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Job Posting – Development Associate, Direct Mail and Donor Relations

Organizational Profile: The North York Harvest Food Bank (NYH) is the second largest food bank in Toronto serving the community from St. Clair Ave./Eglinton Ave. to Steeles Ave. and from Highway 27 to Victoria Park. In 2009, NYH distributed 1.4 million pounds of food through its 42 agencies. North York Harvest receives 90% of its operating revenue through strategic and diverse fundraising appeals.

 
Position Summary:

The Development Associate is the primary force in stewarding and growing our comprehensive and mature direct mail program, consisting of donations secured through renewal, upgrading, and prospecting appeals. The Development Associate plays a vital role in reaching specific fundraising performance targets by writing captivating copy and creatively mining our donor database. The position requires experience with direct mail, database, and donor relationship management.

The Development Associate will work under the direction and guidance of the Development Officer/Senior Manager and in tandem with the Development Team.

The position may be especially busy during the fall and into January.

Reporting Relationship: The Development Associate, Direct Mail reports to the Development Officer/Senior Manager

Hours: 28 – 30 hours/ week including some weekend or evening hours
 

Key Accountabilities:

1. Leadership. Provides leadership and direction to this position to ensure that the direct mail program is developed and implemented within the overall strategic direction of NYH.

2. Direct Mail Revenue Generation. Manages the direct mail program by developing, copy writing, designing, coordinating, executing and growing all aspects of this high-performing revenue stream which generates 25%+ of the fundraising program, including by:

  • Developing and executing all creative and segmentation aspects of, currently, four renewal mailings and one prospect mailing
  • Preparing data (coding, merges, etc.) for each mailing
  • Liaising with all external parties (printers, mail house, Canada Post) to deliver timely and successful mail drops
  • Researching and suggesting new prospecting initiatives in line with the mission and resources of NYH
  • Managing and growing the Monthly Giving Program and Harvest Circle, a high end individual giving group
  • Working closely with the Communications Manager on the development of direct mail messaging and campaign concepts as well as the companion newsletter
  • Implementing initiatives to grow second gift and conversion giving
  • Creating annual direct mail budgets ( projected revenues and expenses) and periodically reviewing and analyzing results
  •  Developing and executing vehicles to learn more about donor giving patterns, including donor surveys.

3. Database and Donation Revenue Management. Oversees the maintenance of - and maintains - the donor database using Raiser’s Edge, including by:

  • Being responsible for all aspects of donation processing and tax receipting including entering and managing donor and financial information, coordinating the on-line giving process, acknowledging donors, generating reports and balancing with finance department
  • Maintaining complete, accurate and timely records and inputting data into Raiser’s Edge
  • Preparing bank deposits
  • Processing credit card donations and monthly giving donations
  • Generating specific year end Raiser’s Edge reports for the Auditors as well as monthly reconciliation reports for the finance department
  • Assisting fundraising staff and other NYH staff with database support as needed
  • Providing expertise and recommendations on data selection and data mining to evaluate and influence fundraising strategies
  • Keeping up to date with applicable CRA regulations and sharing this knowledge with other staff
  •  Preparing actual and forecasting reports detailing the financial status of direct mail programs
  • Overseeing day-to-day work of part-time Donor Database Development Assistant who contributes to the above

4. Stakeholder Relationships and Donor Relations. Generates and maintains professional and cordial relationships with donor stakeholders, including by:

  • Stewarding existing and potential donors
  • Fulfilling various donation acknowledgements and recognitions in a timely manner
  • Responding to inquiries and concerns of donors in an effective manner
  • Fairly and accurately representing and articulately communicating NYH’s organizational messages and the mission , vision, and value statements of NYH to external stakeholders.

5. Team work. Actively contributes to a supportive and inclusive team that works together efficiently, effectively and respectfully, including by;

  • Actively contributing to a well-functioning development department
  • Working closely with the communications manager in promoting NYH’s messages and its goals and accomplishments
  • Communicating regularly with all other NYH departments and committees
  • Working inclusively with volunteers as needed

6. Events and Activities. Assists with other NYH events and activities, such as Scotia Toronto Waterfront Marathon, as required.

7. Other duties as assigned.


Qualifications:

  • Possess a B.A. or equivalent experience
  • At least three years experience in planning, implementing, and evaluating direct mail programs for a charitable organization
  • Raiser’s Edge experience a must
  • Affinity for working in a medium-sized non-profit, charitable environment
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Adept at time management, planning, prioritizing, multi-tasking and follow-through
  • Self-directed and task-oriented
  • Ability to work independently as well as part of a team, across departments and with volunteers
  • Knowledge of hunger, food security or social services is a definite plus
  • High level of computer literacy and proficiency especially with Microsoft Office suite of programs and database
  • Supervisory experience an asset


North York Harvest Food Bank is committed to employment equity and encourages applicants from equity seeing groups.

Please forward cover letter and resume to jobs [at] northyorkharvest [dot] com, attention Gloria Baldwin, Development Officer, no later than September 6, 2010. Please both attach these documents to your email and insert them both in the body of the email. No phone calls please.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those to be invited for an interview will be contacted.