Major Gifts Officer, Fund Development

Date Posted : August 28, 2024

Position Title : Major Gifts Officer, Fund Development

Location : Hybrid Royal Avenue YMCA (620 Royal Avenue, New Westminster)

Terms : Permanent, Full-Time

Start Date : As soon as possible

Salary : $65,000 - $80,000 per year, plus benefits

Reports to : General Manager, Fund Development

Benefits :

• Typical 7 hour work day / 35 hour work week
• Eligibility for Extended Health and Dental Benefits
• Competitive paid vacation time off
• Paid sick time and leaves
• YMCA Staff Membership
• Business Casual
• Training and Professional Development Opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program
• Be part of a charitable organization that positively impacts the community

About YMCA BC :

YMCA BC is a charity dedicated to strengthening the foundations of community, by nurturing the potential of children, teens & young adults, promoting healthy lifestyles, fostering a sense of social responsibility and delivering lasting personal & social change to grow in spirit, mind, and body.

Since January 2023, YMCA of Northern British Columbia, YMCA-YWCA of Kamloops and YMCA of Greater Vancouver are officially one association, with one mission to strengthen our impact for communities across British Columbia.

We are YMCA BC Even Stronger Together. This transition marks a new chapter in our long-standing history of building communities, transforming lives, and connecting people of all ages, stages, backgrounds and abilities, to unique opportunities to learn, grow, and reach their potential.

YMCA BC provides services in health, fitness & aquatics, child care, camping, employment & community services to over 150,000 participants annually.

Nature & Scope :

This role is a critical part of the fund development team and will be contributing to the success of the YBC comprehensive campaign.

As our Major Gifts Officer you will design, develop and implement our major gift program. You’ll be responsible for managing and cultivating relationships with existing major gift prospects, as well as identifying new prospects.

An ability to listen to donors and clearly communicate our organization’s mission is key. You will be focused on individual major gifts retention and acquisition, and secure corporate sponsors for our annual program events.

In addition, applying to family foundation and other grants will be required. The comprehensive campaign has a volunteer cabinet structure in time this position will be working with fundraising volunteers to support major gift programs.

Reporting directly to the GM, Fund Development, you will be a professionally mannered, self-motivated, creative thinking, results-oriented individual who is comfortable making an ask, managing a team of volunteers, be able to provide written and verbal presentations, writing proposals and grant submissions and sponsorship packages and working with prospective and existing donors.

Major Responsibilities :

• Donor Relations Management Serve as the primary relationship manager for select major gift prospects, developing and implementing a written donor strategy and relationship record (using Raisers Edge) of all interactions.
• Communicate with portfolio through face-to-face cultivation, solicitation and stewardship meetings, and written strategies;

ensure that each major donor and prospect has a clear strategy and timeline for cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.

Participate in prospect clearance.

Comprehensive Campaign A key member of the fund development team responsible to ensure three-year comprehensive campaign goals are met.

From a major gifts program perspective, work collaboratively with program staff and members of the fund development department to understand the key program and capital projects that have been determined to require priority fundraising.

Develop and maintain a detailed campaign plan and calendar in order to achieve campaign goals. Work with GM Fund Development to set priorities;

manage and adjust the work plan and calendar as needed. Maintain up to date knowledge of major programmatic initiatives.

Moves management strategy of annual donors to major gifts.

• Campaign Strategy Work with the GM Fund Development to manage revenue projection and expense budget, as well work with Manager FD Systems to ensure pledges and pledge fulfillments.
• Grants Research, and identify potential donors, complete grant application submissions and track results.
• Sponsorship : Work with the GM Fund Development and Manager Annual Giving to develop a sponsorship plan, and identify and secure sponsors for Signature event, Walk for Kids and Readathon.
• Events Be a visible presence at funds development special events, such as major donor cultivation events and fundraisers
• Prospect Research : each fundraiser uses software available to research prospective donors as part of donor strategy work.
• Major Gift Planning : The Major Gift Officer will identify, engage, cultivate, solicit, and steward current and prospective donors, in expanding their financial support of the work of the YMCA.

In addition, of securing new donors to the YMCA. The Major Gifts officer will be responsible for meeting an annual revenue target by working with an assigned portfolio of donors and prospects to advance the mission of the organization and assist donors in making donations that meet their interests, goals and or mandate.

Fundraising :

• Participate in fund development planning process to develop, implement, monitor and achieve the fund development goals
• Maintain positive relationships with past, current, and future donors through social contacts and other stewardship activities
• Develop a volunteer-driven major gift program - recruit, retain and manage fundraising volunteer cabinets
• Accountable for growing, securing new donors
• Identify and initiate contact with potential prospects
• Provide stewardship of donors
• Ensure compliance with all CRA regulations and laws, maintains accountability standards to donors and ensures compliance that align with Imagine Canada Accreditation
• Enter core donor and prospect information into Raiser’s Edge system in a timely manner

Operations :

• Participate in each step of the donor pipeline including identification, research, cultivation, follow up, stewardship and recognition.
• Maintain clean and detailed records on each prospect.
• Develops ongoing relationships with major donors through a portfolio of donors and prospects
• Accountable for cultivating relationships
• Identifies, pursues, cultivates, and enhances relationships with foundations and donors in support of funding needs
• Researches, develops, and writes proposals to secure grants from foundations
• Prepare customized solicitation strategies targeting organizational program objectives and donor interests

Qualifications / Experience :

• University degree in a related field
• 5 years related experience
• Exceptional written, listening and oral communication skills;
• Knowledge of CRA regulations and laws in relations to donor and Foundation compliance
• Proven team player
• Sensitively tuned interpersonal skills
• Provincial fundraising experience added value
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, and Power Point), Internet, Google Mail and Raiser’s Edge
• Ability to organize and complete multiple tasks simultaneously with close attention to detail and prioritization to meet deadlines.
• Successful candidates will be required to provide a current and satisfactory Criminal Records Check / Vulnerable Sector Search issued no later than six (6) months preceding your start date

YMCA BC is committed to creating an inclusive, accessible environment where all members of our community feel valued, respected, and supported.

We encourage applications from the diverse communities in which we live and serve, including but not limited to people of colour, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity.

We have established policies, procedures, and practices to meet accessibility standards throughout the hiring process. Should you require any accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to contact our Human Resources department.

Competencies :

In addition to bringing a commitment to YMCA vision and values, the candidate should possess the following competencies :

Leading Self

• Evolve in Professional Capability Commit to being better
• Achieve Excellence and Authenticity Show up with the best version of you

Leading Others

• Develop the Potential in Others Help people grow and lead
• Create a Culture of Connection Build bridges between people and partners

Leading Mission

• Think and Act Strategically Make good decisions and act on them
• Make an Intentional Impact Advance the strength and cause of the Y

Application Deadline : By 6PM (PT) on September 18, 2024

Please apply with your cover letter and resume.