Associate Director, Philanthropy and Partnerships Vanguard Scholars ProgramAboutBlackNorthInitiativeBlackNorthInitiative works to close gaps created by systemic anti-Black racism in Canada. By holding corporate Canada accountable through measurable commitments, we aim to driveequitablerepresentation and dismantle systemic barriersimpactingBlack Canadians.Position OverviewVanguard Scholars is a national, multi-year academic and leadership pathway supporting high-potential Black students through postsecondary education. The program includes academic enrichment, mentorship, leadership development, and a summer academy.TheAssociate Director, Philanthropy and Partnerships will lead fundraising and partnership strategy to secure multi-year philanthropic and corporate support. This role manages donor and partner relationships, develops funding materials, and ensures strong stewardship and reporting in collaboration with the Program Director and internal teams.This role suits a relationship-driven fundraiser who can translate program strategy into fundable opportunities, advance prospects through the pipeline, and deliver consistent revenue and stewardship outcomes.Reporting Reports to: Director, Vanguard Scholars Program Collaborates with: CEO, Philanthropy, Finance, Communications & Marketing, Program Operations, and external partners Focused on Vanguard revenue and stewardship, while aligning with broader fundraising systems and strategyKey ResponsibilitiesFundraising & Revenue Delivery Develop and execute annual fundraising plan with targets across foundations, corporate, and individual giving Identify, qualify, and cultivate aligned funders Create compelling funding packages tied to program outcomes Maintain a strong pipeline and track activity from prospecting to commitment Achieve annual and multi-year revenue targetsRelationship Management & Stewardship Lead donor cultivation and stewardship with a high-touch partner experience Execute structured engagement including updates, impact reporting, and events Coordinate funder engagement tied to program milestones and summer academy Support external stakeholder engagement and partnership development Manage key funder relationships (e.g., cornerstone partners) with leadershipGrant Development & Proposals Own end-to-end grant process (calendar, submissions, budgets, reporting) Develop proposals, LOIs, decks, and donor-specific narratives Coordinate cross-functional inputs to ensure accuracy and alignment Build templates to improve efficiency and consistency Track deliverables, reporting timelines, and restricted funding requirementsPartnerships & Corporate Engagement Develop corporate partnership pathways (sponsorship, mentorship, engagement) Deliver programs tied to career exposure, internships, and scholarships Manage partner benefits, recognition, and fulfillment Track commitments and ensuretimelydelivery Support negotiation and ensure agreements align with internal processesReporting & Accountability Translate program outcomes into funder-ready reporting Ensuretimelydelivery of reports and stewardship materials Support leadership briefings and Board-level updates Align reporting with program KPIs, budgets, and evaluation frameworksSystems & Operations Support scalable fundraising systems and workflowsMaintainaccurateCRM records and pipeline tracking Ensure compliance with funding requirements and reporting obligations Coordinate internal processes for proposals, approvals, and communications Support events andmaintainprofessionalism in partner interactionsSuccess in 612 Months Fundraising plan and 12-month activity calendar established Pipeline built to 3x annual revenue target Consistent prospect movement and reporting cadence New multi-year commitments secured; renewals confirmed On-time delivery of all reporting and stewardship Improved internal workflows and submission quality CRM fully up to date and reliableQualifications 5+ years fundraising experience (foundations, corporate, major gifts) Proven success securing five- and six-figure, multi-year funding Strong proposal writing and donor communications skills Excellent relationship management across senior stakeholders Strong project management and ability to manage multiple priorities High attention to detail and comfort with budgets and reporting Ability to translate strategy into clear funding narratives Alignment withBlackNorthInitiatives missionAssets Experience in Canadian philanthropic/corporate sectors Bilingualism (English/French) Experience with national programs Familiarity with education access programsLocation & Compensation Hybrid (minimum 60% in office, Downtown Toronto) Salary: CAD 100,000135,000 + bilingual bonus (if applicable)To ApplySend resume towith the role title in the subject line.Equity StatementBlackNorthInitiative welcomes applications from individuals across diverse and intersectional identities.Accommodations areavailable throughout the hiring process.
Job Title
Associate Director, Philanthropy and Partnerships – Vanguard Scholars Program