About Us

The BC Centre for Ability (BCCFA) provides community-based services to enhance the quality of life for children, youth, and adults with disabilities, and their families, in ways that foster inclusion in all aspects of life. Our belief that that every person is born with the ability to succeed in life, on their own terms has enabled us to serve children, youth, and adults with disabilities, and their families, since 1969, when we were first established as the BC Neurological Association.

In 2024 BCCFA was selected as the lead agency to implement a Foundry centre in Burnaby. Foundry centres increase access to health and wellness resources for young people between the ages of 12 and 24, along with their families and caregivers. Foundry centres around B.C. help young people access five core services in one convenient location: mental health care, substance use services, physical and sexual health care, youth and family peer supports and social services. BCCFA serves as a perfect complimentary piece to the Foundry model of care, given its work with clients with a variety of developmental and physical disabilities. Many of these young people also experience mental health and wellness challenges. Foundry Burnaby will provide much needed support to these young people and many others in the community.

About the Development and Communications Department

BC Centre for Ability’s Development and Communications department leads the development and implementation of effective fundraising and communication strategies and programs that support the Centre’s overall strategic goals and current and long-term needs – with Foundry as a top priority. It builds strong, collaborative relationships internally across the organization and externally with current and prospective donors, community and industry partners, and key stakeholders. The department ensures that the organization’s communications programs develop, support, enhance and connect BC Centre for Ability’s brand to employees, interest holders and collaborators, and the community at-large.

About the Opportunity

We are searching for a talented and professional Senior Development Officer (SDO) to join our dynamic Development and Communications team. Reporting to the Director of Development and Communications, the SDO works in partnership with the Operational Leadership Team to facilitate maximum private and public sector support; develops and implements comprehensive and complex plans for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewardingmajor gift prospects and donors and develops and manages a portfolio of major gift prospects and meets potential prospects on a one-on one basis.

The SDO will ensure appropriate donor recognition, acknowledgement and stewardship programs are in place and oversees the generation of donor/prospect solicitation materials and correspondence and will have some administrative responsibilities.

Your duties will be diverse and multi-faceted, therefore excellent professional skills are vital for this role. The successful candidate will be passionate about people, and personal values will align with the vision, mission, and values that BC Centre for Ability holds at its foundations. You will have strong major gifts fundraising skills, enjoy contributing to and developing our prospect and donor pipeline, and will have a can-do attitude! You must possess superb written and verbal communication skills - special consideration will be given to those who have experience working within a non-profit environment; and possess a strong knowledge of relationship-based fundraising, major gifts, donor relations and moving donors from annual level giving to mid-level and major gift level giving.

The Senior Development Officer (SDO) is a key member of BC Centre for Ability’s Development and Communications team, responsible for generating strategic prospect contact at the major gift level and contribute to raising an average $1 million annually. To do this, the SDO will manage 75-150 prospects, and make 20-25 solicitations annually.

Responsibilities

The ideal candidate is an experienced fundraiser with a proven track record in major gift programs, relationship management, and revenue generation. They will have a strong understanding of health, disability, or related fundraising fields and demonstrate exceptional interpersonal, communication, and project management skills.

Develop, implement, and manage a robust donor pipeline to support fundraising initiatives, with a focus on major gifts ($15,000+).
Cultivate, solicit, and steward relationships with 75-150 major gift prospects, conducting 100-150 face-to-face meetings annually.
Work closely with the Operational Leadership Team and Board of Directors to secure private and public sector funding, including a specific annual goal for the capital campaign supporting Foundry Burnaby.
Create and execute comprehensive strategies for identifying, cultivating, and soliciting major donors, with 20-25 solicitations annually.
Prepare proposals and donor materials to generate gifts for priority projects.
Ensure timely donor recognition, acknowledgment, and stewardship.
Oversee and support various fundraising efforts, including annual giving, mid-to-major gift giving, donor relations, special events, foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, and planned giving.
Stay informed on philanthropy trends and apply best practices to fundraising strategies.
Manage competing priorities while meeting deadlines with persistence and initiative.
Travel locally for donor meetings as needed.
Perform other related duties as required.

The Qualifications and Skills you Bring

Minimum 5 years of experience in fundraising.
A post-secondary degree in social sciences, business, marketing, communications, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
Strong writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
High-level creativity with analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint; experience with Keela fundraising platform is an asset.
Knowledge of fundraising ethics, best practices, and philanthropy trends.
Strong public speaking skills are an asset.
Physically capable of performing the role’s duties.
Class 5 Drivers License or above.

Benefits & Perks:

Our workplace culture embraces Hope, Kindness, Collaboration, Innovation and Family. We offer meaningful benefits and perks that make a difference for you and your family. Here are some of them.

Extended Health and Dental plan
Municipal Pension Plan
Collaborative team environment
Learning and development opportunities
Free Onsite Parking
Flexible working hours
Remote working
Workplace wellness programs
Paid Sick leave

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Senior Development Officer

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