Vice President, Philanthropy – Canadian Women’s Foundation

The Canadian Women’s Foundation seeks its Vice President, Philanthropy, starting in the first quarter of 2027. Reporting to President & CEO Mitzie Hunter, and as an integral member of the senior leadership team (SLT), the Vice President, Philanthropy is responsible for the strategic direction, vision and leadership of all the fundraising and donor relations activities at the Foundation. As the chief fundraiser for the Foundation, the Vice President works to increase awareness and philanthropic support of the Canadian feminist movement, and the critical issues affecting diverse women, girls, Two-Spirit, trans, and nonbinary people. The Vice President, along with colleagues on the SLT, will also continue to position the Foundation as the charity of choice for this movement.

The Canadian Women’s Foundation (the Foundation) is Canada’s public foundation for gender justice and equality. It advances this by growing support for grassroots feminist action, partnering with communities and organizations to improve conditions, and building diverse leadership and knowledge for sustainable change. Through fundraising, granting, research, advocacy, and knowledge sharing, the Foundation works to achieve feminist systemic change. By granting to and strengthening local community programs across Canada, the Foundation empowers women, girls and gender-diverse people to move out of violence, out of poverty, and into confidence and leadership.

Launched in 1991 by a group of eight trail-blazing women, the Foundation addresses a critical need for philanthropy focused on women and is one of the largest women’s fundraising foundations in the world. With the assistance of supporters and donors, the Foundation has raised more than $290 million to fund over 3,500 life-transforming programs across the country. As a leading voice for women, girls and gender-diverse people nationally, Canadian Women’s Foundation is committed to getting gender equality issues front and centre in the hearts and minds of people in Canada.

We strongly encourage applications from women, Two Spirit, trans, and nonbinary people who identify as Black and/or racialized, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit, living with disabilities, and/or members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

The Vice President of Philanthropy’s main responsibilities are:

Fundraising and Donor Relations 

The Vice President supports the growth of a strong culture of philanthropy in the organization through mentoring and engagement across the Foundation with staff, and with the Board and the Foundation’s volunteers and donors. In addition to this work, the Vice President also manages an active donor pipeline and is responsible for their own fundraising revenue targets of $2 million annually.

The VP leads and oversees diversified fundraising strategies and campaigns to grow and sustain revenue, including major gifts, corporate partnerships, individual giving, and planned giving. It also builds and stewards donor relationships, expands the Foundation’s geographic reach, manages funding risks, and engages the CEO, Board of Directors, and senior volunteers in securing philanthropic support.

Team Development and Supervision  

Working with a dedicated, long-standing team, the Vice President mentors, guides and oversees the team of 9 full-time staff via 3 direct reports in the following business units: Individual and Foundation Major and Mid-level Giving; Corporate Giving; and Donor Experience; while working closely with Public Engagement on Community and Annual Giving.  

The Vice President ensures the Philanthropy team has the capacity, structure, and skills to meet the Foundation’s revenue goals. Coach and develop team members while strengthening organizational policies, processes, and accountability to support effective fundraising.

Public Relations, Marketing and Communications

The Vice President of Philanthropy collaborates across teams to strengthen donor and partner communications, demonstrate the impact of the Foundation’s granting programs, and lead or support organization-wide campaigns that increase financial support for the Foundation’s priorities.

Strategic and Budget Planning

The Vice President of Philanthropy develops and implements annual and long-term Philanthropy plans and budgets aligned with the Foundation’s strategic priorities and revenue needs. It also monitors fundraising performance and contributes to organizational strategic planning, financial sustainability, and long-term growth, including leveraging Board relationships to support significant gifts.

Qualifications

As the ideal candidate, you are

• A well-respected, successful senior fundraising professional with a university degree and more than 10 years of broad experience across all giving methods, including annual, planned giving, and major gifts, from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
• CFRE designation is considered a strong asset
• You have demonstrable success as the lead fundraiser and have solicited multi-year, complex donations in the 5-, 6-, 7-, and 8-figure range.
• Experience supporting a comprehensive campaign is considered an asset.
• You understand Canada’s donor landscape and are adept at engaging donors and volunteers, have excellent listening skills, and can problem solve and bring innovative ideas to bear.
• You are knowledgeable, conversant and can speak with ease about the issues of importance to the Foundation, including feminism, gender equity, justice, human rights, gender-based violence, reproductive rights, and equality.
• As a people leader you:
  • Actively support, coach, mentor, champion and develop your staff team, have experience setting goals, moves management policies and workplans,
  • A demonstrable commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and foster a safe, accessible, and inclusive environment in your organizations.
  • The ideal candidate must embody what the Foundation is known for: championing gender equity, justice, and feminist philanthropy, and with upholding the values of inclusivity, respect, accountability and support.
• Bilingualism in both of Canada’s official languages (French/English) is considered a strong asset. 

Salary Range and Compensation Package: $125,000-180,000, commensurate with experience. The total compensation package includes a comprehensive employer-paid benefits package, professional development funds, paid vacation, health days, floater Fridays, and end-of-year closing days.

Location/WFH: While the Foundation’s office is located in Toronto, Ontario, the Foundation offers a hybrid work environment. Candidates do not need to be based in Toronto; however, they must be able to travel for work-related purposes. 

Use of AI: The Foundation may use artificial intelligence to screen, assess, or select applicants for a position.

Reason for posting: Vacancy. The deadline to apply for the position is November 22, 2026.

The Canadian Women’s Foundation is strongly committed to equity in employment and seeks to attract, select, and hire a diverse team with a high level of professional skills, passion for and belief in our vision and mission. It aims to be inclusive of diverse people across gender and sexuality spectrums. This includes people who identify as women, girls, trans, Two Spirit, genderqueer, nonbinary, and 2SLGBTQIA+. If comfortable, the Foundation encourages candidates to share information about their identities, lived experiences, and the communities they are part of in their cover letter. Please advise our People & Culture Team at  humanresources@canadianwomen.org should you require any accommodation to participate in the recruitment and/or assessment processes.

Click here to apply.