About Food For The Poor
Food For The Poor, one of the largest international relief and development organizations in the nation, does much more than feed millions of the hungry poor primarily in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian ministry provides emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance. "Join us in our mission to serve the poorest of the poor."
Position Summary
Food For The Poor Canada (FFPC) seeks a dynamic, results-driven Executive Director with an entrepreneurial mindset, exceptional fundraising capabilities, and a proven record of generating significant philanthropic revenue. This is an opportunity for an accomplished charitable-sector leader to take ownership of an ambitious growth agenda, expand the organization's philanthropic reach, and build a sustainable foundation for long-term humanitarian impact.
Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will serve as FFPC's chief executive leader and primary driver of fundraising, revenue development, and strategic growth. The successful candidate must be a proven revenue generator - not simply an administrator or overseer of fundraising activities - with the ability to personally cultivate and secure major gifts, develop high-value partnerships, diversify funding sources, and translate strategic opportunities into measurable financial results.
The Board has established an ambitious vision for accelerating FFPC's fundraising revenue and expanding its philanthropic reach. The Executive Director will be expected to translate this vision into a comprehensive growth strategy, establish measurable performance objectives, and deliver meaningful, sustained financial results that strengthen the organization's long-term sustainability.
This role requires a strategic thinker who is equally effective as a hands-on leader and executor. Operating within a lean, mission-driven organization, the Executive Director must bring initiative, resourcefulness, sound business judgment, and the determination to build relationships, develop opportunities, and deliver results. Success requires the ability to lead strategically while remaining personally engaged in the organization's fundraising and operational priorities.
As FFPC's principal ambassador, the Executive Director will strengthen relationships with donors, foundations, corporations, faith-based organizations, and philanthropic partners across Canada while developing meaningful collaborations with international affiliates and in-country organizations serving vulnerable communities.
The ideal candidate will combine a passion for humanitarian service with strong business acumen, executive presence, persuasive communication skills, and an unwavering commitment to growth, accountability, and responsible stewardship.
Key Responsibilities
1. Fundraising, Philanthropy & Revenue Growth
- Lead and personally execute a comprehensive fundraising and revenue development strategy designed to significantly accelerate philanthropic contributions, expand FFPC's donor base, and achieve ambitious annual and multiyear revenue growth targets.
- Personally identify, cultivate, solicit, and secure significant major gifts and philanthropic commitments from individual donors, corporations, foundations, faith-based organizations, and other funding partners, demonstrating a consistent ability to convert relationships into financial support.
- Develop and sustain diversified revenue streams through major giving, recurring donations, corporate and foundation partnerships, faith-based giving, and innovative fundraising channels, reducing reliance on individual funding sources.
- Establish a disciplined fundraising pipeline, measurable revenue targets, donor acquisition and retention strategies, and performance reporting to drive significant and sustained fundraising growth aligned with Board-approved objectives.
2. Strategic Leadership, Business Development & Financial Sustainability
- Develop and execute a bold, practical growth strategy that translates FFPC's mission and the Board's strategic priorities into measurable revenue opportunities, organizational development initiatives, and long-term financial sustainability.
- Apply strong business and commercial acumen to identify new markets, funding opportunities, partnerships, and fundraising models that strengthen FFPC's positioning within the Canadian charitable sector.
- Lead with an entrepreneurial, hands-on approach, taking ownership of both strategic planning and execution while operating effectively within a lean organizational structure that requires initiative, adaptability, and direct involvement in achieving results.
- Strengthen FFPC's financial sustainability through revenue forecasting, disciplined financial management, fundraising efficiency, responsible resource allocation, and the development of appropriate operating reserves.
3. Strategic Partnerships, International Collaboration & External Relations
- Build and maintain high-value relationships with major donors, corporate leaders, foundations, philanthropic networks, churches, faith-based organizations, and community partners, positioning FFPC as a trusted humanitarian organization.
- Serve as FFPC's principal ambassador and spokesperson, effectively communicating the organization's mission, impact, and funding priorities while inspiring philanthropic commitment and long-term engagement.
- Develop strong, lasting partnerships with in-country organizations and implementing partners in the countries supported by FFPC, demonstrating an understanding of their humanitarian needs, cultural contexts, and operating environments.
- Collaborate with Food For The Poor's sister organizations and international partners, including those in the United States, Jamaica, Guyana, and other countries, to strengthen alignment, advance humanitarian initiatives, and identify opportunities for joint engagement and impact.
4. Board Governance, Compliance & Organizational Accountability
- Work closely with the Board of Directors to establish strategic priorities, support effective governance, and ensure the organization operates in accordance with its mission, bylaws, approved policies, and fiduciary responsibilities.
- Ensure that appropriate governance frameworks, required organizational policies, internal controls, and operating procedures are established, maintained, regularly reviewed, and effectively implemented.
- Maintain compliance with applicable Canadian laws, Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) requirements, charitable regulations, financial reporting obligations, and ethical fundraising standards, including proper donor receipting and records management.
- Provide the Board with accurate, timely, and transparent reporting on fundraising results, financial performance, organizational risks, strategic initiatives, and progress against approved performance objectives.
5. Organizational Leadership, Operations & Team Development
- Lead FFPC with a strong sense of ownership, urgency, and accountability, balancing executive oversight with direct participation in critical fundraising, partnership development, and operational activities.
- Build and develop a capable, high-performing team that embraces initiative, collaboration, innovation, and measurable results while operating effectively in a resource-conscious environment.
- Establish clear performance expectations, strengthen fundraising and operational capabilities, and promote a culture of continuous improvement, sound decision-making, and responsible stewardship.
- Oversee organizational operations, workforce planning, financial administration, and resource management to ensure the infrastructure and capabilities required to support sustainable growth.
6. Mission Advancement, Communications & Humanitarian Impact
- Ensure fundraising strategies, donor commitments, and organizational initiatives remain aligned with FFPC's humanitarian mission and the priorities established by the Board of Directors.
- Collaborate with international affiliates and in-country partners to understand program needs, strengthen relationships, and communicate the tangible impact of donor contributions.
- Champion FFPC's mission through compelling communication, public representation, donor engagement, and storytelling that inspires generosity, builds trust, and strengthens the organization's reputation.
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, Fundraising, Finance, International Development, or a related field required.
- Advanced degree or relevant professional certification, such as Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), preferred.
Required Experience
- Minimum of 10 years of progressive professional experience, including significant senior leadership or executive responsibility in fundraising, philanthropy, revenue development, or organizational growth within the Canadian charitable or nonprofit sector.
- Demonstrated track record of personally generating substantial philanthropic revenue, securing major gifts, closing significant funding commitments, and consistently achieving or exceeding measurable fundraising targets.
- Proven success developing and executing revenue growth and diversification strategies, including expanding donor portfolios, establishing new funding channels, and improving donor acquisition and retention.
- Demonstrated ability to translate ambitious growth objectives into actionable strategies, measurable financial targets, and sustained organizational results.
- Strong financial and commercial management experience, including revenue forecasting, budgeting, financial performance analysis, and organizational sustainability planning.
- Experience leading and developing teams in lean, entrepreneurial, or resource-constrained environments, with demonstrated willingness and ability to personally execute critical initiatives.
- Experience engaging effectively with Boards of Directors, supporting governance responsibilities, and establishing appropriate policies, controls, and accountability mechanisms.
- Strong understanding of the Canadian charitable landscape, fundraising practices, donor expectations, and relevant regulatory requirements.
Preferred Experience
- Established professional relationships within Canada's philanthropic community, including major donors, corporate partners, foundations, and faith-based organizations.
- Experience developing philanthropic partnerships with churches, religious institutions, and Christian faith-based donors.
- Familiarity with the countries and communities supported by Food For The Poor Canada, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean, and experience building relationships with international humanitarian or in-country implementing organizations.
- Experience leading significant organizational growth, revenue transformation, or expansion initiatives within a charitable organization.
- Familiarity with digital fundraising platforms, donor relationship management systems, fundraising analytics, and emerging donor engagement strategies.
- Experience working within a Christian faith-based or values-driven humanitarian organization.
- French-language proficiency is considered an asset.
Key Performance Expectations
The Executive Director will be accountable to the Board of Directors for delivering measurable progress against agreed annual and multiyear objectives, with particular emphasis on:
- Revenue Growth: Demonstrate significant and sustained growth in philanthropic revenue through the development and execution of an ambitious, results-driven fundraising strategy. Establish and achieve measurable annual and multiyear revenue targets, aligned with the organization's strategic priorities and approved by the Board of Directors.
- Fundraising Performance: Achievement of annual fundraising goals, significant major gifts secured, new donor acquisition, and growth in philanthropic contributions.
- Revenue Diversification: Establishment and expansion of sustainable funding channels, with measurable improvements in the distribution and reliability of revenue sources.
- Strategic Partnerships: Development of meaningful, revenue-generating relationships with major donors, corporations, foundations, faith-based organizations, and international partners.
- Financial Sustainability: Improved revenue predictability, fundraising efficiency, financial performance, and progress toward operating reserve objectives.
- Organizational Effectiveness: Execution of strategic priorities, effective governance and compliance, team development, and operational capabilities that support continued growth.
