Fundraising Strategy, Fundraising Development

Position: Director of Fundraising
Organization: Evergreen
Location: Evergreen Brick Works, Toronto, Ontario / Hybrid (see below)

Introduction:

Evergreen is currently seeking a fundraising leader to join our leadership team and propel the organization to even greater impact. If you believe in the power of better public spaces to support our well-being and adapt to and mitigate a changing climate, we want to meet you. The Director of Fundraising will work with a purpose driven, high performing fundraising team to build support and raise funds to transform public places in our cities for the health of people and our planet.

As the Director of Fundraising, you will lead the fundraising team to engage partners and funders in our work, driving growth through new and expanded relationships with impact focused investors, providing exceptional stewardship of all Evergreen partnership and philanthropic accounts. The successful candidate will:

• Bring a track record of proven results demonstrating that you achieve targets and close major, multi-year, multi-million dollar commitments through relationship building, persistence, and dedicated donor stewardship.
• Have superb communication skills that enable you to listen and engage effectively, articulate complex issues clearly and simply, and make a compelling case for support with sophisticated philanthropists and business leaders.
• Enjoy the “sales” element of fundraising and possess an ability to bring enthusiasm and inspiration to external pitches and prosect meetings.
• Possess a strong Toronto-based network, but with an ability to reach beyond the Greater Toronto Area to a national audience.
• Be committed to bringing community-centric fundraising principles into your work.
• Have a positive attitude, an ability to inspire with a compelling vision of what’s possible together with excellent coaching skills, to support, uplift and guide the Development team.

About Us:

Evergreen is a national non-profit transforming public spaces in our cities to build a healthier future for people and our planet.

With over 30 years of championing urban sustainability, we see the potential of our cities to solve some of the biggest issues facing our time and believe that our public spaces are the key to unlocking it. We see beyond the spaces that exist today and imagine them transformed into places where people and nature thrive. We see a future where everyone can live a healthy life on a healthy planet.

About the Role:

The Director of Fundraising is responsible for developing and executing the over-arching fundraising strategy for Evergreen. This role guides the team and establishes methods to successfully build and sustain long-term engagement of funders, in alignment with organizational priorities and values. They will work closely with the CEO and Program Directors, as well as a network of Leadership volunteers which includes the Board of Directors. This role contributes to organizational culture, promotes and builds internal commitment and enthusiasm for our strategy, develops and leads a cohesive team, and collaborates across the organization.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan and oversee a robust multi-year fundraising program with a focus on securing and stewarding principal gifts, major gifts and planned gifts from a diverse community of organizational and individual donors, in alignment with Evergreen strategy.
• Lead planning for the department, by setting ambitious fundraising targets and establishing department goals and metrics, in partnership with the CEO.
• Work closely with Board members, senior volunteers and external development advisors to support Evergreen’s fundraising targets both through formalized committees as well as informal networks.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit and steward major multi-year donations to build a robust funding pipeline.
• Spend a significant amount of time communicating with and meeting with prospective and active funders to present Evergreen's programs and funding opportunities.
• Collaborate with Senior Leadership in assessing and developing the organization’s strategic and financial goals and helping to develop approved program budgets.
• Work closely with the Director of Marketing and Engagement to ensure the mass fundraising and donor stewardship strategy feeds and supports the fundraising pipeline
• Establish fundraising policies.
• As necessary, develop and lead strategic fundraising campaigns, including for major capital projects.
• Oversee the recruiting, training, coaching, motivation, and retention of the Development team staff in order to facilitate and enhance a high-functioning professional team.
• Build and support a positive and productive team culture, ensuring all team members have a clear, common vision, and that they are well supported in their goals.
• Establish expense budgets for the Development team and maintain close control of expenditures throughout the year.
• Lead the development and execution of a best-in-class stewardship and engagement strategy for funders and partners.
• Represent Evergreen at events and meetings to strengthen relationships and create awareness of our programs and position in the marketplace.
• Analyze trends in fundraising, identifying opportunities and challenges, and develop strategies to ensure that Evergreen's plans reflect the direction and demands of the marketplace. Incorporate an anti-oppressive framework into your fundraising.
• Contribute to positive workplace culture and great internal communication across the organization.
• Embed diversity, equity and inclusion into all aspects of work.

About You:

You excel in the following areas:

• Leadership. Mobilize and build strong teams. Lead by example. Inspire others to achieve.
• Planning/Organization/Project Management. Determine strategies to move the organization forward, set goals and focus on priorities, create/implement action plans/budgets, document, evaluate, learn.
• People management. Clarify performance expectations. Provide mentorship, guidance and personal/professional development support to others. Recognize strengths & accomplishments of others in a meaningful way. Provide constructive guidance while allowing independence and creating opportunities for growth.
• Communication. Speak, listen and write in a clear, confident, respectful, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.
• Strategic thinking/vision. Assess opportunities and threats, options and actions based on comprehensive analysis of current and future trends and conditions in the environment, and the vision and values of Evergreen. See and communicate the big picture in an inspiring way.
• Analytical/Decision Making/Problem Solving skills. Draw insightful conclusions from information. Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks, and make clear decisions which are timely and in the best interests of Evergreen.

You have the following qualifications:

• Diploma/bachelor's degree in fundraising, public relations, marketing, management, business or a related field, or equivalent work experience. CFRE credential considered an asset.
• 8 to 10 years prior major gifts and/or capital campaign experience.
• A proven track record of closing major gifts and strong Moves Management skills.
• Demonstrated success in planning, implementing organizational fundraising strategies.
• Very strong communication and people skills; able to interact and build relationships with a wide variety of individuals including CEOs, philanthropists, and high-level volunteers.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects while leading a team.
• Proven experience in leading and motivating a development or sales team, with a track record of effectively developing and mentoring others.
• Experience using fundraising software (i.e. Raiser's Edge, Salesforce) and advanced Microsoft Office Suite skills.
• Knowledge of placemaking an asset.
• Experience working in capital campaign fundraising environments an asset.

Additional Information:

Reporting Relationships:

• Supervised by: Chief Executive Officer
• Supervises: 3 Managers (Mid-Level Giving and Fundraising Operations, Major Gifts, Foundation and Government Fundraising); total department team of 9.

Working conditions:

• Position is based out of Evergreen’s head office at Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto.
• Hybrid work environment with on-site presence required for certain events/meetings.
• It is expected that a significant portion of time will be spent meeting with current and prospective funders, in person or virtually.
• Regular hours, Monday to Friday (flexible) with occasional evenings and weekends for events, meetings, or in times of heavy deadlines.

Contract:

• Full time, permanent
• Target Hire Rate: $120,000 - $130,000 annually
• Employer-paid health and dental benefits package, 4 weeks paid vacation, 3 personal days (aka Evergreen Days) and your birthday off, and professional development opportunities.
• Reduced work week (4.5 days)

Application Close Date: January 6, 2025

To apply, visit our Career page here.

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