Founded in 1994, Breakfast Club of Canada is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to providing services and funding school breakfast programs. They work with partners across all sectors to support the rollout of a high-quality national school nutrition program. Together, they create a caring environment where every child has access to nutritious food, which is essential to their success and well-being.

Although the Club has grown significantly since its inception, their commitment to helping children thrive remains unchanged. Today, they help hundreds of thousands of students across the country start their day with a nutritious breakfast in an inclusive, welcoming, and caring environment.

Children’s well-being is at the heart of their mission. Their experience shows that the best way to make a lasting impact is to work closely with each school. Together, they build dynamic and enriching environments that foster a sense of belonging and support academic success.

No challenge is too great when it comes to ensuring all children have access to a nutritious breakfast. With a presence in every province and territory, they recognize the wide diversity of realities from coast to coast. Every community has its own needs; their strength lies in their ability to adapt, be flexible, and find sustainable solutions.

The Position     

Reporting to the President & CEO and serving as a member of the Management Committee, the National Director, Philanthropy is responsible for the national philanthropic development strategy, and they will be focused on growing major gifts ($10K+), planned giving, foundations, and corporate partnerships.

Philanthropy represents nearly half of the revenue for the Club. There is ambition to grow this revenue stream, and a key strategic objective of the role is to proactively and rapidly develop the Greater Toronto philanthropic market. This market has been identified as a priority area for revenue growth and the expansion of relationships with high-value donors. A GTA based National Director will ensure the organization is well positioned to grow and diversify the Club’s donor base in Ontario. This market represents a major strategic lever for the organization, and this individual will play a key role in expanding relationships with major donors and corporate partners.

The National Director is an existing position and will lead a team of approximately 14 people coast to coast who are responsible for managing and developing philanthropic activities across Canada. The Director will lead the strategic direction for fundraising initiatives and support the team in achieving national philanthropic goals.

Key Accountabilities      

Strategic Leadership and Governance

• Actively participate in the management committee and contribute to the organization’s strategic direction.
• Contribute to the evolution of the organizational strategic plan and ensure alignment with philanthropic priorities.
• Develop, in collaboration with senior management, a multi-year national major revenue development plan.

Fundraising and Revenue Development

• Develop and implement growth strategies for:
  • Major gifts from individuals
  • Planned giving
  • Corporate strategic partnerships
  • Foundations
• Work in collaboration with the Communications and Marketing team, which manages recurring individual donations and event activities, to optimize overall fundraising opportunities.
• Identify, cultivate, and solicit a portfolio of major donors and strategic partners.
• Maintain and develop relationships with existing partners by ensuring strategic management of philanthropic relationships.

National expansion and development of the Greater Toronto market

• Develop strategies aimed at growing philanthropic activities across Canada.
• Prioritize the development of philanthropic and corporate networks in key economic markets.
• Proactively and strategically develop the Greater Toronto Area by creating and mobilizing new networks of major donors, philanthropists, and corporate partners.

Financial Planning and Performance

• Develop annual fundraising plans with financial goals, budgets, and performance metrics.
• Monitor results and recommend strategic adjustments based on data analysis and philanthropic trends.
• Ensure rigorous management of donor portfolios and solicitation strategies.

Team Leadership

• Provide a clear vision, priorities, and expectations to foster a strong national team culture, while taking into account the realities, contexts, and specificities of each province.
• Inspire and mobilize a team of professionals toward a cohesive and integrated approach to philanthropy across the country, focusing on collaboration, sharing best practices, and achieving common goals.
• Help foster a performance culture focused on individual success, accountability, and pushing oneself to excel, while maintaining a strong spirit of collaboration and mutual support.

The Ideal Candidate      

• At least 10 years of progressive experience in strategic leadership, planning, and implementation of comprehensive development programs.
• Experience in fundraising and a proven track record in managing revenue from various sources, including corporate partnerships, major individual gifts, and foundation grants.
• Demonstrated team leadership experience, particularly in coaching and developing leaders, structuring a team dedicated to revenue growth, driving the team to achieve results, and fostering a culture of collaboration.
• Excellent command of English (spoken and written); fluency in French is a plus but not required.
• Excellent communication skills (spoken and written); and the ability to represent the organization effectively with a variety of stakeholders.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to influence and inspire commitment among key stakeholders, both internally and externally.
• A strategic, innovative, and creative approach to challenges and opportunities.
• Proven ability in financial resource management, including budget and report preparation.
• Experience using data to guide decision-making and maximize fundraising potential.
• Direct experience in a philanthropic organization focused on youth or food security is a plus.
• Personal commitment to upholding the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; knowledge of CRM mandatory (Salesforce is a asset)
• A university degree or equivalent work experience; Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) certification is a plus.
• Must be based in the Greater Toronto Area and work in a hybrid/remote capacity.

Benefit Summary

• Full-time permanent position
• Flexible hours
• Summer schedule
• Competitive salary
• Four weeks vacation and personal time off
• Time off on your birthday
• Group insurance plan partially paid by the employer
• Telemedicine
• Employee assistance program
• Pension plan with employer contributions
• Recognition program
• Health and wellness program
• Continuing education program