Join our Board of Directors!

Who We Are Looking For:

We are especially interested in candidates with expertise and experience in one or more of the following areas:

Real estate – including affordable housing development, property management, and experience managing and leveraging capital assets, mortgages, and other financing tools to support community-focused real estate projects.
Financial strategy and leadership – expertise in managing and overseeing large non-profit budgets ($5M+), developing long-term and stable funding models, and addressing the financial challenges of medium-sized organizations. This includes strategic financial planning, risk management, and creating sustainable funding approaches to reduce organizational precarity.
Law - including non-profit governance, tenancy law, human rights, criminal justice, and real estate law (e.g., property acquisition, development, and management in a non-profit or affordable housing context).
Lived experience – expertise gained through direct experience with homelessness, poverty, criminalization, or systemic barriers.
Reintegration and critical criminology – including work with individuals exiting incarceration, research or practice focused on criminal justice reform, and experience working within the sector (e.g., Correctional Service Canada (CSC), community reintegration programs, or related services).
Fundraising and philanthropy – especially individuals with a strategic view on fundraising, including working with major donors, managing capital campaigns, developing community partnerships, and building sustainable, long-term funding strategies to support organizational growth and resilience.

Just as important as professional expertise is alignment with our mission, vision, and values. We are looking for individuals who understand the unique role of non-profits in creating social change and who are committed to anti-oppressive, trauma-informed, and community-driven approaches.

What's Involved:

Phase 1: Spring and Summer – Join a Committee and Get to Know Us

Before formally joining the Board, interested candidates are invited to participate in one of our Board committees (e.g., Governance, Finance, Fundraising, Housing, Health, Advocacy). This is a chance to:

Join the monthly committee meetings
Learn about One City’s work, culture, and values.
Contribute your skills and perspectives to real organizational priorities.
Build relationships with existing Board and staff members.
Explore whether Board membership is the right fit.

Phase 2: Board Election at the Annual General Meeting (AGM)

If, after participating in a committee, it feels like a good match for both you and One City, we will invite you to stand for election to the Board at our Fall Annual General Meeting (AGM).

As a member of One City’s volunteer Board of Directors, you will:

Help guide and govern the organization in line with our mission and strategic goals.
Contribute your expertise and lived experience to strengthen One City’s impact.
Participate in monthly Board meetings and engage in ongoing committee work.
Serve as a champion for One City’s mission and values in the community.

Our goal is to elect new Board members at our Fall Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Commitment to Equity and Inclusion:

One City is committed to building a Board that reflects the diversity of our community.
We strongly encourage applications from individuals with lived experience, Indigenous people, racialized people, 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and others from equity-deserving communities.

Next Steps: How to Apply

If you are interested in joining the Board or learning more, please fill out our online application form.

Selected candidates will be invited to meet with our Nominating Committee for an interview and discussion about Board service.

We recognize that lived experience, professional expertise, and a passion for justice are all powerful forms of leadership. If you are curious, committed, and care deeply about building a more inclusive community, we hope to hear from you.