The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is a private, non-profit organization that prides itself on its entrepreneurial, science-based approach to achieving conservation success through direct action. Since 1962, NCC and its supporters have protected more than 2.6 million acres (1 million hectares) of ecologically significant land across Canada. NCC has experienced dramatic growth in recent years, and is now listed as the 13th largest non-profit organization in Canada, with a national office in Toronto and seven regional offices across the country.

Purpose and General Description:

The Manager, Major Gifts assumes a lead role in the coordination and delivery of fundraising activities to further the mission of The Nature Conservancy of Canada and to maximize privately-sourced donor revenue in Ontario. The incumbent plays a key role in increasing regional project and program revenues from individuals, foundations and government funding programs; works with and supports regional Program Directors; leads and supports the Director of Development and Communication and regional fundraising volunteers in the recruitment, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of donors. As a member of the Ontario fundraising team, the Manager, Major Gifts mentors other staff in donor solicitation and recognition, and ensures that regional development activities conform to national standards and policies.  These responsibilities are carried out within assigned development department, regional and project-related expense budgets.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Ontario Region Project and Program Fundraising

• Achieve annual fundraising targets to meet goals set with the Director of Development and Communications as laid out in the annual regional business plan, and as determined during the year as opportunities arise, by:
• Developing strategies for individual major gift initiatives with the Director of Development and Communications and Program Directors as appropriate;
• Assisting in the Development the Great Lakes Campaign case materials;
• Formalizing and tracking relationship management process using Raisers Edge in the identification, qualification, solicitation and stewardship of prospective and current individual major donors;
• Serving as the primary moves manager for select individuals and foundations;
• Managing the  relationship management process for individual major gift donors ensuring Program Directors are personally cultivating and soliciting assigned prospects;
• Working closely with Board Members, as appropriate, to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward donors;
• Researching, writing, designing and/or coordinating letters of inquiry and proposals to foundations and government programs;
• Meeting personally, telephoning and otherwise corresponding with Ontario donors and prospects;
• Preparing presentation materials, and attending requests for funding meetings with private individuals and foundation representatives;
• Preparing reports for donors;
• Delivering public speeches and attending events hosted by like-minded organizations;
• Supporting National Planned Giving Team to promote and explain planned giving where appropriate;
• Organizing small group tours of NCC properties;
• Overseeing sign development for donor recognition on NCC properties;
• Organizing small social events;
• Working closely with and mentoring the Coordinator, Major Gifts;

2. Ontario Donor Stewardship

• Working closely with the Director of Development and Communications and the Ontario Development Team, to develop and implement a comprehensive individual gift recognition program that ensures all major gift donors receive appropriate and consistent recognition demonstrating the impact of their gift annually:
• Assemble the appropriate combination of program, property and donor information;
• Generate letters, make phone calls, send e-mails or other forms of correspondence;
• Forward packages to volunteers for personalization.
• Track donor stewardship to ensure timely follow up with all Ontario donors;
• Ensure that reports to government funding programs are delivered in a timely manner.

3. Communications

• Work with Ontario Region staff to develop Ontario region information sheets in support of fundraising targets;

4. Planning and Management

• Develop personal and departmental annual plans and targets to meet regional goals for individuals and foundations with the Director of Development and Communications
• Assist and support other regional managers in developing and implementing fundraising plans for the sub regions;
• managing Major Gift Coordinator including hiring, work planning and review

5. General Administration and Support

• Provide administrative and other support as required, including fielding general enquiries from donors, potential donors and volunteers;
• Draft development materials for Ontario Board meetings, gift calls, personalized donor stewardship and recognition;
• Maintain timely electronic notes of all communications with or about donors and prospects;
• Process invoices;
• Draft development materials for Ontario Board meetings, gift calls, personalized donor stewardship and recognition;
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Development and Communications.

Required Skills and Attributes:

• At least 5 years experience in a fundraising or marketing role;
• Exceptional verbal and written communications skills including a proven track record in public speaking and small interpersonal meetings;
• Demonstrated successful experience in a development role, including proposal writing, and volunteer and event coordination;
• High level of attention to detail;
• Ability to support a decentralized delivery of organizational goals and objectives;
• A strong sense of self-confidence, particularly when dealing with high-level supporters and volunteers;
• Strong negotiation skills;
• Strong project management skills with a demonstrated ability to prepare and manage timelines, goals and expectations wisely;
• Proficiency in MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, and Raisers’ Edge;
• Excellent ability to create, organize and maintain effective and efficient record keeping systems;
• Ability to obtain pertinent information from a variety of sources;
• Experience in fundraising, preferably in a major campaign, will be considered a definite asset;
• A demonstrated awareness of conservation issues in Ontario;
• Understanding of and commitment to the role and mission of The Nature Conservancy of Canada;
• Ability to work and travel within a flexible schedule, including occasional weekends and evenings;
• A valid Ontario Drivers’ Licence is necessary.

To Apply:

If you have a keen interest in nature and conservation and are interested in joining our team, please forward your resumé and cover letter, indicating Manager, Major Gifts, Ontario Region in the subject line, by June 4, 2014, to the Nature Conservancy of Canada, via e-mail: careers@natureconservancy.ca.

We thank everyone who applies for their interest in the Nature Conservancy of Canada; however only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.