Development Manager - Canada Office

Transform Lives with Children Believe!

Join us to help break the barriers to education that steal children’s choices one by one until they have none. Together, we can foster an environment where education unlocks a world of choices, nurturing creativity, resilience, and hope for a better tomorrow. At Children Believe, we won’t stop until every child can dream fearlessly and grow up to live the life they choose to live.

Children Believe is currently recruiting for the following position:  

Development Manager

The Development Manager is a pivotal role within our philanthropic framework, working closely with the Director of Philanthropy to enhance and execute the existing legacy giving program, and support in major gifts. This role is pivotal in ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of the organization by engaging donors in meaningful conversations about planned giving and securing legacy commitments, as well as transformational gifts. This individual is responsible for the strategic development, implementation, and management of legacy giving initiatives, ensuring a seamless integration with the major gifts, intermediate giving, donor engagement (holiday giving season) and corporate partnerships programs. 

With a main focus on cultivating, soliciting and stewarding relationships with current and prospective donors, the Development Manager will also work with professional advisors, estate planners and vendors, as well as lawyers and trustees to ensure conversion and commitment to the legacy giving program. Reporting to the Director of Philanthropy, the Development Manager uses relationship management, administration, strategy, marketing, and problem-solving skills to enhance the legacy giving program, and support the major gifts program. 

This role includes, but not limited to:

Legacy Giving Program Management (60% of role)

• Collaborate with the Director of Philanthropy to upgrade and implement a comprehensive legacy giving strategy for prospective donors, and a strategy for existing legacy donors, advisors, lawyers and trustees.
• Develop and implement strategies to cultivate, solicit and steward planned giving donors year-round, including bequests, charitable gift annuities, ‘live legacies’ and other planned giving vehicles.
• Manage a portfolio of key individuals for legacy giving prospecting; soliciting an annual target developed in partnership with the Director of Philanthropy.
• Expand and execute a comprehensive donor cultivation strategy tailored to legacy giving, which includes identifying, researching, and engaging potential legacy donors.
• Organize and facilitate donor events, such as seminars on estate planning (example, Donor Motivation Program), to educate and inspire potential legacy donors about the impact of their bequests.
• Develop and execute Legacy Giving strategies for the annual holiday giving campaign and additional campaigns that pertain to legacy giving.
• Respond to planned giving inquiries from current and prospective donors or their representatives, over the phone, in writing, and face-to-face.
• Maintain prospect list using the CRM database, including updating records, inputting proposals, tracking contacts and solicitations and pulling reports for tracking and analysis, as required.
• Administer current realizations and ensure that appropriate follow up is made to secure the gift and/or appropriate stewardship activities are provided to trustees and/or the deceased’s families.
• Develop and implement strategies for the cultivation of potential legacy donors, as well as lawyers and trustees for gifts in memory or other ‘live’ gifts.
• Deliver reports monthly to monitor the success of the Legacy Giving Program and existing KPI’s.
• Mentor Donor Engagement and Philanthropy teams on legacy giving tactics and strategies to promote blended giving and the culture of philanthropy.

Development Management (35% of role)

• Build and maintain strong relationships with current and prospective donors through personalized communication, recognizing their contributions, and aligning their interests with the organization’s mission and goals.
• Conduct prospect research and donor profiling to identify potential major donors and work with the Director of Philanthropy to develop strategies for engagement.
• Be an integrated member of the major gifts team, contributing to the current year revenue from personally managed donor relationships, or, the major gifts pool.
• Support in the moves management of major gifts prospects through the donor cycle or other campaigns throughout the year.
• Create compelling cultivation and stewardship materials, including impact stories donor stories in direct mail or digital for the holiday campaign, and personalized updates that demonstrate the tangible outcomes for the major gifts pool.
• Conduct donor visits and personalized communications to discuss major gifts or legacy giving opportunities and the impact of their support (outright or differed gifts). 
• Regularly assess the impact of stewardship activities and support on adjusting strategies to enhance donor relationships and retention.
• Work closely with Director of Philanthropy to advance major giving and integrate legacy giving into the broader fundraising strategy, ensuring a cohesive approach to donor engagement across all giving levels.

Vendor Relationship Management (5% of role)

• Establish and maintain relationships with external vendors that provide services and tools essential to the legacy giving program. 
• Collaborate with external vendors such as estate planning service provides to facilitate the creation of planned gifts.
• Build relationships with professional advisors/third party partners regarding gift opportunities for donors.
• Ensure the vendors like Donor Motivation Program and Willfora, which provide donors with free tools to create financial plans or their wills and leave bequests, are effectively integrated into the legacy giving program to maximize donor convenience and gift size.
• Working with the Director of Philanthropy, responsible for negotiating terms and contracts with these vendors, monitoring their performance, and ensuring they deliver high-quality services that align with the organization’s objectives and values.
• Stay informed about new vendor offerings in the market that could enhance the legacy giving program and provide additional value to donors.

The ideal candidate possesses: 

• A post-secondary degree or diploma   in a relevant discipline, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A minimum five years of experience in fundraising with a track record of successful initiatives in donor development, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Proven track record of cultivating, soliciting, confirming and stewarding major and legacy gifts. 
• Professional membership with CAGP is an asset.
• Technical competency in gift planning and estate administration and the related tax and legal elements. 
• Excellent current technical knowledge of charitable gifting options and opportunities and/or estate/trust principles.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, relationship building, and presentation skills.
• Attention to detail in managing the technical aspects of legacy gifts, such as estate planning, tax laws, and gift acceptance policies, requires meticulous attention to detail.
• Collaborative spirit when working with other departments, such as donor engagement and finance, as well as external advisors, is often necessary for the successful management of legacy gifts.
• Proficiency with CRM database and experience in database segmentation and analysis.
• Working knowledge of MS Office (Word/Excel/Power Point/Outlook).
• Ability to work flexible hours.
• Knowledge of, or work experience, in the international development sector is an asset.
• Flexible to work in both remote and in-office working environments.
• Ability to travel locally and occasional nationally
• Demonstrated commitment to Children Believe’s Vision, Mission and Values

Attributes, Traits, Behaviours:

• Accountable for donor conversion results, and by building strong relationships with donors, understanding their motivations, and sensitively encouraging them to make a major gift or consider legacy gifts.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and interact effectively with a wide variety of people; especially with donors and their professional advisors.
• Initiative and the ability to recognize, create and act on opportunities.
• Sound judgment and strategic decision making abilities.
• Handling legacy gifts with a high level of ethical integrity and conduct to ensure donor wishes are honoured and the organization’s reputation is upheld.
• Persistence and patience as legacy giving is a long-term process that often requires information and support to the donor to make a decision about including the charity in their will or estate plan.
• Ability to adapt to changing circumstances, such as shifts in tax laws or organizational priorities.
• Excellent organizational, project management and time management skills, including the ability to work to tight deadlines and manage a high degree of complexity.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development.
• Commitment to DEI.
• Cross-cultural sensitivity and experience.
• Commitment and initiative in building a culture of philanthropy.

Type: Hybrid/Remote

Our Hybrid Workplace Program is a flexible work arrangement that permits employees to work remotely while also occasionally being required to come into the Organization’s office. If approved to work from home as part of our Hybrid workplace program; the incumbent must be available to work from the Organization’s office from time to time as determined by the supervisor or as otherwise directed by the Organization.

Compensation: Between $71,000 to $75,000 annually based on experience.

We value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package to support your professional and personal growth:

• Competitive Compensation Package: We provide an attractive compensation package with clearly stated hiring ranges.
• Flexible Work Environment: Enjoy a flexible work environment, including hybrid work options, flexible hours, “No Meeting Mondays,” and the option to work up to 20 days out of province per year.
• Comprehensive Benefits Plan: Our group benefits plan includes health and dental coverage, an Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), and RRSP matching up to 5%, starting from day one. 
• Performance Incentives: Participate in our Pay for Performance Plan with up to 6% performance incentive pay.
• Professional Development: Benefit from 5 paid professional development  days and experience professional growth through a variety of learning opportunities.
• Paid Time Off: Enjoy an annual Christmas closure, receive 2 float days, and have access to up to 10 sick day
• Generous Vacation Policy: Enjoy 4 weeks paid vacation with incremental increase every 5 years up to 6 weeks.
• Other Employee Perks: Take advantage of our Employee Discount Program and various other perks designed to enhance your overall well-being and work-life balance.

Application Process:

If you believe you have that unique combination of a not-for-profit heart combined with the skills and interest for the “Development Manager” position, then click the “Apply” button found at the bottom of this screen.