Manager of Major Gifts and Philanthropy

Autism Nova Scotia is a provincial leader in advancing inclusion, understanding, and opportunity for Autistic people and their families and caregivers. We deliver person-directed, neuro-affirming supports across the lifespan through our network of Regional Autism Centres in Halifax and nine communities across the province.

Our work is grounded in First Voice leadership, community partnership, and a strong commitment to establishing equity for rural, racialized, and other underserved communities. Through programs that promote social and community inclusion, employment support, and family and caregiver support, we work to reduce barriers, strengthen community capacity, and create pathways for Autistic Nova Scotians to learn, work, live, and belong.

TITLE: Manager, Major Gifts and Philanthropy

DEPARTMENT: Partnerships and Growth

REPORTS TO: Director of Partnerships and Growth

TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT: Full-time

The Manager, Major Gifts and Philanthropy is responsible for building and managing a major gifts program that grows sustainable philanthropic support for the organization. This role focuses on identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual donors, family foundations, private foundations, and aligned philanthropic partners capable of making significant gifts.

Reporting to the Director of Partnerships and Growth, the Manager will build and manage a portfolio of current and prospective major gift donors, develop tailored donor engagement and solicitation strategies, prepare compelling proposals and stewardship materials, and support leadership and board members in donor cultivation.

While the role may support select corporate, foundation, sponsorship, or partnership opportunities where there is a clear major gift connection, its primary focus is major gift pipeline development, donor relationship management, and long‑term philanthropic revenue growth.

Build and implement a major gifts strategy aligned with organizational goals and priorities.

Build and manage a portfolio of current and prospective major gift donors, including individuals, family foundations, private foundations, and aligned philanthropic partners.

Identify, research, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects.

Develop customized donor engagement, cultivation, and solicitation plans.

Support the growth of a strong major gifts pipeline, including new prospects and existing donors with increased giving potential.

Contribute to annual major gift revenue goals, donor engagement goals, and pipeline development targets.

Maintain a clear understanding of donor interests, giving capacity, relationship history, and potential alignment with organizational priorities.

Build and maintain strong, respectful, and meaningful relationships with major donors and prospective supporters.

Prepare compelling proposals, cases for support, presentations, briefing notes, and stewardship reports.

Create individualized stewardship plans that recognize donor impact and support long‑term engagement.

Ensure timely donor acknowledgement, recognition, and impact reporting.

Facilitate donor meetings, tours, calls, events, and other engagement opportunities.

Respond professionally and confidentially to donor inquiries and requests.

Ensure donor engagement is inclusive, respectful, neuro‑affirming, ethical, and community‑centered.

Identify and pursue major gift opportunities with family foundations, private foundations, and philanthropic organizations.

Prepare letters of inquiry, funding proposals, grant applications, and reports connected to major gift and foundation opportunities.

Monitor and communicate relevant philanthropic funding opportunities and deadlines.

Support select corporate philanthropic opportunities where there is strong alignment with the organization’s mission and major gift strategy.

Collaborate with the Director of Partnerships and Growth to ensure major gift opportunities align with broader sponsorship, partnership, training‑growth, and organizational…