Associate, Community Initiatives and Events – Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation

About Us

The Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation proudly serves as the primary charitable fundraiser for the Alberta Children’s Hospital and Child Health & Wellness Research at the University of Calgary. We also partner with Alberta Health Services and agencies in our community to support child health advancements across our city and province. We truly believe that, together with our community, we can build healthier futures for all children. 

Best health, best future for all children and families. 

We work in close collaboration with our donors, partners, and stakeholders to ensure that children benefit from cutting-edge research and innovations in care. We are dedicated to upholding our ICARE values of Integrity, Collaboration, Authenticity, Respect and Excellence. While our team is diverse in background, we are united through our ICARE commitment, enriching the relationships that raise and direct funds to support advanced pediatric research, state-of-the-art equipment, and family-centred programs.  

The Opportunity 

We are looking for a skilled Associate who believes in the mission of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation (“Foundation”) and has exceptional drive for furthering the fundraising efforts of youth philanthropists. Because you are passionate about what you do, these young fundraisers will be inspired to invest in child health excellence and in turn, will help create the best health and best future for all children and families.  

Reporting to the Senior Manager, the Associate, Community Initiatives & Events serves as the ambassador and lead for the Foundation’s “Kids Helping Kids” (KHK) program. This portfolio is comprised of local fundraising initiatives in support of the Foundation, organized by youth up to age eighteen, raising money and awareness for the Alberta Children’s Hospital (ACH). Through their combined efforts, these outstanding youth philanthropists raised almost $400,000 for the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation last year. A critical element of this role is celebrating the success of our young fundraisers and donors. The Associate will inspire, engage, organize, empower, mobilize, and steward youth in their journey from emerging philanthropists to lifelong supporters, with a focus on the growth of existing fundraising initiatives and the development of new ones.  

Working as an essential member of the fast-paced Community Initiatives (CI) team, you will be accountable for building and enhancing relationships with existing and new Kids Helping Kids (KHK) fundraisers (individuals, families, schools, sport teams and other youth community groups), providing the guidance and tools necessary to optimize their experience, support their overall success and cultivate the growth of lifelong philanthropists. The Associate is responsible for the full cycle of fundraising initiatives from application to planning support to post-initiative stewardship. As many events and meetings take place in the evenings and on weekends, a flexible schedule is needed to fulfill job responsibilities. This is an ideal role for an individual who is passionate about working with children and youth, has infectious energy and enthusiasm, and the ability to mobilize youth to achieve fundraising success while making fundraising fun!  

We are an amazing team, doing amazing things every day. We would love to learn more about you and how you will add value to our team! 

Key Responsibilities 

As the Associate for our KHK program, key responsibilities include: 

• Act as the first point of contact and liaison for youth fundraising initiatives, responding promptly and professionally to telephone, email, and website inquiries.
• Provide an exceptional service experience to ensure young fundraisers are well supported and can fulfil their philanthropic goals. This includes sharing best practices, tools, and resources, providing information about research, programs, and initiatives that require funding, overseeing auctions, raffles, and collection of donations, developing, and providing event material, supervising volunteers, attending events, troubleshooting as required, and facilitating stewardship and recognition through meaningful touchpoints (cheque presentations, certificates, impact reports and other celebrations). 
• Coordinate two Kids Helping Kids events per year: the Junior Golf Classic and the KHK Celebration. In addition, provide leadership and guidance for the Youth Council and Hockey Kids Helping Kids program, focusing more specifically on logistics, communications, and fundraising. 
• Work closely with the Foundation’s Gift-In-Kind Coordinator to facilitate the delivery of gift-in-kind collections and drop-offs from youth. 
• Coordinate the Kids Helping Kids e-updates to all members on a quarterly basis. 
• Identify and pursue opportunities to further engage youth fundraisers and their network in other Foundation activities, such as sponsorship opportunities, event invitations, etc. Conduct prospect research and cultivation activities to identify, nurture and grow new and diverse fundraising opportunities.
• Enhance knowledge and understanding of the Foundation and our funding priorities in order to articulate the case for support of the ACHF/ACH and act as a well-informed ambassador at events, donor meetings, speaking engagements, presentations, hospital tours and media interviews.
• Update the calendar of initiatives and maintain records in the donor database (Raiser’s Edge) by entering pertinent information on youth community fundraisers, donors, and prospects.
• Work cooperatively and effectively with the Foundation and hospital staff members to advance our mission in a collaborative and integrated manner.

Our Ideal Candidate 

• You have a post-secondary diploma or degree with a specialization in fund development, event management, business administration, not-for-profit management, social innovation, or other relevant areas; suitable combinations of education and experience will be considered.
• With a minimum of three (3) years of experience in fund development, events, or community initiatives, you have an excellent track record of building and nurturing relationships with clients and/or donors. Specific understanding of fund development principles is required.
• You have a well-articulated passion for the cause and are equally passionate about working with children and youth. You have the ability to mobilize, empower, engage, influence, and motivate others to achieve fundraising success while making fundraising fun. Ideally, you have previous experience working with children and youth in a role where you supported them in achieving a goal. 
• You are a resourceful and energetic team player with superior problem-solving skills, able to resolve issues in a dynamic and time-sensitive environment. Your team knows you are an empathetic, responsive, dependable, and adaptable colleague who develops positive relationships with staff, volunteers, vendors, and other stakeholders. 
• With exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively, you thrive in a fast-paced environment. You effectively manage information from multiple sources and take the initiative to prioritize, plan, and execute on deliverables, making the best use of time and resources in order to manage multiple and often competing priorities.
• Your superior written and verbal communication skills (public speaking required) ensure you have the ability to engage various internal and external stakeholders to establish and maintain effective relationships. This is coupled with your persuasive and professional writing, presentation, and communication skills.
• You have the ability to maintain a positive and professional image and remain diplomatic and tactful at all times, with an understanding of confidentiality in dealing with a variety of issues and stakeholders. 
• Your skills are complemented by demonstrated proficiency in SharePoint and the Microsoft Office suite including Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, and Word. Previous experience and demonstrated proficiency in donor data systems is required. Raiser’s Edge (RE) and/or Classy experience would be an asset.
• As we have implemented a hybrid work arrangement, you must have the ability and flexibility to work both in office and virtually, being well versed in the tools and technology to be effective in both. 
• This role requires reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license, and a flexible schedule that allows for work in the evenings and on weekends in support of youth and community fundraisers.

We hope that in reading our job ad, you love who we are, what we do, and are inspired to apply for this role. While we work hard and have high expectations of ourselves, our strong work ethic is balanced by an enthusiastic sense of humour and the ability to have fun along the way. The entire team at the Foundation truly embraces the mission and vision to enhance care for children and families.

Join our team. Be a part of something amazing.

To be considered for this opportunity, submit your resume along with a cover letter. Your cover letter should include details about what makes you our ideal candidate, why you want to be a part of our team, and your salary expectations for this role.

Applications will be accepted until July 9th, 2024.

APPLY here

Our total rewards package includes a salary that is competitive within the not-for-profit sector, extended health and dental benefits, membership in a defined benefit pension plan, an annual flexible spending account allocation, and is based on a thirty-five hour work week. To learn more about the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, we invite you to visit our website.