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.
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.
The Role & Organization
Wolf Scholars is Canada's new pre-eminent undergraduate scholarship program focused on developing Canada’s next generation of innovators, builders, and leaders.
Every year, Wolf Scholars will bring together 16 exceptional incoming undergraduates studying a range of disciplines in the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Arts & Science. Wolf Scholars will receive a full academic ride, participate in a joint academic seminar at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, travel domestically and internationally, learn from valuable internships and career training, and participate in a leadership development curriculum that will stay with them for life.
We're seeking an energetic, organized, and entrepreneurial individual who is excited about the opportunity to build a high-impact program from the ground up with a passionate team! The Wolf Scholars team is supported by a world-class Advisory board of top Canadian business and not-for-profit leaders.
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.
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 CRFEis an asset.
- Flexible availability to work variable hours as needed for donor meetings and events.
Additional Employment Details
- Reports to: Executive Director, Margot Ghersin
- Working: Hybrid in downtown Toronto, Canada
- Salary Range: $210,000 CAD annually pro-rated to a 3-day work model
- Ideal Start Date: May 2026
- Eligibility: Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada
- Benefits: Paid time off, benefits, and exceptional networking & growth opportunities through exposure to top Canadian leaders through the Foundation’s Board
