Fund Development Specialist

PLEA Community Services is currently seeking a Full-Time Fund Development Specialist for our Communications and Development team. This position may be based in either Vancouver or Port Coquitlam, BC. The usual hours of work in this position are Monday to Friday from 8:30AM to 4:30PM, based on 37.5 working hours per week. Occasional evenings and/or weekends may be required to attend events. The proposed start date for this position is as soon as possible. This position is excluded from BCGEU membership.

Position Summary

This is a unique opportunity for a relationship-driven fundraising professional to join PLEA during an exciting period of transition and growth.

The Fund Development Specialist plans and implements fundraising strategies to sustain PLEA's programs, expand and enhance existing services, and support the development of new initiatives. The primary focus of this position is securing philanthropic support for PLEA's child exploitation prevention programs, helping to protect children and youth while strengthening communities across British Columbia.

As part of a planned succession process, the Fund Development Specialist will work closely with PLEA's current Fund Development Specialist for approximately nine months prior to their retirement. During this period, the incumbent will provide hands-on mentorship in all aspects of the fundraising cycle, including donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, proposal development, impact reporting, and relationship management. The successful candidate will be introduced to key donors, sponsors, funders, and community partners, ensuring a thoughtful transfer of relationships, organizational knowledge, and fundraising expertise.

During the transition period, the Fund Development Specialist will also develop a funding workplan exploring opportunities to support youth transitioning from care, providing recommendations to help inform future organizational priorities and service development.

The Fund Development Specialist will be supported by a collaborative Communications and Development team with expertise in fundraising, event planning, communications, graphic design, and donor database management. Additional support will be provided by an experienced Director who, in addition to leading Communications and Development, oversees the child exploitation prevention programs supported through fundraising efforts. This close connection between program operations and fund development provides a unique opportunity to clearly demonstrate impact and build meaningful relationships with donors and funding partners.

Education/Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Two (2) years of experience in a professional fundraising role, including:
• Identifying, soliciting, securing, and stewarding gifts.
• Designing fund development strategies, and implementing action plans.
• Preparing fundraising proposals, budgets, grants, letters, appeals and stewardship materials.
• Conducting presentations to small and large audiences.
• Using fundraising databases.
• Supervising employees and volunteers.
• Handling confidential and sensitive information.
• Experience working in not-for-profit and/or community organizations.
• CFRE designation is considered an asset.
• Experience with major gifts and legacy giving is considered an asset.

Who We Are

PLEA is an accredited, charitable community services organization that has operated throughout BC for more than 40 years. We deliver community-based services and specialized supported homes to children, youth, adults and families facing significant challenges in their lives. We continually adapt our programs to suit each individual's diverse strengths, needs and circumstances. As a result, we have a strong reputation for helping those we serve to overcome the challenges they face and lead fulfilling lives.

What You Will Do 

• Develop and implement annual fundraising and communications plans to meet fundraising targets.
• Build, manage, and steward relationships with donors, foundations, corporations, sponsors, and community partners.
• Identify prospects and execute cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for gifts and sponsorships.
• Prepare fundraising materials, including proposals, case statements, presentations, briefing notes, budgets, and marketing content.
• Support fundraising and donor appreciation events, including sponsorship development and fulfillment.
• Promote a culture of philanthropy by supporting staff with donor engagement, visits, presentations, and relationship building.
• Maintain current knowledge of relevant social issues and trends to support effective fundraising and communications.
• Ensure accurate fund development records, reports, and documentation in compliance with organizational policies.
• Provide reports and updates to the Communications & Development Director, CEO, and Board of Directors.
• Align fundraising and communications activities with agency priorities, strategic planning, budgets, policies, and procedures.
• Protect confidentiality and perform other related duties as required. 

What You Will Bring

• Demonstrated ability to initiate and develop productive relationships and interact effectively with a wide variety of individuals.
• Strong attention to detail, including the ability to spot errors and missing details.
• Strong teamwork skills.
• Demonstrated ability to craft succinct and compelling fundraising proposals and materials.
• Strong public speaking and presentation skills, including the ability to deliver engaging presentations to small and large audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, take initiative, make sound decisions, and be held accountable for results.
• Demonstrated ability to be sensitive and understanding of individuals' social realities including issues of race, culture, religion, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, poverty, and lifestyle.
• Demonstrated knowledge of issues and trends related to the department.
• Knowledge of Canada Revenue Agency regulations, Imagine Canada standards and BC Gaming Commission regulations.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, database systems and web-based conferencing tools.

PLEA Benefits and Perks

PLEA offers a comprehensive set of benefits and perks. These include:

• Salary Range: $71,204 CAD to $84,020 CAD.
• Four (4) weeks of vacation annually.
• Eligibility to enroll in health/welfare benefits (effective on your first day).
• Enrollment in the Municipal Pension Plan (effective on your first day).
• Annual physical activity fund (for fitness-related items or activities).
• Annual education fund to take part in career-related courses or training events.
• Access to the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP): counselling support services and wellness resources for employees and immediate family members.
• Discounted gym membership at Club 16 Trevor Linden and She's Fit.
• Perkopolis membership: an exclusive discount program for a variety of products and services (clothes, furniture, dining, auto, events, etc.)
• Agency-sponsored social events (i.e., summer barbecue, annual holiday party, and team days).
• Eight (8) paid sick days per calendar year.
• Annual salary reviews, with opportunities for performance-based salary increases in accordance with PLEA's compensation framework.

Minimum Requirements

• Satisfactory Criminal Record Clearance.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Class 5 or 7N B.C. Driver's License and suitable driver's abstract/claims history.
• Must have access to a personal vehicle for work-related travel. This position requires travel in the Lower Mainland and the Fraser Valley.
• Documentation that the applicant is legally authorized to work on an ongoing basis in Canada.

Note: PLEA conducts primary source verification of applicants' credentials including education, training, work history, and licensure.

This recruitment is being led by Gerard Search on behalf of Plea Community Services.

Application deadline: We are accepting rolling applications until the position is filled.

Check the status of the search process here