Location: Ottawa, Ontario
THE NATURAL STEP CANADA
The Natural Step Canada is a non-profit organization that helps individuals, communities, and organizations understand and take meaningful steps toward sustainability. Our office is in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and we currently have a team of 17 staff and interns.
The Natural Step Canada is part of a global network with projects in 18 countries and headquarters in Sweden. Our science-based framework for strategic sustainable development is being used internationally by hundreds of organizations including Fortune 500 companies, government departments, universities, municipalities, and small- and medium-sized businesses in their respective journeys to sustainability.
At The Natural Step, we pride ourselves on our collaborative culture and mission-focused work. We are a small, energetic, and growing organization. We seek team members who are:
• Able to collaborate and work independently
• Committed to producing the highest quality products and services
• Creative problem-solvers, focused on solutions
• Effective time managers who are able to meet deadlines and manage multiple priorities
For more information on The Natural Step please refer to our website: http://www.thenaturalstep.org/canada.
JOB DESCRIPTION
We’re looking for someone who embodies the spirit of: ‘Show me the Money!’ But of course, in a way that reflects the professional and sustainable face of our non-profit organization.
The Fundraising Coordinator will be joining The Natural Step Canada as it rapidly scales up its corporate and foundation fundraising activities. The Fundraising Coordinator’s primary function is to support our approach to relevant corporations and foundations by researching the ‘best fit,’ writing clear and compelling proposals, and supporting our business development activities. This position reports to the Director of Operations and Development.
With equal parts detective, author, artist, and hound-dog, the successful candidate will have a proven success record in fund development. In this critical role, the Fundraising Coordinator will thrive under pressure as they are involved in all parts of the organization’s fundraising and business development activities.
In addition, because The Natural Step Canada has a limited number of staff and because special circumstances may arise requiring unique activities, this position may require undertaking special initiatives, such as assisting with special events or special projects (e.g. writing articles, individual donor requests, marketing, and outreach).
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Fundraising Coordinator will work in a collaborative manner with the Director of Operations and Development, and with support from the Executive Director, and all Program Managers. He/she is expected to understand the overall program activities of The Natural Step Canada in order to develop effective fundraising proposals.
It is essential that the Fundraising Coordinator is able to manage multiple priorities effectively and complete the specific responsibilities listed below with a high degree of quality, a keen level of attention to detail, and in a timely manner.
The Fundraising Coordinator shall:
• Work with the Director of Operations and Development to implement our multi-year fundraising strategy and manage our partner donors
• Research likely corporate and foundation donors and sponsors for project-based funding and core funding
• Research sustainability facts and client-specific issues related to building a strong case for support
• Develop relationships with potential donors, as appropriate
• Write grant and sponsorship proposals
• Write grant reports
• Assist with the preparation of marketing and communications materials relevant to our partner donors
• Support The Natural Step Canada’s Program Managers in their business development activities
• Work with the Manager of Communications to ensure our supporters are recognized as per our donor recognition strategy
• Assist with other networking and communications-related activities
• Participate in and contribute to staff meetings and learning opportunities
• Assist with other duties throughout the organization
QUALIFICATIONS/KEY CAPABILITIES
This position demands an energetic and professional individual with keen research, fundraising, and networking skills.
The following skills are essential for this position:
• Complete fluency in English (written, oral, and comprehension) is essential
• 1-3 years of relevant experience in a fundraising, business development, or research-related position
• Knowledge of office software packages, CRM databases, and electronic communication tools;
• Incredibly high level of attention to detail
• Excellent written and oral communications skills
• Strong research skills
• Collaborative, creative personality, with strong problem-solving skills
• Highly motivated and able to take initiative with little supervision
• Interest in and knowledge of sustainability issues
• Ability to take initiative, manage multiple projects, and be accountable for deliverables
The following skills would be an asset for this position:
• Graduate degree from a recognized institution
• Demonstrated success in personally building, developing, and retaining strong, positive relationships with funders
• Experience writing grant proposals and grant reports
• Experience in business writing, networking, communications, and outreach
• Experience working in the non‐profit and/or sustainability sectors, or community affairs departments
• Experience using Vertical Response mailing program and/or Sales force database (or similar)
• Basic understanding of The Natural Step Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development
• French language skills
PROMOTING DIVERSITY
The Natural Step Canada is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. We actively seek to recruit people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives reflecting the full diversity of Canadian society.
TO CONTACT US
Please e-mail your cover letter and resume with the file name having the notation firstname-lastname-cl and firstname-lastname-cv to hr@naturalstep.ca. The deadline to apply for this position is April 8, 2011. Please include Fundraising Coordinator in the subject line of your e-mail, and let us know how you heard about the position.
Please do not mail or personally submit resumes, as we are a small organization and do not have the capacity to respond. To learn more about The Natural Step Canada, please visit our website at http://www.thenaturalstep.org/canada.
We thank all candidates for their interest. However, due to the volume of applications and inquiries we receive, only those selected for an interview may be contacted. Thank you.