[Hiring] Director of Philanthropy @The Narwhal

Role Description

The Narwhal is hiring its first Director of Philanthropy, who will help to build the relationships needed to sustain and grow our independent journalism.

Working closely with The Narwhal’s co-founder and executive director, the Director of Philanthropy will lead The Narwhal’s revenue strategy and fundraising operations with a focus on growing foundation giving and major gifts.

The Director of Philanthropy will oversee development strategy and execution, including:

• Institutional philanthropy
• Major gifts
• Donor communications
• Events strategy
• Grants management
• Revenue forecasting

Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning and Leadership
  • Work collaboratively with the Executive Director, Director of Operations and Finance, and Director of Audience to develop an annual fund development plan and calendar.
  • Partner with the Executive Director and leadership team to create and implement new initiatives to achieve the organization’s impact goals.
  • Lead cross-departmental collaboration to align organizational priorities and fundraising opportunities.
  • Track and analyze fundraising metrics to test and learn, implementing lessons.
  • Manage, mentor, and support the Development Coordinator.
  • Ensure fundraising practices uphold The Narwhal’s values, donor privacy, and editorial independence.
• Revenue Strategy
  • Evaluate The Narwhal’s current fundraising capabilities and build a map of future revenue potential.
  • Develop fundraising revenue forecasts and budgets.
  • Develop a diversified fundraising portfolio that is resilient and sustainable.
• Foundation Grants
  • Build and maintain relationships with a wide range of foundations.
  • Lead all stages of grant development and management.
  • Establish internal grant-writing processes, templates, and workflows.
• Major Donor Cultivation
  • Develop goals and strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for major donors.
  • Oversee prospect research and identify opportunities to bring new supporters into the organization.
  • Support the Executive Director’s donor engagement.
  • Oversee the planning and management of strategic cultivation and stewardship events.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years’ senior-level experience working directly for a foundation or successfully fundraising from foundations and major donors.
• Experience raising money from both individuals and foundations.
• Track record of personally cultivating, soliciting, and closing major gifts and multi-year foundation commitments.
• Strong writing skills for proposals, emails, and briefing notes.
• Experience managing, mentoring, and supporting fundraising staff and/or cross-functional teams.
• Comfortable representing an organization in high-level external settings.
• Proven track record in writing successful grant proposals and grant reporting.
• Experience with fundraising databases and project management tools.

Working Conditions

• Regular computer-based work, including donor and prospect research, reporting, and written correspondence.
• Regular communication with donors, foundations, staff, and other external partners.
• Occasional evening or weekend work may be required.
• Regular travel within Canada is required for donor and foundation meetings.

Benefits

• Group health, vision, and dental benefits and a health spending account.
• A flexible workplace with a vibrant, collaborative culture.
• Work-from-home stipend or work from a shared office in Victoria, Vancouver, Edmonton, or Toronto.
• GRSP base contributions after three months.
• Four weeks of vacation per year, plus your birthday off.
• 10 personal days per year.
• Organization-wide holiday shutdown.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Two-month top-up program for EI-protected leaves.

How to apply

To apply, please submit a cover letter and résumé by 11:59 p.m. Friday, October 2, 2026. Please include your full name in the file name of any attachments you submit.

Applicants must be eligible to work in Canada. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.