Wolf Cooper Foundation: Director of Development

The Wolf Cooper Foundation is seeking to hire a full-time Director of Development to help lead the philanthropic and fundraising efforts in support of the Wolf Scholars Program, a new undergraduate scholarship for future thoughtful Canadian builders, innovators and leaders. Visit www.wolfscholars.com for more details.

 

The Opportunity

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.

Wolf Scholars launched its inaugural admissions cycle in fall 2025 and seeks to empower the most promising young Canadians through a broad and transformative educational experience that prepares them to build a better world. Every year, the Program will bring together up to 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 tuition scholarship and a meaningful living stipend, participate in exclusive academic seminars 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. All of this will be fully funded by the Wolf Cooper Foundation, and led by a world-class management team and Board.

 

Overview of the Role

We seek an energetic, organized, and entrepreneurial Director of Development, who will report to the Executive Director of the Wolf Scholars Program. This individual will be excited about the opportunity to generate philanthropic opportunities to support the future growth of the Wolf Scholars Program, and to work with a passionate and committed management team.

In this role, the Director of Development will also collaborate with a world-class Advisory board of top Canadian business and not-for-profit leaders, including mentorship from Ted Garrard, C.M. who has been CEO of SickKids Foundation, Vice-President (External) at Western University and Campaign Director at United Way of Greater Toronto, raising $4 billion over his 40-year fundraising career. Board members that the individual will collaborate with include:

• Kathleen Taylor (Former CEO, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts; former Chair of the Board at Royal Bank of Canada)
• Joe Natale (Former CEO, Rogers; Board Member, Shopify)
• Dominic Barton (Former Global Managing Partner, McKinsey & Company)
• Andrew Sheiner (CEO, Altas Partners)
• Franca Gucciardi (Former CEO, McCall MacBain Scholars; Former CEO, Loran Scholars Foundation)
• Jad Shimaly (Global Managing Partner, EY)
• Will Scott (CEO, Toronto Public Library Foundation)
• Maxine Granovsky Gluskin (Former Chair of the Board, Art Gallery of Ontario)
• Kenneth Montague (Founding Director, Wedge Curatorial Projects)

Candidates for this position should have a proven track record in major gift fundraising, including the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of key donors.  The Director of Development will help identify key prospective supporters and establish strategies to engage these prospects, support the solicitation of sponsors for the annual Wolf Scholars Tribute Event, and lead efforts to encourage prospective supporters to make outright, planned or blended gifts. The Director of Development will be adept at working in a fast-paced environment, and comfortable being accountable for ambitious fundraising goals.

As the Foundation’s first full-time dedicated development professional, this individual will play a key role in building the development function from the ground up. The Director of Development should be excited to lead the philanthropic efforts of a new but important Canadian foundation, and to transform our most promising students’ lives for the better.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

The Director of Development’s specific duties will include:

• Working with volunteers, donors, and senior staff to set, meet, and exceed ambitious fundraising goals;
• Managing a personal pool of donors and prospects;
• Developing donor acquisition, retention and migration strategies for Wolf Scholar donors with a view to focusing on Major Gifts ($10,000+) and transformational gifts ($1 million+);
• Overseeing and establishing a comprehensive donor experience and stewardship program designed to provide the highest standards of accountability and recognition to Wolf Scholarship donors;
• Overseeing all proposal development for Wolf Scholarship prospective donors;
• Ensuring that all records of Wolf Scholarship prospects and donors are well managed;
• Overseeing the sponsorship program for the annual Wolf Scholars Tribute event;
• Providing philanthropic thought leadership to the Chair of the Foundation Board and the Executive Director

Qualifications and Experience

The successful candidate will have the following attributes:

• A bachelor’s degree or higher, PLUS a minimum of five years experience in fundraising in the advancement field;
• A professional designation such as CRFE, CFP, CAGP would be preferable;
• The ability to communicate (written and oral) in French would be desirable;
• A proven track record as an exceptional fundraiser with emphasis on major, transformational, planned and blended gifts;
• A proven track record at exceeding ambitious fundraising goals;
• The ability to think at a high level about philanthropic trends and to apply these into practice;
• The ability to work with senior volunteers and in a team environment with work colleagues;
• The ability to think strategically and work proactively, managing competing priorities;
• Excellent donor and volunteer relations skills, with a keen sense of diplomacy;
• Superior writing and communications skills including the ability to tailor specific proposals given the specific interests of major donors.  Ability to passionately advocate for the Wolf Scholars program;
• Proficiency in using fundraising CRM systems and maintaining donor records;
• Understanding of prospect research and capability at using data to identify donor prospects

Additional Employment Details

• Reports to: Executive Director, Margot Ghersin
• Working: Hybrid in Toronto, Ontario with variable hours given the need to accommodate donor meeting preferences, event requirements, etc.
• Salary Range: $110,000 – $125,000 CAD annually
• Ideal Start Date: Immediate or as soon as possible
• Eligibility: Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada
• Benefits: Generous paid time off, comprehensive benefits package, and exceptional networking & growth opportunities through exposure to top Canadian leaders through the Foundation’s Board

Interested applicants should submit their application including resume and a short cover letter to careers@wolfscholars.com.