Do you believe everyone should have access to healthy food, and that food can be a powerful tool for connecting people and building better health and a stronger community? Are you looking to use your fundraising skills and knowledge of the charitable sector to make a difference? If so, The Food Bank of Waterloo Region is looking for a motivated, hard-working, and dynamic Development Officer, Individual Giving to join our team.  

Closing Date: June 21, 2022
Employment Type: Full-time
Job Experience: Intermediate
Location: Kitchener, ON

Website: https://thefoodbank.humi.ca/job-board

Who You Are  

You are a motivated and hardworking individual who has a background in non-profit, foundation and/or higher education fundraising and business development.  You are passionate and committed to the work of the not-for-profit sector in delivering essential community service.   

The Position 

Reporting to the VP, Philanthropy & Partnerships, the Development Officer is a key member of the development team at The Food Bank of Waterloo Region, responsible for a variety of key areas within the development program generating revenues of more than $3 million annually.  

The short-term responsibilities of this role may change from year-to-year, as priorities of The Food Bank change, and will be detailed in the Development Officer’s annual work plan. 

Duties and Responsibilities 

Working with the development team, the Development Officer leads the full relationship of the individual giving program (plan, design, implement, evaluate) in partnership with an external vendor and development team to grow the overall portfolio revenue. 

Key areas of the program include:  

• Direct Mail 
• Monthly Gifts 
• Donor Acquisition  
• Memorial and Tribute Giving 
• Online giving and E-appeals 

Direct Mail (55%) 

• Laisse with the work of an outside direct mail agency.  
• Responsible to grow revenue through an integrated program (planning and execution) – acquiring, cultivating, and stewarding donors 
• Maintain a system to ensure long-term fundraising planning through development plans, fundraising targets, and evaluation of fund development efforts.
• Lead the segmentation, appeal creative development, results tracking, and reporting for all direct mail and digital appeal solicitations. Monitor, analyze, and report on appeal performance against goals. 
• Ensure consistency, quality, accuracy, and timeliness of all donor communications. 
• Work closely with the Database Coordinator(s) to ensure data integrity, maintaining donor records in Raiser’s Edge, including the development and implementation of protocols to ensure the integrity and accuracy of the data. 
• Collaborate with the communications team to ensure the integration of direct marketing initiatives on social channels, the website, e-mail, and other digital channels 
• Work closely with the development team members to lead the team process for individual donor communication, specifically but not limited to tax receipts, thank you letters, complaints responses, and newsletters. 
• Implement an annual program for customized recognition by donor segment. 
• Work with the Communications Specialists to ensure consistency of branding and messages for external communications (Annual Communication Plan).  
• Conduct regular, personal, and meaningful interactions with priority donors and prospects through written communications, events, face-to-face meetings, and conversations. 
• Develop and implement an effective, comprehensive individual giving program and strategies that include the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individual donors.  
• Cultivate a portfolio of high-value and/or high potential, strategic individual donors and prospects. 
• Creation and implementation of a donor onboarding program. 
• Manage relationships with a variety of vendors to support direct mail and other donor-related activities. 

Monthly Giving (20%) 

• Develop a comprehensive donor journey plan for the long-term growth, solicitation, and stewardship of monthly donors through conversion and lead generation.  
• Increase overall revenue from and percentage of individual donors participating in the monthly giving program  

 Stewardship (10%)  

• Develop, implement, and ensure adherence to a stewardship matrix for individuals within your portfolio, ensuring a consistent and engaging donor journey across all channels  
• Work closely with the marketing team to create stewardship materials and ensure alignment with The Food Bank’s brand  

Third Party Platforms (5%) 

• Maintain all external donation links (i.e.: Canada Helps) to maintain consistency of messaging and approach aligned with each campaign period. 

Other (10%)  

• Participate in activities, initiatives, and special projects as requested. 
• The Development Officer plays an active role in inspiring and fostering a collaborative environment for team effectiveness, including: 
• Assist staff team members in creating and implementing relationship development strategies designed to maximize financial support for The Food Bank. 
• Participate in team and staff activities, with responsibility to present donor development updates, campaign summaries, and lunch ‘n learn presentations based on professional development opportunities.
• Contribute as project member for cross-organization projects to achieve aggressive business development and fundraising targets. 

Qualifications 

Experience:   

• Minimum of three-five years experience in a non-profit organization, foundation, and/or higher education institution with progressively responsible experience in successful fundraising and business development experience, 
• Advanced Raiser’s Edge database experience. 

• Knowledge of the principles and practices associated with fundraising. 
• Familiarity with direct response marketing. 
• Successful track record in targeting significant funding opportunities at corporate, private, and foundation levels. 
• Demonstrated skills in building relationships with partners, donors, and prospects. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including professional writing, public speaking, and presentations. 

• Effective proposal writing skills and proven success in completing grant applications. 
• Strong project management skills demonstrating an ability to prioritize, coordinate, and meet deadlines on multiple deliverables. 
• Effective interpersonal skills, demonstrating a strong capacity to work independently and collaboratively, under minimal supervision. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. 
• Knowledge of online tools for donor, and community engagement including web-based fundraising applications, email subscription services, ecommerce, B2B etc. 

Education 

• Degree or diploma with vast array of course work in fundraising, not for profit management & data analysis is preferred. Certification or pursuit of certification as CFRE is an asset.   

Required Skills and Attributes 

• A passion and commitment for the work of the not-for-profit sector in delivering essential community services. An understanding of the issues of hunger and poverty are an asset. 
• Planning/Organization/Project Management. Exceptional project management skills that move projects forward, set goals and priorities, create/implement action plans/budgets, document, evaluate, and learn 
• Professional and self-confident in interactions at all levels. 
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities. 
• Ability to cultivate and maintain strong (well-rounded) relationships with stakeholders (donors, the public). 

• Demonstrated creativity, problem-solving skills, strong initiative, and the ability to work flexibly and cooperatively. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills (political acuity), particularly in a customer service-oriented environment. 
• Superior written, verbal, and non-verbal communication skills. 
• Attention to detail and accuracy including strong proofreading skills. 
• Ability to manage issues through to resolution.  

Hours of Work  

The Food Bank’s regular office hours are Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. It is understood that all team members are often required to work irregular hours to ensure that the objectives of the organization and our commitments to volunteers, members, and the community are being met. 

The Food Bank of Waterloo Region provides employees with a flexible and progressive benefits package that accommodates hours worked above and beyond and strives to address the personal time needs of each employee.  

Due to the nature of the organization, it is understood that irregular hours and hours above and beyond are included in your salary, but shall not exceed the guidelines of the Employment Standards  

We are an equal opportunity employer.  We believe that diverse teams perform better and that fostering an inclusive work environment is a key part of growing a successful team.  We welcome people of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.  

The Food Bank of Waterloo Region is committed to accessibility and to protecting the human rights our job applicants during the recruitment process. Should at any point throughout the recruitment process an applicant require accommodation or communication in an alternative format because of a disability please contact Human Resources at hr@thefoodbank.ca or 519-743-5576. We are committed to providing accommodation or alternate formats upon request within a reasonable time period in a mutually agreed-upon format.  

Please submit your resume and cover letter including salary expectations to: https://thefoodbank.humi.ca/job-board.     

No phone calls, please.  Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.