Development Officer - Annual Giving & Donor Relations

Position Description:
Development Officer – Annual Giving & Donor Relations

100% on – site at Hospice (less community meetings and donor visits) – not hybrid

Full time, permanent, 37.5 hours/week

Salary Range: $70 – 75K (Commensurate with qualifications and experience)

St. Joseph’s Hospice is a charitable organization providing compassionate care and companionship to palliative clients, their caregivers and the bereaved recognizing their unique needs.

Role Overview

Reporting to the Director, Community Engagement and Development, the Development Officer, Annual Giving & Donor Relations coordinates and delivers the hospice’s day-to-day annual fundraising and donor relations activities. The position builds reliable philanthropic support to close the gap between government operating funding and the full cost of delivering hospice care, while raising funds for approved program, equipment and other special needs.

The position identifies, cultivates, solicits and stewards individual, corporate and community donors outside the major gift portfolio. It strengthens donor acquisition, retention, renewal and increased giving through annual appeals, monthly giving, tribute and memorial donations, corporate donations, in-kind contributions, operating grants, third party event oversight and approved lottery activities.

The successful candidate is eligible to participate in the Hospice Benefit Plan after 3 months of employment and the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) from first day of employment.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and manage the annual giving donor pipeline, moving prospective and existing donors through identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. Encourage first gifts, repeat gifts, monthly commitments, renewed support and increased giving.
• Build respectful relationships with individuals and families whose connection to the hospice may arise from their experience of its services. Coordinate opportunities to give with appropriate staff, respecting privacy, consent, grief and each person’s readiness to engage.
• Plan and deliver direct mail and digital fundraising appeals with Communications and database staff, including audience selection, fundraising messages, follow-up and evaluation.
• Cultivate, solicit and steward corporate donations outside the major gift portfolio. Maintain relationships with local businesses, employers, suppliers and community organizations.
• Secure in-kind goods, donated services and negotiated discounts that address approved hospice needs and reduce costs.
• Cultivate and steward third-party event organizers, providing guidance and oversight for fundraising, promotion, recognition and transfer of proceeds to the hospice.
• Coordinate approved lottery activities, including schedules, vendor liaison, promotional coordination, financial tracking and required documentation, under the Director’s oversight.
• Research and prepare operating and program grant applications, coordinating reporting, renewals and funder stewardship.
• Coordinate timely acknowledgements, recognition, impact updates and responses to donor inquiries or concerns. Work with database staff to maintain accurate donor interests, preferences, contacts and next steps.
• Identify donors with the interest and capacity for major or legacy gifts and coordinate an agreed transition to the Director.
• Monitor revenue, expenses, net proceeds, donor retention, acquisition, renewals and upgrades; provide forecasts and recommendations to the Director.
• Develop and deliver an annual work plan with agreed revenue, donor development and stewardship objectives aligned with the approved department plan and budget.

Required Qualifications:

Education

University degree or college diploma in fundraising, business, marketing, communications, nonprofit management or a related discipline; equivalent relevant experience considered

Fundraising experience

Minimum 3–5 years of progressive fundraising experience, including direct responsibility for annual giving, donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.

Gift size

Demonstrated success securing individual and corporate donations, renewing donor support and increasing giving

Revenue experience

Demonstrated success achieving fundraising revenue targets and managing annual giving activities, including direct mail, monthly giving, memorial donations and corporate contributions.

CFRE

CFRE designation or active pursuit of certification is an asset, not mandatory

Portfolio management

Demonstrated experience managing donor relationships, including acquisition, retention, renewal, solicitation and stewardship.

Sector experience

Healthcare, hospice, hospital foundation or other mission-driven nonprofit experience preferred

Technical skills

Proficiency with Donor Perfect or a comparable donor database; accurate contact reporting, moves management and prospect tracking

Relationship skills

Experience working with senior leaders, Board members, volunteers and donors, including sensitive conversations about grief and end-of-life care

Qualified candidates are invited to submit their cover letter and resume no later than November 13, 2026 to Nancy Tyndall, [email protected]