Specialist, Individual Giving

Avanti Software Inc.; Lethbridge; On-site; CAD 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Complimentary membership

Pension plan

Health and dental coverage

Job summary

The YMCA of Lethbridge is seeking a Specialist, Individual Giving to lead donor engagement, stewardship, and growth. You will manage a portfolio of individual donors from identification through upgrade, collaborating with the marketing team and leadership to align fundraising with the association's strategic goals.

You will build engagement programs, coordinate donor events, and ensure accurate reporting. A post-secondary education and 3+ years in fundraising are required, with proficiency in

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education is required.
• Minimum of 3+ years of practical or lived experience in fundraising or non-profit roles.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are required.
• Intermediate to expert knowledge in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with donor databases and fundraising software (Donor Perfect, KindSight, Constant Contact) is preferred.
• CFRE designation is an asset.
• Evidence of police information check and child intervention check.
• Three professional references are required.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of individual donors through all donor cycle stages.
• Develop and implement strategies to acquire, retain, reactivate and grow donor support.
• Coordinate donor stewardship activities, reports, and acknowledgements.
• Plan donor cultivation and recognition events to demonstrate impact.
• Maintain accurate donor records and ensure data integrity.

Skills

Communication skills

Donor relations

Education

Post-secondary education

Tools

Donor Perfect

KindSight

Constant Contact

Job description

About the YMCA of Lethbridge

The YMCA of Lethbridge is a vital community organization, with a rich history dating back to 1910, and has been a cornerstone of community engagement, child and youth development, and social responsibility. Established on values of honesty, inclusiveness, respect, responsibility, and caring, the YMCA of Lethbridge welcomes individuals of all backgrounds, ages, and beliefs, fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. The Association offers a wide range of programs and services designed to promote holistic well-being, including fitness and recreation facilities, child care services, educational programs, and community outreach initiatives.

At the heart of the YMCA of Lethbridge's mission is a commitment to building a healthier, stronger, and more connected community. Through its various programs and partnerships, the YMCA empowers individuals to reach their full potential, fosters a sense of belonging, and encourages active participation in community life. With dedicated employees, volunteers, and supporters, the YMCA of Lethbridge continues to make a meaningful impact in the lives of thousands of individuals and families, shaping a brighter future for generations to come.

Job Summary

The Specialist, Individual Giving serves the mission of the YMCA of Lethbridge through planning, implementing, and evaluating strategies related to individual donor engagement, stewardship, and growth. The main goals of this position are:

1. Generate philanthropic support through a portfolio of individual donors including monthly, mid-level, and major donors including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and upgrading.
2. Develop engagement and stewardship processes including Association capacity building, donor communications, donor engagement events, stewardship standards, and personalized outreach.
3. Utilize and enhance donor databases for records management, segmentation prospecting, and reporting to improve the individual giving program outcomes.
4. Benefits for full-time employees include a complimentary membership, pension plan, and health and dental coverage, among others.
5. Salary $60,000 annual
6. Full time position

Key Relationships

• YMCA of Lethbridge Leadership Team
• Marketing and Communications Team
• Donors and community stakeholders
• Internal and YMCA Canada Fund Development Committees

Nature & Scope

The Specialist, Individual Giving will be responsible for the engagement, stewardship, and development of individual donors. The major responsibilities of this position are, but not limited to:

Leadership and Strategic Planning

• Exemplify the YMCA of Lethbridge’s Core Values of caring, honesty, inclusiveness, respect, and responsibility.
• Collaborate with peers and department Director to ensure team initiatives and goals align with the Association’s multi-year strategic planning.
• Contribute to the development, implementation, and evaluation of the Association's annual fund development plan with a primary focus on individual giving strategies, donor engagement, and revenue growth.
• Recruit, train, coordinate, and support volunteers engaged in fund development initiatives and donor stewardship activities.
• Promote a positive, inclusive work environment, responding to general inquiries and resolving issues in a timely manner and in accordance with Association policies and guidelines.
• Be a YMCA ambassador by engaging in and promoting practices and frameworks which ensure diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Demonstrate a commitment to health and safety, incident management and emergency response as part of the Social Impact Department.
• Effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders, responding to needs or requests, to obtain or supply information with appropriate tact.

Organizational and Department Management

• Manage a portfolio of individual donors and prospects through all stages of the donor cycle, including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, retention, and upgrade opportunities.
• Develop and implement strategies to acquire, retain, reactivate, and increase support from individual donors, including annual and monthly giving programs.
• Coordinate and support meaningful donor stewardship activities, including donor impact reporting, personalized acknowledgements, recognition initiatives, donor visits, stewardship calls, and engagement opportunities.
• Plan and execute donor cultivation, recognition, and stewardship events that strengthen relationships and demonstrate the impact of philanthropic investment.
• Identify prospective donors through research, relationship mapping, referrals, and community engagement, maintaining a strong pipeline of future supporters.
• Work collaboratively with Association leaders, program staff, volunteers, and community partners to identify philanthropic opportunities and communicate funding priorities and impact.
• Support the development of donor communications, appeals, stewardship materials, and campaign content in collaboration with the Marketing & Communications team.
• Maintain accurate donor and prospect records within the donor database, ensuring data integrity, timely reporting, segmentation, tracking of donor activity, and compliance with privacy requirements.
• Utilize donor data, fundraising metrics, and reporting tools to evaluate program effectiveness, identify trends, and recommend strategies for continuous improvement.
• Contribute to the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of fund development policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Participate and contribute to fund development initiatives and events organized by the Association.
• Model excellence in donor-centered fundraising practices, fostering a culture of philanthropy throughout the Association.
• Work independently on complex and diversified assignments while effectively managing competing priorities and deadlines.
• Attend and participate in all required YMCA training, meetings, and recertifications.

Financial Management and Philanthropic Involvement

• Cultivate an understanding of the YMCA culture of philanthropy and ‘Charity of Choice’ strategic goals, reflect this in work product, and assist other stakeholders in their understanding of the culture of philanthropy.
• Ensure compliance with Association policies, Imagine Canada standards, Canada Revenue Agency charitable requirements, Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL), and all applicable legislation and regulations.
• Demonstrate sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality when managing sensitive donor information and philanthropic relationships.
• Assist in the development of, and adhere to, the team’s annual budget.

External Relations and Advocacy

• Be a YMCA ambassador in the community by fostering relationships through community groups, committee work, and outreach opportunities to promote team initiatives.
• Educate others on Fund Development initiatives and projects.
• Follow policies regarding confidentiality to safeguard data and information and handle sensitive information with a strong sense of ethics and confidentiality.
• Identify fund development recommendations for growth opportunities in alignment with the Association’s strategic plan.

Physical Demands

• This position may require the ability to carry/lift up to 25 lbs.
• This position involves regular commuting to off-site locations. A form of reliable transportation is required.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education
• Minimum of 3+ years of practical or lived experience is required
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are required
• Intermediate to expert knowledge in Microsoft Office Suite programs is required
• Comfortability in using software relevant to donor data, management, prospecting, communication and reporting, including Donor Perfect, Kindsight, and Constant Contact, is required.
• CFRE Designation considered an asset
• Previous non-profit experience is considered an asset
• Evidence of an acceptable Police Information Check and Child Intervention Check
• Three professional references are required

The YMCA of Lethbridge is committed to fostering an inclusive hiring process. If language accommodations are needed at any stage of the application or interview process, please contact us at [e-mail]. We are happy to offer support through our translation program to ensure accessibility for all applicants.

Thank you for your interest in working with the YMCA of Lethbridge. We appreciate the time and effort you put into your application and will carefully consider each submission. Due to the high volume of applicants, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause and wish you the best of luck in your job search.

At the YMCA of Lethbridge, we believe that everyone deserves to be treated with respect, dignity, and fairness. We are committed to creating a workplace that is welcoming and inclusive for all, regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic. We strive to provide equal opportunities for employment and advancement, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply.

Candidates must be eligible to work in Canada and possess the necessary documentation to support their eligibility, such as a valid work permit, permanent residency status, or Canadian citizenship.

Police Records checks are reviewed on an individual basis and the offense(s) - if any - is considered in the decision-making process in relation to the requirement of working with children, therefore not eliminating all candidates with a record from being offered a position