Development Associate

Position: Development Associate

Location: Toronto, ON (Hybrid)

Employment Type: Existing, Full-Time Permanent position

Salary Range: $56,000 - $65,000 / year + HOOPP

POGO (Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario), is the leader of Ontario’s childhood cancer care system—bringing together clinical excellence, system coordination, and compassionate support to ensure every child with cancer has access to the best possible care.

Achieving this mission relies on the strength of our relationships and the power of philanthropy. We’re looking for a Development Associate who is ready to make a difference by bringing fresh ideas, passion, and dedication to helping children with cancer—while playing a hands-on role in advancing the fundraising strategies that fuel our impact.

W hat we offer: POGO is a great place to grow your career and support the advancement of the childhood cancer system in Ontario. We offer a highly flexible work environment, great benefits and a generous, inclusive team culture that values your contributions. •

• Hybrid work model (candidates are required to work from our Toronto office 2+ days/week)
• A competitive compensation package including comprehensive health benefits
• 3 weeks of paid vacation time
• Participation in a defined benefit pension plan with Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)

Here’s what you’ll do: As a key member of our team, you will support the planning and execution of integrated fundraising campaigns across digital and traditional channels, contribute to compelling donor communications, and help deliver thoughtful stewardship experiences that inspire long-term engagement. From annual and monthly giving to tribute programs and events, you’ll help bring diverse fundraising initiatives to life.

Working collaboratively across teams, you’ll also support the full donor lifecycle—helping to attract, onboard, retain, and recognize supporters—while ensuring strong data integrity, accurate reporting, and meaningful performance tracking. Your attention to detail, proactive mindset, and commitment to continuous improvement will help ensure every donor interaction reflects the care and excellence at the heart of POGO’s work.

Annual Giving Program Support

• Support execution of integrated direct marketing campaigns (mail, email, SMS, digital), including timelines, assets, and approvals
• Maintain campaign calendars and project plans
• Build, segment, test, and deploy email campaigns in Engaging Networks
• Update and optimize donation landing pages and program web content
• Track, analyze, and report on campaign performance metrics Monthly & Tribute Giving Programs
• Support onboarding and engagement of monthly donors
• Coordinate stewardship for in-memory and in-honour donors
• Conduct outreach to support donor retention
• Assist with conversion and retention strategies, tracking performance trends
• Coordinate donor communications and recognition activities
• Maintain accurate records for monthly and tribute giving programs Fundraising Events
• Support planning and execution of signature and community events (onsite and behind the scenes)
• Provide administrative support for event platforms (Race Roster, OneCause, Trellis)
• Track registrations, RSVPs, and event logistics
• Assist in evaluating event performance and outcomes Stewardship
• Serve as a primary point of contact for donor inquiries
• Support the donor welcome and onboarding experience
• Coordinate stewardship touchpoints, including impact reporting, milestone recognition, and acknowledgements
• Help ensure a consistent and positive donor experience Grant & Proposal Support
• Research funding opportunities and prospective donors or sponsors
• Assist in prospect identification, research, and qualification
• Contribute to grant and proposal writing
• Track deadlines, deliverables, and reporting requirements Data Management & Reporting
• Maintain accurate donor records in Raiser’s Edge, including gift processing and acknowledgements
• Generate and support analysis of fundraising performance reports and insights
• Ensure compliance with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) regulations related to fundraising and tax receipting Administrative & Operational Support
• Provide coordination, scheduling, and administrative support to the Chief Development Officer and members of the Development team
• Assist with internal workflows, meeting logistics, and preparation of presentations and materials
• Support Development Cabinet activities and help track budgets and fundraising financials Collaboration & Strategy Execution
• Work collaboratively across teams to support fundraising and program initiatives
• Contribute to the execution of development strategies and campaigns
• Stay informed on fundraising trends and best practices

Here’s what you’ll need to be successful

• Relevant college/university degree or equivalent experience
• 1–3 years of experience in fundraising, development, marketing, or a related field, with exposure to direct donor engagement
• Experience supporting the development and deployment of email campaigns, including audience segmentation, basic testing, and performance tracking
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and meet deadlines
• Solid analytical skills and attention to detail, with experience working with data, maintaining accuracy, and deploying reports
• Clear and effective written and verbal communication skills
• A warm, professional, and customer-service-oriented approach to donor and stakeholder interactions
• Familiarity with the donor lifecycle (acquisition, stewardship, retention) through work, volunteer, or internship experience is an asset
• Experience using a CRM or database system (e.g., Raiser’s Edge or similar) is needed, with a willingness to deepen technical skills
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a collaborative, team-oriented environment
• Proactive, detail-oriented, and adaptable, with a strong desire to learn and contribute to improvement
• Flexible schedule is required to accommodate weekend and evening events.
• Valid driver’s license required and access to a vehicle desired.
• Light travel is required. About POGO: POGO partners to achieve an excellent childhood cancer care system for children, youth, their families, survivors, and healthcare teams in Ontario and beyond. POGO champions childhood cancer care, and as the collective voice of this community, is the official advisor to Ontario's Ministry of Health on children's cancer control and treatment. POGO is a non-profit organization with charitable status.

Interested in being a part of POGO? We want to hear from you. POGO is committed to meeting the accessibility needs of all applicants throughout the recruiting and selection process. Please let us know about any accommodation and/or support requirements.

Please note: we are only accepting applications from those authorized to work in Canada and we are not currently sponsoring any temporary or permanent work visas.

Use of AI in Hiring: We may use AI-assisted tools to enhance the efficiency of the recruitment process for our clients. However, all applications are reviewed by human recruiters and all hiring decisions are made by human decision-makers.

How to apply: Please submit your cover letter and resume to [email protected] . Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We appreciate the interest of all applicants; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.