Manager, Fund Development & Donor Relations
Top Benefits
About the role
Permanent, Full-time 35 hours/week
Non-Bargaining Unit Position
Who we are
YouthLink believes in the potential of every youth, and we are dedicated to providing them with the support, guidance and opportunities they need to make positive life choices. We provide youth with brief and ongoing counselling, in-home wraparound support, shelter, housing, educational support, and safe drop-in spaces.
Guided by our mission and inspired by the potential to make a profound impact, Youthlink works closely with youth, families and partners in our community. We come together to highlight and develop strengths, aspirations and positive actions that improve the health and well-being of all who live, work, study and play in our community. As a service delivery organization, we leverage data-driven decision-making and grassroots engagement with youth advisory councils to create an inclusive, innovative, and responsive agency that provides the best fit and most needed services for our communities.
If you are seeking a meaningful opportunity and want to play a key role in bringing our vision for a stronger Scarborough where all youth and families thrive, join us.
Who we need
Reporting to the Executive Director, we are looking for a Manager, Fund Development and Donor Relations to play a critical role in advancing YouthLink’s mission. In this role, you will design and deliver fundraising and donor stewardship initiatives to secure the financial support needed to sustain and grow our programs. You will be responsible for driving revenue growth across all channels, including individual giving, major gifts, corporate partnerships, private foundations, and signature fundraising events.
As our new Manager, Fund Development and Donor Relations, you will develop and execute an annual strategic fundraising plan that expands our donor base, amplifies our public profile, and builds lasting relationships with supporters. You will manage the function directly, executing the strategy hands-on while streamlining systems and guiding philanthropic activities across the organization.
This is a permanent, full-time (35 hours per week) non-bargaining unit position based onsite at YouthLink’s head office.
What’s in it for you
Impact. This is a genuine chance to align your career with a mission that truly changes lives. You will directly contribute to YouthLink’s vision of a stronger Scarborough where all youth and families thrive. By securing major gifts, building individual donor relationships, and driving event-based fundraising, you will provide the resources that directly support youth facing homelessness, mental health challenges, and systemic barriers.
Ownership. You will lead the fundraising function end-to-end, shaping strategy and personally executing plans across all donor channels. You will be empowered to think strategically and operate tactically, working independently without a supporting team while receiving fair, balanced, and results-oriented leadership. This is an opportunity to build on successes, grow the program strategically, and leave a tangible mark on the organization’s financial sustainability.
Growth. You will expand your professional expertise and influence in fundraising and donor relations while being part of a supportive, equity-driven leadership team. With exposure to diverse revenue streams and community partnerships, you will strengthen your skill set and advance your career in the nonprofit sector.
How you will make an impact:
- Fundraise. You will focus on securing major gifts, cultivating individual donors, and driving event-based contributions to generate immediate and sustainable revenue. You will also pursue opportunities with corporate partners, service clubs, grants, and foundations.
- Plan and strategize. You will collaborate with internal stakeholders to identify program and service priorities, then create and implement an annual fundraising plan aligned with organizational goals. You will define and execute a donor stewardship strategy that focuses on long-term, sustainable giving.
- Lead. You will coach, manage, and support the Social Media and Marketing Specialist, ensuring fundraising and communications efforts are aligned.
- Champion equity. You will proactively incorporate Equity, Diversity, and Belonging best practices into fundraising activities and represent YouthLink’s values in every interaction.
- Manage data and report. You will oversee database management to ensure data integrity, reconcile donor information with finance systems, and prepare accurate reports for leadership. While data management and reporting are important, the top priority is revenue generation; database tasks can be reallocated if fundraising performance exceeds expectations.
What you bring:
- The education. You have completed post-secondary education (College Diploma or Bachelor’s degree). A CFRE designation, a degree in nonprofit management, business, communications, marketing, or public relations would be considered an asset.
- The experience. You bring at least 2 years of fundraising experience with increasing responsibility, including experience working cross-culturally with community members. A background in youth mental health, healthcare, or homelessness fundraising would be beneficial.
- The fundraising expertise. You have knowledge of fundraising best practices and the philanthropic landscape in Toronto. You understand donor stewardship and can demonstrate a track record of meeting or exceeding revenue targets. You are adept at executing strategies across individual giving, major gifts, corporate partnerships, grants/foundations, and events.
- The communication skills . You are an excellent communicator, comfortable presenting to donors, corporate partners, and senior leaders. You can influence and inspire others, write compelling proposals, and adapt your communication style for diverse audiences.
- The mindset. You are results-driven, entrepreneurial, and innovative. You subscribe to the power of positive self-talk, and have the resilience to operate independently. You are passionate about YouthLink’s mission and eager to amplify our impact in the community. You thrive in fast-paced environments, are responsive to challenges, and are motivated to work independently while collaborating effectively with others.
- The technical skills. You are proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, Forms) and familiar with donor databases such as DonorPerfect—or you have the aptitude and willingness to learn quickly.
- The flexibility. You are able to work occasional evenings and weekends for events or peak fundraising periods, with reasonable accommodations for religious observances.
Compensation: $80,000 per year
Benefits
At YouthLink, we understand the nature of our work and the deep commitment every team member offers. We strive to provide a rewarding compensation and benefits package to support our people. This includes:
- Comprehensive health and dental coverage for you and your family, with 100% of the premiums fully covered.
- Annual vacation with pay at 1.66 working days for each calendar month to a maximum of 20 working days per year.
- 5 ‘authorized absence’ days for family illness or emergency circumstances that prohibit employees from reporting to work.
- 3 paid agency days every calendar year after 3 calendar months service.
- Maternity / parental /adoption leave top-up payments (to top-up Canadian government unemployment benefit payments).
- 100% premium cost for long-term disability coverage paid by employee.
- Eligibility to participate in the pension plan after 2 years of continuous service with a generous matching employer contribution.
What you can expect from our hiring process:
- A virtual interview with a Talent Advisor to discuss your interest in joining the company and in the role.
- An in-person interview with the Executive Director and a member of the Human Resources team. This is an opportunity to share your experience and knowledge and expand on your approach to fund development and growing a network to support our programs.
Apply now.
We welcome applications from candidates who reflect the communities we serve, particularly candidates from Black communities, Indigenous communities, racialized people, persons with disabilities, members of diverse gender identities and people with lived experiences.
We are seeking candidates who demonstrably operate and practice from an equity and trauma-informed lens. We encourage applications from passionate professionals who will help us dismantle systemic barriers and embrace working outside of Euro-centric practices.
If you meet 70% of the qualifications we are looking for and share 100% of our passion and commitment to supporting youth and their families, please submit your application. We can’t promise to hire you; we can promise to review your lived and learned experiences fully.
We are committed to providing equitable employment opportunities and a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. We are equally committed to providing an inclusive and accessible workplace. If you require accommodations at any stage of the interview process, please email us at accessibility@youthlink.ca
About YouthLink
Founded in 1914, YouthLink is a leader in promoting the mental health and well-being of marginalized youth in Toronto. We provide a range of services to young people in Scarborough and the wider GTA, including counselling services, youth shelter and housing, educational support through our Pathways to Education program, residential treatment, in-home family support to keep families together and prevent young people from coming into the child welfare system, parenting support, and outreach workers that go into community and schools to meet young people where they are at.
We are fully accredited and a United Way Anchor Partner.
YouthLink joins with youth, families and partners to highlight and develop strengths, aspirations and positive actions that improve the health and well-being of all who live, work, study and play in our community.
Manager, Fund Development & Donor Relations
Top Benefits
About the role
Permanent, Full-time 35 hours/week
Non-Bargaining Unit Position
Who we are
YouthLink believes in the potential of every youth, and we are dedicated to providing them with the support, guidance and opportunities they need to make positive life choices. We provide youth with brief and ongoing counselling, in-home wraparound support, shelter, housing, educational support, and safe drop-in spaces.
Guided by our mission and inspired by the potential to make a profound impact, Youthlink works closely with youth, families and partners in our community. We come together to highlight and develop strengths, aspirations and positive actions that improve the health and well-being of all who live, work, study and play in our community. As a service delivery organization, we leverage data-driven decision-making and grassroots engagement with youth advisory councils to create an inclusive, innovative, and responsive agency that provides the best fit and most needed services for our communities.
If you are seeking a meaningful opportunity and want to play a key role in bringing our vision for a stronger Scarborough where all youth and families thrive, join us.
Who we need
Reporting to the Executive Director, we are looking for a Manager, Fund Development and Donor Relations to play a critical role in advancing YouthLink’s mission. In this role, you will design and deliver fundraising and donor stewardship initiatives to secure the financial support needed to sustain and grow our programs. You will be responsible for driving revenue growth across all channels, including individual giving, major gifts, corporate partnerships, private foundations, and signature fundraising events.
As our new Manager, Fund Development and Donor Relations, you will develop and execute an annual strategic fundraising plan that expands our donor base, amplifies our public profile, and builds lasting relationships with supporters. You will manage the function directly, executing the strategy hands-on while streamlining systems and guiding philanthropic activities across the organization.
This is a permanent, full-time (35 hours per week) non-bargaining unit position based onsite at YouthLink’s head office.
What’s in it for you
Impact. This is a genuine chance to align your career with a mission that truly changes lives. You will directly contribute to YouthLink’s vision of a stronger Scarborough where all youth and families thrive. By securing major gifts, building individual donor relationships, and driving event-based fundraising, you will provide the resources that directly support youth facing homelessness, mental health challenges, and systemic barriers.
Ownership. You will lead the fundraising function end-to-end, shaping strategy and personally executing plans across all donor channels. You will be empowered to think strategically and operate tactically, working independently without a supporting team while receiving fair, balanced, and results-oriented leadership. This is an opportunity to build on successes, grow the program strategically, and leave a tangible mark on the organization’s financial sustainability.
Growth. You will expand your professional expertise and influence in fundraising and donor relations while being part of a supportive, equity-driven leadership team. With exposure to diverse revenue streams and community partnerships, you will strengthen your skill set and advance your career in the nonprofit sector.
How you will make an impact:
- Fundraise. You will focus on securing major gifts, cultivating individual donors, and driving event-based contributions to generate immediate and sustainable revenue. You will also pursue opportunities with corporate partners, service clubs, grants, and foundations.
- Plan and strategize. You will collaborate with internal stakeholders to identify program and service priorities, then create and implement an annual fundraising plan aligned with organizational goals. You will define and execute a donor stewardship strategy that focuses on long-term, sustainable giving.
- Lead. You will coach, manage, and support the Social Media and Marketing Specialist, ensuring fundraising and communications efforts are aligned.
- Champion equity. You will proactively incorporate Equity, Diversity, and Belonging best practices into fundraising activities and represent YouthLink’s values in every interaction.
- Manage data and report. You will oversee database management to ensure data integrity, reconcile donor information with finance systems, and prepare accurate reports for leadership. While data management and reporting are important, the top priority is revenue generation; database tasks can be reallocated if fundraising performance exceeds expectations.
What you bring:
- The education. You have completed post-secondary education (College Diploma or Bachelor’s degree). A CFRE designation, a degree in nonprofit management, business, communications, marketing, or public relations would be considered an asset.
- The experience. You bring at least 2 years of fundraising experience with increasing responsibility, including experience working cross-culturally with community members. A background in youth mental health, healthcare, or homelessness fundraising would be beneficial.
- The fundraising expertise. You have knowledge of fundraising best practices and the philanthropic landscape in Toronto. You understand donor stewardship and can demonstrate a track record of meeting or exceeding revenue targets. You are adept at executing strategies across individual giving, major gifts, corporate partnerships, grants/foundations, and events.
- The communication skills . You are an excellent communicator, comfortable presenting to donors, corporate partners, and senior leaders. You can influence and inspire others, write compelling proposals, and adapt your communication style for diverse audiences.
- The mindset. You are results-driven, entrepreneurial, and innovative. You subscribe to the power of positive self-talk, and have the resilience to operate independently. You are passionate about YouthLink’s mission and eager to amplify our impact in the community. You thrive in fast-paced environments, are responsive to challenges, and are motivated to work independently while collaborating effectively with others.
- The technical skills. You are proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, Forms) and familiar with donor databases such as DonorPerfect—or you have the aptitude and willingness to learn quickly.
- The flexibility. You are able to work occasional evenings and weekends for events or peak fundraising periods, with reasonable accommodations for religious observances.
Compensation: $80,000 per year
Benefits
At YouthLink, we understand the nature of our work and the deep commitment every team member offers. We strive to provide a rewarding compensation and benefits package to support our people. This includes:
- Comprehensive health and dental coverage for you and your family, with 100% of the premiums fully covered.
- Annual vacation with pay at 1.66 working days for each calendar month to a maximum of 20 working days per year.
- 5 ‘authorized absence’ days for family illness or emergency circumstances that prohibit employees from reporting to work.
- 3 paid agency days every calendar year after 3 calendar months service.
- Maternity / parental /adoption leave top-up payments (to top-up Canadian government unemployment benefit payments).
- 100% premium cost for long-term disability coverage paid by employee.
- Eligibility to participate in the pension plan after 2 years of continuous service with a generous matching employer contribution.
What you can expect from our hiring process:
- A virtual interview with a Talent Advisor to discuss your interest in joining the company and in the role.
- An in-person interview with the Executive Director and a member of the Human Resources team. This is an opportunity to share your experience and knowledge and expand on your approach to fund development and growing a network to support our programs.
Apply now.
We welcome applications from candidates who reflect the communities we serve, particularly candidates from Black communities, Indigenous communities, racialized people, persons with disabilities, members of diverse gender identities and people with lived experiences.
We are seeking candidates who demonstrably operate and practice from an equity and trauma-informed lens. We encourage applications from passionate professionals who will help us dismantle systemic barriers and embrace working outside of Euro-centric practices.
If you meet 70% of the qualifications we are looking for and share 100% of our passion and commitment to supporting youth and their families, please submit your application. We can’t promise to hire you; we can promise to review your lived and learned experiences fully.
We are committed to providing equitable employment opportunities and a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. We are equally committed to providing an inclusive and accessible workplace. If you require accommodations at any stage of the interview process, please email us at accessibility@youthlink.ca
About YouthLink
Founded in 1914, YouthLink is a leader in promoting the mental health and well-being of marginalized youth in Toronto. We provide a range of services to young people in Scarborough and the wider GTA, including counselling services, youth shelter and housing, educational support through our Pathways to Education program, residential treatment, in-home family support to keep families together and prevent young people from coming into the child welfare system, parenting support, and outreach workers that go into community and schools to meet young people where they are at.
We are fully accredited and a United Way Anchor Partner.
YouthLink joins with youth, families and partners to highlight and develop strengths, aspirations and positive actions that improve the health and well-being of all who live, work, study and play in our community.