Development Manager, Grants & Foundation Partnerships

Development Manager, Grants & Foundation Partnerships

Position Details

Term: Full-Time, Permanent - Existing Role

Anticipated Start Date: July 2026 Hours of Work/Schedule: 35 hours/week

Job Location(s): Hybrid model - remote and in-office at 71 Regent Park Boulevard, Toronto, Ontario (schedule to be determined)

Salary: $70,000

About Visions of Science

Visions of Science is committed to advancing STEM equity by intentionally supporting youth and communities who experience significant barriers to participation. We facilitate community-based youth engagement programs, provide support for families and educators, and advocate for equitable STEM education, and opportunity throughout the system. We believe that when youth understand the possibilities within STEM, they are empowered with the relevant skills and knowledge to be leaders in their community, agents of change for society, and good stewards of the planet. To learn more about Visions of Science please visit:

www.vosnl.org.

Authentic Representation

Visions of Science prioritizes facilitating power, platform, and agency to individuals who represent the ethnicities, cultures, and lived experiences of the children and youth in the communities that we partner with in all areas of the organization and our work. We strongly encourage individuals from equity-deserving groups who are historically underrepresented in STEM to apply. To learn more about the perks of working at Visions of Science team, click here.

The Opportunity

Position Overview

We are seeking a strategic and detail-oriented Development Manager, Grants & Foundation Partnerships to lead foundation prospecting, grant writing, reporting, and institutional donor engagement. This role is the primary lead for foundation funding, and will work closely with the development team and the CEO to ensure alignment and integration across our fundraising portfolio.

This role is ideal for someone with experience in prospecting, grant strategy, and donor storytelling, who is skilled in aligning funder interests with organizational priorities. You will be a key contributor to our overall fundraising efforts and work closely with leadership, programs, and operations to translate our impact into clear, strategic and compelling funding proposals.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Foundation Fundraising

• Identify, research, and qualify prospective foundation funders using prospecting tools, criteria and funding databases
• Maintain a robust pipeline of qualified prospects and track movement through cultivation and solicitation stages
• Build customized cultivation and solicitation strategies for donors based on alignment with our mission and initiatives
• Coordinate internal meetings and outreach to engage foundation stakeholders at key touchpoints

Grant Writing & Proposal Development

• Lead the development and submission of high-quality grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and supporting materials
• Collaborate with programs, research, evaluation, and finance teams to develop clear and compelling narratives, budgets, and impact metrics
• Work with finance, programs, and research teams to develop aligned budgets, logic models, and performance metrics
• Ensure all submissions are tailored to funder guidelines and aligned with internal goals and capacity
• Monitor and track all proposal and reporting deadlines, and prepare timely and accurate funder reports
• Support and coordinate the drafting of interim and final reports by gathering data and updates from internal teams and ensuring narrative consistency and funder alignment

Major Gifts Engagement

• Support cross-functional donor strategy by contributing research, proposals, and impact narratives that complement efforts led by the development team
• Coordinate with senior fundraisers to ensure foundations and philanthropic donors receive integrated communications and stewardship touchpoints
• Track and inform cross-team opportunities where major donors may have affiliated foundations or related giving vehicles
• Develop and implement cultivation and stewardship plans, including personalized communications and impact updates
• Coordinate donor briefings, proposal presentations, and event follow-ups with senior leadership
• Work cross-functionally to ensure consistent messaging, tracking, and donor experience

Fundraising Integration & Collaboration

• Maintain accurate donor and funder records in the CRM
• Collaborate with the Fundraising Operations Specialist to support data entry, reporting, and donor acknowledgment processes
• Maintain a proposal calendar and coordinate internal timelines and approvals
• Prepare funder briefings, grant-related communications, and stewardship updates in collaboration with the Development team
• Contribute to fundraising planning, campaign strategy, and impact storytelling alongside the broader development team
• Partner with programs, research, and finance teams to align funding proposals with internal capacity and community priorities
• Assess fundraising performance data (e.g., grant success rates, funder engagement, reporting impact) to refine strategies, strengthen funder relationships, and inform future planning
• Stay informed on sector trends and shifts in philanthropic giving, particularly within STEM education, youth development, and equity-based funding

What We’re Looking For

Education & Training

• Post-secondary education in communications, nonprofit management, public policy, or a related field or equivalent professional experience
• Ongoing learning and interest in trends in equity-informed philanthropy, fundraising, and education equity

Required Experience & Expertise

• 3–5+ years of experience in grant writing, foundation fundraising, or major gifts strategy
• Proven track record of securing 5–6 figure foundation grants
• Strong written communication and analytical skills with experience tailoring messaging to funder priorities.
• Proven success identifying prospects and securing funding from institutional funders, especially private foundations
• Strong research and prospecting capabilities, with knowledge of Canadian philanthropic tools and databases such as Grant Connect and CharityCAN.
• Experience coordinating multi-stakeholder projects, with the ability to synthesize complex information from program, finance, and leadership teams.
• Hands-on experience with CRM platforms, including Salesforce and Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge, with a strong understanding of donor management best practices, pipeline tracking, and reporting functions.

Key Competencies & Skills

• Exceptional writing, editing, and persuasive communication skills tailored to funders and donors
• Strategic thinking and ability to align funder interests with organizational goals
• Strong relationship management skills, with an ability to communicate professionally with donors, funders, and partners
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and workstreams
• Comfort working in fast-paced, collaborative environments with shifting priorities
• Comfort using tools like Google Suite, fundraising CRMs (e.g., Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge), and prospecting platforms (e.g., Grant Connect, CharityCAN)

Preferred Assets

• Experience working in youth development, STEM, or education-focused organizations
• Experience with government grants and corporate philanthropic programs
• Lived experience in underserved communities and/or deep understanding of equity-centered fundraising
• Knowledge of logic models, theory of change frameworks, and impact measurement tools

What We Offer

Comprehensive Benefits Package for this Role Includes:

• 13 days of paid vacation (prorated for the first year based on date of hire)
• 10 paid sick days (prorated for the first year based on date of hire)
• Scheduled paid office closure days (winter holidays and select long weekends based on operational needs)
• Flexible work options, including a hybrid model
• Extended health and dental coverage after completion of probation period
• Flexible savings options, with employer-matching contributions to your choice of GRRSP, TFSA, or FHSA after 1 year of employment
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offered through Support & Growth

Application Process

Please submit your application via this link. Posting will remain open until the position is filled. The application must include:

• Resume
• Statement of Interest (1 page max)

Please note that only candidates selected to move forward in the hiring process will be contacted.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Hiring Process

Visions of Science may use artificial intelligence tools to support administrative aspects of the recruitment process. These tools are not used to screen, score, or evaluate applicants. All candidate assessments and hiring decisions are made by human reviewers.

Commitment to Equity

Visions of Science is committed to employment equity and strongly encourages applications from members of equity-deserving communities, including Black, Indigenous, and racialized peoples; women; persons with disabilities; 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals; and newcomers to Canada. This role does not require “Canadian experience.” Applicants with international experience are welcome.

If you require accommodation during the application process, please contact hr@vosnl.org. Please note: Resumes sent to this email address will not be considered.

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