The AVP, Philanthropy is responsible for driving revenue generation and growth from principal, major, planned and mid-level gift programs. This includes developing and implementing moves management strategies to strengthen relationships with donors for increased engagement resulting in leadership, transformative, and multi-year major gift commitments.
The AVP manages a personal portfolio of principal and major gift donors and prospects, and supports the CEO, Chief Development Officer, and senior volunteers in their cultivation, solicitation and stewardship efforts of major donors.
The AVP leads a high-performing team and ensures that the team’s goals align with the overall goals of the Foundation, that cohesive fundraising plans are developed and that all philanthropic activity meets the highest ethical, fiscal, and legal standards.
Key duties and responsibilities
Leadership, strategy & planning - 20%
- Work with the CEO and the Chief Development Officer to develop strategies and plans for principal, major, planned and mid-level giving to support the Foundation’s goals for revenue growth.
- Work with senior leadership to ensure the Philanthropy team has an up-to-date understanding of hospital needs and capacity to meet donor requests.
- Collaborate as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, aligning strategies and plans across the department and with Marketing, Communications and Community Engagement to ensure a shared approach to donor engagement.
- Promote a culture of philanthropy throughout Mackenzie Health, building awareness with internal partners and cultivating support for donor engagement.
- Work with the CDO to manage budget development and establish, monitor and report on key performance indicators to track and report on progress.
- Act as an ambassador for Mackenzie Health Foundation in the community, including attending community events to identify and cultivate relationships with donors and prospective donors.
- Provide strategic guidance and support to colleagues and volunteers to enhance donor solicitation, engagement and fundraising effectiveness.
- Stay informed on trends and best practices, integrating new approaches to advance innovation and strengthen overall fundraising results.
- Ensure compliance with ethical, fiscal, and legal standards in fundraising practices.
Fundraising and donor relations - 55%
- Establish and help drive attainment of annual revenue goals for the philanthropy team, and support senior leadership in achieving their assigned fundraising objectives.
- Build, monitor, and strengthen the department’s donor pipeline, supporting the CEO, Chief Development Officer, and senior volunteers in cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding principal and major gift donors.
- Manage a personal portfolio of six-figure and above major gift donors and prospects, ensuring effective cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
- Collaborate internally to develop communications materials and assets to support donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and recognition.
- Work closely with stewardship and community engagement colleagues to design and implement a donor cultivation and stewardship framework that strengthens the prospect pipeline.
- Draft gift agreements aligned with proposals and ensure fulfillment of stewardship and recognition commitments.
- Track and report on fundraising performance and progress towards personal and team targets across the major and mid-level giving portfolios.
- Work with the finance team to prepare financial reports and analysis of donor trends.
- Leverage Raiser’s Edge donor database to effectively track, evaluate and report on fundraising activities.
- Monitor program revenues and expenses to ensure alignment with budgetary targets.
Team leadership & capacity building - 20%
- Build and lead a high-performing team, providing leadership and guidance focused on major, planned and mid-level giving.
- Work with team members to set individual targets and KPIs that encourage growth and manage individual performance toward achieving individual and team goals.
- Assess current team resources and build out necessary support for coaching and fostering a high-performing culture.
- Work in collaboration with the CEO and Chief Development Officer to support Board members and other senior volunteers to meet fundraising goals.
- Extend the culture of philanthropy by developing relationships with hospital colleagues (leadership, physicians, and staff), integrating these key partners into the overall fundraising strategy and by fostering grateful patient and other prospect identification.
Data, reporting, and administration - 5%
- Maintain accurate and timely records in Raiser’s Edge, including data hygiene, activity logging, and documentation.
- Support revenue forecasting, budget tracking, and basic expense processing for assigned activities, in alignment with privacy and compliance requirements
Skills and experience
Required
- A university degree/diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution.
- Ten (10) years progressive experience in a major gift setting, preferably with campaign experience in a healthcare environment.
- Direct experience in soliciting gifts of $1M or more required.
- Leadership experience in revenue generation roles, with proven success in developing and executing major gift fundraising programs, preferably in a healthcare or academic environment.
- Proven track record in all aspects of revenue development, including pipeline development, solicitation and management of gifts at the six- and seven-figure level and above.
- Strong ability to build and sustain trusting relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
- History of building, leading and retaining high-performing teams through effective recruitment, coaching, management, and staff motivation.
- Demonstrated success engaging with senior volunteers and non-fundraising staff to advance philanthropic goals.
- Experience building fundraising infrastructure, including policies, processes, and KPIs contributing to revenue growth.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, including excellent presentation skills.
- Proficiency in constituent relationship management (CRM) tools and software.
- A valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle
Preferred/assets
- Experience with Raiser’s Edge.
- Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) designation is considered an asset.
Competencies
- Strategic leadership: Anticipates trends, develops long-term strategies, and ensures alignment with Foundation priorities.
- Cross-functional collaboration: Works effectively across teams and departments to achieve shared goals and deliver on commitments.
- Operational excellence: Champions process improvement, data-driven decision-making, and compliance.
- Builder mindset: Brings entrepreneurial energy and vision to create, scale, and strengthen fundraising programs and donor pipelines.
- Donor centricity: Prioritizes authentic relationships, ensuring that donors feel valued, inspired, and connected to impact.
- Influence and persuasion: Inspires action and commitment by engaging others with clarity, credibility, and confidence.
- Adaptability and resilience: Works effectively in a changing, fast-paced environment.
- Integrity and professionalism: Demonstrates high ethical standards and behaviour consistent with Foundation values of Excellence, Leadership, and Integrity.
- Equity and inclusion: Demonstrates cultural awareness and sensitivity, championing inclusivity, diversity, equity, and accessibility in all aspects of work.
- Sound judgment: Applies critical thinking and problem-solving skills to make balanced, well-informed decisions.
- Insight and innovation: Introduces creative solutions to advance organizational priorities.
Work environment
- Hybrid work arrangement with flexibility to work on-site and remotely, in line with Foundation policy.
- Occasional evening or weekend work may be required to support Foundation activities.
- Staff may be required to work at the Foundation office or hospital sites within York Region.
Compensation and benefits
- Placement on the Foundation’s salary grid, commensurate with experience.
- Comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, retirement plan, and HOOPP pension participation.
- Vacation entitlement and other leave provisions in line with Foundation policy.
