MANAGER, FOUNDATIONS AND MAJOR GIFTS

La version française suit.

This is a hybrid position based out of the CIFAR office located in the MaRs Discovery building. Staff are required to be in the office three days a week, ensuring a balance of in-person collaboration and flexibility.

About CIFAR:

The Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) is a globally influential research organization proudly based in Canada. We mobilize the world’s most brilliant people across disciplines and at all career stages to advance transformative knowledge and solve humanity’s biggest problems, together.

For more information please visit our website.

The Opportunity:

We are seeking a dynamic and strategic Manager, Foundations and Major Gifts to join our Advancement team. In this role, you will be a key contributor to our fundraising success by building and stewarding relationships with individual, family, and corporate foundations. Reporting to the Senior Director, Advancement you will lead the foundation giving portfolio, cultivating meaningful connections that inspire significant philanthropic support for CIFAR’s mission.

Key Responsibilities & Impact:

• Lead the strategy and execution of CIFAR’s foundation giving portfolio, with a focus on securing gifts of $100K+.
• Build and sustain strong donor relationships through identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities—individually and in collaboration with colleagues, volunteers, and researchers.
• Identify and develop new foundation prospects, growing the donor pipeline.
• Create compelling and strategic communications, including significant foundation proposals and LOIs.
• Partner with senior leadership on strategies for transformational-level foundation donors, including research, proposal writing, and engagement planning.
• Manage donor deliverables and deadlines, working collaboratively with colleagues across departments.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of CIFAR’s programs and priorities to align donor interests with funding opportunities.
• Ensure donor information is accurate, current, and effectively managed in CIFAR’s database.
• Contribute to a culture of collaboration, professionalism, and excellence across the Advancement team and organization.

About You: 

Education/Experience required:

• University degree or college diploma, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5-7 years of progressive fundraising experience, with proven success in major gift and/or foundation giving.

Core Professional/Technical Knowledge & Skills required for the position:

• Superb writing skills with a proven track record of crafting successful and compelling Foundation proposals and grant applications.
• Excellent relationship-building, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Outstanding attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Knowledge of the philanthropic community and best practices in major gift fundraising.
• Demonstrated integrity and adherence to AFP’s Code of Ethical Principles and Standards.
• Comfort with CRM databases as a key tool for building relationships.
• Understanding of finance/accounting principles
  in the non-profit sector is an asset.
• Although a background in science is not required, a desire to learn and a genuine curiosity about the work of CIFAR are important elements of success for this role.

What We Offer

At CIFAR, we strive to create a workplace where people feel supported, included, and able to do their best work. Our team members benefit from:

• Comprehensive wellness and benefits – extended health coverage, mental health supports, a defined benefit pension, 4 weeks’ vacation, and “CIFAR Days” (days off with pay) throughout the year.
• Opportunities for learning and growth – supported by professional development resources.
• An inclusive, collaborative culture – grounded in our 4Cs (Collaboration, Curiosity, Courage, and Clarity), where diverse perspectives are valued and ideas are encouraged.

Apply: 

Qualified applicants are invited to apply by December 14, 2025 with their RESUME & COVER LETTER. We appreciate your interest in this opportunity, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted via email.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

CIFAR is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. We recognize that bringing together individuals from multiple backgrounds, perspectives and experiences is integral to advancing excellence and increasing the impact of our organization. Our leadership, staff and volunteers strive to create an equitable, diverse and inclusive workplace and, in turn, an environment that will give our diverse global community of researchers the support to successfully address the most important questions facing science and humanity. Ensuring that every person feels valued and welcome, regardless of age, education, sexual orientation, gender expression and identity, parental status/responsibility, immigration status, Indigenous status, religion, disability, language, race, place of origin, ethnicity, culture, socio-economic status, and other attributes is vital to achieving our mission. We strongly encourage applications from members of our society who face systemic barriers and biases, including, but not limited to, women, Indigenous persons, members of visible minority/racialized communities, 2SLGBTQ+ persons, members of marginalized gender identity communities, and persons with disabilities. Applicants may confidentially self-identify at the time of application.

ACCESSIBILITY FOR APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES – CIFAR is committed to providing accommodations throughout the recruitment and selection process to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and the Ontario Human Rights Code. To request a reasonable accommodation, please email hrteam@cifar.ca and include the term ‘Accessibility’ in the Subject Line, or call 416-971-4251. Please provide your name, preferred contact method, and a detailed description of the nature of any accommodation that you may require. Please include any materials or processes that may be used to ensure your equal participation.

CIFAR frequently communicates in both official languages and our preference is to hire employees who are fluent in both English and French where possible.  Other languages are also considered an asset. For a French version of the job posting, please visit www.cifar.ca.

CIFAR is supported by the governments of Canada, Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec as well as international partner organizations, individuals, foundations, and corporations.