Position Description

Position Description - Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships 

Safe Families Canada (SFC) is a faith-based, registered charity that serves the community by wrapping extended family-like support around families facing a crisis, to get them back on track. SFC reaches families before their circumstances reach a critical point, warranting intervention from Child Welfare. Before involvement with child welfare, families voluntarily place their children with an approved and screened SFC volunteer Host Family while working through their crisis and maintaining parental custody. A Family Coach, Family Friends, and the church work together to support the parent and the Host Family. Through volunteers and churches, SFC provides a network for families in crisis while they work to reach their goals and get back on their feet. 

SFC understands the needs of families facing a crisis and a parent’s concern for the care of their child. We also know that when “the daily stress for the parent decreases, providing immediate relief, time and space to address the issues that led to the stressful situation, a parent is less stressed, children are safe with less risk of Child Welfare needing to be involved”.* With 300,000 children and youth living in vulnerable families and at risk of neglect and abuse**, the work we do is vital to keep children safe and families together and reduce the number of children entering the foster care system.

Our Vision

Create a world where children are safe and families transformed through radically compassionate communities.

Our Mission

Safe Families Canada hosts vulnerable children and creates extended family–like support for desperate families through a community of devoted volunteers motivated by compassionate faith to keep children safe and families together.

Our Values

Radical Hospitality.   |    Compassion Fuelled by Mercy    |    Disruptive Generosity

Our Objectives

• Child Welfare Deflection
• Child Abuse Prevention
• Family Support and Stabilization
• Strengthening Compassion Ministries of the Church

SFC has been well-established in Canada for over 12 years. Incorporated in 2012, it has grown from one Chapter in Toronto to 19 Chapters across Canada and three more at various levels of development. Churches, businesses and communities continue to see the growing needs of families and are reignited to live out their faith with vulnerable and desperate families.  This makes way for a strong foundation of compassion to support families locally and Nationally. Therefore, encouraging philanthropy and building partnerships is crucial for SFC to sustain this development.

Role Description:

Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships | Full-Time | Competitive Salary | Benefit Packages

The Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships is integral to the National Office Team. This person will oversee two aspects of the national fundraising effort:

1. Develop, manage and increase the major gift portfolio for the National Office
2. Assist the National Office in equipping the National Team in Donor-Centred Fundraising for local Chapters

The position is the main contributor to the National Office's annual revenue goals and the charity's ongoing work.

The Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships is relationally oriented with a donor-centred approach to fundraising. They will work closely with the National Office Team to develop marketing, communication and fundraising strategies and are prepared to grow this role to sustain growth. They share the team’s vision and clearly understand that the SFC ministry is built within and through the combined ministries of local churches and is a movement in radical, biblical hospitality to local communities.

Role Responsibilities

• Report to the National Executive Director
• Increase the National donor portfolio by identifying, researching, and contacting potential donors
• Organize and maintain the donor relations portfolio
• Plan and implement mail, email, phone calls and face-to-face interactions with donors
• Support National Office Staff by informing on:
• the success of previous fundraising campaigns
• training for staff in donor-centred fundraising methods and practices
• the development of CSR and promotional material
• Increase monthly, annual, year-end and capital campaigns
• Ensure that all SFC policies and procedures are adhered to
• Maintain the vision, mission, objectives, values, Principles and Community Creed
• Must adhere to all SFC policies and procedures. 

Key Result Areas

• Increase SFC's annual revenue goals by fundraising through major gifts, defined as $1,500 and above, from individuals, businesses, and foundations.
• Grow a donor portfolio to 200+ donors and additional prospective donors
• Meet with donors and prospects face-to-face and virtually to facilitate donor decisions resulting in major gifts.
• Develop and execute successful strategic plans for donor approach and solicitations.
• Work toward achieving an agreed-upon annual revenue target 
• Strengthen donor-centred giving initiatives
• Work with the National Office in drafting proposals and stewardship reports.
• Strengthen the fundraising abilities of the National Team through resources and training workshops, effecting a 5%+ revenue increase each year.

Position Qualifications

• Shared Vision and Mission with Safe Families Canada
• A clear understanding of the work we are engaged in as a faith-based charity within local churches and in their communities (Chapter development, church ministry, community partnerships and referrals, family support stories)
• Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Communications, Business Administration, Christian Ministry or another relevant field 
• Five years of proven work experience in relational fundraising
• Skill set to organize and administer a major gift campaign on a national level.
• A clear understanding of the donor-centred process, including donor relations cultivations, closing, acknowledgement, and stewardship
• Experience in developing fundraising communications
• Experience in training leaders in donor-centred fundraising
• Experience in Christian/Church ministry, Leadership, Preaching, Teaching, Outreach
• Exceptional communication skills with proven ability to inspire and encourage shared mission within donor portfolio
• Ability to work remotely, in-person as well as independently and with a team, with minimal supervision
• Strong interpersonal skills and team player with a flexible and helpful attitude and outlook

Conditions of Employment

• Must be willing and able to implement the core mission and community commitments of Safe Families as a faith-based charity
• A personal vehicle is required for frequent business travel, as well as a valid G2 license and proof of third-party liability insurance coverage ($2,000,000)
• Must be legally eligible to work in Canada
• Satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Police Record Check (and Child Welfare Check in Western Provinces)
• Complete a successful interview process based on the requirements above.

Additional Information

All qualified applicants who fulfill our employment conditions will be considered. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. 

Disability and other reasonable accommodations are available upon request during the assessment and selection process. 

To apply with a cover letter and resume to info@safefamilies.ca.

We thank all who apply.

Full Job Description