ABOUT SPIRIT NORTH:
Established in 2017, Spirit North is a national charitable organization that works alongside Indigenous communities and schools to co-create sport, play, and land-based opportunities for children and youth. Through consistent, relationship-centred programming, youth have opportunities to be active, build confidence and leadership skills, strengthen connections to the land and community, and thrive in sport, school, and life.
Our vision is all Indigenous youth experience the joy of sport and play. We imagine a future where all Indigenous youth live active, healthy lives, celebrate their culture and identities, strengthen their communities, and pursue their dreams.
Spirit North programs are co-created with communities and schools to reflect local cultures, traditions, seasons, places, and priorities. By providing equipment, instruction, transportation, and regular programming at no cost to youth and families, Spirit North helps reduce barriers to participation and supports meaningful opportunities for physical activity, well-being, community connection, and leadership. Our approach is grounded in relationships, respect, reciprocity, and responsibility, with a long-term commitment to strengthening sustainable sport, play, and land-based programming in community.
POSITION SUMMARY:
Reporting to the Director of Development, this new position will play a key role in advancing Spirit North’s fund development, and revenue diversification efforts by building and strengthening relationships with partner Indigenous communities, rights holders and Nations to co-create funding requests (joint applications), explore community supported funding opportunities, donor engagement, proposal/grant writing, and stewardship.
The role will also lead the exploration of a fee-for-service model(s), ensuring any earned-revenue opportunity strengthens long-term sustainability while remaining grounded in Spirit North’s values, brand voice, and core commitment to Indigenous youth and partner communities.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Co-create revenue generation strategies with partner Indigenous rights holders and communities, Nations, schools, and community leaders that reflect community priorities, shared opportunities, and long-term program sustainability.
- Support fund development activities, including grant writing, proposal development, donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, reporting, and relationship management.
- Lead the exploration and development of earned-revenue opportunities, including fee-for-service models for appropriate Spirit North programming with non-program schools or other paying partners.
- Actively contribute to the Fund Development and Marketing & Communications teams by bringing your knowledge, experience, and relationship-based insight to fundraising strategy, donor engagement, external communications, storytelling, and stewardship.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:
- Spirit North strongly encourages applications from First Nations, Inuit and Métis candidates. We welcome candidates who bring Indigenous lived experience, cultural knowledge, and demonstrated experience building respectful relationships with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities and organizations.
- Post-secondary education in Indigenous studies, community development, nonprofit management, fund development, communications, or a related field; equivalent professional experience will also be considered.
- 5–7 years of experience in fund development, Indigenous relations, community partnerships, donor relations, government relations, nonprofit leadership, or a related field.
- Demonstrated ability to build respectful, trust-based relationships with Indigenous communities, Nations, schools, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, community leaders, donors, funders, and internal teams.
- Strong fund development experience, including donor cultivation and stewardship, proposal and grant writing, reporting, relationship management, ethical fundraising practices, and audience-specific communications.
- Understanding community-led approaches, cultural safety, reciprocity, and working by invitation, with diplomacy, humility, sound judgement, creativity, and collaborative spirit needed to work in a flexible, relationship-centred environment.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a flexible, fast-paced, remote environment.
- Creativity, curiosity, and a sense of fun, with a genuine commitment to Spirit North’s mission, values, and work, alongside Indigenous youth and communities.
BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION:
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
- Health insurance and retirement benefits package.
- Professional development opportunities and support for ongoing learning and growth.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $80,000.00-$95,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Canmore, AB T1W 2T6
