Friends of Ruby

Friends of Ruby is dedicated to the journey and well-being of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, aged 16-29 through mental health services, social services, and housing. Friends of Ruby offers Youth Mental Health services, a Youth Drop-In Centre, and a Transitional Home. The Centre provides access to barrier-free counselling and therapeutic groups, case management and a drop-in space with hot meals, community, and comprehensive programming. The Home provides transitional and emergency housing, as well as mental health and life-skills to support youth moving towards independent living.

Friends of Ruby recognize that a diverse work force is critical to accomplishing our mission. Our goal is to attract, develop, and retain highly talented employees from diverse backgrounds, allowing us to benefit from a wide variety of experiences and perspectives.

We strongly encourage applications from the 2SLGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities, and diverse backgrounds that meet the requirements of the job posting. We suggest applicants introduce themselves, their stories and lived experiences in their cover letter to the degree they are comfortable with.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director (ED), the Director of Fund Development will manage and administer the full cycle of grants and corporate and foundation gifts, aligned with FoR’s strategic mission and direction. This includes but is not limited to: prospect research, proposal development, manage planning and execution, regular communications with stakeholders to understand funding needs and expectations, writing reports, etc. The Director will work closely and have access to a highly engaged ED, Senior Leadership Team and Board.

Duties & Responsibilities

Development & Planning:  

• Collaborate with the ED and team to create a fund development plan that supports FoR's strategic direction.

• Gather competitive information and identify potential opportunities and challenges in government funding, private foundations and corporate community/corporate foundations and adapt fundraising strategies as needed.

• Establish and execute formal Planned Giving/Legacy Program and Annual Giving Program for mid-level donors.

• Assist in planning and executing donor related stewardship events.

Evaluation & Measurement:

• Monitor and evaluate all fundraising activities to ensure that the fundraising goals are achieved.

• Maintain a database of current and potential funders, donors, government, and corporate partners.

Fund Management:  

• Develop a fund development framework to include appropriate annual fund goals aligned with the strategic plan.  

• Work with the ED and leadership team on annual marketing opportunities to include various channels such as digital online campaigns, social media, event management and direct contact with major donors.  

• Develop an annual income and expenditure budget for the fund development program.

• Develop and implement initiatives (campaigns, fundraising, etc.) to bring funds to the organization.  

• Oversee or process gifts (which includes issue acknowledgement and tax receipts through donor database and track moves management through donor database.  

Digital Marketing & Donor Engagement:

• Develop and manage communication initiatives and donor acquisition strategy to promote the work of FoR to donors and prospects and grow donor base.

• Oversee and write corporate stewardship reports for corporate sponsors and philanthropic donors for event and project-based funders.

• Conduct new prospect research and analysis, develop briefing notes, presentations, and grant proposals.

• Develop a marketing strategy to support the development funds and to further promote the brand profile within the sector.

• Write and compile applications, proposals, and solicitation letters for government grants and foundations for a broad range of programs and initiatives.

• Plan and execute all donor stewardship activities associated with fundraising and communications events.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Interact with the Board fund development committee and identify the mechanisms for Board engagement.

• Attend networking events to develop relationships with community-based organizations, government bodies and foundations that support FoR’s priority areas.

• Represent FoR at events and on relevant committees.

• Maintain regular communications with assigned stakeholders, address any concern, inquiry from stakeholders.

Staff Management:

• Determine appropriate staffing requirements for your functional areas.

• Manage and support staff through regular performance reviews, coaching and mentoring, identifying training needs, and providing opportunities for staff competencies development and professional growth within FoR.

• Facilitate regular staff meetings on organizational updates and functional area specific matters.

• Oversee the direct and indirect deliverables of your teams, providing support to the staff as needed.

Risk Management & Internal Controls:

• Select vendors and business partners who will always serve FoR’s best interests.

• Act internally and externally as a public representative of FoR’s values, ensuring that communication is accurate, fair, and compliant with all legal requirements, as well as protective and consistent of our reputation and brand.

• Ensure direct reports perform their work in full compliance with all applicable health, safety and environmental laws and regulations, and FoR’s internal policies.

• Follow all processes and controls designed to ensure the accuracy of FoR’s assessment and reporting of its financial results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, political science, business administration, marketing or equivalent; advanced degree is an asset.

• 3-5 years of institutional full cycle fundraising experience, with a focus on grant writing, prospect research, stewardship, and donor relationship.

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills with successful track record in crafting effective and compelling proposals, reports, and budgets to meet specified guidelines.   

• Maintain and build relationships with existing donors, prospects, and stakeholders using skill, tact, discretion, and compassion.

• Excellent negotiation skills with the ability to influence decisions to achieve objectives while maintaining policy.   

• Multi-task in a busy environment, work well under pressure, and prioritize tasks appropriately while meeting time-sensitive demands.   
• Not-for-profit sector work experience.
• Knowledge/lived experience with 2SLGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities is an asset.

Additional Requirements.

• Satisfactory clearance under the Vulnerable Sector Police Check Program. 
• Must be qualified to legally work in Canada.

• Work onsite at our FoR office, minimum of 3 days a week; remote work shall be permitted as operational and strategic needs allow. 

• Work on a flexible schedule to accommodate the needs of the organization, working evenings on occasion.
• Travel to other community-based settings as needed.