BOARD OPPORTUNITIES
- Human Resources & Operations / Governance & Nominating Chair
- Fundraising
Are you ready to make a difference?
Nearly 1.4 million Albertans now live in food-insecure households. They simply don’t have enough income to put healthy food on the table, every meal, every day. This crisis means that nearly 1 in 3 kids in our province – about 350,000 children – are growing up without reliable access to adequate nutrition. Food insecurity harms every part of a child’s life.
Food insecurity is not about a lack of food. It’s about a lack of income to meet essential needs. That’s why we don’t hand out free food hampers. Instead, we empower food-insecure families with grocery gift cards distributed through our network of trusted agencies and community partners. It’s a simple, research-backed model for families to access the food they need, their way – putting dignity back on the table for thousands of Alberta families every year.
Strong governance is essential to this work. The Board provides strategic leadership, oversight, accountability, and stewardship. The Executive Director is responsible for day-to-day operations and implementation. Directors contribute their expertise at a governance level and work collaboratively with the Executive Director while respecting the distinction between governance and management.
The role of the Board
The Board leads iCAN toward its mission and desired results and is accountable for effective governance. Collectively, the Board is responsible for:
- Managing and supervising the corporation’s affairs in accordance with applicable legislation and iCAN’s governing documents.
- Setting and overseeing iCAN’s vision, mission, values, strategic direction, outcomes, key risks, and mitigation measures.
- Establishing and maintaining Board policies and monitoring them for continued relevance and effectiveness.
- Ensuring completion of the Board and committee annual work plans.
- Monitoring the financial and operational performance of the organization.
- Requiring appropriate annual financial oversight, including the annual audit.
- Appointing the corporate Officers of the Board in accordance with the Bylaws.
- Ensuring effective Board and committee succession planning.
- Evaluating and continually improving the performance of the Board and individual Directors.
What we ask of every Director
- Serve a two-year term. Additional terms may be considered in accordance with iCAN’s Board recruitment, succession, and peer-review processes.
- Attend and come prepared for Board meetings, the Annual General Meeting, special meetings, and applicable committee meetings. The Board currently meets every other month.
- Contribute at a strategic and governance level, exercise independent judgment, and work respectfully and constructively with Board colleagues and the Executive Director.
- Support iCAN’s fundraising efforts, including setting a personal annual contribution expectation, participating in fundraising activity, and using appropriate networks to help advance the organization’s mission.
- Act as a community ambassador for iCAN and support the organization’s public standing.
- Respect confidentiality, conflict-of-interest requirements, and all applicable legal and fiduciary obligations.
- Complete required governance and organizational acknowledgements, a criminal record check, and annual Board self-assessment requirements.
- Continue to develop knowledge and skills in nonprofit governance.
Board service is voluntary and without remuneration. Pre-approved expenses incurred in fulfilling Board or committee duties may be reimbursed in accordance with iCAN’s expense policy
Current recruiting priorities
iCAN is currently recruiting two Directors to strengthen the Board’s competency mix. Recruitment is guided by the organization’s commitment to competency-based selection and to a Board with a diverse mix of experience, skills, backgrounds, and perspectives.
1. Board Director - Human Resources & Operations/ Governance & Nominating Committee Chair
This Director brings senior-level human resources and organizational expertise to the Board and serves as Chair of the Governance & Nominating Committee. The role is governance-focused: it provides strategic advice and oversight and does not manage staff or day-to-day operations.
Key contributions may include:
- Advising the Board and Executive Director on human resources, people and culture, organizational practices, compensation, and related policies at a strategic level.
- Chairing the Governance & Nominating Committee and leading its annual work plan.
- Supporting Board succession planning, competency and diversity assessment, candidate recruitment, screening, nominations, orientation, and Board development.
- Helping monitor and improve Board governance practices, including review of assigned Board policies and governance processes.
- Providing HR expertise to the Executive Director when requested, while maintaining clear governance-management boundaries.
- Performing other governance duties assigned by the Board.
We are particularly interested in candidates with experience in one or more of the following:
- Senior human resources, people and culture, organizational development, or operations leadership
- Compensation, policy, talent, organizational design, or workforce strategy
- Experience in Board governance, nominations, succession planning, and committee leadership; governance training and/or a governance designation is preferred
- Nonprofit, public, community, or values-driven organizations
2. Board Director - Fundraising
This Director brings fundraising and revenue-development expertise to the Board and provides strategic guidance to strengthen iCAN’s long-term sustainability. The role supports the Executive Director and helps mobilize the full Board around fundraising priorities.
Key contributions may include:
- Providing strategic guidance on fundraising priorities aligned with iCAN’s mission and strategic plan.
- Assisting in the development and review of annual fundraising strategy, goals, performance measures, and key indicators.
- Identifying opportunities to diversify revenue and strengthen long-term sustainability.
- Advising on donor, sponsor, foundation, grant, campaign, event, and community-partnership opportunities.
- Helping cultivate appropriate relationships with prospective donors, sponsors, foundations, and community partners.
- Supporting other Board members to participate confidently and effectively in fundraising and ambassador activities.
We are particularly interested in candidates with experience in one or more of the following:
- Fund development, philanthropy, major gifts, sponsorship, or donor relations
- Fundraising strategy, campaigns, events, grants, or foundation relations
- Revenue diversification, partnerships, or business/community development
- Nonprofit, charitable, corporate, foundation, or community fundraising environments
What we are looking for
In addition to expertise relevant to one of the two priority roles, strong candidates will bring:
- Commitment to iCAN’s mission, vision, and values.
- Strategic judgment and an understanding of - or willingness to learn - effective nonprofit governance.
- A collaborative approach and the ability to contribute constructively while respecting the roles of the Board and Executive Director.
- A commitment to inclusive decision-making and the value of diverse perspectives.
- Willingness to actively support iCAN as an ambassador and fundraiser.
- Integrity, sound judgment, reliability, and the capacity to prepare for and participate in Board and committee work.
Previous Board or governance experience is an asset but not required. iCAN is committed to competency-based recruitment and values candidates who bring a range of professional experience, backgrounds, and perspectives.
Term and anticipated start
Directors serve a two-year term. iCAN is recruiting candidates to begin their term no later than January 1, 2027.
Express your interest
To express interest in joining the I Can for Kids Foundation Board of Directors, please contact us at: hello@icanforkids.ca
