Development Officer, Grants

Calgary Zoo; Calgary; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Join the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo as a permanent full-time Development Officer, Grants. This role focuses on securing grant commitments and managing donor relationships to support wildlife conservation initiatives. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in grant writing and relationship management, contributing to impactful fundraising efforts.

Benefits

Competitive compensation and vacation

Flexible benefits plan

Employer matching RRSP program

Discounts on food and merchandise

Participation in the Staff Pass Benefit plan

Qualifications

• Minimum three years of experience in grant writing.
• Competent writer with strong editing skills.
• Experience with multi-million-dollar funding considered an asset.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with granting organizations.
• Research and prioritize grant opportunities.
• Write and package requests for funding.

Skills

Communication

Grant Writing

Time Management

Project Management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in fundraising, business administration, or communications

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Fundraising databases

Job description

This is your opportunity to make an impact! The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is seeking a permanent full-time Development Officer, Grants to join our Development team! This position will use both technical and creative writing skills through sharing key messages about our ongoing initiatives to conserve and protect wildlife and wild places!

The Development Officer, Grants (DO, Grants) reports to the Manager, Foundations and Grants, and is responsible for securing grant commitments to the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo (WI/CZ) and the Wilder Institute (WI), as well as managing subsequent relationships and commitments. Grants (local, national and international) can provide significant opportunities to secure new and diversified dollars to support the organization’s vision – a future where people and wildlife thrive, together - and purpose – to act for wildlife; saving species and inspiring people to join us.

The DO, Grants is an outstanding ambassador for the WI/CZ, WI, the Development Department and to all external audiences, working closely with the Manager, Foundations and Grants to build the foundations and grants portfolios.

The DO, Grants is a development professional with a proven track record of identifying, prioritizing, and writing exceptional applications and stewardship reports in support of the organization’s fundraising priorities. The DO, Grants will be committed to managing relationships with grantors by adopting a philosophy of “donor delight” to ensure grantors are appropriately stewarded and remain engaged with the Zoo.

Our Purpose | We act for wildlife; saving species and inspiring people to join us.

Our Core Values | Drive impact, nurture connection, cultivate hope, and be bold.

What you will do:

• Build and maintain relationships with granting organizations through online, phone and in-person interactions.
• Meet agreed targets including dollars raised, moves, number of asks and portfolio size.
• Work with the Manager, Foundations and Grants to develop and grow the Foundations Business Unit.
• Research and prioritize prospects for grant and foundation opportunities.
• Write and package requests for funding to various grantors aligned with organizational priorities.
• Support the Manager, Foundations and Grants as needed in the development, completion and reporting of higher-level grant and foundation opportunities.
• Ensure completion and obtain approval of gift and grant agreements
• Ensure recognition requirements are met, including reporting, signage, logo placement, and communications.
• Enter all pertinent information related to donor and grantor relationships, notes, and actions into Tessitura (CRM).
• Maintain a calendar or tracking system of grant opportunities, submission timelines and reporting deadlines.
• Manage projects as assigned, with the support of the Manager, Foundations and Grants and Director, Development.
• Embrace continuous education on relevant organizational information which affects this role.
• Perform other responsibilities as required.
  
  

What you will bring:

• At least three years of experience in grant writing with a demonstrated capacity for delivering grant applications and proposals for funding of all sizes.
• A bachelor’s degree in fundraising, business administration, communications, or other relevant fields is preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Experience writing grants for multi-million-dollar funding is considered an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively interpret, organize, and present information and ideas in written and presentation form.
• Ability to determine requirements of gift and grant agreements, as well as contribute to and interpret gift and grant agreements
• Self-motivated, with superior time management skills and ability to meet deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Competent writer with strong editing and proofreading abilities for preparing grant applications, proposals and reporting needs.
• Demonstrated ability to work within defined processes and procedures to ensure timely and accurate record-keeping.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and fundraising databases.
• Project Management skills and ability to work independently as well as collaboratively to achieve results.
• Demonstrated dedication to outstanding customer service.
• Ability to work effectively with donors and prospects, senior management, and other departments.
• Ability to manage time effectively between varied responsibilities.
• Strives to achieve best practices and committed to professional development
  
  

Working Conditions:

• On occasion some lifting and moving of objects as required
• Sitting at a desk for long periods of time
• Using computer for long periods of time
• Although primarily Monday to Friday, occasional evening and weekend work is required
  
  

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is an outdoor facility and all staff working at the zoo must be comfortable working in a large variety of outdoor conditions. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo follows the advice of Environment Canada when responding to temperature and air quality issues.

What the Zoo Offers:

• Competitive compensation, vacation and flex days entitlement
• Flexible benefits plan, including a health spending account
• Employer matching RRSP program
• Discounts on food, beverage, and merchandise
• Participation in the Staff Pass Benefit plan
• A fun, rewarding work environment and the opportunity to work in a park full of wild animals
  
  

Are you ready to join one of Canada’s leaders in wildlife conservation? If this position suits your skills, experience and personal attributes, we want to talk to you.

Apply by doing the following:

• Watch this video about the conservation work being done at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J1VH1MBXm0)
• Submit your resume with a cover letter via our online application system.
• Fill in the Application questions:
• If hired, when would you be available to start?
• What are your salary expectations for the role?
• This role may need to provide occasional weekend and evening support. Do you have any concerns or scheduling restrictions we should know about?
  

Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada.

If this position is a fit for you, we encourage you to apply with a resume and cover letter online by July 8, 2025 at 4pm MST.

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo strives to cultivate a workplace in which everyone feels welcome and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. As a conservation organization, we respect and value the diversity of all life and come together as individuals and teammates to achieve the organization’s mission and vision. We recognize the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and work to advance our culture to ensure diverse viewpoints are heard and everyone has an equitable chance to succeed and thrive.

All candidates are thanked for their applications and advised that only those selected for interviews will be contacted.