Development Officer
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 Development Officer to join our team at Make-A-Wish Canada. This position is responsible for managing and coordinating fundraising activities for the Saskatchewan chapter, which includes event execution, securing sponsorship, participant recruitment, media relations, donor development, grant writing and researching opportunities to increase chapter revenue.

This role is located in Saskatoon, and is a full-time, permanent, hybrid position.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Identify and inspire potential corporate & individual donors and community fundraisers.
• Manage the full cycle of events at the chapter level, ensuring high standards for all assigned fundraising initiatives.
• Establish and provide support to event committees as required to ensure success of events (e.g., guidance, materials, staff/volunteers, timelines, etc.).
• Develop strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Utilize a high degree of creativity in the development and design strategy of marketing and promotional material including PSA's, press releases, brochures and other material for events or campaigns in the portfolio.
• Collaborate with internal departments to assist with the development or coordination of material needed to support donor/3rd party events in a timely manner, which may include social/marketing media. 
• Cultivate relationships with existing donors and sponsors and identify and establish relationships with new prospects; execute on solicitation including cold calls for identified fundraising needs (i.e., service clubs).
• Steward existing donors and sponsors through recognition activities (thank you letters/plaques/social media posts/cheque presentations). 
• Work in collaboration with our Wish Granting team to identify appropriate Wish Families for event participation.
• Collaborate with immediate manager in identifying opportunities for development and growth in sponsorship, donations (e.g., sponsorships for event décor, silent auction, prizes, food and drinks, entertainment, supplies, equipment, venues, etc.) and awareness.
• Utilize strong administrative and computer skills to complete all administrative and data management tasks associated with fundraising.
• Other duties as assigned.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Post-secondary education in Business, Fundraising, or other relevant field, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• 1-3  years of working experience in fundraising (events, campaigns and working with
• volunteers), preferably in a multi-level organization within diverse communities.
• Ability to work independently and on various tasks simultaneously.
• Demonstrate experience in overseeing tasks of others and working collaboratively with others to achieve the best results.
• Must be highly motivated and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfortable with public speaking.
• Demonstrate experience in problem solving and good judgement.
• Proven ability to take initiative and carry projects to completion.
• Demonstrate experience in using databases and the ability to learn and adapt to new technology.
• Strong MS Office skills (Word/Excel/Outlook/PowerPoint). 
• Access to reliable transportation to and from the office, for onsite visits and meetings with sponsors, donors, and the community, as well as for events.
• 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.  Primary responsibilities are carried out in the local office and remotely, however, you may occasionally be required to be out of the office for visits with sponsors and donors, and for other site visits and attending events in the community. 
• Requires evenings/weekends for events, and day travel, on occasion.

Physical/Mental Effort

• Work under pressure of tight deadlines, with a high-volume workload, and with multiple demands & changing priorities.
• Demonstrates emotional resiliency to be able to conduct cold-calls and continue to develop donor relations.

How to apply

If everything you've read so far sounds like you, we encourage you to apply now!  The deadline to apply is April 22^nd, 2025, at 11:59pm ET.

To apply, please navigate to:  https://jobs.dayforcehcm.com/en-CA/makeawishca/CANDIDATEPORTAL/jobs/948

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.  

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.

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 1,000 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.