Vice-President, Grants & Community Initiatives

The City of Hamilton is situated upon the traditional territories of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Mississaugas. This land is covered by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, which was an agreement between the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabek to share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes. We further acknowledge that this land is covered by the Between the Lakes Purchase, 1792, between the Crown and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.

Today, the City of Hamilton is home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island (North America) and we recognize that we must do more to learn about the rich history of this land so that we can better understand our roles as residents, neighbours, partners and caretakers.

With the mission to drive positive change by connecting diverse people, ideas and resources, Hamilton Community Foundation (HCF) has grown to hold some 280 million in assets, and grants close to $12 million a year to community. Founded in 1954 as Ontario’s first community foundation, HCF is a well-respected community leader in Hamilton, and a member of the Community Foundations of Canada, the national membership organization whose members contribute time, leadership and financial support to initiatives that benefit their community most, based on an intimate understanding of local needs and opportunities. Guided by an engaged Board, and a highly engaged and committed team, HCF is now entering the fourth year of an ambitious five-year strategic plan that includes major initiatives in education, affordable housing, impact investing, equity, diversity and inclusion and relationships with Indigenous communities.

It is within this context that the Hamilton Community Foundation welcomes applications and nominations for the appointment of its next Vice-President, Grants & Community Initiatives, commencing January 2025 or soon after.

Reporting to President & CEO Rudi Wallace, the Vice-President, Grants & Community Initiatives (“Vice-President”) ensures effective leadership to its grant programs and the design and development of its complex granting strategies.  As a key member and collaborative partner on the senior management team, the Vice-President contributes to HCF’s vision, strategic priorities and operational objectives in many ways, including through the organization’s long-term strategic and operational plans. Under the mentorship and guidance of the Vice-President, the Grants & Community Initiatives team designs and implements community strategies to obtain support for grants programs, community initiatives, and special projects among community leaders, donors and other funders, and. The Vice-President is also responsible for ensuring a regular and transparent flow of communications regarding the teams work on grants programs, community initiatives and special projects to HCF’s staff, Board and committee members, donors, and other key constituents in the community.

As the ideal candidate, you are a highly regarded and respected community-focused leader who brings a tenure of relevant experience from a similarly complex and mission-focused organization. Your experience includes the ability to design, manage, and evaluate programs, and to oversee the full life cycle of a granting process. You are adept at managing a financial budget, understand forecasting and financial planning, and work collaboratively with your peers across an organization on such matters.  As a community leader, you convene and develop relationships with public, volunteer and private sector partners to identify and assess community needs, trends and opportunities, to plan joint intervention programs, and to leverage the required resources to fund new initiatives. Colleagues describe you as a leader who empowers high performance, mission-driven, and results-oriented teams. You are a clear communicator who is skilled at strategic thinking and complex problem solving. Candidates must have a strong commitment to Hamilton Community Foundation’s mission and values and recognize its critical role investing its philanthropic capital in initiatives that will have a positive community impact. Candidates also must have a demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, to Indigenous ways of knowing and being, and the necessary cultural competencies to lead a multi-generational, culturally diverse workforce.

Salary Range and Compensation Package:  $120,000-$140,000, commensurate with experience. In addition, a comprehensive benefits package, paid vacation and a hybrid work environment.

To learn more about this impactful leadership opportunity within Hamilton Community Foundation, please submit a comprehensive resume along with a cover letter in confidence to Jane Griffith (jane@griffithgroup.ca) and/or Caroline McLean (caroline@griffithgroup.ca). 

AN IMPORTANT NOTE: Research shows that women and racialized candidates often only apply to positions when they feel 100% qualified. The Hamilton Community Foundation encourages and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, including, but not limited to women, Indigenous persons, racialized persons, persons with disabilities and persons of all sexual orientations and/or gender identities.

All qualified candidates are welcome to apply; however, priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

Hamilton Community Foundation and Griffith Group are committed to an inclusive, accessible and a welcoming hiring process that provides reasonable accommodation to all applicants. Please advise Jane Griffith (jane@griffithgroup.ca) should you require any accommodation to participate in the recruitment and/or assessment processes.