Development Officer

Reporting to the Sr. Director, Development & Government Relations, the Development Officer is responsible for identifying and qualifying prospective donors, cultivating meaningful relationships, and securing philanthropic support primarily from individuals and families. Furthermore, collaborate with the Corporate team in relationship building with churches, corporations, and association partners. Managing a portfolio of at least 150 donor relationships, this role focuses on building trust, strengthening engagement, and inspiring ongoing support for the programs and priorities of The Mustard Seed. Each year, the Development Officer will focus on increasing the average size of gifts as they steward each relationship in their portfolio. The Development Officer plays a key role in advancing fundraising goals through thoughtful stewardship, strategic outreach, and collaboration across the organization. 

Employment Type: Full time
Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm
Reporting to: Sr. Director, Development & Government Relations
City: Edmonton, AB
Number of Positions to Fill: 1
RFR #: 1927

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Build and steward meaningful relationships with High-Value donors (donors with cumulative annual giving of $2,500 or more), deepening their understanding of The Mustard Seed’s mission, values, and impact in serving people experiencing homelessness and poverty. 


• Achieve an annual fundraising revenue goal of $1M+ through strategic donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. 


• Follow strategic directions in increasing gift sizes year over year 


• Partner with the wider Development team to identify, qualify, and advance donors with potential for Major Gift engagement and long-term philanthropic investment. 


• Actively participate in The Mustard Seed’s annual signature events, including donor engagement, securing sponsorships (if needed), and on-site relationship management and support. 


• Proactively develop and maintain relationships with major donors through in-person meetings, tours, events, phone calls, and ongoing personalized communication, ensuring all donors are cared for and celebrated with a high level of intentionality.


• Participate in gift acknowledgement and stewardship activities, including timely thank-you calls, emails and handwritten notes following donations. 


• Monitor and evaluate portfolio performance, reporting on progress, outcomes, and opportunities; provide recommendations to support continuous improvement and revenue growth. 


• Utilize CRM/Salesforce (required) to manage donor records, create and analyze queries and reports, and ensure data accuracy and integrity. 


• Work collaboratively with the Donor Relations team to ensure accurate gift coding, up-to-date donor records, and seamless stewardship processes. 


• Engage and collaborate with multiple internal departments (Programs, Marketing & Communications, Finance, Donor Relations, and Corporate Development) to align fundraising strategies, donor messaging and organizational priorities. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Post-secondary degree or diploma or a combination of relevant education and experience 


• 5–7 years of experience in major gifts, fundraising, or the nonprofit sector (preferred); will also consider 5–7 years of experience in business development, sales, or relationship management with a proven focus on securing and growing long-term philanthropic or revenue partnerships 


• Demonstrated success in relationship-based fundraising or consultative sales, including prospect cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship 


• Strong passion for advancing the mission of The Mustard Seed and supporting people experiencing homelessness and poverty 


• High level of comfort with asking for support, navigating rejection, and maintaining momentum in a goal-driven, donor-facing role 


• Proven ability to build trust and cultivate meaningful, long-term relationships through phone, in-person meetings, and personalized engagement 


• Collaborative, adaptable team player with the ability to work effectively across multiple internal departments while managing an independent portfolio 


• Highly results-oriented, self-motivated, and accountable for achieving ambitious fundraising goals 


• Comfortable working with donor data, portfolio analytics, and performance reporting to guide strategy and decision-making 


• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word 


• Strong proficiency in using a CRM system to manage donor portfolios, track moves, and report on outcomes (Salesforce preferred) 


• CFRE (Certified Fund-Raising Executive) designation preferred or willingness to obtain. 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• An Employment Background Check is required for all positions at The Mustard Seed


• As The Mustard Seed is a Christian ministry, we require our employees to agree to respect and not detract from The Mustard Seed’s Employment Values during their employment at The Mustard Seed.


• Must have legal authorization to work in Canada on a full-time basis for anyone other than current employer.


• This position requires the use of a company vehicle. Candidate must have and maintain valid driver’s licence and will need to consent to a driver’s abstract request.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• The Mustard Seed offers a competitive compensation package including 100% employer paid extended health and dental benefits for staff and dependents, matching RRSP after one year of service, and wellness days.


• All The Mustard Seed employees have access to the Employee and Family Assistance Program, which provides support for maintaining a healthy work-life balance, addressing mental health concerns, and focusing on personal development in various areas.

NOTE

• Your privacy is important to us. The information we collect is used solely for consideration for employment.


• We thank all candidates for their interest, however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. The Mustard Seed reserves the right to amend job advertisements. No phone calls please.


• Please visit our careers page to see more job opportunities.