Job Posting: Grants and Fundraising Manager for DABC

Who We Are

Since 1977, Disability Alliance BC (DABC) has been a provincial, cross-disability voice in British Columbia. We champion issues impacting the lives of people with disabilities through our direct services, community partnerships, advocacy, research and publications.

We work to support people with all disabilities to live with dignity, independence and as equal and full participants in the community.

Job Description

DABC is seeking a part-time, contracted Grants and Fundraising Manager to join our team. This is a brand new position in a burgeoning non-profit that is looking to diversify our revenue and find ways to maximize our impact. As this is a new position, the Grants and Fundraising Manager will exhibit leadership in creating grant processes and developing strategy to raise funds that will set the organization up for future financial success.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Grants and Fundraising Manager will support the implementation of a strategic approach to fundraising that will include donor relations, planned giving, a membership base, a grant writing program and the promotion of cross-sectoral partnerships. 

The Grants and Fundraising Manager also plays a key role as a member of DABC’s leadership committee, contributing to the direction and leadership of the organization as a whole.

Responsibilities:

• Supports the Executive Director in developing and implementing a fundraising strategy
• Develops grant proposals and coordinates grant reporting
• Liaises with the Communications Coordinator in developing content and design for online fundraising processes and grant applications
• Identifies new organizational and individual donors, and researches potential funding applications
• Liaises with the Membership and Outreach Coordinator to maximize efficiencies and coordinate our donor and membership databases
• Identifies and cultivates prospects for major gifts

Working hours:

This is a part-time, fixed-term, contracted position for a flexible 20-25 hours per week based on $30 per hour. Please note that as this is a contracted position, the successful applicant would not be eligible for extended health benefits or paid time off.

DABC is currently only able to offer a fixed-term contract up to the end of the fiscal year (March 2023), with the intention that with the right candidate who assists us in raising more funds during this period we can offer a permanent, salaried position within in our organization.

The successful applicant must:

• Have a minimum 3-5 years applicable work experience
• Have experience in the non-profit sector
• Have knowledge of the Canadian donor landscape
• Have strong written communication skills and the ability to communicate complex concepts in plain language
• Be self-motivated, adaptable, and able to work effectively with a team
• Have excellent organizational skills
• Have experience with Microsoft Office, Zoom, and other online sharing platforms

The following are strong assets for this position: 

• Lived experience with a disability and/or supporting people with disabilities
• Understanding of and demonstrated commitment to anti-oppression principles
• AFP and/or CFRE accreditation
• Experience with CRM software
• Experience with Adobe InDesign and other design software

The position is located in Vancouver, on the Unceded Territories of the Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh, and Squamish Peoples.

This position offers a hybrid work opportunity; the successful candidate may wish to work at the office (located in downtown Vancouver) part of the time, and at home the rest of the time.

DABC is an open and diverse organization that promotes inclusive hiring practices. We encourage applications from qualified applicants who identify as visible minorities, Indigenous persons, and of all sexual orientations, gender expressions and identities. People with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.

To Apply:

Please submit a resume and brief covering letter addressed to Helaine Boyd, Executive Director at helaine@disabilityalliancebc.org. No phone calls or faxes please. 

Applications are due no later than midnight on September 11, 2022. DABC welcomes all applications, however, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview. Interviews will be conducted in September and the position start date will be as soon as possible.  

Report on Recommendations for the 2023 BC Budget

In mid-June 2022, Disability Alliance BC, in partnership with the BC Poverty Reduction Coalition and the BC Chapter of Disability Without Poverty, presented to the Select Standing Committee on Finance: Annual Budget Consultation for the BC Government. Every year, the BC Government invites members of the community to present on recommendations that should be put in next year’s BC Budget.

In particular, DABC advocated for the inclusion of the following in next year’s budget:

1. Increasing the monthly Disability Assistance rate (known as PWD)
2. Establishing a comprehensive system of coverage for Medical Equipment and Assistive Devices
3. Investing in Affordable, Accessible Housing.

DABC had 5 minutes to speak on these three issues, of which our Executive Director’s speech can be found here.

On August 11, 2022, the Committee released their Report on Budget 2023 Consultation and it can be found online here: https://www.leg.bc.ca/content/CommitteeDocuments/42nd-parliament/3rd-session/fgs/budget-consultation/Budget-2023-Consultation-Report.pdf

While all three of DABC’s recommendations were referenced in the report, the Committee ultimately did not officially make any recommendations that echoed our advocacy, with the exception of Recommendation #205: “Review the eligibility and administration of income and disability assistance, including earning exemptions policies and thresholds, with a view to reducing barriers to work, providing flexibility, and ensuring that the most vulnerable have access to all necessary supports and medical needs.”

DABC also supports the Committee’s recommendation to create “an independent disability protection office to safeguard the rights of people with disabilities in BC and advocate for those experiencing abuse, neglect, and discrimination.” (page 6 of the report).

Here are all of the recommendations in the report related to disability-focused funding:

1. Create an independent disability protection advocacy office to safeguard the rights of people with disabilities in BC.

2. Broaden the terms and conditions of Workplace Accessibility Grants so that programs and supports can be put into place for small business owners with disabilities including neurodivergent people.

3. Install reader boards for public transportation, including BC Ferries, to improve accessibility for the deaf and hardof-hearing community.

25. Increase mental health supports for students at postsecondary institutions across the province, including by providing funding to hire BIPOC counsellors, and continuing funding for mental health counselling and referral services.

44. Invest $15 million in amateur sport to improve affordability for low-income families and other underserved populations, and ensure that the sector is inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible.

86. Provide research-driven increased supports and infrastructure to mitigate the worst socioeconomic and health impacts of climate change (including reduced air quality, food and water insecurity, extreme heat, extreme cold, flooding, and extreme storms) on low-income groups, specifically including seniors, unhoused people, lone parent families, Indigenous communities, people with disabilities, migrant workers, newcomers, people with mental and chronic health conditions, sex workers, and people who use drugs.

118. Prioritize and fund the development of myalgic encephalomyelitis-specific billing codes for BC clinicians and the development of continuing medical education credits, modules or incentives for BC physicians, medical students, and other medical professionals to attend training about myalgic encephalomyelitis.

119. Provide the Brain Injury Alliance with a secure, annualized, and ongoing funding agreement to offer more stability and opportunities for growth to address emerging issues in the brain injury sector.

123. Ensure timely and affordable access to all multiple sclerosis treatments approved by Health Canada.

124. Provide access to arthritis-specific care, including pain management therapies.

128. Recognize that poor dental care leads to poor health outcomes by providing improved dental coverage for lower income British Columbians with specific attention focused on providing better care for people with disabilities and with diabetes.

140. Implement a funding strategy that covers the cost of modern prosthetics and orthotics, including the costs associated with emergency repairs, and ensure that BC adults with disabilities or physical impairments can access orthotic coverage after their 19th birthday.

143. Increase access to long-term counselling for children and youth who experience all types of abuse-induced trauma.

144. Develop targeted measured outcomes in mental health; and a plan to improve mental health and address addictions, the plan can include education to increase awareness, reduce barriers and stigma while also increasing access to counselling and treatment.

145. Identify and fund programming for identity-based counselling and mental health support services that are intersectional, culturally safe and LGBTQ2SAI+focused.

205. Review the eligibility and administration of income and disability assistance, including earning exemptions policies and thresholds, with a view to reducing barriers to work, providing flexibility, and ensuring that the most vulnerable have access to all necessary supports and medical needs.

Accessibility Project Grant 2022: Call for Proposals!

As part of the Province’s goal to improve accessibility for people with disabilities in BC, Disability Alliance BC (DABC) was selected by the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction (MSDPR) to distribute funding to community based “Accessibility Projects” beginning in 2018. A total of $450,000 is available for one-time only grants to BC-based not-for-profit organizations of between $10,000-$40,000.

We will be accepting Accessibility Project Grant 2022 proposal submissions starting on Monday, August 15th. Information and application documents can be found at: https://disabilityalliancebc.org/program/accessibility-projects/.

Accessibility Projects must focus on at least one of the following objectives:

• Accessible employment;
• Accessible emergency planning and response;
• Accessible arts, culture and tourism;
• Accessible sports and recreation;
• Accessible education and learning;
• Accessible community participation.

Applications must be received by 12:00 pm (Noon) on October 7th, 2022. Late applications will not be accepted. Funding will be distributed to successful projects by January 15, 2023.

We will host online sessions during the application period where you will be invited to learn about the application process and ask questions. These will happen online on Tuesday Sept 27th from 11:30am-12:30pm and Monday Oct 3rd from 1:00pm-2:00pm Pacific Time. To be notified of any date or time changes and how to participate, please sign up for the Disability Alliance mailing list here: DABC (disabilityalliancebc.org) (enter your email where it says “Sign up for Updates”).

To participate in an online session to get support with your application or for inquiries, please email Danielle Gauld, the program coordinator, at ap@disabilityalliancebc.org. Please note: inquiries will not be taken by phone except when arranged by email.