UNITED WAY BC IS PROUD TO BE RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF CANADA'S TOP 100 EMPLOYERS FOR 2026!
ABOUT US – WHY WE’RE HERE:
Across British Columbia, communities are facing urgent and complex social challenges. United Way BC is committed to delivering lasting, community-driven impact in partnership with diverse populations across the province including Indigenous communities whose territories we live and work on. From Vancouver Island to the Lower Mainland, and across the Thompson Nicola Cariboo, Southern Interior, Trail and District, and East Kootenay regions, we walk alongside communities to create meaningful and equitable change.
Our mission is to strengthen vital connections that support people in need in our communities.
Our vision is to create a healthy, caring and inclusive community.
How do we deliver on our mission and vision – by delivering resources and support for those who need it most, and by living our values of being collaborative, compassionate, strategic, responsive, accountable, and inspiring.
For a more in-depth to look into our work and programs, please visit: www.uwbc.ca.
ABOUT YOU:
As the Manager, Philanthropy – Legacy & Major Gifts, you have experience in major gift fundraising and planned/legacy giving. You have a broad understanding of donor cultivation, stewardship strategies, and planned giving vehicles such as bequests, endowments, gifts of insurance, and charitable remainder trusts. You have education and/or experience in fundraising, business administration, marketing, public relations, or communications.
You bring at least five years of progressive fundraising experience, with demonstrated success in both major gift solicitation and planned giving. You have advanced relationship-building skills and the ability to engage donors, professional advisors, and senior volunteers with confidence, discretion, and empathy.
ABOUT THIS ROLE:
The Manager, Philanthropy – Legacy & Major Gifts drives the growth and stewardship of a blended portfolio of planned (legacy) gifts and major gifts. The Manager leads the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors capable of making transformative gifts through bequests, gifts of insurance, endowments, and other planned giving vehicles, while also actively managing a select portfolio of major donors. The keys to success include meeting face-to-face with prospective donors along with prospecting and working from an existing portfolio of donors. The Manager partners closely with senior leadership, professional advisors, external vendors, and internal teams to maximize philanthropic impact and position United Way BC as the charity of choice.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Develops and implements a comprehensive planned giving program:
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Lead the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of legacy giving prospects and donors across bequest, gift annuity, insurance, endowment, and other planned gift vehicles
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Develop and implement tailored, relationship-centered strategies for each legacy prospect within the portfolio
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Steward confirmed legacy donors to deepen engagement, recognize their commitment, and ensure fulfillment of their gift intent
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Partner with professional advisors (estate lawyers, financial planners, accountants) to facilitate planned gift discussions and closures
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Maintain current knowledge of planned giving vehicles, tax legislation, and best practices to provide informed guidance to donors and colleagues
Develops and implements a comprehensive major giving program
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Manage a focused portfolio of major gift donors and prospects, developing personalized cultivation and solicitation strategies for each relationship
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Conduct face-to-face visits with donors and prospects, independently and alongside senior staff or volunteers as appropriate
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Develop and present compelling solicitation proposals aligned to donor interests and organizational priorities
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Identify and qualify new major gift prospects through research, referrals, and portfolio analysis
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Implement blended gift strategies that integrate major and planned giving where appropriate
Donor Stewardship & Relationship Management
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Works across UWBC teams and with external vendors to design and implement donor recognition strategies, stewardship touchpoints, and engagement plans for all portfolio relationships
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Maintain accurate and timely records of all donor interactions, strategies, and pipeline activity in the relationship management system
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Works across UWBC teams and with external vendors to produce high-quality written materials including proposals, stewardship reports, and donor correspondence
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Attend and represent United Way at external events to identify, cultivate, and steward relationships
Collaboration & Strategy
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Contribute to team operational planning, prospecting strategies, and portfolio reviews
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Delivers reports to monitor the success of the Legacy Giving Program and existing KPIs
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Analyze data to identify trends, challenges, and opportunities for growth, making recommendations for adjustments to strategies as needed
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Share planned giving expertise across the Resource Development team to build internal capacity
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Stay informed on emerging trends in legacy giving by engaging with industry associations and thought leaders
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Perform other duties related to the qualifications and requirements of the role
Direct Marketing & Pipeline Development
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Work across UWBC teams and with external vendors to execute direct marketing campaigns including lead generation and email donor journeys
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Produce reports, and support data analytics to monitor and evaluate the performance of email / various marketing campaigns
QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:
Education
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Post-secondary degree (Bachelor’s); specialization in fundraising, business administration, marketing, public relations, or communications preferred
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CFRE designation or planned giving certification (e.g., CAGP coursework) considered a strong asset
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A combination of relevant experience and education will be considered
Experience
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Minimum five years of progressive fundraising experience, with demonstrated success in both major gift solicitation and planned giving
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Proven track record of identifying, cultivating, and closing major and planned gifts in partnership with donors and professional advisors
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Experience managing a relationship-based donor portfolio with measurable revenue outcomes
Skills & Competencies
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Knowledge of planned giving vehicles including bequests, Donor Advised Funds, life insurance, charitable remainder trusts, and endowments
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Strong analytical ability to identify gift potential and match donor interests to organizational priorities
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Excellent skills with Microsoft Office tools
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Exposure / experience working with direct marketing platforms, email fundraising tools, and CRM data analytics
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Exceptional communication and active listening skills; able to navigate sensitive financial and estate planning conversations with confidence and empathy
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Ability to craft compelling, donor-centric written proposals and gift illustrations
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Strong organizational and planning skills; able to manage a complex portfolio while balancing simultaneous priorities
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Sound judgment and discretion in handling confidential donor information
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Mature, relationship-driven presence with the stature and diplomacy to engage senior volunteers, donors, and professional advisors
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Proficiency with CRM or relationship management systems
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Comfortable working independently and collaboratively within a team environment
WORKING CONDITIONS:
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Hybrid with minimum 3 days in the office
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Some evening and weekend hours required to attend donor meetings and events
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Valid Class 5 driver’s license and access to a vehicle during working hours required
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Must be available to travel within the province for donor meetings; off-site events; conferences; working group meetings, etc.
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This position is based in the Lower Mainland
CHARACTERISTICS:
For success at UWBC and in this role, the following demonstrable characteristics are required:
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A genuine commitment to building healthy, caring, and inclusive communities, internally and externally
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Embodies United Way’s core values: collaborative, compassionate, strategic, responsive, accountable, and inspiring
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Ability to navigate ambiguity and operate with confidence in a complex, evolving environment
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A strategic mindset balanced with a relationship-first approach to philanthropy
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Drive to succeed as an individual contributor and as a valued team member
At UWBC, we don’t just accept difference - we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, programs, donors, and the communities we live and work in. At UWBC, we encourage all applicants regardless of age, sex, gender identity, colour, religion, sexual orientation, or any other basis to apply.
Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women, people of colour and indigenous people are less likely to apply to roles unless they meet every qualification. At UWBC, we are dedicated to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, so if you are excited about this role, but your experience and qualifications are not perfectly aligned, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this, or other roles.
This is an exempt role. This position is at $91,970.00 annually.
Candidates must live within 80 KMs (commuting distance) from our office as this position is currently a hybrid role and office attendance is required.
Interested candidates are invited to apply by submitting a cover letter and resume to job competition E-2026-04.
We kindly ask for no phone calls, please. Due to the high number of applications UWBC receive, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. We thank all applicants for their interest in UWBC.
