POSITION DESCRIPTION
Title: ADVANCEMENT AND DONOR SERVICES OFFICER
Status: 1.0 FTE
Term: Permanent
Start Date: August 21, 2023
Reports to: Director of Advancement
Preamble:
Vancouver College’s legacy is a testament to the generous support from generations of families, alumni, staff, and friends since the day it opened in 1922. Everything we have is a reflection of the generosity of those who came before us.
Vancouver College’s first Capital Campaign in the early 1920’s (led by Brother Lannon and Father O’Boyle) was for the construction of a new school on the present site in Shaughnessy. Since that time, several more Capital Campaigns have followed, along with annual fundraising campaigns in between, all serving to illustrate the Vancouver College community’s rich heritage of giving. Most recently, Vancouver College focused on a campus renewal project prompted by seismic challenges and ageing buildings. The $43 million project was funded by the Our Next Century Campaign that raised $40 Million from July 2014 to June 2021. The campaign’s success led to the construction of Manrell Hall in 2018, followed by the new Lannon Hall and Blessed Edmund Rice Chapel in 2020.
Since the Our Next Century Campaign, Vancouver College continues to raise funds through an Annual Giving Program that supports the Financial Assistance Program, educational resources, and the school’s emergent needs as determined by the Senior Leadership Team. It is anticipated that another campaign will soon be launched to fund improvements for the school music program. The endeavour may involve a complete renovation of the current site or construction of a new structure on a site within the campus. A decision in this regard will be made by the Board of Directors by January 2024.
On behalf of the Vancouver College and the VC Millennium Foundation, the Advancement Office leads and coordinates all fundraising initiatives in conjunction with the Vancouver College Alumni Association and Vancouver College Parents Association in furtherance of our shared goals.
VC’s Advancement Office is seeking a dynamic team member to serve in role of Advancement and Donor
Services Officer whose primary responsibilities include:
- Ensuring the effective development and management of information on prospective donors and current donors to ensure accuracy in database management, receipting (CRA compliance), reporting, stewardship, prospect research and other functions.
- Managing and implementing all aspects of Vancouver College’s integrated direct response program.
- Overseeing advancement-initiated activities and events.
Donor Services
- Provide database management support in all aspects of Advancement including data entry/import following data integrity guidelines, segmentation, and analytics using Raiser’s Edge.
- Prepare records relative to the collection and processing of gifts and all donor records at the direction of the Director of Advancement.
- Perform queries on the database, generate lists for various purposes, and compile reports.
- Manage follow-up of pledges, recurring monthly giving, and coordinate/reconcile with the Business Office.
- Coordinate the interface between Raiser’s Edge, Online Express and the Business Office’s Quickbooks.
- Generate charitable tax receipts and ensure CRA compliance.
- Analyze and report on the results of solicitations and campaigns.
- Prepare and create donation forms on Online Express.
Advancement Services:
- Organize/coordinate/attend Advancement events.
- Take a leadership role with the stewardship program and materials preparation including thank you letters and donor gifts.
- Work with Director of Advancement/Assoc. Director of Advancement on recognition opportunities including design of donor plaques.
- Review new prospects to ensure the ongoing development, expansion, and renewal of the prospect base, to which the school will turn for current and future support.
- Prepare detailed and up-to-date research briefings on prospects for solicitors as needed.
Other:
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Advancement.
Education/Experience
- Familiarity with and commitment to the Mission of Vancouver College and/or comfort working in a Catholic, faith-based environment.
- Strong data management skills utilizing fundraising database software, preferably Raiser’s Edge and knowledge of Online Express and NXT an asset.
- Demonstrated accuracy and keen attention to detail.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs (mail merge and spreadsheets) and experience with web-based applications and payment services.
- Track record in effective constituent segmentation and in integrating annual giving into an overall advancement program.
- Experience working with sensitive information and ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
- Post-secondary degree or diploma and a minimum of three years’ experience in advancement/development/outside sales, preferably in data management and/or annual fund work or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
Skills/Abilities
- Strong interpersonal skills to relate to donors, volunteers, and colleagues.
- Self-motivated (a “self-starter”); innovative and ability to work with independence within the context of a team environment.
- Flexible in approaching complex situations and relationships.
- Results-oriented and goal-driven.
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Strong analytical skills, including the ability to interpret and manage data.
- Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and priori\\es, giving careful attention to detail.
- Second language proficiency in Mandarin would be an asset.
Interested and qualified candidates are invited to forward a letter of application and résumé by Friday, 11th of August 2023, to Ronith Cogswell, Director of Advancement, at [email protected]. Please include the job title in the subject line of your email.