Director of Donor Relations

Our ideal Donor Relations Manager is a highly relational, mission‐aligned individual who can strengthen and grow our mid‐level donor base through strategic fundraising and thoughtful donor stewardship, while also cultivating new relationships across churches, volunteers, and community partners. This role is well‐suited for a natural network builder and fundraiser - someone who thrives in outreach and mission‐focused environments, enjoys connecting with people, and can confidently represent our mission in public settings.

Hope Story is seeking a highly relational, mission‑aligned Donor Relations Manager to strengthen and grow our mid‑level donor base while cultivating new relationships across churches, volunteers, and community partners. This role is ideal for a network‑builder who thrives in outreach environments, loves connecting with people, and can confidently represent our mission in public settings.

ABOUT HOPE STORY

Hope Story is a mission-driven organization founded in 1998 with a vision to serve orphans and vulnerable children. We partner with local churches in Burkina Faso, Canada (Thunder Bay), Colombia, Kenya, Lebanon, Tanzania, and Zambia, empowering them as they respond to Jesus’ call to serve the poor in their own communities. Through these locally led ministries, we help provide vulnerable children with access to education, healthcare, and discipleship. Our headquarters is in Cambridge, Ontario, and we engage donors from across Canada to support this fulfilling work.

DIRECTOR OF DONOR RELATIONS: KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Core (Must-Have) Responsibilities

• Mid-Level Donor Cultivation
  • Manage and grow a portfolio of mid-level donors through personalized engagement, stewardship, calls, visits, and meetings.
  • Develop and lead Hope Story’s Champions of Hope monthly donor program.
  • Identify donor upgrade opportunities by analyzing donor data and conducting tailored outreach.
• Networking & Community Engagement
  • Build and expand pipelines for donor and volunteer leads through community and relational networks.
  • Represent Hope Story at community events, churches, and partner gatherings to strengthen visibility and relationships.
  • Build strong relationships with pastors, ministry leaders, and Christian community influencers.
• Public Speaking
  • Confidently speak at churches, ministry events, small groups, and partner venues to deliver mission presentations, impact updates, and appeals.
  • Support or coordinate cross-department fundraising activities including communications planning, donor journeys, event support, and annual campaigns.
  • Leverage or build networks within churches, Christian schools, and faith-based organizations, creating tailored engagement strategies.

Additional (Nice-to-Have) Responsibilities

• Fundraising Coordination
  • Support or coordinate cross‑departmental fundraising efforts, including:
  • Communications planning
  • Donor journeys and touchpoints
  • Event support or light event leadership
  • Annual campaign participation
• Church and Christian School Networks
  • Leverage existing or develop new networks within:
  • Churches
  • Christian schools
  • Faith-based organizations
  • Craft tailored engagement strategies for these audiences.
• Grant Writing
  • Assist with or manage grant research, writing, reporting, and relationship‑building with foundations (as capacity allows).
• Vision Trip / Vision Team Leadership
  • Occasionally lead or help facilitate vision trips, donor tours, or team experiences tied to organizational mission.
• CRM/Data Management
  • Use CRM tools to track donor interactions, document next steps, run reports, and support donor segmentation efforts.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Post-secondary education in Communications, Business, International Relations, Public Relations, Sociology, Nonprofit/Fundraising studies, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in mid-level donor relations, development, advancement, or comparable fundraising work.
• Strong networking abilities and demonstrated skill in building and maintaining relationships.
• Proven ability to generate and cultivate donor and volunteer leads.
• Confident public communicator, particularly in faith based-based or church settings.
• Demonstrated alignment with Christian mission, values, and community engagement practices.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong follow-through and interpersonal effectiveness.
• Documented success in securing charitable gifts from individuals, foundations, and/or corporations.

Preferred

• Experience supporting or coordinating fundraising campaigns, donor communications, and events.
• Existing relationships with, or experience working within, church networks and/or Christian school communities.
• Grant writing experience, including research, proposal drafting, reporting, and foundation communication.
• Proficiency with donor CRM systems (e.g., Neon, Salesforce, Bloomerang, Raiser’s Edge).
• Ability to lead or assist with occasional donor trips or vision experiences.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Warm, approachable, and highly relational in all interactions.
• Proactive network‐builder who enjoys initiating and nurturing connections.
• Organized and detail‐oriented, with strong follow‐through on commitments.
• Comfortable working in ministry‐adjacent or faith‐based environments.
• Self‐motivated and thrives with autonomy, responsibility, and ownership.
• Able to represent the mission with authenticity, clarity, and confidence.

COMPENSATION

• Annual Salary Range: 77,000 – 95,000 CAD
• Contract Type: Full-time, permanent position (40 hours per week)
• Location: Cambridge (Hybrid 3 days in-person per week)
• Direct Report: Executive Director
• Supervision: Donor Relations Team
• Job closing date: Open until filled (candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible)
• Proposed start date: June/July 2026
• Job Posting is for a vacant position.

BENEFITS

Group health benefits (dental services, prescription drugs, vision care, other professional services such as physiotherapy and massage therapy); effective upon successful completion of 3 months probationary period. Paid vacation up to 3 weeks in the calendar year (pro-rated), sick leave, urgent care day, flex time, and professional development support.

* Vocare Union is the search team supporting the board of directors