PHILANTHROPY OFFICER,
FOUNDATIONS & MAJOR GIFTS
PERMANENT
FULL-TIME
PHILANTHROPY DEPARTMENT
TIFF is a charitable cultural organization dedicated to presenting the best of international and Canadian cinema and creating transformational experiences for film lovers and creators of all ages and backgrounds at TIFF Lightbox.
Our mission is to transform the way people see the world, through film.
TIFF is committed to embracing diversity and treating all individuals with respect, dignity and fairness by removing physical, social and economic barriers to participation.
We encourage you to reflect on the land that you are on, who the traditional keepers of the land are, what the treaty relationship is, or if it’s unceded territory. TIFF is located on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit and the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, the Wendat, and the Haudenosaunee. We are grateful to work on this land.
We are currently hiring for the position of:
PHILANTHROPY OFFICER, FOUNDATIONS & MAJOR GIFTS
The Philanthropy Officer, Foundations & Major Gifts is a critical frontline fundraiser responsible for managing and growing a portfolio of approximately 50 - 75 institutional donors and prospects contributing $25,000+ annually. Reporting to the Senior Director, Philanthropy, this role leads TIFF’s foundations and corporate philanthropy fundraising portfolios, with an annual portfolio revenue target of $1M+, and is responsible for qualifying prospects, developing tailored proposals and solicitation materials, and advancing strategic institutional relationships that support TIFF’s year-round activities and the Festival.
The role also leads TIFF’s endowment activity and related reporting. Working closely with colleagues across Advancement Operations, Corporate Partnerships, Finance, Legal, Loyalty, Marketing, Programming, TIFF: The Market, and other internal teams, the successful candidate will bring strong relationship-building and writing skills, sound fundraising judgment, exceptional organizational and prioritization abilities, disciplined follow-through, and a genuine love of film to deliver high-quality donor experiences and strong fundraising outcomes.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Shall include but not be limited to:Foundations: Lead the strategy for TIFF’s foundations fundraising portfolio, with a focus on researching, identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding foundation prospects and funders. Manage and grow relationships with foundation donors and prospects contributing $25,000+, with responsibility for advancing a FY26 net-new foundations target of $500,000. Research and pursue new foundation funding at the major gifts level, building and sustaining long-term philanthropic support for TIFF. Build and maintain a healthy qualified pipeline of foundation prospects in alignment with team priorities. Create compelling, personalized letters of inquiry, proposals, briefing notes, stewardship reports, impact updates, and special solicitation correspondence tailored to foundation funders. Work closely with the Senior Director, Philanthropy, and internal stakeholders to devise specific strategies, goals, and timelines for successful foundation solicitations and renewals. Collaborate across departments to gather content, budgets, impact metrics, and other inputs required for high-quality submissions and reports.
Corporate Philanthropy: Lead the strategy for TIFF’s corporate philanthropy fundraising portfolio within the Philanthropy portfolio. Manage and grow relationships with corporate philanthropy donors and prospects contributing $25,000+. Research and pursue new corporate philanthropy funding at the major gifts level, building and sustaining long-term philanthropic support for TIFF. Work closely with TIFF’s Corporate Partnerships team to identify aligned prospects, coordinate outreach, and develop creative funding opportunities that complement broader partnership activity. Develop and execute tailored cultivation, solicitation, renewal, and stewardship strategies for corporate philanthropy supporters. Create compelling, personalized proposals, briefing notes, stewardship reports, impact updates, and special solicitation correspondence for corporate philanthropy audiences.
Endowment: Support and help grow TIFF’s endowment fundraising activity. Manage stewardship, reporting, and coordination related to endowed gifts. Track endowment-related commitments and reporting obligations, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and strong donor follow-through. Develop donor materials and updates related to endowed support, in collaboration with internal stakeholders as required.
ADDITIONAL DUTIESSupport the Senior Director, Philanthropy, the Chief Business & Marketing Officer, other members of the Senior Management Team, and senior volunteers on a high-volume, comprehensive fundraising outreach process, including donor calls, meetings, proposal development, contract development, and strategic follow-up.
Maintain a thorough and accurate understanding of TIFF’s strategic objectives, programs, benefits, and funding priorities in order to effectively connect supporters to meaningful funding opportunities.
Collaborate with colleagues across departments to develop creative funding opportunities and fundraising strategies.
Provide key support in the development, implementation, and roll-out of new campaigns and other priority fundraising initiatives, as appropriate.
Articulate the value of supporting the goals and mission of TIFF, as well as priority programs including Festival, Next Wave, talent development, year-round programming, education, and other strategic initiatives.
Work closely with Philanthropy Department colleagues regarding fundraising initiatives and opportunities in executing stewardship and donor engagement activities.
Continuously monitor the status of current donors and identify prospects for new gifts, upgrades, renewals, and long-term engagement.
Support the planning and execution of fundraising events and donor experiences, including TIFF Tribute Awards, where appropriate.
Attend and work at the annual Festival (September each year) and events throughout the year at TIFF Lightbox.
ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES
Maintain data integrity of portfolio, including entering and updating prospect and donor contact reports, opportunities, and proposals in the Raiser’s Edge database according to established protocols.
Collect and gather data for reports and inquiries and maintain foundations, corporate philanthropy, endowment, and planned giving tracking.
Support accurate and timely revenue reporting, proposal tracking, stewardship schedules, and pipeline monitoring.
Respond to phone calls and emails from donors received through the TIFF website or through other departments, providing high-level customer service.
Ensure that all relevant SOPs are followed and kept up to date.
JOB GRADE & SALARY
Job Grade 3
Management Position
Salary Range: $60 000 - $81,600
Our salary ranges reflect the range of skills and experience required for the role. Typically, candidates new to the role are positioned up to the midpoint of the range, with progression through the range based on performance and development over time. The top of the salary band is for employees who consistently demonstrate high performance in their role.
TARGET START DATE
WORK LOCATION
Office Location: 350 King Street West, Toronto, ON M5V 3X5
Weekly in-office requirements:
Minimum 2 days (November to April)
Minimum 3 days (May to October)
Festival Office Requirements: Full-time during Festival
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
3–5 years of fundraising experience, preferably in corporate philanthropy, foundations, major gifts, grants, or a related area.
Post-secondary education in philanthropy, fundraising, nonprofit management, or a related field is an asset.
A CFRE designation is an asset.
Experience managing donor relationships and supporting cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for gifts of $25,000+.
Strong proposal, grant writing, and donor communications skills.
Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities.
Strong prioritization, follow-through, and project management skills, with the ability to work accurately and calmly in a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated ability to escalate blockers early, exercise sound judgment, and consistently deliver high-quality work on time.
Ability to consistently maintain a professional image and demeanor.
Demonstrated independent, mature judgment.
Comfort working with data, reporting, and revenue tracking.
Proficiency in Google Workspace and strong spreadsheet skills.
Familiarity with Raiser’s Edge or a comparable CRM.
Familiarity with prospect research tools such as iWave is an asset.
Basic understanding of endowments, planned giving principles, and CRA charitable receipting rules is an asset.
Strong judgment, professionalism, and collaborative working style.
Must be able to travel locally between meetings and events.
Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends, including during the Festival.
Ability to work on site in Toronto in line with TIFF’s in-office requirements, with an understanding that most fundraising work takes place in person.
A genuine interest in film and strong connection to TIFF’s mission.
HOW TO SUBMIT & APPLICATION DEADLINE:
All applications must be submitted online through TIFF’s Career Centre.
Please upload your cover letter and resumé as PDF(s).
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
VACANCY:
CLOSING:
We thank everyone who applies for their interest, but only candidates selected for an interview are contacted.
Candidates must be legally able to work in Canada at this time.TIFF regrets that it is unable to sponsor employment Visas; however, TIFF considers and welcomes individuals on time-limited Visa status for this position. For consideration to those on time-limited Visa status, your Visa must allow you to complete the full contract.
TIFF may use artificial intelligence to screen, assess or select applicants for this position.
Please send any questions via e-mail only tocareers@tiff.net.
TIFF is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment where employees feel valued and respected, and where every employee has the opportunity to realize their potential. As such, we welcome and encourage applicants who identify as racialized persons, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons across the spectrum of sexual orientation and gender identities.
If you are a person with a disability and require accommodation and/or assistance during the application process, please contact us in advance at careers@tiff.net. We strive to provide reasonable accommodations whenever requested.
