Development Director at Estonian Museum Canada (VEMU)
Location: Toronto, ON (Hybrid)
Position Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Probationary period: Six months, with a formal performance review at three months
Reports to: Chief Archivist, Treasurer
Salary: $80,000–$90,000 CAD
Anticipated start: December 1, 2026
About Estonian Museum Canada (VEMU)
Estonian Museum Canada (VEMU) is a cultural institution dedicated to preserving, sharing, and celebrating the history, stories, and cultural heritage of Estonians in Canada and the Global Diaspora.
Building on more than 50 years of archival stewardship, it holds the largest collection of Estonian cultural heritage outside Estonia: an extensive and internationally significant collection documenting Estonian life in Canada and across the diaspora. Through its archives, exhibitions, research, cultural programming, and public events, VEMU connects generations and brings this heritage into conversation with contemporary culture. In 2025 alone, VEMU delivered more than 70 public events.
VEMU is now entering a significant period of growth. Major plans are underway to transform its archives into a modern preservation facility and advance the development of a future museum. As we prepare for this next chapter, including a major multi-phase capital campaign, we are seeking an experienced, strategic, and hands-on Development Director to build and lead VEMU’s fundraising program.
Position Overview
The Development Director will lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive fundraising program supporting VEMU’s mission, growth, and long-term sustainability.
The role will establish strong fundraising systems and donor programs; lead annual, major, institutional, and campaign fundraising; and oversee VEMU’s upcoming capital campaign. The Development Director will work closely with the Chief Archivist, Treasurer, Dir. Public Affairs, Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, donors, government partners, and community stakeholders.
This is an opportunity for an experienced development professional who enjoys both strategy and execution and is excited to help build a growing fundraising operation.
Key Responsibilities
1. Fundraising Strategy & Capital Campaign
- Develop and implement an annual fundraising strategy with clear goals, budgets, timelines, and performance measures.
- Lead the planning and execution of VEMU’s multi-phase capital campaign, encompassing the renewal of the archives and development of the future museum.
- Build and coordinate the campaign cabinet, volunteer leadership, and supporting campaign structure.
- Oversee campaign planning, case for support development, feasibility work, donor strategy, and campaign communications.
- Provide regular fundraising forecasts, analysis, and progress reporting to organizational leadership and the Board.
2. Annual, Major & Donor Giving
- Build and lead VEMU’s annual giving program.
- Develop and manage the donor pipeline, including prospect identification and research, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and recognition.
- Lead major and leadership giving initiatives.
- Develop sponsorship opportunities and manage relationships with corporate and community partners.
- Strengthen donor retention and create pathways for donors to deepen their engagement with VEMU.
3. Government, Foundation & Institutional Funding
- Lead Canadian municipal, provincial, and federal and Estonian government funding applications for programming, cultural initiatives, capital projects, and organizational development, coordinating input from the VEMU team.
- Maintain relationships with Estonian-Canadian, Estonian, and global Estonian diaspora organizations and funders.
- Research, identify and pursue emerging funding opportunities aligned with VEMU’s priorities and goals.
- Maintain a centralized calendar and tracking system for applications, reporting requirements, and deadlines.
4. Development Systems & Infrastructure
- Establish and maintain effective development policies, procedures, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Oversee CRM data quality, maintenance, segmentation, and automation to support donor management and reporting.
- Develop sustainable systems for prospect and pipeline management, gift tracking, donor stewardship, and impact reporting.
- Ensure appropriate practices for donor privacy, gift documentation, acknowledgement, and charitable receipting.
5. Fundraising Events
- Lead the fundraising strategy for VEMU’s annual fundraising dinner, working with staff and volunteers on delivery.
- Identify opportunities to integrate donor engagement and fundraising into other key VEMU events.
- Coordinate fundraising committees and volunteers associated with development events and campaigns.
6. Team & Volunteer Leadership
- Help build and lead a growing development function as VEMU’s fundraising activities expand.
- Recruit, mentor, and manage development staff, interns, consultants, and volunteers as required.
- Work closely with the Board and its fundraising leadership to mobilize networks and support donor engagement.
7. Advancement, Partnerships & Communications
- Work closely with the Director of Public Affairs to steward relationships with government partners, cultural funders, foundations, sponsors, and other institutional stakeholders.
- Collaborate on communications related to fundraising, organizational milestones, donor engagement, and the capital campaign.
- Ensure consistent messaging across donor communications, grant materials, campaign materials, public updates, and events.
- Represent VEMU, together with organizational leadership, at community events, meetings, and sector gatherings that strengthen relationships and raise VEMU’s profile.
Qualifications
- 5+ years of progressive experience in fundraising, development, or advancement, ideally in the arts, culture, heritage, or nonprofit sectors, including leadership or management responsibilities.
- Demonstrated success in donor cultivation and solicitation, major gifts, sponsorships, or other relationship-based fundraising.
- Experience leading government and/or foundation funding applications in Canada.
- Strong strategic planning, project management, communication, and relationship-building skills.
- Experience working with fundraising CRMs and using data to manage donor pipelines, reporting, and decision-making.
- Ability to move comfortably between high-level strategy and hands-on execution.
- Experience with capital campaigns is a strong asset.
- Experience building fundraising systems, policies, or programs within a growing organization is an asset.
- Familiarity with Estonian language, culture, or diaspora communities is an asset but not required.
- Tact, diplomacy, and sound judgment when working with donors, volunteers, colleagues, government partners, and community stakeholders.
- Availability to attend key VEMU events and donor activities outside regular working hours when required.
- Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada.
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary: $80,000–$90,000 CAD, commensurate with experience
- Four weeks of vacation
- Health benefits
- Hybrid work environment
- Eligible for an annual performance bonus above base salary, assessed against agreed goals for fundraising, donor stewardship, campaign progress, and development systems.
To Apply
Please send your resume and a cover letter to info@vemu.ca by November 16, 2026. Both documents are required for your application to be considered. Late applications will not be accepted.
This is a newly created position at VEMU. Interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis and may begin with a brief telephone screening before a full interview.
In-person interviews are preferred, but online interviews can be arranged. References will be requested later in the selection process.
VEMU may use artificial intelligence tools to support the screening and assessment of applications.
VEMU is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in our hiring practices. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates participating in all aspects of the selection process. To request an accommodation, please send an email to info@vemu.ca.
