Philanthropy Grant Writer

Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Canada•Toronto, ON

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the guidance of the Senior Manager of Philanthropy, this role is responsible for producing high-value philanthropic communications that drive fundraising results for legacy, major gifts, corporate and foundations. Coordinating with operational centers and Canadian office stakeholders to gather information and produce persuasive grant applications, proposals, and reports that attract major and multi-year gift commitments. You will collaborate closely with Fundraising, Humanitarian Affairs, Communications, and Finance teams to ensure all written materials meet Canadian regulatory requirements and MSF's internal operational and reporting standards. Our work is guided by the humanitarian principles of impartiality, neutrality, and independence, rooted in universal medical ethics. We bring these principles to life through the way we treat each other, work, and relate to the global MSF movement: Respect, Integrity, Inclusion – fostering a workplace grounded in equity and belonging Discovery, Learning, Boldness – embracing curiosity, innovation, and courageous action Impact, Transformation, Shared Responsibility – driving meaningful change and collective accountability These values shape our culture and guide everything we do to uphold MSF’s social mission.

Requirements

Considerable professional experience in writing, such as grant writing or journalism, with a proven track record of working with fundraisers to secure major donations from both private and public sources
Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills with the ability to tailor content for high-value donors while maintaining operational accuracy
Strong understanding of philanthropic fundraising practices, restricted funding mechanisms, and donor stewardship principles
Knowledge of compliance issues related to Canadian charitable giving and ability to apply internal organizational policies and procedures
Ability to translate complex operational, financial, and medical information into accessible and compelling narratives
Highly organized, deadline-driven, and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
Collaborative spirit and excellent interpersonal skills; comfortable working across departments and with international colleagues
Proficiency with MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Asana, and content management systems
Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Media, or International Development, or equivalent combination of training and experience
Fluency in spoken and written English

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with fundraising databases an asset
Experience within an international NGO, humanitarian, or medical organization is an asset
Proficiency in French is an asset

Responsibilities

Deliver compelling, donor-centered philanthropic materials that consistently inspire investment and deepen donor engagement.
Translate complex operational information into persuasive narratives that clearly articulate the case for support.
Produce high-quality grant applications, proposals, and reports that meet deadlines and exceed funder expectations.
Proactively collaborate with internal stakeholders to surface strong programmatic content and shape fundraising opportunities.
Continuously strengthen the quality and strategic alignment of philanthropic communications to maximize fundraising outcomes.
Work closely with the Grant Manager in Humanitarian Affairs to review public institutional proposals, review reports, and work together to oversee the designated and restricted funding processes.
Craft compelling grant applications and major gift proposals that translate MSF’s emergency medical missions and operational needs into persuasive, donor-centered narratives, using fundraising best practices to drive results.
Expertly adapt proposals to reflect the urgency, neutrality, and independence that are core to MSF’s identity, while aligning with diverse donor motivations (e.g., humanitarian values, health outcomes, crisis response).
Structure complex information (field updates, operational plans, restricted and unrestricted funding needs) into funder-friendly formats that drive significant and sustained philanthropic support.
Translate complex humanitarian crises, medical interventions, and operational challenges into clear, respectful, and emotionally resonant donor communications.
Identify and present powerful impact narratives that balance emotional engagement with respect for the dignity of MSF’s patients and principles of impartial reporting.
Ensure that all storytelling reflects MSF’s values, avoids exploitation, and maintains strict ethical standards around the portrayal of vulnerable populations.
Build trusted relationships with humanitarian affairs, operational centers, and technical advisors to gather timely and accurate content for donor communications.
Navigate the complexity of MSF’s decentralized operational structure to surface relevant project data, beneficiary stories, and funding needs.
Translate operational language into donor-friendly narratives without compromising accuracy or operational sensitivity.
Develop tailored donor reports that transparently communicate the outcomes and challenges of MSF projects, reinforcing trust and accountability.
Create stewardship materials that respect MSF’s funding model (particularly the emphasis on unrestricted gifts) while highlighting tangible impacts for major donors and institutional partners.
Support donor retention by producing high-quality reports that reflect MSF’s credibility, financial stewardship, and frontline impact.
Ensure that all philanthropic communications are aligned with MSF’s advocacy positions, communications policies, and brand voice.
Integrate messaging about MSF’s independence, neutrality, and témoignage (bearing witness) into proposals and reports, as appropriate for donor audiences.
Identify opportunities to strengthen donor materials by incorporating key organizational messaging around crises, access to healthcare, and operational principles.