Chief Development Officer

About Reena Foundation

Reena Foundation is dedicated to supporting Reena's mission of promoting dignity, independence, inclusion, and quality of life for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism, as well as those with complex physical and mental health needs.

Through philanthropy, community partnerships, and innovative fundraising initiatives, Reena Foundation helps create opportunities for individuals to live meaningful, connected, and fulfilling lives.

As Reena continues to expand its impact through innovative housing developments, specialized health care, respite services, employment initiatives, and community-based programming, Reena Foundation plays a critical role in securing the philanthropic support necessary to bring these initiatives to life.

With significant projects underway, including the recently completed Frankfort Family Reena Residence, the development of the Thornhill Community Health Centre, and plans for Reena's next intentional community, this is an exciting opportunity to help shape the organization's future.

The Opportunity

Reena Foundation is seeking an experienced, dynamic, and relationship-driven Chief Development Officer (CDO) to join its senior leadership team.

The CDO will play a pivotal role in advancing the Foundation's fundraising strategy, strengthening relationships with existing donors, cultivating new philanthropic partnerships, and identifying innovative opportunities to grow revenue.

Working closely with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and Foundation team, the CDO will help translate Reena's vision into compelling philanthropic opportunities that inspire individuals, families, foundations, and corporate partners to invest in its mission.

The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker and an accomplished fundraiser who is equally comfortable developing high-level fundraising strategies and personally engaging donors, making meaningful asks, and closing significant gifts.

This position requires someone who understands that successful fundraising is built on relationships, trust, creativity, and a genuine commitment to the people and communities Reena serves.

Key Responsibilities

1. Fundraising Strategy and Revenue Growth

1. Work with the Executive Director to develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy aligned with Reena Foundation's short- and long-term priorities.
2. Establish and achieve ambitious yet realistic annual fundraising targets.
3. Identify opportunities to diversify revenue streams and strengthen the Foundation's long-term financial sustainability.
4. Develop strategies to expand major gifts, planned giving, corporate partnerships, foundation grants, and individual donations.
5. Build and maintain a strong donor pipeline, identifying new prospects and advancing relationships toward meaningful philanthropic commitments.
6. Monitor fundraising performance, assess opportunities and challenges, and recommend strategies to maximize results.

2. Major Gifts and Donor Relations

1. Personally manage a portfolio of major donors and high-potential prospects.
2. Cultivate meaningful, long-term relationships with individuals, families, foundations, and corporate supporters.
3. Develop tailored cultivation, solicitation, recognition, and stewardship strategies for major donors.
4. Lead donor meetings, presentations, tours, and funding discussions.
5. Prepare compelling proposals that connect philanthropic opportunities with measurable community impact.
6. Work closely with the Executive Director and Board members to identify and engage prospective donors.
7. Ensure donors feel valued, informed, and connected to the impact of their generosity.

3. Capital Campaigns and Strategic Initiatives

1. Play a leadership role in fundraising for Reena's major capital projects, including future housing developments and specialized community facilities.
2. Support the development and execution of capital campaign strategies, including lead gifts, naming opportunities, and multi-year commitments.
3. Work with organizational leadership to develop compelling cases for support that clearly communicate community needs, project vision, and philanthropic impact.
4. Identify and cultivate individuals, foundations, and institutional partners capable of making transformational gifts.
5. Coordinate donor recognition and stewardship commitments associated with capital campaigns.
6. Help position Reena Foundation as a leading philanthropic partner in advancing inclusive housing, health care, and community services.

4. Leadership and Team Development

1. Provide leadership, direction, and mentorship to members of the Foundation's development team.
2. Foster a collaborative, accountable, and results-oriented fundraising culture.
3. Establish clear objectives, performance measures, and professional development opportunities for team members.
4. Work collaboratively with colleagues responsible for fundraising events, donor relations, communications, and administration.
5. Identify opportunities to improve fundraising processes, donor management systems, and operational efficiency.
6. Support the Executive Director in developing a high-performing and innovative Foundation team.

5. Board and Community Engagement

1. Work closely with the Executive Director to engage Board members in fundraising, donor introductions, and community relationship-building.
2. Support the Foundation's fundraising committee and other relevant committees.
3. Help strengthen relationships with community leaders, philanthropists, businesses, and strategic partners.
4. Represent Reena Foundation at community events, donor functions, and industry gatherings.
5. Serve as an enthusiastic and knowledgeable ambassador for Reena's mission, values, and impact.

6. Fundraising Events and Community Partnerships

1. Provide strategic oversight and support for the Foundation's signature fundraising events and campaigns.
2. Work with event leadership to maximize sponsorship revenue, donor engagement, and overall fundraising performance.
3. Identify opportunities to convert event participants and sponsors into long-term philanthropic supporters.
4. Develop new corporate and community partnerships that generate financial support and increase awareness of Reena's work.
5. Evaluate fundraising initiatives based on their financial performance, strategic value, and long-term relationship-building potential.

7. Financial Accountability and Reporting

1. Collaborate with the Executive Director to establish annual fundraising budgets and revenue projections.
2. Track fundraising performance against established goals and provide regular updates to the Executive Director and Board.
3. Maintain accurate donor records, gift documentation, pledge schedules, and stewardship commitments.
4. Ensure fundraising activities comply with applicable legislation, ethical fundraising standards, and organizational policies.
5. Use data and donor insights to inform decision-making and improve fundraising effectiveness.

Qualifications and Experience

Required Qualifications

1. Minimum 7–10 years of progressive experience in fundraising, philanthropy, business development, or related leadership roles.
2. Demonstrated success securing major gifts and developing relationships with high-net-worth individuals, family foundations, and corporate partners.
3. Proven ability to build and execute fundraising strategies that deliver measurable results.
4. Experience leading teams and managing multiple fundraising priorities.
5. Exceptional relationship-building, communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
6. Strong financial acumen and experience managing fundraising budgets, forecasts, and performance metrics.
7. Ability to develop compelling funding proposals and confidently solicit significant philanthropic commitments.
8. Strong organizational skills, sound judgment, and the ability to work independently while collaborating across teams.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Experience with capital campaigns, transformational gifts, and multi-year philanthropic commitments.
2. Established relationships within Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area's philanthropic and business communities.
3. Experience working with volunteer Boards and fundraising committees.
4. Familiarity with donor management systems and fundraising databases.
5. Knowledge of the charitable sector, including housing, health care, disability services, or community-based organizations.
6. CFRE designation or other relevant professional qualifications are considered assets.

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate will be:

1. Relationship-driven: Someone who genuinely enjoys connecting with people, building trust, and maintaining meaningful long-term relationships.
2. Entrepreneurial: A creative thinker who identifies opportunities, challenges conventional approaches, and brings fresh ideas to fundraising.
3. Results-oriented: A motivated professional who takes ownership of fundraising goals and is comfortable making the ask.
4. Strategic and hands-on: Equally capable of developing a comprehensive fundraising plan and personally executing it.
5. Collaborative: A team player who works effectively with colleagues, volunteers, donors, and organizational leadership.
6. Mission-focused: Someone who believes deeply in inclusion, dignity, and creating opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
7. Professional and personable: An individual who represents Reena Foundation with integrity, warmth, confidence, and authenticity.

Measures of Success

Success in this role will be measured through:

1. Achievement of annual fundraising and major gift revenue targets.
2. Growth in the number and value of major donor relationships.
3. Development of a healthy, diversified, and sustainable donor pipeline.
4. Successful cultivation and securing of significant gifts for capital projects and strategic initiatives.
5. Increased donor retention, engagement, and stewardship effectiveness.
6. Strong collaboration with the Executive Director, Board, and Foundation team.
7. Continued growth in Reena Foundation's philanthropic reach, reputation, and community impact.

Why Join Reena Foundation?

This is more than a fundraising leadership position. It is an opportunity to play a meaningful role in shaping the future of an organization that is transforming lives.

Reena is entering an exciting period of growth, with ambitious plans to expand inclusive housing, improve access to specialized health care, and develop innovative programs that address critical needs in our community.

The Chief Development Officer will have the opportunity to build relationships with passionate philanthropists, contribute to transformational projects, and help ensure that Reena has the resources to continue making a lasting difference.

At Reena Foundation, philanthropy is about more than raising money. It is about creating possibilities, building communities, and helping people live their best lives.

 

PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR CV TO RICK CHAD [email protected]