Applications should be submitted by email to lesley.hudson@macdonaldlaurier.ca.
Strong, sound public policy is the cornerstone of every great democracy. As such, the Macdonald-Laurier Institute (MLI) exists to make bad public policies unacceptable to Canadians. To help us achieve our goals, MLI has an immediate opening for a full-time Grants Writer and Fundraising Specialist.
Job 1 for this role is writing compelling grant applications that drive support, and timely reports that ensure supporters understand the impact of their gift. The successful candidate must have superior writing, editing and project management skills. They will demonstrate high levels of tact and diplomacy, coordinating with MLI’s busy Program Directors to stay on top of program deliverables, track success stories, and tell the story of why support for MLI is an investment in Canada.
As a member of the MLI team, the Grants Writer and Fundraising Specialist will support the Business Development Director in raising funds for MLI. The primary accountability of the role is telling the MLI story through expert-level grant writing and reporting, inclusive of overseeing and managing all grant-related deliverables. The Specialist will also support the fundraising team by identifying and soliciting new prospects, primarily (but not exclusively) with respect to Foundation opportunities.
The Macdonald-Laurier Institute is strictly non-partisan; working for MLI is incompatible with active membership in any political party.
Duties and Responsibilities
- With professional copywriting skills, tell the story of MLI’s impact through grant applications and grant reporting.
- Oversee MLI’s schedule of grant application and report dates.
- Proactively gather the information needed for applications and grant reporting, inclusive of scheduling and leading meetings with Program Directors and the Director of Communications to capture relevant inputs on project deliverables, successes, and impacts.
- Work collaboratively with the MLI team to increase funding, including initiatives to find new sources of funding for the Institute.
Qualifications
- Minimum three years of relevant grant writing and fundraising experience (or equivalent).
- Superior copywriting, editing and storytelling skills.
- Ability to manage time, deadlines and work cooperatively.
- Mastery of general project management skills. Must have the ability to forecast project delays (as they apply to reporting requirements), raise red flags in advance of major issues, and work collaboratively with the team to identify solutions.
- Solid understanding of Canada’s non-profit ecosystem is considered a strong asset.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workplace, Zoho, and Monday.com is an asset.
- Experience with media monitoring software and Google Analytics is an asset.
- Experience fundraising within a think tank and/or the liberty-promoting movement is an asset.
MLI offers a compensation plan competitive with other similar roles.
Applications should be submitted by email to lesley.hudson@macdonaldlaurier.ca.