Coordinator, Community Relations- Philanthropy

CAIS; Windsor; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Group Health Care Benefits

Employee Pension Plan

Tuition discount for child attending K

Professional development opportunities

Fitness facilities access

Meal benefit in dining hall

Job summary

KES is seeking a Coordinator, Community Relations- Philanthropy to lead the Annual Giving program and cultivate donor and alumni relationships. This role reports to the Manager, Community Relations and works closely with the team on campaign strategy, outreach, and stewardship.

The successful candidate will manage donor portfolios and support volunteers and committees. Responsibilities include planning multi-channel appeals, prospect research, and reporting to inform strategy.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in donor relations, fundraising, or a comparable role.
• Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills with discretion around confidential information.
• Comfort and confidence making donor calls, visits, and asking for gifts.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and execution of Annual Giving and Planned Giving appeals across multiple channels.
• Develop fundraising initiatives for parents, alumni, employees, students, and reunion classes.
• Support campaign strategies for Giving Tuesday, tribute, memorial, and grassroots campaigns.
• Manage a portfolio of Annual Giving donors and cultivate major-gift prospects.

Skills

Donor relations

Fundraising

Relationship building

Communication

Education

Post-secondary degree in related field

Tools

CRM / donor database

Job description

About Us

Founded in 1788, KES is recognized as Canada's first independent school located in Windsor, NS on the ancestral territory of the Mi'kmaq nation. KES is a culturally diverse co-educational boarding and day school serving students in grades 6-12. At KES, we inspire academic, athletic, and artistic excellence, with a commitment to the traditional community ideals of kindness, integrity, dignity, and respect. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment that values and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion and we actively seek a broad spectrum of qualified candidates.

About Our Opportunity

The Coordinator, Community Relations- Philanthropy reports to the Manager, Community Relations and is a relationship-focused role at the heart of KES's fundraising efforts. The Coordinator leads the Annual Giving campaign while growing and nurturing lasting donor and alumni relationships through calls, visits, and genuine, sustained connection, and oversees mid-level campaign cultivation and donor engagement while working closely with the Community Relations Team.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and execution of Annual Giving and Planned Giving appeals across multiple channels, including email, direct mail, social media, and donor outreach
• Develop and implement fundraising initiatives for parents, alumni, employees, students, reunion classes, and other constituent groups
• In collaboration with the Manager, Community Relations, support fundraising strategies for Giving Tuesday, tribute, memorial, class-based, and grassroots campaigns
• Manage a portfolio of Annual Giving donors and emerging major-gift prospects; conduct donor cultivation, stewardship, and solicitation activities
• Conduct prospect research and qualify campaign donors, referring principal-gift prospects to the Executive Director
• Support campaign volunteers and committees through briefing materials, assignments, proposal development, and meeting support
• Prepare fundraising, campaign, and appeal reports to inform strategy and decision-making
• Build and maintain meaningful relationships with alumni, donors, volunteers, and other members of the KES community
• Lead alumni engagement initiatives, including outreach, volunteer programs, class representative networks, events, and campus visits
• Identify and steward alumni and donors requiring personalized engagement, ensuring appropriate follow-up and referral
• Maintain accurate constituent records and relationship data

Qualifications and Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in donor relations, fundraising, or a comparable based role
• Post-secondary diploma or degree in a related field, or equivalent experience
• Demonstrated success in cultivating, soliciting, and securing philanthropic gifts a strong asset
• A CFRE designation would be considered a strong asset
• Comfort and confidence making donor calls, conducting visits, and asking for gifts
• Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills, with discretion around confidential information
• Experience with a CRM or donor database is an asset
• Valid driver's license, for donor visits
• Availability for occasional evening or weekend donor and alumni engagement and events
• Other Duties: Assist with additional Community Relations projects as directed

What We Offer

• Position Type: Full-time
• Salary: $55,000-65,000 annually
• Group Health Care Benefits (Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, and EAP)
• Employee Pension Plan
• Tuition discount for your child(ren) attending KES
• Access to professional development opportunities
• Fitness benefit: complimentary use of athletics facilities
• Employee meal benefit: enjoy meals in full-service dining hall while working
• A fun and rewarding family-oriented work environment
• Start date: Immediate

As a condition of employment, the successful candidate must provide a current Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Screening. Due to the large volume of applications, only selected candidates will be contacted for an interview.