THE OPPORTUNITY
The Wolf Cooper Foundation (WCF) is seeking its inaugural Executive Lead, Philanthropy to design and implement a comprehensive philanthropy strategy to support growth and sustainability of the Wolf Scholars Program, a new undergraduate scholarship for future thoughtful Canadian builders, innovators and leaders.
Established by the Wolf Cooper Foundation in partnership with the University of Toronto, Wolf Scholars has been designed to be Canada’s most immersive scholarship program, and among the most pre-eminent undergraduate scholarship programs globally.
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Executive Lead, Philanthropy will develop and drive the Foundation’s fundraising strategy while actively managing major gifts, donor engagement, and stewardship initiatives including building and managing their own donor portfolio to cultivate outright, planned, and blended gifts. The Executive Lead will work in collaboration and partnership with an Advisory Board of top Canadian business and nonprofit leaders to identify prospective donors and supporters; establish donor engagement strategies; and support the senior leadership volunteers in the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of high-capacity prospects and donors.
Leveraging strong connections with Toronto’s donor community, the Wolf Cooper Foundation team—supported by its world-class board—raised over $7 million in its first year from more than 30 donors, highlighting both the appeal of the Program and the interest to support it in the broader Toronto community. The Executive Lead, Philanthropy will be able to build on this strong foundation in the coming years, in the Greater Toronto Area and beyond.
The ideal candidate is entrepreneurial, relationship-driven, and has a proven track record in major gift development or the clear potential to excel in this area. The Executive Lead thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, takes accountability for ambitious fundraising goals, and is excited to personally lead fundraising efforts on behalf of the Foundation.
To support the launch of the Foundation, Ted Garrard, C.M. of West Shore Consulting, has been engaged by WCF to provide strategic guidance and support developing fundraising infrastructure, policies, and prospect pipelines. The Lead will have the opportunity to work with and benefit from Ted’s support during onboarding and the first few months in the role.
ABOUT THE WOLF SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Established by the Wolf Cooper Foundation in partnership with the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy in the Faculty of Arts & Science at the University of Toronto, the Wolf Scholars Program was established in 2025 to offer exceptional young Canadians the freedom to be curious with the confidence they will graduate as well-rounded citizens ready to drive positive systemic impact in the private and public sectors. It is designed to be Canada’s most immersive scholarship program, and among the most pre-eminent undergraduate scholarship programs globally.
Each year, 16 exceptional incoming undergraduates across the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Arts and Science will form a tight-knit cohort. Over four years, Scholars will engage in an enrichment program designed to sharpen their critical thinking skills, foster their intellectual curiosity across disciplines, and prepare them to tackle the challenges facing their generation.
Beyond funded travel and leadership development experiences, Scholars will receive a full tuition scholarship and a meaningful living stipend. Wolf Scholars is a launchpad inspired by renowned liberal arts programs worldwide. Wolf Scholars is building a future where a student’s curiosity, character and ambition—not only their degree—enables them to drive impact across sectors.
The Wolf Scholars Program is funded and administered by the Wolf Cooper Foundation.
MISSION
Create a world-class undergraduate journey for the most promising young Canadians who aspire to be future leaders, empowering them to use their broad education and transformative experiences to build a better world.
VALUES
- Future leaders benefit most from a broad intellectual foundation.
- More than ever, undergraduate students need critical thinking skills to navigate the world and make it a better place.
- Developing a personal leadership framework requires exposure to a wide range of people and experiences.
- Brilliant students with an interdisciplinary perspective can excel in almost any career.
- Excellence, integrity, and optimism should be celebrated.
ABOUT WOLF COOPER FOUNDATION
Established in January 2025, the Foundation operates independently as a non-profit organization, partnering with the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto to fund and administer the Wolf Scholars Program. The Foundation has a board and advisory council including prominent Canadian business and non-profit leaders, academics and others.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Serve as fundraising lead for the Foundation, in collaboration with the Executive Director, and Board Chair, and Board Members.
- Develop short- and long-term fundraising strategies, including setting, tracking, and assessing multi-year plans and goals that align with the Foundation’s priorities and growth objectives.
- Develop donor acquisition, retention, and migration strategies for donors with a focus on major gifts in the $10,000 to $1 million + range.
- Lead the Foundation’s fundraising activities with high-value prospects and donors.
- Oversee all proposal development for prospective donors.
- Craft a bespoke donor experience and stewardship program that ensures the highest standards of accountability and recognition.
- Support the development of annual budgets and business plans to achieve the program objectives and assess progress.
- Work collaboratively with the Executive Director to ensure all business, fiduciary and legal responsibilities pertaining to fundraising are met.
- Contribute to the oversight of funding agreements, the distribution of tax receipts, and related acknowledgement letters on an ongoing basis, while promoting best practices to ensure prospect and donor records are effectively managed.
- Represent WCF in the community, at events, and with partners in a manner that supports increased awareness.
- Maintain knowledge of best practices and trends around philanthropy.
QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES
- Fundraising experience with a specific focus on soliciting major gifts and principal gifts (at the five-figure level and above) or the clear aptitude to operate at this level.
- A desire to own and lead the fundraising efforts of the Foundation.
- Exceptional relationship-building and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to engage, inspire, build, and sustain strong collaborative working relationships with existing and prospective donors.
- Ability to recruit, inspire and support senior volunteers to achieve fundraising goals.
- A confident, strategic thinker with strong execution capability.
- Ability to develop proposals tailored to the specific interests of major donors and advocate passionately for the Wolf Scholars Program.
- Ability to work in a team-oriented environment, collaborating with other stakeholders within the University and the broader community.
- Reputation for a high degree of integrity and trustworthiness and exemplary judgement.
- Thrive in a dynamic setting where innovation, iteration, and momentum are valued.
- Highly organized and accurate with excellent attention to detail.
- Demonstrated ability to provide steady, strategic counsel to help translate new ideas into focused, actionable plans.
- A persuasive, credible, and polished communicator with ability to effectively and passionately communicate with a wide variety of audiences both orally and in writing.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving start-up environment, with the ability to lead through ambiguity and growth.
- Results-driven, hard-working and focused on continuous improvement.
- Maintains knowledge of philanthropic trends with the ability to put into practice.
- Proficiency in French is an asset.
- A bachelor’s degree or higher.
- A professional designation such as CRFE is an asset.
- Flexible availability to work variable hours as needed for donor meetings and events.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
KCI Search + Talent has been retained to conduct this search on behalf of the Wolf Cooper Foundation. For more information about this opportunity, please contact Ellie Rusonik, Senior Vice President/Practice Lead, or Meredith Roberts, Senior Search Consultant KCI Search + Talent by email at WCF@kcitalent.com.
To view the full position brief, please visit www.kcitalent.com
Interested candidates should send their resume and a letter of interest to the email address listed above by April 7, 2026. All inquiries and applications will be held in strict confidence.
This is a permanent fractional leadership role with a salary of $210,000, prorated to a three-day work model.
Wolf Cooper Foundation offers flexible work model that combines remote work with periodic travel for strategic networking and engaging donors and prospects across the GTA and throughout Ontario.
Only candidates who are currently legally eligible to work in Canada will be considered for this role.
Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all stages of the selection process. If you require any accommodations, please notify the KCI Search Consultant.
Artificial intelligence will not be used to screen resumes or assess candidates in this search.
