Major Donor Development Manager

SOS Children’s Villages Canada is committed to making a difference in the lives of children without parental care. We seek a passionate and experienced Major Donor Fundraising Manger to join our team.

This is a hands-on role. You will strategize, collaborate, and execute comprehensive fundraising initiatives. Your expertise will drive our mission forward by engaging donors, raising awareness, and generating vital funds to support our cause. If you have a passion for philanthropy and the skills to drive major gifts, this role offers a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the children we serve.

The ideal candidate demonstrates a strong track record in major gift fundraising, possesses excellent communication skills, and a passion for the organization's mission. A deep understanding of philanthropy and donor motivations are essential for the role. A knack for storytelling that resonates with donors' values sets you apart.

About us

Founded in 1969, SOS Children’s Villages Canada is a member of the world's largest charitable federation focused on supporting children and young people without parental care, or at risk of losing it. Protecting children and advancing their rights is our priority in over 130 countries and territories. We believe that children deserve more than just survival. They have a right to grow up in a safe and caring family environment, giving them the best chance of a secure future. Using a holistic approach, we work to empower vulnerable children, families, and communities to ensure children’s rights are met. Through programs focused on child protection, education, health, nutrition, women’s economic empowerment, and humanitarian responses, SOS Children’s Villages serves nearly 3 million people annually.  

About the role

Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Operations, the Manager of Major Donor Fundraising plays a crucial role in developing and implementing strategies to secure significant financial support from major donors. This position requires a dynamic and results-oriented individual who can build and maintain strong relationships with high-net-worth individuals and donor advised funds. You will develop and implement strategies to cultivate and engage with donors who have the potential to make significant contributions. You possess a proven track record in major gift fundraising, excellent communication skills, and the ability to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders. Success in this role means you will not only meet financial targets but also ensure that donors feel valued and informed about the impact of their contributions. 

Core responsibilities

• Identify, cultivate, and solicit major donors, ensuring personalized and meaningful engagement.

   

• Develop and execute a comprehensive major donor fundraising strategy

   

• Manage a portfolio of major donors, providing regular updates and stewardship

   

• Collaborate with the executive team and board members to leverage their networks and support fundraising efforts

   

• Plan and execute major donor events and recognition programs

   

• Prepare compelling proposals, presentation and reports for major donors

   

• Track and analyze fundraising metrics to measure success and indentify areas for improvement

   

• Develop, monitor and manage the Major Donor fundraising budget, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to achieve objectives.

   

• Engage with communications and other fundraising teams, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and excellence.

   

• Ensure consistent messaging that SOS Children’s Villages Canada is viewed as a trusted leader, and recognized authority within Canada’s international development and humanitarian sector.

   

• Network with SOS Children’s Villages International marketing expert forums, essential to program-specific marketing trends & research.

   

• Stay informed about industry trends and best practices in major donor fundraising
   

Desired Skills and Qualifications:

• Multiple years of relevant hands-on experience in fundraising with a proven track record of securing gifts from major donors.

   

• A passion for, and knowledge of, child-focused international development and humanitarian assistance programming.  

   

• High-energy, excellent interpersonal and communication skills, ability to build strong relationships

   

• Highly collaborative and service driven working style; experience developing and implementing fundraising strategies in partnership with internal stakeholders.

   

• A creative thinker with strong organizational and project management skills

   

• A sincere commitment to work collaboratively with all constituent groups, including the communications team, the leadership team, board members, volunteers, donors, and other key stakeholders.

   

• Highly proficient English writing skills, both written and oral, multilingualism an asset.

   

• A degree/diploma in marketing, fundraising, communications, international studies and/or equivalent related experience is an asset.

   

• CFRE accreditation is an asset.

   

Interested applicants for this position: please send your CV and a cover letter explaining why you are suitable for this role to hr@soschildrensvillages.ca by June 13th, 2025. Please include your name and the title of Major Donor Development Manager in the subject line of your email.

SOS Children’s Villages is committed to employment equity, welcomes diversity in the workplace and encourages applications from all qualified applicants.

We are committed to safeguarding children and adults in the communities where we work from deliberate and unintentional harm or abuse caused by SOS Children’s Villages staff. We have zero tolerance towards any behavior violating our Code of Conduct, including workplace violence, harassment and sexual harassment, any form of exploitation and abuse, corruption, and fraud. Offers of employment will be conditional upon satisfactory results of professional reference checks and provision of a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check.