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Job Title


Director, Philanthropy


Company : United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex County


Location : Windsor, Ontario


Created : 2026-01-22


Job Type : Full Time


Job Description

Salary Range: $72,000 $85,000 annually At United Way Centraide Windsor-Essex Chatham-Kent, we are reimagining what it means to serve our community in the digital age. While our promise to support children and families from cradle to career remains steadfast, we are driving change through innovation modernizing our systems, harnessing data to deepen our impact, and exploring new and sustainable ways to fund our mission. Every role in our organization plays a part in this transformation toward a smarter, more sustainable future for our community. POSITION SUMMARY The Director, Philanthropy, is a results-driven leader responsible for shaping and executing a high-performing resource development strategy aligned with the organizations strategic plan. The role focuses on achieving revenue goals through the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors and prospects, as well as strategic management of a diversified donor portfolio. This position builds and grows relationships with corporate, labour, foundation, and individual partners to drive sustainable revenue growth, improve donor retention and acquisition, and expand philanthropic investment across multiple channels. The Director identifies and develops major gift opportunities and cultivates leadership contributors through workplace campaigns, community initiatives, signature fundraising events, and other engagement opportunities. FUNCTIONS 30 % Develop and implement comprehensive giving strategies for retention, growth and acquisition across key streams: Women United, leadership donors, major gifts and grants 25 % Lead on high-value cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities with corporate and labour partners, foundations and individuals 20 % Develop and manage a dynamic pipeline of prospective donors and partners, with a focus on strategic alignment and mutual impact 15 % Supervise a small team providing regular interaction to ensure effective progress towards outcomes & targets, engage in active team building and skill development efforts and provide day-to-day and formal annual performance reviews for all direct reports 10 % Support cross functional collaboration across all departments and Coordinate with VP Development CORE COMPETENCIES & DUTIES Core Competencies Mission Steward: Aligns all actions with United Ways mission to create lasting change and actively promotes a culture of philanthropy that fuels community impact. Community Collaborator: Fosters inclusive, trust-based partnerships that elevate community voice, drive collective action, and inspire philanthropic engagement. Values Champion: Embraces and models United Ways values of equity, innovation, compassion, and accountability, while cultivating a values-driven culture of giving. Executive Functioning: Demonstrates strategic thinking, prioritization, and strong organizational execution to deliver results and advance a high-performing philanthropic environment. Duties Develop and implement a comprehensive major and leadership giving strategy focused on acquisition, growth and retention, that aligns with the organizations strategic priorities and the Development and Brand Experience Departments plan, and revenue goals. Establish annual and multi-year fundraising targets, forecasts, and performance metrics; monitor progress and adjust strategies as needed. Analyze fundraising data and trends to inform decision-making and drive continuous improvement. Donor Relationship Management, Major & Leadership Giving and Women United Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a diversified portfolio of individual, corporate/labour, and foundation donors with a strong emphasis on major giving, leadership giving and, Women United. Design and implement donor journeys for assigned donor portfolios to retain, grow their gift or acquire new donors. Actively listen to donor interests and philanthropic priorities, aligning them with impact opportunities and identifying opportunities to cross-sell, upgrade giving, and grow new revenue streams. Inspire donors to action by applying sound judgment to make appropriate, timely asks and secure financial commitments. Design and deliver compelling presentations, proposals, and cases for support to diverse audiences. Stewardship & Donor Experience Review and update annual stewardship framework to ensure it supports our recognition, engagement and accountability goals effectively and efficiently. Ensure timely, meaningful, and personalized donor recognition and stewardship activities across the organization. Maintain high standards of donor care and ethical fundraising practices. Systems, Compliance & Reporting Ensure accurate donor data management, reporting, and forecasting using CRM and fundraising systems. Ensure compliance with organizational policies, United Way standards, and applicable fundraising regulations. Prepare regular reports and updates for senior leadership and the board of directors on fundraising performance and trends. Perform other duties as assigned or as required to support the goals and evolving needs of the organization. Technical Skills Salesforce or comparable CRM systems for donor relationship management, portfolio tracking, and campaign performance analysis. Microsoft Excel, including advanced functions such as pivot tables, formulas, and data visualization tools for reporting and forecasting. Microsoft PowerPoint and other presentation tools to create persuasive donor proposals and internal strategy decks. Cloud-based collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams, and SharePoint to manage projects, share information, and coordinate with cross-functional teams. Familiarity with AI-enabled tools (e.g., predictive analytics, content generation, donor segmentation, or workflow automation) to enhance fundraising strategy, efficiency, and personalization. Comfortable using data and digital tools to inform strategy, enhance donor experience, and support a high-performing development function. EDUCATION A university degree is required; a CFRE designation or relevant fundraising certification is an asset. Additional coursework or certification in nonprofit leadership, data or fundraising analytics is considered an asset. EXPERIENCE Minimum of 5 years progressive experience in fund development, major gifts, or donor engagement, with a proven track record of cultivating and securing philanthropic support. Demonstrated experience in relationship-based roles (e.g., donor relations, customer engagement, corporate partnerships) and leading high-performing teams. Exceptionally strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and inspire action across diverse stakeholders. Proven ability to lead and motivate a diverse team across multiple functions, providing coaching, feedback, and accountability toward shared outcomes. Effective project management skills, including the ability to prioritize competing deadlines, manage complexity, and adapt to change. Proficient in developing, implementing, and improving systems, standards of operation, and data-informed fundraising practices. WORKING CONDITIONS & BENEFITS This is a permanent, full-time position (35 hours per week) based in Windsor, Ontario. The role functions as an internal leadership position with significant interaction and in-person meetings with donors, community stakeholders, and partners. A hybrid work model is offered; the successful candidate will have the flexibility to work remotely when not attending external meetings or events. Evening and occasional weekend hours may be required to support organizational events and community engagement opportunities within Windsor-Essex, Chatham-Kent. Travel & Transportation Requirements: This role requires regular travel throughout the community, including locations not accessible by public transit. A valid G-class drivers license and reliable access to a vehicle during and outside of regular working hours are essential. Mileage is reimbursed in accordance with the UWWECK Mileage Reimbursement Policy. If you require accommodations related to transportation or licensing, we encourage you to contact us to discuss potential arrangements. At United Way Centraide Windsor-Essex Chatham-Kent, we are committed to supporting the well-being and success of our team. We offer a comprehensive and people-centered benefits package that includes: Health & Dental Benefits access to comprehensive medical, dental, and health coverage following a successful probationary period. Group Pension Plan start building long-term financial security with Group Pension Plan after one year of employment. Generous Paid Time Off including vacation entitlement, paid sick days, and Family Responsibility days supporting work-life balance and wellness. Employee Assistance Program (EAP) confidential support and resources to help navigate personal, family, or work-related challenges. APPLICATION & ACCOMMODATION PROCESS If you have the above-mentioned qualifications, please submit your resume and cover letter by 4pm, January 19, 2026, [email protected]. however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. United Way recognizes that a diverse team strengthens our impact. We encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, racialized individuals, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+ candidates, and those with lived experiences relevant to our mission. If you require accommodations at any stage of the hiring process, please contact us at [email protected] to ensure an inclusive recruitment experience. #J-18808-Ljbffr