Director, Philanthropy

About Food Banks Canada

At Food Banks Canada, our commitment stretches across the nation, tirelessly supporting and enhancing the work of over 5,500 food banks and community organizations. We invest in, advocate for, and bolster their critical efforts. Through diligent research, we delve into the root causes of food insecurity, devising actionable solutions informed by our findings as we work to create a Canada where no one goes hungry.

In 2024, Waterstone Human Capital recognized our workplace for embodying one of Canada’s Most Admired™ Corporate Cultures of the year. This distinction highlights best-in-class Canadian organizations with cultures that have helped them enhance performance. For us, performance means advancing our mission and achieving organizational goals collaboratively with a team that is happy, healthy and engaged.

Our efforts and impact are expanding, and we're opening doors for passionate, teamwork-driven professionals in search of a career that's both meaningful and captivating. Bilingualism (English/French) is an asset for all our roles at Food Banks Canada as we support Canadians across the country.

About the Role

Join Food Banks Canada as the Director, Philanthropy and lead the charge in unlocking transformational generosity that fuels meaningful, national impact. This is a relationship-driven role for a confident major gifts strategist who excels at building trust and crafting compelling donor experiences. You will join a growing philanthropy function at a pivotal moment of expansion, helping to shape strategy, systems, and culture as the program scales. Comfortable navigating ambiguity and change, you will bring structure to evolving priorities while keeping donors and team members engaged through the transition. You will shape and grow a high-value portfolio, stewarding individual donors with care and intention while driving strategies that generate $2-$3M annually and expand as the program matures. Your leadership will inspire a high-performing team, strengthen a seamless giving pipeline, and elevate donor engagement across the organization. You will play a central role in aligning donor passion with organizational priorities, collaborating closely with senior leaders to advance a mission that strengthens communities across Canada. If you bring exceptional communication skills, a solutions-oriented mindset, an appetite for building in a changing environment, and a deep commitment to personalized stewardship, this role offers the opportunity to create lasting, measurable impact through the power of philanthropy.

What You Will Be Doing

• Manage a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects, with personal accountability for securing an initial $2–$3M and increasing contributions as the portfolio and program grow, through strategic cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship

• Develop tailored proposals, impact reports, and recognition strategies that build donor trust and long-term loyalty

• Partner with the Manager, Leadership Giving and VP, Philanthropy to ensure a seamless donor pipeline from mid-level to major giving

• Design and implement a structured leadership giving program that nurtures mid-level donors and prepares them for major gift engagement

• Collaborate with the Manager, Leadership Giving to develop donor journeys that reflect giving capacity, interests, and engagement history

• Identify opportunities to elevate donor experiences through personalized stewardship, recognition, and impact storytelling

• Monitor program performance and donor progression, using data insights to refine approaches and enhance donor retention and growth

• Lead, mentor, and motivate the Major Gifts team, fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture grounded in trust and accountability

• Translate Food Banks Canada’s Strategic Plan and organizational priorities into actionable fundraising strategies with clear goals

• Collaborate closely with the VP, Philanthropy to align business planning, revenue forecasting, and strategic decision-making across the Major Gifts portfolio

• Contribute to annual budgeting and revenue forecasting for Major Gifts; monitor performance against targets and adjust strategies as needed

What You Will Need

• Completion of an undergraduate degree or equivalent

• Minimum 6 years of progressive fundraising experience with a proven track record of achievement and success in annual giving

• Strong donor relations and customer service skills, and ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders

• Demonstrated planning, teamwork, and project management abilities

• Strong writing skills, with the ability to convey complex issues in simple, understandable messaging

• Demonstrated management/supervisory experience in a fundraising environment including the recruitment, management, and coaching of staff

• Strong background in developing and executing complex appeal segmentation, manipulating and analyzing large datasets, and deriving insights from multiple streams of information

• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing strategies and plans resulting in increased revenue

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills

• Sound judgment, tact, and diplomacy are essential

• High degree of personal initiative and motivation

• Bilingualism (English/French) is an asset

Working Conditions

• Full-time, Monday-Friday, with occasional evening and weekend work

• The position is home-based and can be located anywhere in Canada

• Occasional travel within Canada will be required

Application Information:

If this opportunity to work with an exciting, growing, national non-profit appeals to you, please apply with your cover letter and resume. Additional information on this role can be found in the full job description and benefits information in the FBC brochure.

Applications will be accepted for this vacant position until noon PST, Friday August 28th, 2026.

We look forward to hearing from and connecting with you!

Food Banks Canada believes that diversity is the cornerstone of excellence within our team and mirrors the community we serve. We warmly invite candidates of all genders, ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations, and abilities to apply. Committed to an accessible recruitment journey, Food Banks Canada ensures a barrier-free experience. Should you be approached for a job opportunity, please reach out to alleta@engagedhr.com if you require accommodations.

We thank all those who apply but only those applicants who are selected for an interview will be contacted.

Our recruitment process relies on human review. We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to screen, select, or assess candidates.