Job Title: Community Relations and Program Coordinator  
Location: The Down Syndrome Association of Toronto (DSAT) 
Job Type: Full-time, permanent 
Reporting to: Board of Directors 

About DSAT: 

The Down Syndrome Association of Toronto (DSAT) is committed to enriching the lives of individuals with Down syndrome and their families. We offer a range of social, educational, and recreational programs to empower individuals and provide support for families. As a valued member of our team, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in our community through coordinating programs and events that bring people together, advocate for inclusion, and raise awareness. 

Position Overview: 

The Community Relations and Program Coordinator will be responsible for managing and coordinating a variety of programs and events, providing key administrative support, and fostering strong relationships with our community, volunteers, sponsors, and partners. This is a dynamic role that requires an individual who is organized, passionate about community-building, and skilled in communication and event coordination. 

Key Responsibilities: 

Program and Event Coordination: 

• Oversee and coordinate all regular social and recreational programs for individuals with Down syndrome and their families. 

• Lead the planning and execution of large-scale events such as The Buddy Walk, World Down Syndrome Day, and other community-focused initiatives. 

• Ensure all logistics, timelines, and resources are in place for events, coordinating with internal teams, external vendors, and community partners as needed. 

• Seek out opportunities and develop new community programs. 

• Prepares reports and manages small budgets for each program 

• Occasionally attend in-person programs on evenings and weekends (a few times per month)

Administrative Coordination: 

• Maintain and manage the organization’s calendar, ensuring all programs, events, and important deadlines are scheduled and tracked. 

• Respond to calls, emails, and inquiries from the community regarding programs, resources, and support. 

• Work with content team to regularly update DSAT’s website with current event information, program details, and resources using WordPress. 

• Work with social media team to support the development and approval of content. 
   

Grant and Funding Coordination: 

• Identify and pursue opportunities for grant funding to support DSAT programs and services. 

• Prepare and submit grant proposals and follow up on applications as needed. 
   

Sponsor and Vendor Relations: 

• Build and maintain relationships with event sponsors, donors, and vendors, particularly for The Buddy Walk fundraiser. 

• Coordinate sponsorship agreements, logistics, and promotional opportunities to enhance the success of fundraising events. 

• Seek out new partnership opportunities to increase support from sponsors and donors. 
   

Volunteer Management: 

• Process volunteer applications 

• Onboard, train, schedule, and manage volunteers for events and programs. 

• Ensure volunteers are well-supported, understand their roles, and are engaged in DSAT's mission. 
   

Community Engagement: 

• Serve as a key point of contact for families and individuals in the community, helping to connect them with available resources and support. 

• Foster a sense of belonging and community by providing excellent customer service and a responsive, friendly demeanour. 

Qualifications: 
 

Must haves: 

• Post-secondary education in an area such as Administration, Recreation Studies, Disability Studies, Event Coordination, or Non-profit management 

• Experience working in event or program coordination 

• Strong organizational skills and ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously. 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 

• Ability to build and maintain relationships with community members, volunteers, sponsors, and other stakeholders. 

• Ability to take initiative and work independently. 

• A passion for supporting individuals with disabilities and promoting inclusion. 

• Valid driver’s license. 

• Candidates must have experience using Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. 
   

Nice to Haves: 

• Experience working with individuals with disabilities. 

• Experience in grant writing and securing project funding. 

• Experience in fundraising and securing event sponsors and donations. 

• Experience in a non-profit or community-based setting. 

• Experience using WordPress, MailChimp, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Office 365, and fundraising platforms (such as GiftTool). 

• Experience with social media platforms including Instagram, X, Facebook, and LinkedIn. 

• Experience with content design using Canva. 
   

Working Conditions: 

• Primarily remote work, with some in-person obligations for programs (approximately once every 1-2 weeks) 

• Occasional evenings and weekends required to support programs and events. 

Salary Range: 

The salary for this position will range between $50,000 and $60,000 per year based on experience and qualifications. Benefits include health coverage and paid vacation. 

We provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees and do not discriminate on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by local law. 

Successful candidates will be required to complete a Police Reference Check.