Manager, Foundations & Planned Giving

At United Way of Calgary and Area, we believe that united, we make the biggest difference. We’re strongest when we come together to improve local lives and communities—and when we come together as a team, we passionately propel our mission forward. We’re currently looking for a Manager, Foundations & Planned Giving to join our team.

Reporting to the Director, Philanthropic Partnerships & Stewardship, the Manager, Foundations & Planned Giving plays a key role in advancing United Way of Calgary and Area’s long-term and annual revenue strategies by growing philanthropic investment through foundations and legacy-based giving. This position is responsible for managing and growing an active pipeline of private, corporate, and family foundations, and for expanding planned giving revenue through bequests and other legacy vehicles.

Working closely with internal partners across Resource Development, Community Impact and Marketing & Communications, the Manager aligns donors and foundations with the most relevant United Way opportunities to deepen engagement and grow investment. The Manager also provides leadership and oversight to staff responsible for the day-to-day execution of foundation and planned giving fundraising activity, establishing growth‑oriented targets and KPIs and ensuring the team is accountable to deliver results and drive revenue.

If you are passionate about your community, aspire to make an impact, thrive in a fast‑paced environment, and want to make a difference, then we’re looking for you!

• Lead Foundation Strategy & Growth:
  Build and execute a strategy to increase UWCA’s market share of gifts from private, corporate, and family foundations; prioritize transformational and multi‑year partnerships; maintain a rolling pipeline and grant calendar for LOIs, proposals, and renewals.
• Own the Planned Giving Program:
  Grow the number of confirmed bequests from loyal donors and expand legacy commitments via life insurance, RRSPs, and TFSAs, as well as Family Funds and Named Funds; provide strategic support to legacy marketing, advisor outreach, and stewardship.
• Build a Tiered Pipeline:
  Qualify and segment prospects; design clear moves across qualification → cultivation → solicitation → stewardship; track progression, forecast revenue, and optimize for conversion and ROI.
• Match Projects to Funder Priorities:
  Translate UWCA strategies and community impact priorities into fundable projects; develop tailored cases and proposals, outcomes frameworks, and budgets that authentically align with each foundation’s interests.
• Deliver Excellent Stewardship:
  Steward existing planned giving donors and foundation partners with timely, personalized impact reports, recognition plans, and engagement opportunities; sustain retention, growth and renewal.
• Lead & Develop the Team:
  Manage, coach, and support direct reports responsible for research, writing, submissions, reporting, and donor touchpoints; set goals, monitor performance, and foster a collaborative, values‑based culture.

Experience:

• Post‑secondary education preferably in fundraising, communications, marketing, or business, or a combination of equivalent education and experience.
• Minimum 7 years’ experience fundraising with demonstrated results in both annual and planned giving.
• Experience using CRM fundraising software such as Salesforce or an equivalent.
• Experienced in using Microsoft 365 suite of products.

Attributes:

• Proven ability to build trusted relationships with senior leaders across sectors.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to advance complex initiatives successfully with a broad stakeholder base.
• Strong communicator with excellent writing and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to craft compelling LOIs, proposals, and impact reports grounded in clear outcomes, budgets, and community impact.
• A strategic thinker with a focus on execution.
• Team player with demonstrated ability to work independently and self‑manage effectively in a changing environment with multiple priorities.
• Excellent organizational, project and time‑management skills.

Our team values the flexibility that hybrid work offers, while also…