Associate, Philanthropy

Applytojobs; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telus-Health benefits

Pension contributions

3 weeks vacation

Complimentary tickets

Hybrid work environment

Job summary

Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) seeks an Associate, Philanthropy to coordinate donor relations across Major Gifts, Legacy, and Foundations. You’ll arrange access to rehearsals, meetings with artists, and ensure accurate recognition and reporting.

The role works hands-on with frontline fundraisers and senior leaders, offering a clear path in major gift fundraising within a public cultural institution. Hybrid work and a donor-centered environment are provided.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of experience in donor relations, fundraising, or client service with hands-on CRM/database work.
• Knowledge of fundraising databases (Tessitura or similar).
• Outstanding attention to detail and a high standard of accuracy across records, documents, and data.
• Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Clear, confident communication with donors and colleagues in person, by phone, and in writing.
• Discretion, sensitivity and tact with a donor-centred approach.

Responsibilities

• Arrange rehearsal access, backstage visits, and meetings for major donors with care for artists’ time and comfort.
• Coordinate with Roy Thomson Hall staff to ensure donor access.
• Support development of personalized proposals, donor reports, and the annual report.

Skills

Donor relations

CRM experience

Communication

Discretion

Organization

PowerPoint

Education

Post-secondary education

Tools

Tessitura

PowerPoint

Canva

Adobe

Job description

Associate, Philanthropy

Reports to: Director, Philanthropy

Status: Permanent Full-time

Are you the person every team quietly relies on? The one who anticipates what's needed before anyone asks, brings warmth and discretion to every donor and artist interaction, and takes real pride in getting the details exactly right?

Join us as Associate, Philanthropy, the coordinator behind the TSO's relationships with its major gift, legacy, and foundation supporters.

The Role

Reporting to the Director, Philanthropy, the Associate, Philanthropy coordinates donor relations across the TSO's Philanthropy portfolio: Major Gifts, Legacy, and Foundations and Institutional Giving. You'll create the experiences that bring donors closer to the orchestra, from rehearsal visits to meetings with musicians, guest artists, and conductors. You'll keep donor recognition, records, and reporting accurate, and give the Philanthropy team the organization and support it needs to do its best work.

This is a hands-on role at the centre of the team, working alongside frontline fundraisers, senior leaders, and artistic colleagues. It's an ideal next step for someone building a career in major gift fundraising.

About the TSO

For more than a century, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) has been a cornerstone of Canadian culture, steadfast in its commitment to musical excellence and to the vibrant communities we serve. Through acclaimed concerts, recordings, and tours, the TSO enriches audiences while reflecting the diversity of Toronto- one of the world’s most multicultural cities. Music Director Gustavo Gimeno brings artistic vision and a sense of adventure to the 93-musician orchestra. Engaging audiences of all ages, the TSO leads a myriad of education, health-and-well-being, and community-access programs, including the tuition-free Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra, cultivating the next generation of Canadian artists.

What you’ll do

• Work with Artistic Administration and the Orchestra Personnel Administrator to arrange rehearsal access, backstage visits, and meetings with TSO musicians, guest artists, and conductors for major donors, with care for artists' time and comfort.
• Coordinate with Roy Thomson Hall staff (Bookings, Security, Events) to ensure seamless donor access.
• Support the development of personalized proposals, donor reports, and the annual report, gathering content and impact data from colleagues across the TSO.
• Manage and track donor recognition and naming for major gift, legacy, and foundation supporters, including house programs, the annual report, and the TSO donor wall.
• Support bequest administration and estate paperwork.
• Plan logistics for Philanthropy cultivation and stewardship events with the Events Manager, and coordinate with the Individual Giving and Partnerships teams on shared donor activity.
• Provide prompt, professional service to Philanthropy donors, including VIP ticketing and event RSVPs.
• Maintain accurate major gift records in Tessitura and the team’s shared files.
• Coordinate Philanthropy pipeline meetings (scheduling, agendas, minutes, and action items) and support the team’s preparation for Development Committee meetings.
• Provide administrative support to the Philanthropy team, including team calendars and expense reconciliation, and represent the team at cross-functionals meetings.
• Serve as a TSO ambassador at donor events and on concert duty.

What you’ll bring

• Minimum 3 years of experience in donor relations, fundraising, or client service, including hands-on work in a CRM or database.
• Knowledge of fundraising databases (Tessitura or similar).
• Outstanding attention to detail and a high standard of accuracy across records, documents, and data.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and requests without losing track of any of them.
• Clear, confident communication with donors and colleagues in person, by phone, and in writing.
• Good judgment, discretion, sensitivity, and tact, with a donor-centred approach.
• Working knowledge of PowerPoint and design tools (Canva, Adobe).
• Post-secondary education and/or equivalent work experience preferred.
• Knowledge of classical music is an asset.

Why the TSO

This role puts you close to the heart of major gift fundraising. You’ll work alongside the Philanthropy team and the donors whose generosity sustains the orchestra. You’ll see how major gifts and legacy commitments come together and build the skills, relationships, and judgment for a career in philanthropy. And you’ll see the results of your work on stage at Roy Thomson Hall, in one of Canada’s most beloved cultural institutions.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary range: $55,000 - 60,000 CAD (commensurate with experience).

Benefits: 100% company paid benefits including Telus-Health Employee Family Assistance program (provided after successful completion of the first three (3) months of employment); Company paid pension contributions provided after the completion of one year of employment; 3 weeks vacation prorated during the first year, complimentary tickets to TSO concerts and a hybrid work environment.

Our Commitment

The TSO is committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the City of Toronto and encourages applications from all qualified individuals. We are also committed to providing accommodations throughout the recruitment process, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code; if you require accommodation, we will work with you to meet your needs.

Work Environment / Physical Demands

This role involves extended periods of computer and desk work, frequent phone and in-person interactions with donors and colleagues, and regular in-office attendance to support mail, tax receipting, and donor documentation. Occasional evening and weekend work is required for donor events and concert duty at Roy Thomson Hall, which may involve standing for extended periods. The TSO operates a hybrid work environment.