Director, Fund Development – The Alex

The Alexandra Community Health Centre (The Alex) is a crucial resource to Calgary’s most vulnerable citizens in need of help and support.  Health is at the heart of what we do, and what makes us so special is that we provide wrap-around services:  primary health care along with multidisciplinary social services, with everyone working closely together.

With five decades of experience innovating and working in the community, The Alex has a reputation for tackling tough health and social issues by walking alongside people on their journey from crisis to wellness, and from challenge to change.

Using a patient and client-centred, multi-disciplinary model of care, The Alex offers the right care, to the right client, by the right professional at the right time, in the right place, for the right cost.   Because we know it all adds up.

Our core purpose is to improve quality of life through accessible and integrated health, housing, and social services.  The Alex envisions a healthy and caring community where every person is valued and can thrive.

Our community of supporters is wide, encompassing all levels of government, individual and corporate donors, foundations, and other contributors. 

Building on our reputation and exceptional client service, we now have an exciting opportunity for an experienced fundraiser to  build a robust and professionalized fundraising program that matches the sophistication and depth of our service. 

The Director, Fund Development, is that opportunity.  Leading a team of five, and working closely with senior leadership and program staff across The Alex, this is a compelling  opportunity for a fundraising generalist keen to strengthen a developing program in an established organization and:

• Build a robust and effective fundraising program from a solid foundation;
• Leverage The Alex’s incredible diversity of programs;
• With so many stories to tell, move us from a “best-kept-secret” to top of mind for donors;
• Enable their own passion for community engagement and impact;
• Make an incredible and tangible difference in the lives of Calgary’s most vulnerable.

Director, Fund Development

Reporting to Susan Simpson, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and working closely with Joy Bowen-Eyre,  the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Director, Fund Development will determine both the short and long-term strategy for the fund development department, conduct an audit/assessment of what is currently in place, and develop the business plan to address the identified gaps securing the necessary resources to meet the strategic initiatives.

The Director will be responsible for all the organization’s fundraising initiatives, including but not limited to major giving, annual giving, grant applications, donor recognition and stewardship, as well as working closely with the Manager, Communications and Marketing, to share The Alex’s story and help elevate the brand.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a successful fund development program, including strategies and tactics for support from corporations, foundations, individuals, and some government granting agencies.
• Provide advice and counsel on the organization’s methods for fundraising through utilizing data and innovative thinking while building a balanced portfolio of prospects, donors, programs etc.
• Curate and implement innovative strategic funding opportunities for short and long-term fund development plans and programs.
• Develop strategies to solicit and secure major gifts.
• Build and increase support for the organization through active participation in identifying, cultivating, and stewarding relationships and connections focusing on creating long-term relationships which lead to recurring giving from donors.
• Identify and address opportunities for diversification of revenue streams, fund development challenges, and areas for improvement.
• Strategically engage the Board of Directors, helping to create a culture of philanthropy and desire to support Alex’s fundraising efforts.
• Partner with Executive Leadership Team members and other senior staff on priority setting and impact reporting.
• Working with the Communications team, tell The Alex story and how philanthropy supports the organization’s mission and vision, and supports new initiatives.
• Identify areas for social enterprise and opportunity for collaboration with other agencies in the space.
• Establish performance metrics, support the team to results, and regularly report progress to the leadership team and fund development committee.
• Monitor all donor information; provide and present statistical analysis to Board and senior leaders.
• Build out team capacity through investing time into goal setting, coaching and mentorship.
• Successfully manage the fundraising budget, allocating resources appropriately.
• Ensure the effective and accurate use of the Donorperfect database system.

Candidate Profile

Candidates have varying backgrounds and traits, and our hope is that the new Director will embody some combination of the following attributes:

• Ability to thrive in a dynamic and vibrant environment;
• Highly mission-driven and appreciates The Alex’s work is only effective thanks to collective efforts;
• Proactive and energetic; solutions focused;
• Mature, professional, strategic, and visionary;
• Flexible and adaptable;
• Innovative and resourceful;
• High emotional intelligence and empathy; both receives and gives trust;
• Empowering and inspiration leadership style; an advocate and champion of culture and morale;
• Collaborative and inclusive; embraces the spirit of creativity among Alex peers.

The new Director will ideally possess the following skills and abilities:

• A track record of fundraising success in the non-profit sector.
• Exposure and knowledge of the social services, health, or community organization sectors.
• Generalist fundraising experience gained through progressively more complex development roles, ideally with deep knowledge and ability in areas such as major gifts, annual giving, and planned giving.
• Experience of building and growing a fund development department.
• Ability to construct, articulate, and implement short- and long-term strategic development plans and to positively impact both strategic and tactical fundraising initiatives.
• Proven ability to forge, expand, cultivate, and steward donor relationships over time and with those at every level of the donor pyramid.
• Proven ability to engage and influence prospective and current donors and other stakeholders.
• A donor centric mindset supported by excellent communication skills, both written and oral
• The ability to work both independently without close oversight, and as a team player who will productively engage with others at varying levels of seniority within and outside The Alex
• Strong organizational and time management skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects with multiple stakeholders at a time.
• Ability to interpret, leverage and communicate relevant fundraising and donor data.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• CFRE certification is considered an asset.
• Willingness to work within anti-racist and anti-oppressive frameworks and actively engage in ongoing learning about these frameworks; knowledge of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP) and the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions (TRC) 94 Calls to Action is an asset.
• Bachelor’s degree required, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

To see the Full Profile for this position, please download the file on the link below

For more about our programs and Alex stories, see https://www.thealex.ca/annual-report-2022-2023/ and https://www.thealex.ca/