Director, National Grants & Foundations
at Make-A-Wish Canada

Job Description

 "The best prescription I've ever given is a wish."

-Dr. Jeremy Friedman, Associate Paediatrician-in-Chief, SickKids Hospital & Medical Advisor for Make-A-Wish® Canada

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST WISH?

Is it to be part of an organization that is child-focused, values employee experience and is an inspiring workplace? If so, Make-A-Wish is for you!

Make-A-Wish^® Canada creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. We are on a quest to bring every eligible child's wish to life because a wish is an integral part of a child's treatment journey. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight a critical illness.

“It's been wonderful to have this wish to look forward to... It's wonderful to see [Rowan] with something that brings him pure joy after all he's been through and missed out on!”

–Melissa, mom to wish kid Rowan (age 5, leukemia), who wished for an indoor jungle gym.

MISSION, VISION AND VALUES

Our mission is, together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illness. Supported by our vision to grant the wish of every eligible child.

Our values are Child-Focused, Integrity, Impact, Innovation, and Community.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Meaningful opportunities to make an impact and change the lives of children with critical illnesses within your community and across Canada
• A collaborative team environment where you feel valued and inspired
• An attractive compensation package that includes group health and dental premiums which are fully covered by the Foundation, RRSP, & Wish paid hours
• Annual vacation starting at three weeks & additional paid leaves
• Work/life balance and flexibility
• Hybrid working environment
• Employee Wellness Program
• Corporate discounts
• Continuous learning, development and internal training opportunities
• Fun employee activities, contests, and more!

Make-A-Wish^® Canada is committed to fostering a culture that aims to change lives while offering a rewarding employment experience where your contributions make a true difference every day!

WHERE YOU COME IN

We are looking for a Director, National Grants & Foundations to join our team at Make-A-Wish Canada. Reporting to the VP of National Development, this is a new and pivotal role within the National Development team, responsible for securing, managing and growing a diverse portfolio of grants and foundations partnerships across the country.

It is a very exciting time at Make-A-Wish Canada!  Over the past two years, we have grown wish delivery by 100%, reaching more children than ever before in the history of our organization.  To support this growth in mission delivery, we have a bold vision to diversify and elevate fundraising so that we may sustainably reach 2,500 children per year by 2028.   This is where we need you! This role is designed for an aspirational and goal-oriented fundraising leader who is eager to take both this program and their career to the next level.

The Director will develop an overall strategy for National Grants & Foundations, working collaboratively with national stakeholders and regional colleagues to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward relationships with foundations and grant organizations. This role includes overseeing two direct reports: a Senior Development Officer, Grants & Foundations, and a Prospect Researcher. 

This role can be based out of any MAWC office and is a full-time, permanent, hybrid position.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

1. 1 Strategic Planning and Development:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive grants and foundations strategy aligned with organizational goals.
• Identify new funding opportunities and create tailored approaches to engage potential grant organizations and foundations.
• Collaborate with the VP, National Development and regional chapter leaders to align grant efforts with broader organizational strategies.

• Lead the grant application process from proposal development to submission, ensuring high-quality, compelling narratives and thorough documentation.
• Manage a portfolio of grant-funded projects, including tracking deadlines, reporting requirements, and compliance.
• Coordinate with mission team to gather data, outcomes, and success stories for grant reports and proposals.
• Manage and grow revenue of $1.7M, with continuing growth and investment in the years ahead

• Conduct discovery meetings to explore alignment with granting organizations
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with foundation representatives, grant officers, and other key stakeholders.
• Organize and lead meetings, presentations, and site visits with current and potential donors
• Develop and implement stewardship plans to ensure ongoing engagement and support from donors

• Supervise, mentor, and provide guidance to two direct reports.
• Foster a collaborative and supportive team environment, encouraging professional growth and development.
• Chair the National Virtual Grants & Foundations Team, comprised of National and Regional development teams, focused on Grants & Foundations fundraising
• Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide feedback to enhance team effectiveness.

• Oversee prospect research to identify potential grant opportunities and foundation partnerships.
• Implement and maintain a prospect clearance process with national and regional partners
• Work closely with the team to develop strategies for engaging and soliciting prospects.

Staff Management Accountabilities 

• Recruit, engage and retain qualified employees to meet business priorities.
• Provide support and direction in the development, alignment and accomplishment of objectives through on-going performance feedback, recognition and coaching.
• Provide a safe and healthy work environment for team members and relevant stakeholders.

WHAT YOU BRING

• 5-7 years of experience in grant writing, foundation relations, or fundraising within a nonprofit organization.
• Bachelor's degree in Nonprofit Management, Research, Business, Communications, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Proven track record of securing significant grant funding from foundations and other granting organizations.
• Strong awareness and knowledge of Canadian foundations and granting organizations.
• Excellent writing, editing, and presentation skills, with the ability to create persuasive and compelling narratives.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage and inspire diverse stakeholders, including donors, senior volunteers and internal stakeholders.
• Highly organized with strong project management skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Strong proficiency in SalesForce or equivalent CRM systems.
• A clear Criminal Background Check will be required.

YOUR WORK ENVIRONMENT 

• Hybrid work environment (2 days in-office, 3 days remote per week) with occasional requirement to work outside of traditional office hours.
• Occasional day/overnight travel.

Physical/Mental Effort

• Works under pressure of tight deadlines, with a high-volume workload, and with multiple demands & changing priorities.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgement.

Our Commitment to IDEA

Make-A-Wish Canada (MAWC) is committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA). We believe that it is essential to our mission that we build a diverse, balanced, and vibrant workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve and seek to serve. Research has shown that candidates from underrepresented groups often only apply when they feel 100% qualified. Therefore, we ask that even if you do not see yourself fully reflected in every job requirement listed on this posting, to still apply.

How to apply

If everything you've read so far sounds like you, we encourage you to apply now!  The deadline to apply is September 1^st at 11:59pm ET.

To apply, please navigate to: https://can241.dayforcehcm.com/CandidatePortal/en-CA/makeawishca/Posting/View/535

Make-A-Wish Canada provides equal opportunity in employment and encourages applications from all qualified candidates. Reasonable accommodations due to disability are available on request at any stage of the hiring process.  

Recruitment process

Our recruitment process is swift in pace.  Once applications are reviewed, we will contact our shortlisted candidates.  Our typical process includes a phone screen, one or two interviews, and reference checking, followed by an offer and a criminal background check for the successful candidate.

We would like to thank all applicants for their interest in working with us!

ABOUT MAKE-A-WISH® CANADA

Since 1983, Make-A-Wish Canada has granted over 38,500 wishes across the country, over 1000 last year alone. As an independently operating affiliate of Make-A-Wish International, Make-A-Wish Canada is part of the network of the world's leading children's wish-granting organization. We serve children in every community in Canada, and in more than 50 countries worldwide.

JOIN OUR ONLINE COMMUNITY

For more information on how you can support Make-A-Wish^® Canada or get involved please visit our website at makeawish.ca.