Manager, Major Gifts

Manager, Major Gifts Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) – Toronto, ON | Permanent, Full-time

Reports to:

Director, Philanthropy

Status:
Permanent Full-time

Are you a match-maker who listens deeply, translates passion into philanthropy, and knows how to spread the love of music through every donor relationship you build?

Join us as a frontline major gifts fundraiser at the TSO - building a portfolio of believers and closing major gifts with the philanthropists who make extraordinary music and artistic experiences possible.

The Manager, Major Gifts is a frontline fundraiser responsible for managing a portfolio of donors and prospects capable of giving $25,000 or more annually, securing significant five- and six-figure gifts that advance the Toronto Symphony Orchestra's artistic mission, support its programming, and deepen its relationships with the donors who make extraordinary music possible. Reporting to the Director, Philanthropy, the role is focused on growing the pipeline of supporters, and builds and stewards trusted, long-term donor relationships that drive sustainable revenue and connect a community of philanthropists to the future of one of Canada's most beloved cultural institutions.

For more than a century, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) has been a cornerstone of Canadian culture, steadfast in its commitment to musical excellence and to the vibrant communities we serve. Through acclaimed concerts, recordings, and tours, the TSO enriches audiences while reflecting the diversity of Toronto—one of the world’s most multicultural cities. Music Director Gustavo Gimeno brings artistic vision and a sense of adventure to the 93-musician orchestra.

Engaging audiences of all ages, the TSO leads a myriad of education, health-and-well‑being, and community‑access programs, including the tuition‑free Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra, cultivating the next generation of Canadian artists.

• Secure five- and six‑figure gifts from a portfolio of approximately 100–125 major donors and prospects with capacity to give $25,000 or more, leading all stages of the donor cycle.
• Hold full accountability for annual revenue targets, with a strong cadence of qualifying visits, meaningful actions, solicitations, and donor stewardship moments.
• Achieve annual goals for identification, cultivation and solicitation of prospects to increase total giving, retain and upgrade donors, and expand major gifts.
• Lead all stages of the donor cycle—qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship—for new, upgraded, renewed, and multi‑year commitments.
• Build and sustain authentic, long‑term relationships with donors and prospects through in‑person visits, performances, and personalized engagement.
• Identify and qualify new major gift prospects through portfolio review, referrals, prospect research, and donor events with the goal of building long‑term relationships with the TSO.
• Collaborate with peers in Individual Giving, Partnerships, and Legacy Giving to identify and convert cross‑portfolio opportunities.
• Prepare high‑quality donor materials, including proposals, gift agreements, briefing notes, and stewardship reports.
• Design individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies that align donor interests with TSO priorities.
• Partner with Artistic, Education & Community, Marketing & Communications, and the broader Development team to identify donor‑aligned funding opportunities and design compelling value propositions.
• Utilize Tessitura to document donor meetings, interactions, and correspondence, demonstrating the highest standards of accuracy, timeliness, thoroughness, and confidentiality.
• Participate and collaborate in portfolio meetings and donor strategy discussions.
• Maintain best practices and demonstrate a spirit of collaboration with the team in achieving departmental goals.
• Assist with Major Gifts administrative functions and ad hoc projects to support team objectives and new initiatives.
• Maintain a current view of the market—tracking trends in philanthropy—and bring an entrepreneurial, opportunity‑spotting mindset to growing the portfolio.
• Maintain a strong on‑site presence at TSO…