About IDRF

We believe in the power of action. We believe that even when the smallest acts of generosity are done with sincerity and compassion, they can have an impact that ripples into the future, causing great change and igniting hope in the lives of those touched by it. At IDRF, we know that the typical way of providing aid has evolved, and we’re committed to grown along with it. We believe in the power of collaborative action that puts vulnerable people’s rights in the front and center of all of our programs. Since 1984, IDRF has implemented relief and development projects across territories in South and Southeast Asia, Africa, the Americas, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

IDRF believes that the best way to approach community development is to partner with local experts, international NGOs, and grassroots organizations, and to leverage our community’s resources to ensure maximum impact. Our projects are initiated by our local partners who understand the challenges and opportunities of the particular context in which they live and work. We focus on addressing people’s vulnerability before, during and after a crisis. IDRF looks for ways to address immediate needs and ensure long-term investments are made to tackle poverty and inequality. It’s about ensuring both relief and development work together to ensure vulnerable people’s rights are at the center, and a localized approach is achieved throughout our programs.

The Opportunity

The Impact & Stewardship Officer will be a key member of the Impact team and will join a dedicated group of energetic professionals working to position IDRF for future growth and success as a leader in the international development and humanitarian space. This person will help to build on the culture of gratitude, inspiration and accountability that we have at IDRF. Working closely with Senior Development professionals, Events, Communications, and Program staff — the Stewardship & Engagement Officer, Principal Gifts is expected to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individuals in support of IDRF’s national and international agenda. The incumbent will develop and manage a system that provides consistent baseline recognition/stewardship and is also responsive to changing needs of the organization and our supporters by creating tailored strategies for the department.

Reporting to the Director, Giving & Impact — the successful incumbent will be the primary contact for a large portfolio of principle gifts and will be responsible for initiating and creating meaningful engagements throughout the duration of gift and beyond. The role will proactively engage and create unique opportunities with various types of donors that include individuals, corporations, foundations, employees, alumni, etc., to foster a positive experience that will influence giving behavior.

Diversity, equity and inclusion are fundamental to our mission.  We are committed to live this value through the strength and richness that diversity brings to our workforce and welcome contributors from all groups.

Responsibilities

Principle Giving & Stewardship

  • Lead collaborative development of custom stewardship and engagement plans for major giving by working with central colleagues and teams to provide direct value-added service
  • Develop and implement strategies and initiatives to acquire, renew, and upgrade mid-level gifts
  • Evaluate impact reports, events, projects, email and digital communications and other key outputs via benchmarks and metrics. Ensure key standards are met. Provide recommendations as needed
  • Ensure gift recognition and stewardship policies and procedures are followed to provide consistency and integrity
  • Create new and/or enhanced impact reporting tools and suite of standardized templates with accompanying process documentation to ensure quality, accuracy and uniformity of reporting by multiple users
  • Routinely monitor and assess processes to improve procedures, reports, tools, and controls in accordance with established guidelines
  • Identify and develop inspiring engagement opportunities for donors to strengthen donor engagement and prospecting
  • Proactively use prospect identification, research and qualification processes to generate prospects and implement strategies to drive impact
  • Plan and execute donor relations events, in consultation with Fund Development team — including volunteer recruitment and management, project management and post event evaluation. This may include organizing special visits, meetings with award recipients, and other activities designed to deepen donor engagement
  • Develop strategies for virtual donor focused events, as well as digital engagement opportunities. Participate in emerging community of practice for virtual events
  • In partnership with Director, Impact & External Relations, ensure appropriate donor cultivation, acknowledgement and stewardship plans and strategies are identified and implemented effectively and consistently
  • Accountable for the information gathering associated with donor stewardship and impact reporting process
  • Develop and support groups of ambassadors that help close on principle gifts
  • Support major gift activities as part of the IDRF’s existing events and activities
  • Support leadership team by preparing strategies and briefing notes for senior leadership for cultivation or solicitation meetings or events
  • Ability to write letters and other documentation to support the closing of gifts
  • Assist in coordination and implementation of all annual events and new digitally focused events
  • Attend and respond to third party requests/events as required
  • Manage relationships with external vendors as needed

Administration

  • Support with the maintenance and updating of the database regularly
  • Support with administrative tasks including data entry, pulling reports from the database
  • Maintain confidential and privileged information with discretion
  • Ensure timely and accurate maintenance of all gift, solicitation and donor information in Raiser’s Edge (CRM)
  • Maintain accurate and consistent donor activity tracking
  • Develop and track annual budget, including evaluating cost effectiveness of all activities
  • Monitor external trends in mid-level giving, community giving, staff giving and legacy giving in the sector
  • Prepare briefing notes, letters, proposals, stewardship reports, and other materials
  • Create compelling donor proposals based on research and donors’ relationship with the organization

Qualifications

  • A post-secondary degree or a combination of relevant comparable skills and experience
  • Demonstrated excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
  • Two to three years of relevant experience
  • Combination of mail, phone, email and face-to-face fundraising success
  • Demonstrated ability to work with data to drive fundraising results
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and very strong person to person relationship-building skills
  • Excellent organizational, planning, and time management skills
  • Proven ability to exercise diplomacy and good judgment
  • Ability to work independently using an above average level of initiative
  • Ability to work as part of a fundraising team
  • Proficient in the use of all corporate productivity tools including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook as well as Raiser’s Edge or other donor database management systems
  • Understanding of inclusive fundraising and accessibility practices an asset.
  • Commitment to and understanding of the mission and values of IDRF