A role that makes positive impacts to neurodivergent and queer communities.

Description Detail

Volunteer, Donor Relations

Organization: Hopespyre Society Inc.
Location: Primarily remote, with occasional activities in Oshawa and Durham Region
Position type: Volunteer
Time commitment: Approximately 2–4 hours per month, with occasional additional time during fundraising campaigns
Term: Six months, renewable by mutual agreement
Reports to: Director of Fundraising and Donor Relations or Executive Director

About Hopespyre Society Inc.

Hopespyre Society Inc. is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting neurodivergent, 2SLGBTQIA+, and neuroqueer individuals. We are working to create affirming, accessible, and community-informed programs that promote mental health, personal growth, belonging, and equitable access to support.

Position Summary

The Donor Relations Volunteer will help Hopespyre build and maintain positive, respectful relationships with its donors and supporters. This person will assist with donor communications, acknowledgements, recordkeeping, recognition, and campaign follow-up.

Working under the direction of the Director of Fundraising and Donor Relations or Executive Director, the volunteer will help ensure that donors feel appreciated, informed, and meaningfully connected to Hopespyre’s mission.

This position is ideal for someone who enjoys communicating with people, building relationships, staying organized, and contributing to a growing community organization.

Key Responsibilities

Donor Communication and Stewardship

• Assist with welcoming, thanking, and recognizing donors and sponsors.
• Prepare personalized thank-you messages, acknowledgement letters, and other donor communications using approved templates.
• Help provide donors with appropriate updates about Hopespyre’s programs, campaigns, and community impact.
• Assist with donor appreciation, recognition, renewal, and retention activities.
• Help respond to general donor questions or direct inquiries to the appropriate organizational representative.
• Respect donor preferences concerning communication, recognition, privacy, and anonymity.
• Support efforts to create an inclusive, accessible, and affirming donor experience.

Donor Records and Administration

• Help maintain accurate and confidential donor and prospect records.
• Record donations, pledges, communications, recognition preferences, and follow-up activities as directed.
• Update contact information and communication preferences in Hopespyre’s authorized recordkeeping system.
• Assist with organizing donor correspondence, consent records, campaign information, and supporting documentation.
• Identify missing, inconsistent, or outdated information and bring it to the attention of the position’s supervisor.
• Follow Hopespyre’s privacy, confidentiality, data-security, and records-management procedures.

Campaign and Event Support

• Assist with donor outreach and follow-up during approved fundraising campaigns.
• Help prepare donor communications, mailing lists, campaign updates, and recognition materials.
• Support donor-engagement and appreciation activities associated with fundraising events.
• Assist with event registration, donor greetings, information sharing, and post-event follow-up when required.
• Collaborate with fundraising, communications, and event volunteers to provide a consistent supporter experience.
• Collect donor comments or feedback and share relevant themes with the Director of Fundraising and Donor Relations or Executive Director.

Donor Research and Engagement

• Conduct basic research on prospective donors, sponsors, or community partners when assigned.
• Help identify appropriate opportunities for donor engagement, appreciation, or renewed support.
• Assist with preparing background information for approved donor or sponsor meetings.
• Support relationship-building activities without independently soliciting donations or making commitments on behalf of Hopespyre unless specifically authorized.

Role Boundaries

The Donor Relations Volunteer will work within approved policies, messaging, and procedures. The volunteer will not:

• Sign contracts or agreements on behalf of Hopespyre.
• Make financial commitments or approve organizational expenditures.
• Issue—or promise to issue—official charitable donation receipts.
• Provide legal, tax, or financial advice to donors.
• Guarantee that donated funds will be used for a particular purpose unless the arrangement has been formally approved.
• Share donor information outside the organization or use it for personal purposes.
• Independently approach major donors, sponsors, or funders without authorization.
• Represent themselves as a legal director, employee, or authorized spokesperson of Hopespyre.

Questions or requests beyond the volunteer’s authority must be referred to the Director of Fundraising and Donor Relations or Executive Director.

Qualifications

We recognize that relevant skills may be gained through employment, education, volunteering, community involvement, or lived experience. Applicants do not need to meet every qualification to be considered.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• A friendly, respectful, and professional approach to relationship-building.
• Strong organization, accuracy, and attention to detail.
• Ability to follow procedures and complete follow-up activities reliably.
• Good judgment when handling private or sensitive information.
• Ability to work independently while remaining responsive to direction and feedback.
• Comfort using email, spreadsheets, shared documents, and online communication platforms.
• Experience in customer service, donor relations, fundraising, administration, communications, community engagement, or a related area is an asset.
• Familiarity with donor databases or customer-relationship management systems is an asset but is not required.
• Willingness to learn about ethical fundraising and donor stewardship.

Values and Community Alignment

The successful candidate will:

• Demonstrate a genuine commitment to supporting neurodivergent, 2SLGBTQIA+, and neuroqueer communities.
• Communicate respectfully with people from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.
• Support Hopespyre’s commitment to accessibility, inclusion, dignity, and community-centred practice.
• Respect different identities, access needs, communication styles, and personal boundaries.
• Be open to learning, receiving feedback, and adapting their approach when necessary.
• Represent Hopespyre’s mission and values professionally.

Lived experience within the communities Hopespyre serves is valued but is not required. Applicants will never be expected to disclose personal diagnoses, identities, or health information.

What Hopespyre Offers

• An opportunity to support a growing organization serving neurodivergent and queer communities.
• Practical experience in donor relations, stewardship, nonprofit administration, and fundraising support.
• Guidance, approved templates, and orientation for assigned responsibilities.
• Flexible scheduling and primarily remote participation.
• Opportunities to collaborate with Hopespyre’s leadership and fundraising team.
• A reference or letter confirming volunteer service, subject to satisfactory performance and completion of an agreed period of service.
• Reasonable disability-related accommodations throughout the recruitment process and volunteer appointment.
• Reimbursement of reasonable, pre-approved expenses in accordance with Hopespyre’s policies and available resources.

Volunteer Nature of the Position

This is an unpaid volunteer position. It does not create an employment relationship or guarantee future paid employment. Volunteers will not be expected to make personal donations, purchase fundraising materials, or cover organizational expenses.

The title “Donor Relations” does not confer the authority or responsibilities of a corporate director, officer, employee, or authorized signing representative of Hopespyre Society Inc.

Application Process

Applicants are invited to submit:

• A résumé or brief summary of relevant experience; and
• A short statement describing their interest in Hopespyre’s mission and the Donor Relations volunteer position.

Applications may be submitted to holly@hopespyre.ca with the subject line “Donor Relations Volunteer Application.”

Hopespyre Society Inc. welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds. We particularly encourage applications from neurodivergent, disabled, 2SLGBTQIA+, racialized, Indigenous, and otherwise underrepresented applicants.

Accommodation is available throughout the application and selection process. Applicants may request accommodations without being required to disclose a diagnosis.