Philanthropy Assistant

Date: June 2025

Department: Development

Reports to: Director, Individual & Foundation Giving

Status: Contract Full-Time (8-week contract, beginning in June 2025)

Rate of Pay: $26 Per Hour

Location: Etobicoke, ON

Time Required on Site: 40%

 

Who We Are

Second Harvest is Canada’s largest food rescue organization and is a global thought leader on perishable food redistribution. We work with thousands of food businesses from across the supply chain to redirect unsold surplus food to non-profit organizations that feed communities in every province and territory. Our mission is to keep food where it belongs: On plates and out of landfills. 

 

The Role

The Philanthropy Assistant will provide key support to Second Harvest’s Development team by focusing on donor research, prospecting, and building donor profiles. This role is ideal for someone with strong research and organizational skills who is eager to contribute to the growth of Second Harvest’s individual donor base.

 

Your Impact

• Donor Research: Build out Second Harvest’s donor base across Canada by conducting detailed research on individual donors, including confirming addresses, gathering demographic data, and enhancing donor profiles.
• Prospect List Development: Research and compile prospect lists for targeted expansion in specific regions, identifying organizations and potential donors that align with Second Harvest’s mission.
• Database Management: Input and update donor information in the Raiser’s Edge database, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
• Support Strategic Growth: Collaborate with team members to support the strategic development of Second Harvest’s individual giving portfolio, contributing to the identification of high-potential donors.
• Reporting: Assist in the preparation of research findings and reports to guide fundraising strategies and donor engagement initiatives.
• Perform other related duties as required or assigned to support the overall goals of the organization.

 

Who You Are

 

• Funded through Canada Summer Jobs, to be eligible for this opportunity, candidates must:
• be Youth between 18 and 30 years of age at the start of the employment.
• be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of the employment, and
• have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations.
• Completed high school and a minimum of one year of college/university post-secondary education preferably in a related field of study.  
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office required.
• Proficiency with English language skills, both verbal and written.
• Adaptability - The ability to achieve or adjust goals and behaviours when expected or unexpected change occurs, by planning, staying focused, persisting, and overcoming setbacks. For example, one uses this skill to change work plans to meet new deadlines, learn how to work with new tools and improve skills through feedback.
• Collaboration - The ability to contribute and support others to achieve a common goal. For example, at work we use this skill to provide meaningful support to team members while completing a project.
• Communication - The ability to receive, understand, consider, and share information and ideas through speaking, listening, and interacting with others. For example, we use this skill to listen to instructions, serve customers and discuss ideas.
• Creativity and Innovation - The ability to imagine, develop, express, encourage, and apply ideas in ways that are novel, unexpected, challenges existing methods and norms. For example, we use this skill to discover better ways of doing things, develop new products, and deliver services in a new way.
• Digital Skills - The ability to use digital technology and tools to find, manage, apply, create, and share information and content. For example, we use this skill to create spreadsheets, safely use social media, and securely make online purchases.
• Problem-solving - The ability to identify, analyze, propose solutions, and make decisions. Problem solving helps you to address issues, monitor success, and learn from the experience. For example, we use this skill to make hiring decisions, select courses of action and troubleshoot technical failures.
• Reading and/or Writing - The ability to find, understand, use, or share information presented through written words, symbols, and images. For example, reading is used to locate information on forms and drawings, and to read items such as emails, reports, news articles, blog posts and instructions. Writing is used to fill out forms and applications, and write emails, reports and social media posts.

 

For more information about Second Harvest, please visit our Careers page here.

To Apply

Please submit your cover letter and resume using the online portal. Consideration of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Only electronic applications will be accepted.

We strongly encourage applications from all candidates, especially those from equity-deserving groups, including but not limited to racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous peoples, women, persons with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ2S+ community.

Second Harvest is committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment and selection process. Please let us know if you require any accommodations.