Prospect Research Manager

“The best prescription I’ve ever given is a wish.”

-Dr. Jeremy Friedman, Associate Paediatrician-in-Chief, SickKids Hospital & Medical Advisor for Make-A-Wish® Canada

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST WISH?

Is it to be part of an organization that is child-focused, values employee experience and is an inspiring workplace? If so, Make-A-Wish is for you!

Make-A-Wish^® Canada creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. We are on a quest to bring every eligible child’s wish to life because a wish is an integral part of a child’s treatment journey. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight a critical illness.

“It’s been wonderful to have this wish to look forward to… It’s wonderful to see (Rowan) with something that brings him pure joy after all he’s been through and missed out on!”

–Melissa, mom to wish kid Rowan (age 5, leukemia), who wished for an indoor jungle gym.

MISSION, VISION AND VALUES

Our mission is, together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illness. Supported by our vision to grant the wish of every eligible child.

Our values are Child-Focused, Integrity, Impact, Innovation, and Community.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Meaningful opportunities to make an impact and change the lives of children with critical illnesses within your community and across Canada
• A collaborative team environment where you feel valued and inspired
• An attractive compensation package that includes group health and dental premiums which are fully covered by the Foundation, RRSP, & Wish paid hours
• Annual vacation starting at three weeks & additional paid leaves
• Work/life balance and flexibility
• Hybrid working environment
• Employee Wellness Program
• Corporate discounts
• Continuous learning, development and internal training opportunities
• Fun employee activities, contests, and more!

Make-A-Wish^® Canada is committed to fostering a culture that aims to change lives while offering a rewarding employment experience where your contributions make a true difference every day!

WHERE YOU COME IN

We are looking for a Prospect Research Manager to join our team at Make-A-Wish Canada. Reporting to the Director of Fundraising Operations, you will be leading prospect research and donor intelligence. This role identifies, analyzes, and qualifies prospective donors, translating complex data into actionable insights that support revenue growth. The position is an individual contributor and does not have direct reports, but exercises autonomy, judgment, and influence across the organization.

This role can be based anywhere in Canada and is a full-time, hybrid, permanent position. The hiring range for this role is $83,000-$88,000.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Design, implement, and refine a comprehensive prospect research strategy for individual, corporate, and foundation giving priorities.
• Expand and strengthen donor pipelines by identifying new prospects and re-evaluating existing donors using philanthropic indicators, capacity analysis, and affinity research.
• Analyze donor and prospect data to assess financial capacity, philanthropic interests, relationships, and giving history.
• Produce high-quality research profiles, briefs, and strategic recommendations to support cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Synthesize information from internal systems, public records, and licensed research tools to provide clear, actionable insights for fundraisers and senior leadership.
• Monitor donor activity, wealth events, and trends to surface timely opportunities and emerging risks.

• Maintain accurate, comprehensive, and current prospect records within Salesforce, ensuring alignment with prospect management and fundraising strategies.
• Apply and manage prospect coding, ratings, and research documentation in accordance with organizational standards and best practices.
• Serve as a thought partner to fundraising staff, providing guidance on prospect strategy, portfolio development, and moves management.
• Contribute to cross-functional planning by sharing insights that inform fundraising priorities, and revenue forecasting.
• Respond to ad hoc research requests with appropriate depth, accuracy, and timeliness.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

WHAT YOU BRING

• 5+ years of progressive experience in prospect research or a related fundraising, advancement, or data-focused role.
• Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Library or Information Science, Research, Business, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated expertise using prospect research tools and databases such as iWave, CharityCan, and Salesforce.
• Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, with the ability to interpret data and present insights clearly.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex research into concise, funder-facing materials.
• High degree of accuracy, discretion, and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of fundraising principles, donor lifecycle, and gift strategy within the nonprofit sector.
• A clear Criminal Background Check is required.

YOUR WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Hybrid work environment (2 days in-office, 3 days remote per week) with occasional requirement to work outside of traditional office hours.
• Occasional day and/or overnight travel.

Physical/Mental Effort

• Work under pressure of tight deadlines, with a high-volume workload, and with multiple demands & changing priorities.

How to apply

If everything you’ve read so far sounds like you, we encourage you to apply now!  The deadline to apply is May 7^th, 2026, at 11:59pm ET.

To apply, please navigate to: https://jobs.dayforcehcm.com/en-CA/makeawishca/CANDIDATEPORTAL/jobs/1528

Make-A-Wish Canada provides equal opportunity in employment and encourages applications from all qualified candidates. Reasonable accommodations due to disability are available on request at any stage of the hiring process.  

Our Commitment to IDEA

Make-A-Wish Canada (MAWC) is committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA). We believe that it is essential to our mission that we build a diverse, balanced, and vibrant workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve and seek to serve. Research has shown that candidates from underrepresented groups often only apply when they feel 100% qualified. Therefore, we ask that even if you do not see yourself fully reflected in every job requirement listed on this posting, to still apply.

Recruitment process

Our recruitment process is swift in pace.  Once applications are reviewed, we will contact our shortlisted candidates.  Our typical process includes a phone screen, one or two interviews, and reference checking, followed by an offer and a criminal background check for the successful candidate.

We would like to thank all applicants for their interest in working with us!

ABOUT MAKE-A-WISH® CANADA

In the past 40 years, Make-A-Wish Canada has granted over 40,000 wishes across the country, with over 1,800 of them last year alone. As an independently operating affiliate of Make-A-Wish International, Make-A-Wish Canada is part of the network of the world’s leading children’s wish-granting organization. We serve children in every community in Canada, and in more than 50 countries worldwide.