Ernestine's Women's Shelter is seeking an experienced Senior Manager of Development and Communications to join our leadership team and take Ernestine's from a +$700K community fundraising base to a diversified revenue strategy with year-over-year growth. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, you will shape the fundraising strategy, cultivate transformational donors, and build sustainable revenue that directly changes the lives of survivors of gender-based violence. Investments helps survivors fleeing violence access emergency shelter, housing support, counselling, children's programming, legal advocacy and long-term safety. The Senior Manager of Development and Communications plays a critical leadership role in ensuring Ernestine's can continue expanding these life-saving services.

Our Story

Since 1983, Ernestine's has helped over 15,000 individuals and children rebuild with dignity and independence. Today, we serve over 700 survivors each year.

Our Vision

Transforming lives beyond violence.

Our Mission

Ernestine's provides advocacy, crisis intervention and shelter to adults and children experiencing violence, including women and Two-Spirit, trans, non-binary and gender diverse individuals.

Our values

Compassion: We cultivate a practice of empathy, kindness and hope.

Respect: We work to be a diverse and inclusive community where all feel welcome and can thrive.

Equity & Liberation: We declare that every person is inherently worthy and has the right to flourish with dignity, love, and compassion.

Autonomy: We affirm and support each person’s unique journey and experiences and their right to make their own choices.

Our Team





Ernestine's mission is executed by a team of highly committed individuals in three distinct program areas: Direct Service; Engagement & Development; Finance & Administration. The Direct Service Team consists of dedicated staff that provides programs and services in our 35 bed shelter, as well as community outreach programs.

The Position

Ernestine's is seeking a strategic and active Senior Manager of Development and Communications to lead Ernestine's comprehensive fundraising, donor engagement, and communications strategy. As a member of the senior leadership team, with 2-3 direct-reports, you will develop and execute creative fundraising initiatives that diversify and grow revenue through individual giving, major gifts, foundations, corporations, and in-kind contributions.

The Senior Managerwill be responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding investments while building long-term relationships with major donors, monthly donors, corporate partners, foundations, and community stakeholders. You will lead the organization's major gifts program, proactively investigating and securing new revenue-generating opportunities that advance Ernestine's mission and long-term sustainability.

You will provide strategic leadership for development-related communications, including oversight of digital media (social media, website, e-newsletters), events promotions, announcements,



preparing compelling proposals and ensuring timely reporting. You will also oversee fundraising campaigns and events including International Women's Day, Stand Up for Ernestine's and Summer Brew for Ernestine's, and communications initiatives that elevate Ernestine's profile, strengthen community partnerships, and deepen public investment in our mission.

The successful candidate is a visionary fundraising leader with a proven ability to build meaningful relationships, inspire philanthropy, and secure significant investments that enable Ernestine's Women's Shelter to expand its impact and support survivors fleeing violence.

Key Accountabilities

Fundraising and Revenue Growth

- Grow annual fundraising of + $700K base through a diversified mix of individual giving, major gifts, foundations, corporate partnerships and government funding.
- Lead a strategic stewardship plan that ensures timely and meaningful recognition, ensuring dedicated personalized relationship building with major and high-potential donors and supports long-term retention.
- Develop and implement a donor engagement calendar to ensure timely execution of stewardship tasks, including communications, reporting, recognition activities and engagement touchpoints
- Execute plans and strategies to acquire and retain corporate donors.
- Proactively identify and engage high-potential prospects across individual, foundation, and corporate audiences through research, networking, referrals, and relationship development.
- Build, manage, and grow a portfolio of donors, foundations, corporations, sponsors, and institutional funders.

Donor Communications and Recognition

- Develop stewardship

📌 Senior Manager of Development and Communications (Toronto)
🏢 Ernestine's Women's Shelter
📍 Toronto