Job Description

Donor Engagement Specialist

Full-time 12-Month Parental Leave Position


Anticipated Start Date September 1, 2025



For over 50 years Distress Centre has served Calgary and Southern Alberta, providing 24-hour crisis support, information, and resources at no cost. Distress Centre does not define crisis. We do not judge. Anyone can call us day or night.

What to expect in the role:

Job overview
This position plays a critical role in advancing Distress Centre Calgary's mission by securing funding through high-quality proposal writing, meaningful donor stewardship, and efficient data management. With a person-centered philosophy at the heart of all communications and engagement, this role helps bring our impact to life through compelling proposals, donor experiences, and funder relationships.


The primary focus of this role is writing proposals up to $25,000 for foundations and corporations, while also supporting annual fundraising campaigns and creative donor engagement. This role ensures that every touchpoint--written or interpersonal--reflects the values of compassion, connection, and care.

Key OutcomesDevelop and submit compelling funding proposals up to $25,000 to secure financial support from foundations and corporate partners. Build and maintain strong relationships with funders and donors through thoughtful, timely, and values-driven stewardship. Lead the successful execution of the Year-End Fundraising Campaign, ensuring alignment with organizational messaging and donor engagement goals. Collaborate with the Communications team to create clear, donor-focused content that highlights the impact of Distress Centre Calgary's work, ensuring person-centered messaging across all written materials and interactions. Ensure accurate and up-to-date entry of donor and funder information in the CRM, including timely processing of donations and receipts. Contribute to a culture of compassion, connection, and care in all fundraising efforts

Primary Duties

This is not an exhaustive list of duties, but meant to give you a sense of what you'll be doing on a regular basis. Other related duties may be required.

Proposal Development and Partner Engagement

Lead the development and submission of funding proposals up to $25,000, primarily to foundations and corporate partners. Craft compelling, customized proposals that reflect the stories, data, and values behind our work. Research and identify aligned funding opportunities, helping to build a pipeline of prospective supporters. Coordinate the gathering of relevant information--including budgets, outcomes, and community impact narratives--to support strong proposals. Support relationship building by attending meetings, events, or presentations that strengthen connections with current and potential funders. Contribute to a culture of stewardship by ensuring funders receive timely updates and other meaningful engagement touchpoints.

Donor Stewardship & Fundraising Campaigns

Develop and implement year-round creative stewardship strategies that reflect care, respect, and personalized engagement. Lead the development and execution of a successful Year-End Fundraising Campaign with compelling, mission-aligned messaging, emphasizing the donor's impact. Write emotionally moving donor appeals, thank-you letters, donor updates, and impact stories rooted in human connection and outcomes. Help foster a culture of philanthropy by ensuring every donor feels valued, informed, and part of our shared mission. Collaborate with the Communications team to craft donor-focused content for fundraising appeals, campaign messaging, and donor updates--ensuring alignment with organizational voice.

Data Management, Reporting & Reconciliation

Maintain accurate donor and grant information in the CRM, and ensure all internal and external reporting requirements are fulfilled; ensure confidentiality of same

Special Working Conditions

General work hours are business hours Monday-Friday, however some flexibility in working evenings and weekends to meet the needs of the program.

Lines of Communication/Accountability
Member of the Strategy and Engagement Team

What you bring to the role:

Skills/ExperiencePost secondary education in a relevant field such as fundraising, communications, nonprofit studies, or social sciences is preferred. A minimum of three years in writing and donor relations is essential for success in this role. Exceptional writing and editing skills required, with the ability to convey mission, impact, and human stories clearly. Proven success in writing proposals or persuasive writing, preferably within a nonprofit or social services environment. Experience with donor stewardship, fundraising campaigns, and donor communications. Ability to work collaboratively and cross-functionally to gather relevant and timely information for proposal submissions. Proficiency in CRM systems and Microsoft Office Suite. Strong organizational skills and ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines. A relational approach to funder and donor engagement that reflects person-centered values.

Core Competencies:

Client/Service

Centred

Work

- you make clients the ultimate focus of our agency, team, and individual choices and actions.

Partnerships, Relationships, & Teamwork

- you build and maintain productive, collaborative working relationships within and across groups, both internally and externally, to accomplish our common goals.

Growth Mindset/Learning

- you actively identify new areas for learning and take advantage of opportunities to learn in whatever form they come. You apply your newly gained knowledge in your jobs and share these skills with others.

Communication

- you clearly convey information and ideas through a variety of media in a way that engages the audience and helps them to understand and inviting dialogue and inciting action where appropriate.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

- we build and sustain an inclusive work environment where all individuals are welcomed, supported, respected, and valued for their unique experiences, perspectives, talents, and contributions.

Change Management

- you maintain your team and personal effectiveness when being impacted by changes within the organization.

Self-Management

- you take responsibility for yourself and your actions.

What Distress Centre has to offer:Opportunity to work for an organization that's making a difference in our community A great working environment with supportive colleagues Opportunities for learning and mentorship, including paid development days and a staff development fund Competitive salary Benefits that include a matching RRSP * Vacation time starting at 3 weeks