Development Manager, Grants & Foundations

• Contract Type/Term: Full-time, Indefinite
• Start Date: September 8 - 26, 2025
• Hours of Work/Schedule: 35 hours/week
• Available Positions: 1
• Job Location(s): Toronto-based. Hybrid model with occasional in-office work (71 Regent Park Boulevard) and remote work as applicable.
• Reports to: CEO
• Salary: The starting salary for this position is set at $70,000 per year, with opportunities for growth based on performance and organizational advancement.

• 35 paid days off in your first year, including: 13 vacation days (exceeds ESA minimums), 10 personal emergency/sick days, 2 weeks paid office closure days over the winter holidays (end of December to start of January), and 2 additional paid office closure days
• Flexible work options, including a hybrid work model
• Extended health and dental coverage
• Flexible savings options, with employer-matching contributions to your choice of GRRSP, TFSA, or FHSA after 1 year of employment.
• Flexible Fridays year-round
• Tech package, including access to essential accessories
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offered through Support & Growth

• Identify, research, and qualify prospective foundation funders using prospecting tools, criteria and funding databases
• Maintain a robust pipeline of qualified prospects and track movement through cultivation and solicitation stages
• Build customized cultivation and solicitation strategies for donors based on alignment with our mission and initiatives
• Coordinate internal meetings and outreach to engage foundation stakeholders at key touchpoints

• Lead the development and submission of high-quality grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and supporting materials
• Collaborate with program, research, evaluation, programs and finance teams to develop clear and compelling narratives, budgets, and impact metrics
• Work with finance, program, and research teams to develop aligned budgets, logic models, and performance metrics
• Ensure all submissions are tailored to funder guidelines and aligned with internal goals and capacity
• Monitor and track all proposal and reporting deadlines, and prepare timely and accurate funder reports
• Support and coordinate the drafting of interim and final reports by gathering data and updates from internal teams and ensuring narrative consistency and funder alignment

• Support cross-functional donor strategy by contributing research, proposals, and impact narratives that complement efforts led by the development team
• Coordinate with senior fundraisers to ensure foundations and philanthropic donors receive integrated communications and stewardship touchpoints
• Track and inform cross-team opportunities where major donors may have affiliated foundations or related giving vehicles
• Develop and implement cultivation and stewardship plans, including personalized communications and impact updates
• Coordinate donor briefings, proposal presentations, and event follow-ups with senior leadership
• Work cross-functionally to ensure consistent messaging, tracking, and donor experience

• Maintain accurate donor and funder records in the CRM
• Collaborate with the Fundraising Operations Specialist to support data entry, reporting, and donor acknowledgment processes
• Maintain a proposal calendar and coordinate internal timelines and approvals
• Prepare funder briefings, grant-related communications, and stewardship updates in collaboration with the Development team
• Contribute to fundraising planning, campaign strategy, and impact storytelling alongside the broader development team
• Partner with programs, research, and finance teams to align funding proposals with internal capacity and community priorities
• Assess fundraising performance data (e.g., grant success rates, funder engagement, reporting impact) to refine strategies, strengthen funder relationships, and inform future planning
• Stay informed on sector trends and shifts in philanthropic giving, particularly within STEM education, youth development, and equity-based funding

• Post-secondary education in communications, nonprofit management, public policy, or a related field or equivalent professional experience
• Ongoing learning and interest in trends in equity-informed philanthropy, fundraising, and education equity

• 3–5+ years of experience in grant writing, foundation fundraising, or major gifts strategy
• Proven track record of securing 5–6 figure foundation grants
• Strong written communication and analytical skills with experience tailoring messaging to funder priorities.
• Proven success identifying prospects and securing funding from institutional funders, especially private foundations
• Strong research and prospecting capabilities, with knowledge of Canadian philanthropic tools and databases such as Grant Connect and CharityCAN.
• Experience coordinating multi-stakeholder projects, with the ability to synthesize complex information from program, finance, and leadership teams.
• Hands-on experience with CRM platforms, including Salesforce and Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge, with a strong understanding of donor management best practices, pipeline tracking, and reporting functions.

• Exceptional writing, editing, and persuasive communication skills tailored to funders and donors
• Strategic thinking and ability to align funder interests with organizational goals
• Strong relationship management skills, with an ability to communicate professionally with donors, funders, and partners
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and workstreams
• Comfort working in fast-paced, collaborative environments with shifting priorities
• Comfort using tools like Google Suite, fundraising CRMs (e.g., Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge), and prospecting platforms (e.g., Grant Connect, CharityCAN)

• Experience working in youth development, STEM, or education-focused organizations
• Experience with government grants and corporate philanthropic programs
• Lived experience in underserved communities and/or deep understanding of equity-centered fundraising
• Knowledge of logic models, theory of change frameworks, and impact measurement tools

• Resume
• Statement of Interest (max. 1 page)
• 2-3 Professional References (references will only be contacted at a later stage in the hiring process, and only after informing candidates in advance)

Visions of Science Network for Learning