Senior Manager, Donor & Government Relations - Jays Care Foundation

The Jays Care Foundation is hiring a Senior Manager, Donor & Government Relations!

Reporting to the Director, Revenue, Lotteries & Marketing, you'll be a key member of the Revenue Generation team. The Senior Manager, Donor & Government Relations leads the strategy, development, and execution of government, foundation, and major donor relationships. This role is responsible for stewarding high‑value partners, identifying and securing major gift and institutional funding opportunities, and ensuring exceptional donor experiences that advance Jays Care Foundation’s mission.

A strategic communicator and experienced relationship‑builder, the Senior Manager brings strong expertise in donor engagement, public‑sector funding, philanthropic storytelling, and cross‑functional collaboration. They are a compelling writer, a highly organized project manager, and a proactive leader who thrives in a fast‑paced, mission‑driven environment.

Key Responsibilities

Donor & Foundation Relations

• Develop and implement customized stewardship strategies to strengthen donor engagement, retention, and long‑term commitment.
• Support the development of donor communications, impact reports, proposals, and stewardship materials that are timely, tailored, and mission‑driven.
• Collaborate with senior leadership and cross‑functional teams to ensure a consistent donor‑centric voice across all channels.
• Work collaboratively across the organization to support the development, implementation and evaluation of giving campaigns.
• Support efforts to grow and retain the donor base, ensuring ongoing donor stewardship and enhanced engagement around general donations.
• Monitor and report on key metrics related to annual giving, adjusting strategies as needed to maximize fundraising effectiveness.
• Support curation of program impact stories to support philanthropic storytelling and deepen donor connection.
• Guide the development and fulfillment of gift agreements, recognition plans, and donor journeys for mid‑ and upper‑level supporters.
• Integrate stewardship activities into key events and milestones to create meaningful donor touchpoints.
• Actively prospect, cultivate, solicit, close, and renew major gifts of $25,000+ annually, including multi‑year six‑figure commitments.
• Maintain accurate and timely donor cycle activities in Salesforce, including actions, forecasting, and future activity planning.
• Oversee proactive identification, research, and cultivation of individual, foundation, and government funding opportunities.
• Lead the submission of complex, high‑value grant proposals and manage all reporting requirements.

• Monitor and manage a robust funding pipeline, working across departments to ensure accurate grant budgeting, impact tracking, and compliance.

• Use Salesforce and other tools to support segmentation, renewal strategies, and data‑driven decision‑making.

Government Relations

• Serve as the primary relationship manager for federal and provincial government contacts, overseeing relationship development, funding identification, and ongoing stewardship.
• Support the creation of customized presentations, proposals, briefing notes, Q&As, and detailed reports for government funders, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and government mandates.
• Design and execute strategic communications with government officials, ensuring timely outreach, follow‑up, and compliance with requirements.
• Monitor legislation, policy developments, and media to inform government relations strategy and identify emerging opportunities.
• Manage government prospects and partners through all stages of the pipeline, including solicitation, reporting, and renewal.
• Identify and pursue new and expanded government funding opportunities.

Leadership & Management

• Provide supervision, mentorship, and performance management to a direct report.
• Lead annual planning processes related to government, foundation, and major gift fundraising and stewardship.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to advance organizational funding priorities and represent donor perspectives in strategic planning.
• Develop and manage annual and monthly budgets to maximize revenue and ensure cost‑effective operations.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in fundraising, donor relations, major gifts, or institutional giving, with demonstrated success securing and stewarding six‑figure commitments.
• Proven experience managing government or foundation relationships and developing successful funding proposals.
• Exceptional writing, storytelling, and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex information into compelling cases for support.
• Strong relationship‑building skills with donors, government partners, and cross‑functional teams at all levels.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage a relationship pipeline and develop tailored cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Highly organized with strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.

• Strategic thinker with a solution-oriented approach, sound judgment, and a commitment to equity and inclusion.

• Proficiency in Salesforce or other CRM platforms, with experience analyzing donor data to inform strategy.
• Experience in sports, youth development, or community organizations is a strong asset.
• Passion for philanthropy and a strong connection to Jays Care’s mission.
• Knowledge of baseball and passion for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Salary: The anticipated base compensation range for this role is $80,000 – $100,000. Actual base pay offered within this range may differ based on a range of factors, including individual experience, education, skills, and organizational needs. 

In addition to your base compensation, you will enjoy discretionary bonus opportunities, vacation entitlements, a comprehensive benefits package, and front‑office perks that reflect the excitement and community of working in baseball.

Position Status: New

At Jays Care Foundation:

• We boast a warm, welcoming and supportive team culture
• We offer a wide variety of opportunities to develop your leadership potential and grow your resume with new skills and experiences
• You will have opportunities to win monetary scholarships for college/university and staff recognition awards/prizes (with great Blue Jays swag!)
• Work alongside friendly and inspiring young leaders from your community and beyond

At Jays Care, you’ll be part of a passionate team committed to growing the game of baseball while helping kids develop life skills that last a lifetime. You’ll have the opportunity to make a lasting impact in communities nationwide while working for an award-winning organization that values innovation, inclusion, and collaboration.