Senior Coordinator, Annual Giving/ Coordonnatrice Principale Ou Coordonnateur Principal, Dons Annuels

CIFAR • Toronto, ON

3d • CA$65,662 - CA$77,250 • Hybrid

About The Position

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. This posting is for a newly created position.

About CIFAR:
The Next Leap Starts Here. At CIFAR, we don’t just solve complex challenges; we imagine new possibilities for humanity. We are a global catalyst for breakthroughs, mobilizing the world’s most brilliant minds to tackle the questions that define our future. Founded in Canada and connected to the world, we provide the platform for high-risk, high-reward research. When you join CIFAR, you aren’t just taking a job: you are joining a community dedicated to the long-term benefit of people and the planet.

For more information, please visit our website.

The Opportunity
Reporting to the Senior Director, Advancement, the Senior Coordinator, Annual Giving plays a key role in implementing CIFAR’s Annual Giving strategy to grow philanthropic support, strengthen donor engagement, and advance fundraising goals. This position is responsible for coordinating donor acquisition, renewal, stewardship, and sponsorship activities for individual, corporate, and foundation donors contributing up to $25,000.

The successful candidate will combine strong relationship-building skills with exceptional attention to detail and operational excellence. They will contribute to donor communications, fundraising campaigns, sponsorship activities, gift processing, facilitating briefing notes, and donor stewardship while ensuring accurate and timely maintenance of donor records and fundraising data.

Requirements

• University degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience in a related field.
• 1–2 years of experience in fundraising, annual giving, donor relations, advancement, or a related field.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with experience engaging donors, supporters, or stakeholders.
• Strong organizational, planning, and time-management skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Experience working with CRM databases and maintaining accurate records.
• Demonstrated integrity and commitment to the AFP Code of Ethical Principles and Standards.
• Strong written communication skills with the ability to develop donor-facing materials and correspondence.
• Curiosity, a willingness to learn, and a genuine interest in CIFAR’s mission and impact. A background in science is not required.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and execute CIFAR’s Annual Giving fundraising plan to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward new and renewing individual, corporate, and foundation donors contributing up to $25,000.
• Support the development and implementation of targeted fundraising campaigns and appeals, including initiatives such as Giving Tuesday, Fellow Appeals, and Staff Appeals.
• Help implement a new donor affinity program designed to attract and engage new supporters.
• Support sponsorship activities by preparing proposals, tracking opportunities, and coordinating sponsorship benefits.
• Coordinate the annual Board fundraising appeal, including support for customized outreach and donor requests.
• Prepare briefing materials and draft prospect profiles to support donor engagement activities.
• Develop and maintain donor-facing fundraising materials, templates, and communications.
• Build and maintain a strong understanding of Annual Giving best practices and stay informed about CIFAR’s programs, priorities, and strategic initiatives.
• Process all donations in CIFAR’s donor database, including issuing tax receipts and acknowledgment letters.
• Track pledges and coordinate reminder communications for outstanding commitments.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date donor records, ensuring a high level of data integrity within the CRM.
• Support donor stewardship activities by ensuring donor information, interactions, and giving records are complete, accurate, and current.

Benefits

• 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 values the “4Cs” (Collaboration, Curiosity, Courage and Clarity), where diverse perspectives are valued and ideas are encouraged.
• Work Flexibility - We encourage a hybrid working model that includes work-from-home arrangements with a minimum of 3 days in the office and Focus Fridays (meeting-free Fridays every week).
• Employee Focused - We offer generous maternity and parental leave top-ups and a flexible work environment, including CIFAR Days (designated days off in addition to vacation allotments).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree