About CFS Ottawa

Counselling and Family Service (CFS) Ottawa has been providing accessible, trauma-informed counselling and anti violence support to individuals, couples and families since 1940. We are a bilingual organization and a designated

French-language service provider, working from an intersectional, anti-racist, and trauma-informed lens across our programs. CFS Ottawa is building a community engagement and fund development program for the first time —

this is a foundational opportunity to help shape how we connect with our community, donors and community partners for years to come.

The Opportunity

Working closely with the Executive Director, the Community Engagement and Fund Development Officer will help grow awareness of CFS Ottawa, build relationships with community members, donors and community partners, and lay the foundation for sustainable community engagement, funding and revenue diversification.

This is a temporary position with a dual focus: building capacity for the future while supporting priority short-term

fundraising efforts. As our community engagement and fund development program grows, we expect this role to grow and evolve alongside it.

What Success Looks Like in the First Six Months

This is a brand-new function at CFS Ottawa. In the first six months, this role is about looking backward to build forward: understanding what's worked for CFS in the past — our donor history, past campaigns, existing community relationships — and using that to help establish the foundation this program will build on. That includes reconnecting with past supporters, contributing to this year's Giving Tuesday campaign, and beginning to build and strengthen relationships with Board members, community partners, local businesses, and the broader Ottawa community CFS serves.

Qualifications

- Demonstrated experience building genuine relationships — with community members and institutional partners alike — that have translated into fundraising, sponsorships, partnerships, or other measurable outcomes
- Knowledge of donor stewardship, relationship-based fundraising, and revenue diversification principles




- Excellent writing and storytelling skills for public audiences — able to produce transparent, accessible, compelling content across formats including social media, newsletters, and appeals. Public-facing language must remain accurate and nuanced, consistent with CFS Ottawa's anti-racist, anti-oppressive approach: telling client and program stories with dignity, avoiding pity-based or sensationalized narratives
- Self-motivated and able to work independently while managing multiple priorities
- Ability to develop new systems and processes within a growing organization, and strong organizational and planning skills
- Commitment to understanding and applying an intersectional and feminist, anti-racist, anti-oppressive, anti homophobia, anti-transphobia, disability justice, and First Nations, Métis and Inuit justice and reconciliation lens
- Experience working with diverse populations based on, among other things, culture, race, socio-economic status, gender identity and expression, and sexual orientation
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English or French. Bilingualism (English and French) is an asset, given CFS Ottawa's bilingual mandate, including French-language designated programming
- Computer and technical proficiency, including MS 365, social media, and databases

Assets

- Experience in fundraising, communications, community development, marketing, or a related field
- Knowledge of Ottawa's communities, especially Vanier, and the nonprofit sector

Operational Requirements

- Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for community events or meetings related to fundraising plans or projects (up to 2 evening or weekend days per week)
- Mix of on-site work at CFS and travel within Ottawa communities

Key Responsibilities





Fund Development

- Help establish and grow CFS Ottawa's individual giving program
- Identify opportunities to engage new donors, community supporters, corporate partners, and granting organizations
- Support the planning and implementation of annual fundraising campaigns
- Explore and develop new fundraising opportunities aligned with organizational priorities

Donor Stewardship

- Build and maintain positive relationships with donors and supporters
- Develop stewardship activities that recognize and engage supporters
- Assist with donor communications, acknowledgements, and ongoing engagement

Community Engagement

- Represent CFS Ottawa at community events, partner meetings, and outreach opportunities
- Build relationships with businesses, community organizations, and volunteers
- Increase awareness of CFS Ottawa's mission and impact throughout the community

Communications

- Work collaboratively with program staff to gather client and program stories, ensuring informed consent and confidentiality
- Support the development of fundraising materials, newsletters, social media content, and donor/funder communications

Systems Development

- Help establish and maintain fundraising systems, including donor records and stewardship processes
- Track fundraising activities and maintain accurate documentation
- Contribute to the development of policies and procedures that support fund development

Evaluation and Planning

- Monitor activities and outcomes
- Provide recommendations for strengthening CFS Ottawa's future fundraising efforts
- Prepare reports as required

General

- Participate in staff meetings and supervision with your supervisor
- Maintain required administrative documentation
- Conduct oneself in accordance with the agency's values and the Ontario Human Rights Code in all professional interactions
- Represent CFS Ottawa professionally at all times
- Perform other duties consistent with the positio

Pay: $68,240.66-$76,211.95 per year

Benefits:

- Mileage reimbursement
- On-site gym
- On-site parking

Work Location: In person

📌 Community Engagement and Fund Development Officer (Canada)
🏢 Counselling and Family Service Ottawa
📍 Canada