TAKE A HIKE FOUNDATION

Director of Development, ON

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Since 2000, Take a Hike has walked alongside youth during one of the most challenging periods of their development. The organization’s life-changing mental health and social-emotional well-being program is rooted in land-based learning and integrated into alternate education classrooms, facilitating youth development in profound ways. This proven, year-round immersive program offers young people the opportunity to overcome past negative experiences in school, build resilience, and improve their mental health ahead of critical life transitions. By keeping youth engaged in school, providing treatment and support, and connecting them with additional community services, Take a Hike empowers them to thrive and succeed on their own terms. For more information about the program, please visit www.takeahikefoundation.org.

Since its inception, Take a Hike has grown its reach and activities tenfold and now aims to bring its transformative and proven program to even more communities across Canada. As part of this expansion, the organization is seeking a Director of Development for Ontario—a key role that will engage the donor community to address the growing mental health needs of young people. By integrating innovative approaches, fostering community partnerships, and enhancing access to critical resources, this position offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on youth and their futures. This is a pivotal moment to join a transformative organization and play an integral role in shaping its mission.

In this role, the Director of Development will lead the creation of a comprehensive fundraising strategy to amplify Take a Hike’s programming and presence in Ontario. A primary focus will be building and nurturing relationships with donors, partners, and stakeholders—serving as a passionate ambassador for the organization within Toronto’s philanthropic community.

Additionally, the Director will spearhead the development of a philanthropy team in Ontario while collaborating closely with colleagues across the country, sharing best practices to ensure a cohesive and seamless donor experience nationwide.

Qualifications:

Among the qualifications being sought in candidates, the incoming leader must have a deep and abiding commitment to advancing reconciliation, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in all its forms. They must also believe, intrinsically, in the importance of leading with curiosity and welcoming ideas that can later be synthesized and turned into possibilities. While all candidates are encouraged to apply and share how they see themselves adding value to the Take a Hike Foundation environment, the following credentials and/or experiences are seen as possible markers of the candidates success in the role: A) a Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience with a CFRE preferred designation; B) significant experience in fundraising, particularly in major gift solicitation and donor stewardship; C) a comprehensive understanding of fundraising cycles, coupled with the ability to inspire confidence and enthusiasm in key stakeholders, including volunteers, staff, and high-net-worth individuals; D) a strong understanding of trends in the philanthropic sector with the ability to use and share this knowledge in a manner that builds a strong organizational funding national strategy while inspiring innovation and advancing day to day and longer-term goals and activities; E) the ability to build high-performing teams, fostering trust and inspiring confidence in both internally and externally, and; F) technical proficiency and creative problem-solving skills.

This is a full-time position located in Toronto, Canada.  The salary for the Director Development, Ontario will be approximately $120,000 per year commensurate with experience. The benefits package reflects the organization’s commitment to supporting well-being—professionally, personally, and financially.  This includes four weeks of vacation, a generous RRSP matching program, health and dental coverage, and access to professional development opportunities.

How to Apply

Take a Hike Foundation is committed to a workforce reflecting the diversity of the communities within which they work. As such, they explicitly encourage applications from persons with disabilities, members of Black, Indigenous, and racialized communities, people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and others who may contribute to the diversity of their staff. Take a Hike Foundation invites candidates to self-identify in their cover letter.

The organization is partnering with BIPOC Executive Search to ensure an applicant list that is diverse and is as intersectional as possible. All interested applicants can send their resume to Helen Mekonen and Jason Murray by e-mailing .

In accordance with the AODA Act, for applicants living with a disability accommodation will be provided throughout the search process. Should accommodation be required, please make Helen Mekonen aware by using the above address.

We thank everyone for their expression of interest—and are truly appreciative of the time individuals put into applying—but with the limitations of time only those selected for an interview will be contacted