(PERMANENT FULL TIME) SENIOR DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, MAJOR GIFTS

Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences; Whitby; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences is looking for a Senior Development Officer to lead its major gifts program. This role involves crafting donor strategies, building relationships with prospects, and ensuring sustainable fundraising efforts to support mental health initiatives. The ideal candidate has significant fundraising experience, with proven success in soliciting major gifts and a passion for mental health.

Benefits

Generous benefits package

HOOP pension plan

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of fundraising experience, with 3 years in major gifts.
• Strong understanding of fundraising best practices and techniques.
• Proven ability to solicit and close significant gifts.

Responsibilities

• Identify, cultivate, and solicit major gift donors.
• Manage a personal portfolio of up to 125 prospects.
• Develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies.

Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Relationship Management

Fundraising

Communication

Education

CFRE designation

Tools

Raiser’s Edge

MS Office Suite

Job description

Job Details

Description

Position Summary

Imagine a future where the most devastating consequences of mental illness can be prevented. With the need for mental health care greater than ever, the reimagined Ontario Shores Foundation for Mental Health (the “Foundation”) is growing our team. The Senior Development Officer will play a key role in the success of the first-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign in support of the critical, life-changing work at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (“Ontario Shores”). A seasoned fundraiser, you will drive the development, implementation, and growth of the Major Gifts program to inspire transformational giving that maximizes revenue and impact for Ontario Shores.

This new role is meant for a goal-oriented self-starter with high emotional intelligence. You bring a strong presence, poise, tenacity, persuasiveness, and confidence to earn credibility with senior leaders and volunteers, and to cultivate authentic, deep relationships with donors. Utilizing your extensive experience, you will build, grow, and activate a sophisticated prospect pipeline with targeted strategies to maximize engagement and philanthropic support. Your key to success in this role is your proven ability to develop and execute cultivation and solicitation strategies that drive the acquisition of major gifts in the $100K+ range.

=As the Senior Development Officer, you will spend significant time out in the community engaged in donor activities. You will be integral in building the sustainable future of the Foundation by developing and implementing an integrated plan for the long-term growth, solicitation and stewardship of major gift donors. The culture of our reimagined Foundation is one based on the values of accountability, authenticity, collaboration, innovation, and donor-centred. It’s a shop where each team member is valued for their unique contribution and perspective; where, collectively, we exude a true passion for changing the face of mental health at Ontario Shores and beyond.

Key Accountabilities

• Proactively identify, research, qualify, cultivate, and solicit major gift donors through new and existing networks; create opportunities to develop next level relationships, leading to the solicitation and facilitation of major gifts in the $100,000 plus range
• Build, grow, and sustain a robust prospect pipeline and facilitate active movement within it to achieve annual revenue and Campaign goals
• Manage and grow a personal portfolio of up to 125 prospects and donors, conducting face-to-face meetings with the goal of presenting at least 100 proposals and closing a minimum of 20 major gifts per year
• Develop and implement an integrated, comprehensive plan for long-term growth, solicitation, and stewardship of donors, both existing and new; execute various types of donor/gift agreements, including grants, bequests and multi-year pledge commitments
• Maintain accurate constituent records and timely contact reports in Raiser’s Edge, utilizing the database and a moves management system to analyze donor activity and track performance indicators
• Develop and execute strategies to establish and promote planned giving opportunities and planned giving vehicles
• In collaboration with the Director, Campaign & Donor Experience, develop tailored stewardship and recognition plans to ensure donors are appropriately and meaningfully acknowledged, and understand and appreciate the true impact of their philanthropy
• Curate and prepare donor communications materials including case for support documents, customized proposals, briefing notes, presentation decks, gift agreements, and gratitude and impact reports aligned with hospital priorities
• Conduct prospect research to identify and qualify potential donors and produce reports as required
• Develop and track agreed-upon fundraising metrics, including revenue and expense budgets, and prepare regular results and projection reports and analysis
• Provide professional volunteer management for fundraising volunteer leaders such as the Campaign Cabinet, Fundraising Advisory Committee and Foundation Board of Directors, including meeting support, conducting prospect review meetings, coaching and partnering on solicitation strategies and prospect clearance
• Actively seek out and participate in strategic community event and engagement opportunities to cultivate relationships and elevate the Ontario Shores’ brand
• Build strong and meaningful relationships with Ontario Shores staff, physicians and leadership, garnering knowledge and expertise about Ontario Shores and mental health care needs and treatment in general
• Participate as an active, positive member of the Foundation and Hospital team, and, by extension, become an advocate and ambassador for both the Foundation and Hospital; which means supporting and attending all signature events and providing team support as necessary at the discretion of the CEO.
  
  

Key Qualifications & Competencies

• Minimum 5 years of fundraising experience with at least 3 years in a major gifts capacity with proven ability to initiate new relationships and successfully solicit and close significant 5-6-figure gifts
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship management skills with high EQ and demonstrated ability to inspire and motivate a wide variety of audiences
• A solid understanding of fundraising best practices including CRA guidelines, and experience with major gift giving vehicles such as planned giving, gifts of securities and other gifts in kind
• Strong knowledge and operational experience with Raiser’s Edge or equivalent fundraising CRM database, including ability to maintain data accuracy and integrity in accordance with the Foundation’s policies and procedures
• Achievement of or working towards CFRE designation a definite asset
• Meticulous attention to detail with superior written and verbal communications skills
• Collaborative mindset and flexible learner who strives to work effectively with cross functional teams and understands the benefits
• Desire to thrive as part of a growing, collaborative, high performing team with demonstrated passion for mental health and/or healthcare fundraising
• Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office Suite; digital, social, email and web platform experience also an asset
• Mature, professional presence with excellent judgement and diplomacy; discretion and tact in handling confidential information
• Knowledge of/residence in Durham Region is an asset
  
  

Compensation

The hiring range for this position is $70,000 - $90,000 commensurate upon experience. Additionally, a generous benefits package is included with HOOP pension plan for an attractive total compensation package.

How To Apply

Please apply online: https://www.ontarioshores.ca/careers-ontario-shores

We thank all applicants in advance for their interest and support of Ontario Shores. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All inquiries and applications will be held in confidence.

Ontario Shores Foundation for Mental Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

About Ontario Shores Centre For Mental Health Sciences

Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores) is a public teaching hospital providing a range of specialized assessment and treatment services to those living with complex and serious mental illness. Exemplary patient care is delivered through safe and evidence-based approaches where successful outcomes are achieved using best clinical practices and the latest advances in research. Patients benefit from a recovery-oriented environment of care built on compassion, inspiration and hope.

About Ontario Shores Foundation For Mental Health

Ontario Shores Foundation for Mental Health was founded in 2009 to support mental health and recovery at Ontario Shores. In partnership with our donors, staff, patients and community, we inspire change through numerous fundraising initiatives that help enable revolutionary programs and research not funded by the government, and support patients struggling with serious mental illness.

Job Posting Closing: July 1, 2025 at midnight. Please note any job applications after the closing date will not be considered.

Qualifications

0" style="display: none;">

Skills

0">

0">

0" style="display: none;">

Behaviors

0">

0">

:

0" style="display: none;">

Motivations

0">

0">

:

0" style="display: none;">

Education

0">

0">

0" style="display: none;">

Experience

0">

0">

0" style="display: none;">

Licenses & Certifications

0">

0">