Summary

Capitalize for Kids (C4K) is seeking a growth-minded, relationship-focused, strategic fundraiser as its new Director of Development.

Description

THE OPPORTUNITY
Capitalize for Kids (C4K) is seeking a growth-minded, relationship-focused, strategic fundraiser as its new Director of Development. With responsibility for fundraising strategy; gift cultivation, solicitation, and donor relationship management; and diversification of the fundraising portfolio, the Director will play a key role in the ecosystem of supporting child and youth mental health and the effectiveness of the outcomes of its programs.

In the past 10 years, Capitalize for Kids has helped over 240,000 kids and their families obtain critical mental health services and supports by removing barriers to access. More than ever, kids are reaching out for support. Demand is increasing and mental health service providers are struggling to keep up. Kids and their families are trapped on waitlists – unable to get the help they desperately need. According to the Mental Health Commission of Canada, an estimated 1.2 million Canadian children and youth struggle with serious mental health issues. Unfortunately, service providers just can’t keep up with the demand. Kids and their families deserve so much better – that is why we focus on building capacity in kids’ mental health services. Reporting to the President & CEO, the Director of Development will be responsible for developing a comprehensive fundraising program and creating an energizing culture of philanthropy throughout the organization. This is an opportunity to work with an influential and engaged volunteer network while building new, diverse connections with the goal of diversifying and growing revenue.  This role will require sophisticated relationship management skills and an expert understanding of the factors influencing business sectors, capital markets, and corporate philanthropic giving.  

The Director of Development will be a self-starter and a persuasive influencer, with expertise in building and growing fundraising programs and teams, and expertly leading the organization through a development growth strategy. The successful candidate will embrace a culture of innovation and will be capable and comfortable discussing all aspects of corporate and individual giving fundraising practices, managing corporate relationships, and evolving trends in charitable giving.

A collaborative and values-driven leader, the new Director will bring exceptional team management and sophisticated communication skills as they coach and develop a high-performing fundraising team.

This is an exciting opportunity to impact the quality of current services that build programming capacity for kids’ mental health in Canada by directing, shaping, and contributing to the work of our dynamic and growing team.

ABOUT CAPITALIZE FOR KIDS
Capitalize for Kids works with numerous youth mental health support agencies to identify gaps and barriers in their operations and develop opportunities to increase their capacity through process, program and technology solutions. We partner with top for-profit consulting companies on a pro-bono basis to co-design these solutions and then, if necessary, we help fund the required changes to an agency’s operations. At the end of the process, we template and share what we learn so that other organizations can implement similar solutions for themselves. We are helping service providers support more young people with their existing resources. It means that kids spend less time looking for help and more time getting it.

Capitalize for Kids began in 2014 as a charitable investors conference that raised $1 million for the Centre for Brain and Mental Health at SickKids. Today, we are a growing community of professionals rallying our friends, families, and firms to support kids’ mental health.

We are helping service providers support more young people with their existing resources.  It means that kids spend less time looking for help and more time getting it.

Investors Conference
The 10th Annual Capitalize for Kids Investors Conference took place in the fall of 2023 and brought together over 400 attendees from across the North American alternative investment community including capital allocators, fund managers and service providers.  This initiative has raised over $13 million for child and youth mental health since 2014.

Bay Street Games
2024 will mark the 7th year of the ultimate fitness competition between Bay Street firms where co-ed teams of six face off in a series of fitness challenges and at the end of the day, the winning team will be crowned as Bay Street’s Fittest Firm!  We expect 60 teams with 360 participants to take part in the games with the goal of raising $500,000 in support of Capitalize for Kids.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Philanthropy and Fundraising

  • Develop multi-year and annual fundraising plans and manage their implementation.
  • Develop and execute a comprehensive major gifts prospect and donor acquisition strategy including identification, qualification, engagement, cultivation, and solicitation.
  • Secure 5-6 figure level major gifts for C4K from individuals, corporations and foundations.
  • Oversee the success of the philanthropic goals of C4K’s signature events with accountability for over $3 million in associated revenue.
  • Build and develop a major gifts stewardship framework and program, inclusive of reporting at all levels of engagement.
  • Ensure that objectives, timelines, and critical paths for all fundraising programs are being met and tracked.
  • Build, manage, and maintain a personal pipeline of prospects and donors.
  • Develop underexploited opportunities for additional revenue streams and new revenue-producing initiatives while also leveraging a strong, loyal donor base.
  • Develop donor-specific proposals, and stewardship and impact reports.
  • Work in partnership with the C4K Marketing and Impact Team staff to craft philanthropy-specific communications collateral and campaigns to support donor engagement and giving.
  • Solidify policies and procedures for individual and corporate major gifts and gift agreements.
  • Seek to ensure Capitalize for Kids’ leadership position in the philanthropic sector and stay current with the philanthropy landscape, fundraising trends, and best practices.

Leadership and Engagement 

  • Recruit, train, and lead the Development Team, providing coaching, performance management, and creating opportunities for professional development.
  • Be a leader, teacher, mentor, and champion and provide professional guidance for C4K development and events staff.
  • Build and manage the fundraising budget, and report on progress towards goals.
  • In collaboration with the CEO, develop metrics for philanthropy and fundraising, ensuring measurable objectives.
  • Inspire high levels of collaboration, achievement, and collegiality among staff.
  • Prepare the CEO, Board members and others as required, to participate meaningfully in fundraising efforts to develop and nurture relationships with key donors.
  • Engage with key donors and volunteers, major corporate partners, and other partners to seek regular input on strengths and opportunities for increased philanthropic support and advancement of the brand.
  • Be a compelling ambassador for C4K’s mission, vision, and values and communicate in a manner that instills confidence in donors.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

  • A track record of successful fundraising experience securing significant 5-6 figure major gifts from donors with deep expertise in all aspects of major gift fundraising, including cultivation and solicitation of gifts.
  • Experience leading or supporting a comprehensive, multi-revenue stream fundraising program and demonstrated strategic planning skills in building organizational fundraising capacity.
  • Proven results in building and maintaining a portfolio of donors/prospects with a successful track record in cultivating relationships to secure major gifts including individuals, corporations, and foundations.
  • Diverse philanthropy experience working with individuals, events, corporations, foundations, and grants.
  • Sophisticated relationship builder and expert communicator with the ability to influence, persuade and motivate diverse groups of donors, prospects, collaborators and partners.
  • Experience working with senior volunteers in a fundraising capacity.
  • Demonstrated strategic planning skills in building organizational fundraising capacity.
  • Excellent relationship building skills with the ability to engage, motivate and unify individuals and groups with diverse backgrounds in a manner that increases philanthropic support. 
  • Experience hiring and leading diverse, high performing teams; inspiring high levels of mutual respect, collaboration, and collegiality.
  • Expert written and oral communication skills with a highly developed ability to effectively communicate impact.
  • Strategic understanding of the competitive nature of the high profile, high net worth, philanthropic and/or non-profit marketplace, and ability to stand out within it.
  • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to constructively contribute to discussions and build rapport at all levels within an organization.
  • A commitment to equity and inclusion, collaboration and making a positive difference.
  • Experience in working with CRM and Donor database systems.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE & COMPETENCIES

  • Mission-driven, a person whose caring nature is genuine and evident to others. Understanding of the Canadian healthcare model, particularly in the mental health space, is considered an asset.
  • A person motivated by a desire for success for themselves, the organization, the communities we serve, the employees, and all the various partner organizations.
  • Superior relationship building and listening skills accompanied by a genuine interest in the opinions of others.
  • An entrepreneurial spirit with a strong service orientation – a bold and imaginative thinker who is willing to fail forward.
  • Intelligent, a quick learner; demonstrates empathy, curiosity and has high EQ.
  • A person of strong ethical values and integrity, committed to an environment of honesty and transparency.
  • Communication skills that will enable them to quickly earn a reputation for being trustworthy, reliable, and confidential.
  • An independent leader who can work with diverse groups of people; can build consensus.
  • A person motivated by a desire for success for themselves, the organization, the community, the employees, and all the various stakeholders. 
  • A decisive leader who understands the importance of listening and seeking counsel from others when making decisions. Collaborative, seeks input from others, listens and is willing to consider new ideas.
  • Achievement-oriented with both the ability to master details and manage strategically.
  • A commitment to equity and inclusion, collaboration and making a positive difference.

Education 

  • University degree, post-graduate or professional degree is an asset. A combination of education and experience will be considered.
  • CFRE certification is an asset.