Job Title: Director, Major Gifts (Full-time, Permanent)

Location: Our office is in Toronto, Ontario, with flexible and hybrid work options available.

Reports to: Chief Development and Communications Officer

Hiring Range: $115,000 - $125,000 annually, including a comprehensive benefits plan, pension plan, 3 weeks paid vacation, increasing to 4 weeks paid vacation in your second year of employment, a December break (usually a week) to recharge, wellness days, access to an Employee Assistance Program and professional development opportunities.

Job Posting Closing Date: We encourage candidates to apply by March 11, 2026. This posting is open until filled.

About us

At the heart of Right To Food’s work is the belief that food is a basic right. We bring people together around good food so communities can thrive. With more than 450 partners across the country, we build inclusive, culturally responsive Community Food Centres, share knowledge, create health-focused programs, and advocate for equitable policy change.

At Right To Food, we work on behalf of good food for all. Our collective approach at Right To Food is founded on dignity and respect, equity and empathy. These values are core to our mission and outlined in our Good Food Principles.

Right To Food is strongly committed to equity and inclusion within its community. We welcome applications from members of racialized groups, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities.

We are committed to an equitable and inclusive selection process and work environment, and welcome candidates to speak about how their experience has demonstrated a commitment to Equity, Inclusion, Reconciliation and Anti-Oppression.

About the Position

The Director, Major Gifts is looked upon to lead and grow the organization’s major gifts program. Reporting to the Chief Development and Communications Officer, this role is responsible for the strategic cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects, with a focus on securing transformational philanthropic support that advances the organization’s mission and long-term sustainability.

The Director, Major Gifts plays a key leadership role in shaping and executing Right to Food’s major gifts strategy, working collaboratively across the Development & Communications team and with senior leadership to build strong, values-aligned donor relationships. This role requires a relationship-centred, results-driven fundraiser with demonstrated experience securing significant gifts, developing compelling cases for support, and contributing to ambitious revenue goals.

Key Responsibilities

Manage and grow a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects, with gifts of $100,000+.
Achieve annual revenue targets of $2M, with annual progression. In the first year, the role will focus primarily on stewarding and growing an existing major gifts portfolio, while laying the groundwork for expanded acquisition and long-term growth.
Build and maintain authentic relationships with major donors through personalized communication, including in-person meetings and impact reporting.
Collaborate with the leadership team to identify organizational priorities and develop compelling cases for support and proposals that connect priorities to donor interests.
Work with donors and their advisors to structure gifts using appropriate giving vehicles, including planned giving options, to meet donor philanthropic goals and organizational priorities.
Manage and refine all aspects of the major gifts program, including moves management, prospect research, and donor stewardship systems.
Coach key staff and board members to engage donors meaningfully with Right To Food's work.
Establish and track quarterly and annual fundraising metrics, presenting regular progress reports to leadership.
Develop campaign, funder, and donor reports as needed.

Values alignment

Align with Right To Food values and contribute to the evolution of our culture, and a work environment that is grounded in Equity, Courage, Relationship-focused and Integrity.

Qualifications & Skills

Required

Depth of experience typically acquired through 7+ years of leading major gifts fundraising at a senior level, including personal responsibility for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding significant gifts (including six-figure and/or transformational gifts), within complex donor environments.
Demonstrated ability to operate autonomously and exercise strategic judgment in a Director-level role, including managing sensitive relationships, financial risk, and reputational impact.
Proven success developing and executing sophisticated donor strategies, including long-term cultivation, tailored solicitation approaches, and stewardship plans aligned with organizational priorities.
Experience building and sustaining high-trust relationships with major donors, funders, or senior external stakeholders, requiring discretion, influence, and credibility.
Deep knowledge of the charitable or nonprofit sector.
Understanding of complex and blended giving approaches (e.g., multi-year commitments, planned or legacy giving, non-cash or appreciated assets), or demonstrated experience managing comparably complex financial or relational arrangements.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce high-quality proposals, donor materials, and presentations for senior or external audiences.
Experience using a CRM or fundraising database (e.g. Salesforce or equivalent) to manage portfolios, track engagement, and inform strategic decision-making.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and timelines within a high-accountability, relationship-driven environment.
Digital fluency and adaptability, with the capacity to navigate evolving tools, systems, and workflows in a fast-paced organizational context.
Clear alignment with Right To Food’s mission, values, and equity commitments, including cultural humility and an understanding of anti-racism and anti-oppression principles.
Experience leading, mentoring, or coaching staff, or holding accountability for team performance, capacity-building, or professional development.
Demonstrated commitment to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and reconciliation, through professional practice, leadership approach, community engagement, lived experience, and/or continuous learning.

Preferred:

CFRE designation or equivalent depth of professional development, demonstrating sustained commitment to fundraising leadership practice.
Experience working in or with mission-driven organizations (i.e. community-based social service, health and housing)
Familiarity with food justice, food security, income justice, or related equity-focused fields.
Advanced experience with planned or legacy giving, or responsibility for similarly complex long-term financial strategies.
Established or emerging networks within the Canadian philanthropic community, developed through sustained senior-level relationship work.
Experience working within matrixed or cross-functional organizations, balancing strategic leadership with operational execution.
Comfort using collaborative digital tools (e.g., Google Workspace, project management platforms), with interest in improving systems and processes.

You don’t think you meet all the criteria? Still apply. Research shows that women and people from equity deserving groups, often do not apply until all the boxes are ticked.

Why work for us?

We offer:

➔ Comprehensive benefits package including extended health, dental, life insurance, short and long-term disability insurance, membership in a defined benefit pension plan, 15 paid vacation days in your first year, increasing to 20 paid vacation days in your second year of employment, a December break (usually a week) to recharge, wellness days, access to an Employee Assistance Program and professional development opportunities.

➔ a culture of mutual support where staff are committed to creating an equitable and inclusive Canada.

➔ an opportunity to be part of a movement building health, belonging and social justice in marginalized neighbourhoods across Canada through the power of food.

How to apply:

To apply, please click here. Please attach your resume and cover letter. In your cover letter, please share what you think makes you an ideal candidate for this role. Only those applicants being considered will be contacted. If you require any accommodations or technical support, please email work@righttofood.ca (please do not email your application to this email). Thank you for your interest in Right To Food.

Right To Food

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Director, Major Gifts (Full-time, Permanent)