The National accessArts Centre (NaAC) is Canada’s largest disability arts organization. In just under five years, it has more than doubled in size and now supports a growing community of 350+ Canadian artists living with disabilities. With an ambitious capital plan to build North America’s first accessible arts hub in Calgary, along with the development of the Won Lee Community Arts Hub in Toronto, the NaAC is rapidly expanding its presence to truly become Canada’s home for artists living with disabilities.
Under the leadership of the President & CEO, the Director, Development (DD) is an exceptional fundraiser and stakeholder relations specialist. This objective of this role is to develop the core functionality of a development team at the NaAC. The DD position plays a key role in the leadership of the NaAC, as an active member of both the management and leadership teams of the organization.
The incumbent will have a proven track record of developing and sustaining strategic relationships that assist in advancing the organization’s mandate, generate revenue to strategic initiatives and create ambassadors in the community. This critical fundraising position will develop the NaAC’s fund development program and cultivate relationships with existing and prospective donors. The incumbent will develop a comprehensive fund development strategy, including stewardship, and support fundraising efforts from the ground-up.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Fund Development
The DD is responsible for the development of a sustainable and adaptive fundraising strategy. The DD is the primary fundraiser, second only to the President and CEO and is expected to take initiative to elevate the NaAC’s profile with prospective donors.
- Plans, organizes, and directs programs to secure annual and major gifts by pursuing the identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of private support from individuals, corporations, and foundations to the NaAC.
- Leads the analysis, formation, and implementation of fundraising plans, policies, and procedures as they pertain to NaAC’s development program.
- Demonstrably builds and manages relationships with donors, funders, and prospects.
- Develops and presents an annual fundraising strategy to the President & CEO, and Board of Directors’ Fund Development Committee. The strategy will clearly outline the cycle and schedule of identification through to solicitation of both new and existing donors. It will also highlight potential funders, donors, and partners for the coming year.
- Maintains an active schedule of face-to-face meetings with major gift donors and prospects.
- Stewards donors through the development of ongoing communications, recognition activities, invitations to key events, and interaction with beneficiaries of their support.
- Plans and executes strategic fundraising and donor stewardship events, in collaboration with other key NaAC team members.
- Manages the NaAC’s annual rare fundraiser event and works with the Board of Directors’ Fundraising Committee to set fundraising goals for the actual event and develop potential donor relationships from attendees.
- Ability to analyze and synthesize complex and sensitive material and use it to develop proposals and reports, and to present appropriate, well-informed messages to donors.
- Designs, implements and improves systems to track donor information, history and maintain data integrity.
- Actively supports the President & CEO in their fundraising activities, including strategic oversight.
- Completes appropriate grant applications to regional, provincial and federal funders.
- Promotes a culture of philanthropy across the organization by engaging staff, board, and volunteers in plans and priorities.
SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
Technical Skills
- Advanced skills in business applications (Microsoft Office 365) is required
- Ability to occasionally work remotely, using Teams, Zoom, and/or Slack
- Experience with donor database management systems is required
Required Qualifications
- A university degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
- 5 years’ experience of demonstrated success in developing, implementing and evaluating a comprehensive fund development program that includes annual giving, monthly giving, events, digital fundraising, major and planned gifts
- Demonstrated success in building and maintaining long-term relationships with donors, foundations, grantors and volunteers
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, delivered with confidence
- Team leadership experience in a dynamic and complex environment
- Exceptional organization strategic planning and project management skills
- Strong interpersonal skills and decision-making capabilities
- Successful completion of all security clearances will be required
Preferred Qualifications
- A CFRE designation or current membership with the Association of Fundraising Professionals would be considered an asset
- Experience in the arts and culture or social services sector would be considered an asset
Employment Type: Permanent Full Time – 40 hours per week
Reports To: President & CEO
Vacation Accrual: Accrues equivalent of 3 work weeks per calendar year (e.g. 15 days for 5 day work week),
Benefits: Health/Dental; RRSP + TFSA matching; Flex days x 3; Paid personal/sick days x 12
Pay Type: Salary ($80,000-$90,000 annually)
Supervisory/Managerial: Managerial
Management Team: Yes Leadership Team: Yes
To apply, please email a resume and cover letter addressed to Jung-Suk Ryu (js.ryu@accessarts.ca).
