Donor Engagement Advisor

Company Description For over a century Providence has been a Christian academic community in the evangelical tradition that teaches people to grow in knowledge and character for leadership and service. Our vision is to become a leading Canadian Christ-centred university that transforms students into leaders of knowledge, character, and faith to serve Christ in a changing world.

Role Description Reporting to the Director of Donor Engagement, this position advances Providence's fundraising efforts through strategic donor engagement, relationship management, and philanthropic development. Working within a small, collaborative team and alongside other departments, the role manages an assigned donor portfolio, facilitates engagement with institutional leadership, and advances strategic solicitations while supporting the day-to day needs and shared responsibilities of the Donor Engagement department.

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:

CULTIVATION, SOLICITATION, ENGAGEMENT, AND STEWARDSHIP

• In collaboration with the Director of Donor Engagement, develop and implement engagement, retention, and stewardship strategies for an assigned donor portfolio.
• Build and maintain donor and prospect relationships through regular communication, meetings, and visits.
• Research and identify prospective donors, discerning if their charitable giving priorities align with Providence's mission.
• Strategically identify donors and prospects for direct engagement with the President or Director of Donor Engagement, facilitating connections through coordinated visits, meetings, and email introductions.
• Develop and advance strategic solicitations, including preparing donor proposals, cases for support, and personalized engagement materials.
• Coordinate donor recognition, updates, and stewardship activities to strengthen long-term relationships.
• Maintain accurate and timely donor records in Raiser’s Edge NXT, including contact reports, briefing notes, and solicitation plans.

PHILANTHROPIC OPPORTUNITIES & SPECIAL INITIATIVES

• In collaboration with the Director of Donor Engagement, coordinate engagement and solicitation for areas outside of assigned portfolio, including: Bell Tower Society: Engage prospective and existing donors in planned giving conversations and stewardship opportunities. Scholarships: Engage prospective and current scholarship donors, prepare gift proposals and agreements, and coordinate ongoing stewardship and impact reporting. Foundation Development: Maintain relationships with foundation representatives, identify relevant funding opportunities, and prepare

INSTITUTIONAL AND DEPARTMENTAL ACTIVITIES

• Collaborate with the Director of Donor Engagement and team members in the planning and execution of Providence Fund initiatives, including Calendar and Fiscal Year-End campaigns, Direct Mail Solicitations, and other annual fundraising events.
• Participate in strategic planning and departmental initiatives to advance fundraising priorities, particularly major gift engagement at Providence.
• Participate in institutional committees and other departmental responsibilities as assigned.

Specialized Skills & Knowledge

• Donor relations experience in a not-for-profit setting
• Demonstrated ability to secure major gifts at a leadership level and beyond from individuals, businesses, foundations
• Demonstrated ability to strategize for, implement and build engagement programs
• Ability to engage with a donor’s long-term plan and vision to anticipate future gifts
• Demonstrated keen interest in public relations and networking with a range of people
• Thorough understanding of donor life cycle and principles (discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship)
• Ability to write proposals, solicitations, correspondence, reports, and other materials for both internal and external audience

Competencies:

• Integrity and honesty: Contributes to a team approach in development and donor relations
• Public relations: With community, external constituents, and internal staff/faculty donors and volunteers
• Exceptional interpersonal skills: The ability to interact effectively with academic leadership, faculty, prospects, donors and volunteers in a wide range of roles
• Strong ethical judgment: Demonstrated commitment to ethical fundraising principles and practices of philanthropy
• Confidentiality: Ability to handle confidential information and navigate sensitive situations professionally
• Innovative thinker/visionary: Ability to translate strategic thinking into action plans and output
• Relationship management: Proven strengths in relationship management, experience working with people
• Initiative: A willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges
• Communication: Displays strong oral, written and interpersonal communication skills
• Dependability: Reliable, responsible, and dependable; fulfills obligations
• Attention to detail: Attentive to detail and thorough in completing work tasks
• Multi-task: Ability to work on multiple assignments with minimal supervision while achieving targets.

Education & Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Experience in fundraising and/or sales positions, including, major and minor gift work, Annual Fund development, etc. an asset
• Proficient in MS Office 365; strong familiarity with Raiser’s Edge or other CRM software an asset
• Working knowledge of various computer software products

Personal Commitment:

• An active personal Christian faith commitment
• A commitment to Christian higher education
• Support the Providence mission, vision, and values.
• Affirm the Providence Statement of Faith
• Agree to abide by the Providence Covenant of Community Life

Work Arrangement:

• This is a 1.0 FTE, permanent position (37.5 hrs/week)
• This is mainly an in-person, on-site position based on our Otterburne campus, with some remote-work flexibility
• A hybrid work arrangement may be considered for the right candidate
• Some job-related travel
• Work evenings and weekends as warranted