communications, the Manager, Major Gifts is a leadership role within our fundraising team. Youll provide strategic oversight of our fundraising efforts, directly manage a portfolio of major donors and corporate partners, and guide the success of our foundation.

Youll also lead and mentor the team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and professional growth. Acting as a bridge between our programs and fundraising, youll ensure that our donor relationships are fueled by authentic, compelling stories of impact.

If youre an experienced fundraiser who can lead every stage of the donor cycle, inspire high-performing teams, and balance strategic vision with hands-on portfolio management, The Stop is looking for you. In this role, youll get a chance to influence systemic change and tackle one of our citys most pressing challenges: food insecurity. And because building community is at the heart of our work, youll share daily chef-prepared lunches with colleagues as part of living our mission together.

Key Responsibilities

Major Gifts & Foundations Portfolio Management

• Manage a portfolio of up to 75 major gifts prospects and donors, securing gifts of $5,000+ through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Expand the major gifts and foundations pipeline through strategic prospecting, qualification, and engagement of new donors, strengthening future revenue and donor retention.
• Build strong pipelines between mid-level and major giving, ensuring donor relationships progress smoothly.
• Partner with program staff to develop proposals, reports, and impact stories tailored to donor interests.

Strategic Fundraising Leadership

• Collaborate with the Director to refine and execute The Stops fundraising strategy in alignment with our mission and values.
• Identify new opportunities to diversify revenue streams and deepen donor engagement.
• Establish best practices, policies, and procedures that ensure ethical, effective fundraising.
• Raise awareness of food insecurity and social justice issues among internal and external audiences.
  

Team Leadership & Development

• Serve on the organization's leadership team, contributing to strategic goals.
  
• Manage and mentor two Development Officers, providing guidance, feedback, and professional development opportunities.
• Lead regular team meetings, set clear performance goals, and celebrate successes.
• Foster a supportive, high-performance culture that empowers staff to exceed fundraising targets.

Data & Compliance

• Oversee accurate donor record management in our CRM (Virtuous), ensuring data integrity.
• Track, analyze, and report on fundraising activities and outcomes for senior leadership and the Board.
• Ensure all fundraising activities comply with CRA regulations and Imagine Canada standards.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in securing major gifts ($5,000+) from individuals and foundations.
• Minimum 5 years experience in fundraising, including team management and mentorship.
• Strategic thinker with strong foresight, problem-solving skills, and the ability to spot and seize opportunities.
• Exceptional relationship-builder with clear, persuasive communication skills and the ability to tailor messaging for diverse audiences.
• Experience managing corporate/foundation partnerships.
• Proficiency with fundraising CRMs and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Commitment to anti-racism/anti-oppression, ethical fundraising, and community well-being.
• Knowledge of the Canadian charitable sector and CRA compliance requirements.

We celebrate our inclusive work environment and welcome members of all backgrounds and perspectives to apply.If you are doubting that you have all of the skills and qualifications outlined within this posting, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may have skills or experience that are relevant that we didnt previously consider.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and rsum using the Bamboo submission tab. The position will remain open until filled. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and selected individuals will be invited first to participate in a video or telephone interview and then, if successful, in one or two in-person interviews. We may seek further assessment of your skills through your completed response to a relevant case study. In our commitment to being an equal opportunity employer, we are happy to provide reasonable accommodations for the role and within the interview process. If you require any accommodations during this process, please dont hesitate to reach out.