Vice President, Philanthropy (Ontario & Nunavut)

Heart & Stroke; Toronto; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a passionate Vice President of Philanthropy to join their dynamic Development team. This exciting full-time role involves cultivating donor relationships and leading fundraising initiatives to combat heart disease and stroke in Canada. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in fundraising, exceptional communication skills, and a commitment to equity and inclusion. With a flexible hybrid working model and a culture that prioritizes employee well-being, this position offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact while advancing your career in philanthropy. If you're ready to drive change, apply now!

Benefits

Generous paid time-off package

Health, medical, dental, and vision benefits

Life insurance

Disability benefits

Employee assistance program (EAP)

Defined contribution pension plan with employer matching

Flexible hybrid working model

Reimbursement for mobile phones and home office setup

Opportunities for professional development

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in fundraising with a proven track record.
• Strong analytical and communication skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Cultivate and manage donor relationships to support fundraising goals.
• Develop strategic plans for multi-year giving and budget management.

Skills

Strategic Thinking

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Fundraising Experience

Volunteer Management

Education

University Degree

Tools

Databases

Job description

Who we are

At Heart & Stroke our mission is to promote health, save lives and enhance recovery. We are committed to a culture that exemplifies our core values: champion health, practice humility, embrace change, drive impact, learn and grow and be heartfelt as we work together to beat heart disease and stroke.

We believe in equity, diversity and inclusion ― it’s embedded in our values and core mission work to support all people in Canada to lead healthier lives. We are committed to applying this principle to cultivate a welcoming environment that embraces diversity among our employees. Candidates from diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to, Indigenous peoples, racialized communities, 2S LGBTQIA+ communities, women, and people living with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

To learn more about our mission, values, commitment to EDI, and the difference Heart & Stroke makes in the lives of people in Canada at every age, please visit our website.

The opportunity

Are you ready to make a profound impact on the lives of Canadians? Heart & Stroke is seeking a passionate and engaging relationship builder to join our bold and dynamic Development team.

This hybrid, full time role, requires working 1-3 days/month from our Toronto office (Yonge & Eglinton), based on the needs of the business. We will also consider candidates who are interested in working part-time hours (22.5-30 hrs/week).

As the Vice President, Philanthropy, ON & NU, you will have the honor of cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors and volunteers (individuals, foundations, and corporations) to support our critical mission of reducing the impact of heart disease and stroke in Canada. You will manage your own portfolio of prospects and donors, guiding them through various stages of identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, all focused on addressing the highest priority needs of Heart & Stroke.

In this role, you will inspire donors through strategic conversations, activities, and in-person engagements that foster long-term giving and support. Occasional overnight travel will be required to engage with donors and attend key events. You will also work closely with the Ontario Board and the Ontario Development Committee, driving impactful initiatives and collaborations.

We are looking for an accomplished fundraiser with a proven track record of successful asks at the $100K+ level. The ideal candidate will possess mastery of the technical aspects of fund development and be deeply committed to the principles and culture of philanthropy. Superior communication and relationship skills with donors and volunteers are essential, along with a genuine passion for interacting with people in person, so access to a personal vehicle is required.

If you are ready to lead with purpose and drive meaningful change, keep reading and apply now to join our team and help us make a difference!

How you will make an impact every day

Strategic Planning and Management

1. Develop philanthropic plans with a focus on multi-year giving to achieve goals and strategic priorities of Heart & Stroke Foundation.
2. Develop annual revenue and expense budget, reviewing financial results and projections on a regular basis to mitigate challenges, optimize opportunities and manage expenses.
3. Lead the development and maintenance of robust pipelines for all of Development’s donor/partner segments.
4. Collaborate with regional colleagues to identify and maximize cross-functional/cross-market opportunities in alignment with the Foundation’s mission and goals.
5. Work with colleagues in all areas of giving including legacy, community, intermediary and third-party events to ensure collaboration and seamless transition as donors move through one or all areas of giving.
6. Provide leadership and expertise to continue to build philanthropy as a core competency of the organization.

Relationship Management

1. Oversee and personally cultivate, solicit, recognize and steward key relationships working in partnership with the SVP.
2. Lead stewardship and communication efforts with tailored and meaningful plans for our top donors/partners and prospects.
3. Collaborate closely with internal teams to develop and deliver high quality, highly customized proposals and solicitations.
4. Using networks, research, staff and volunteer referrals, enhance the existing pipeline of interested philanthropists and partners.
5. Using data, research and referral networks, deepen relationships with existing supporters, potential donors/partners and family foundation representatives through excellent stewardship and engagement.
6. Work with the Sr. Fundraising Relationship Managers to identify donors who are prospects.

Board Engagement

1. Support the SVP (who has primary relationship for the provincial volunteer board) with engagement of the Ontario provincial board.
2. Work with other senior volunteers to create enthusiasm for exercising their influence in their own communities.
3. Engage Board members to support fundraising activities focusing on corporate philanthropy and sponsorships, and individual giving.
4. Build and sustain effective working relationships with individual Board members.
5. Provide regular briefings to the Provincial Board, on progress of the Development Team.
6. Support the SVP and Board Chair with board recruitment and succession planning.

Donor/Partner Management

1. Contribute to the research, qualification and identification of new prospects, working cooperatively with other Development personnel in the process of prospect management and clearance.
2. Effectively and successfully integrate the Foundation’s mission, strategic plan and case for support, and the role of philanthropy in achieving organizational goals with prospects/supporters.
3. Liaise with appropriate internal teams to compellingly articulate the case for support to prospects and ensure appropriate representation of staff, scientists, clinicians, etc. at meetings or events.
4. Develop and prioritize cultivation and solicitation strategies for assigned prospects and provide direction to the Development team.
5. Conduct integrated solicitation efforts in support of highest priority needs.
6. Follow standard policies and procedures for the acceptance and administration of gifts.
7. Negotiate gift terms and bring solicitations to closure with or independent of volunteer leadership, as appropriate.
8. Ensure appropriate meaningful recognition and thorough stewardship including follow-through on the gift implementation, administration of the funds and related expenditures.
9. Develop and oversee execution of an annual stewardship and communication plan identifying key communication vehicles and events for existing and potential donors/partners.

Operations, Business Planning, Central Database Recording & Moves Management

1. Participate in an integrated moves management program and prospect clearance process.
2. Record all outcomes from prospect, supporter and volunteer contact in the database within 48 hours.
3. Ensure the seamless collection and coordination of information for prospective donor advancement purposes.
4. Take an active role in learning about and keeping up-to-date with the Foundation’s priority funding opportunities.
5. Leverage and collaborate with Development Team Central on prospect research, information management, strategic writing, opportunity/proposal development, activation, recognition and stewardship; and adheres to all Development standards and protocols.
6. Comply with all policies and practices at HSF, including compliance with Code of Professional Conduct.

Who we need

Education

• University degree.

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in fundraising.
• Experience soliciting and closing gifts at the $100,000 level and up.
• Experience leading a major gift campaign is an asset.
• Experience recruiting, training and working with volunteers or fundraisers.

Skills

• Big-picture, strategic thinker comfortable working at a detailed level with a high degree of accuracy and quality.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to work with multiple databases.
• Superb written and verbal communication skills, with experience in volunteer briefings; proposal, grant and letter writing; donor/partner communications that build engagement.
• CFRE designation and involvement in a professional association are assets.
• Appreciation and understanding of AFP, CAGP, APRA Code of Ethics, Policies and Procedures.

What we offer

At Heart & Stroke, we make it a priority to foster a culture of caring by implementing practices and programs that foster respect, compassion, trust and attentiveness to our own and others’ health and well-being.

In addition to a competitive salary, we believe that time off is integral to the personal health and wellness of our employees. We offer a generous paid time-off package including vacation days, personal days, wellness days, and paid company-wide closure between December 25 and January 1. We also provide competitive health, medical, dental and vision benefits, life insurance, disability benefits, an employee assistance program (EAP) and a defined contribution pension plan with employer matching. Our employees also enjoy a flexible hybrid working model and reimbursement for mobile phones and home office setup, as well as opportunities for professional development.

Apply now

If you want to join the fight to beat heart disease and stroke, please apply by sending your resume by April 18, 2025.

Applicants must be currently residing in Canada and legally entitled to work in Canada.

Only those candidates that qualify will be selected for an interview. At this time, all interviews are being conducted via phone and/or video call ― we look forward to “virtually” meeting you!

Accommodation

We are committed to fostering an inclusive, barrier-free and accessible environment. If you have been contacted for an interview and require accommodation to participate in the recruitment and selection process, please let us know and we will do our best to address your needs.