Sponsorship & Major Gifts Officer

Organizational Overview

Since 1975 The Mustard Seed Street Church has been essential in fighting hunger and restoring faith to our community in Greater Victoria. Our operations are nearly 100 percent community funded and include Vancouver Island's largest and most accessible Food Bank; daily meals, coffee, and snacks; Hospitality programs; and a Food Security Distribution Centre. We offer church services and community building faith-based programming, as well as pastoral care for those seeking a place to belong and grow spiritually. Through these core programs we assist over 5,000 people each month with the help of more than 50 daily volunteers and many generous financial supporters!

Position Overview

The Sponsorship and Major Gifts Officer is responsible for building strong relationships with businesses and individual donors to generate significant financial support for the organization. This role focuses on developing corporate partnerships, securing sponsorships for events and programs, and identifying, cultivating, and stewarding individuals capable of making major gifts.

Working closely with the Director of Development and fundraising team, the Sponsorship and Major Gifts Officer will play a key role in expanding the organization’s donor base and increasing revenue through strategic partnerships and philanthropic giving.

Key Responsibilities

Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships

• Identify and cultivate relationships with local businesses and corporate partners
  • Develop and secure sponsorships for organizational programs, campaigns, and events
  • Create and present customized partnership proposals and sponsorship packages
  • Maintain ongoing relationships with corporate sponsors to ensure long-term partnerships
  • Ensure sponsors receive appropriate recognition and stewardship

Major Gifts

• Identify individuals with the capacity to make significant financial contributions
  • Build and maintain relationships with major donors and prospective donors
  • Develop strategies for donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
  • Work closely with leadership to coordinate major gift asks and donor meetings
  • Track donor engagement and giving opportunities

Fundraising Strategy and Development

• Support the development of fundraising strategies focused on major gifts and corporate partnerships
  • Collaborate with the communications, community engagement and events teams to align sponsorship opportunities
  • Maintain accurate donor records and track engagement activities in the donor database
  • Monitor fundraising progress and prepare reports on sponsorship and major gift activities

 Relationship Management

• Serve as a key ambassador for the organization in the community
  • Attend networking events and community functions to build relationships with potential partners and donors
  • Provide excellent stewardship to ensure donors and sponsors feel valued and connected to the organization’s impact

 Success Indicators

Major Gifts Revenue Growth
Develop and grow a major gifts and corporate sponsorship portfolio, with revenue targets increasing over time as the program matures:

• Year 1: $150,000–$300,000 in major gifts and sponsorships
  • Year 2: $300,000–$500,000
  • Year 3: $500,000–$800,000+

Corporate Partnerships
Secure 3–5 new corporate sponsorships annually, building long-term partnerships with local businesses aligned with the organization’s mission and programs.

Donor Conversion
Achieve a conversion rate of approximately 20–25% from qualified leads or prospects to committed donors or sponsors.

Donor Portfolio Development
Build and maintain a portfolio of 75–125 major gift prospects, with 25–40 active cultivation relationships at any given time.

Relationship Activity
Conduct 80–120 meaningful interactions with donors and prospects annually, including meetings, site visits, and stewardship conversations, to build strong and lasting relationships.

Qualified Gift Requests
Develop and present 15–25 personalized major gift or sponsorship proposals annually, aligned with donor interests and organizational priorities.

Pipeline Development
Identify and qualify new major gift prospects through research, internal referrals, and community connections, including prospects identified within the existing CRM database.

Donor Stewardship
Ensure all major donors and sponsors receive timely and meaningful stewardship, including recognition, impact reporting, and personalized follow-up communications.

Collaboration
Maintain strong collaboration with internal teams, including timely follow-up on qualified leads identified through community engagement, events, and organizational relationships.

Donor Retention and Growth
Demonstrate increasing donor retention and upgrades as the program develops:

• Year 1: Establish baseline relationships and secure repeat gifts where possible
  • Year 2: 50–60% retention of major donors
  • Year 3: 70–80% retention, with evidence of increased giving among existing donors.

Quality of Engagement
Maintain strong relationships with donors and corporate partners, reflected through repeat sponsorships, continued giving, and positive feedback from supporters.

Qualifications

• Experience in fundraising, corporate partnerships, or major giving
  • Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with donors, sponsors, or clients
  • Excellent communication, networking, and presentation skills
  • Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple relationships and priorities
  • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
  • Passion for the organization’s mission and community impact
• Familiarity with Raiser’s Edge system
• Class 5 Driver’s license
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

Terms of Employment

• Must be willing to sign the staff Code of Conduct
• Must be willing to read, agree and sign the MSSC HR Manual
• This position reports to: Director of Development
• Term: Full Time, Permanent
• Hours: Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm; evenings and weekend as required
• The MSSC follows BC Employment Standards

Must provide an acceptable vulnerable sector Criminal Record Check