Philanthropic Advisor

UJA Federation of Greater Toronto

UJA Federation of Greater Toronto

North York, Toronto, ON, Canada
Posted on Jul 16, 2025

About UJA Federation of Greater Toronto

At UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, our vision is to lead the most vibrant Jewish community in North America - a community characterized by its diversity, unity, compassion, generosity and commitment to Jewish values. Together with our philanthropic, volunteer and professional leadership, we’re changing lives.

As one of North America’s leading Jewish non-profits, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto works to preserve and strengthen the quality of Jewish life in Greater Toronto, Canada, Israel and around the world. UJA advances this mission through fundraising, programs, and research focused on our strategic pillars: fighting poverty and improving well-being, growing Jewish education and identity, countering antisemitism and hate, and strengthening connections with Israel and Jewish communities worldwide.

About the Opportunity

Reporting to the AVP, is an experienced critical thinker with strong communication skills, who will be responsible for the development and implementation of strategies towards the growth of the Jewish Foundation. S/he will research, recommend and canvass prospects for new Funds and Planned Gifts and reach out and develop relationships with professional advisors in the community. The Philanthropic Advisor will be part of the Integrated Development Team and will also develop personalized strategies that maximize donors’ giving through the Annual Campaign, transformational gifts and to other campaigns.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Accountable to achieve fundraising targets and to engage in face-to-face meetings with prospects and donors
  • Identify and cultivate relationships with Professional Advisors (lawyers, accountants, financial advisors and insurance brokers) in the community to educate them to advocate for philanthropy and the Jewish Foundation with their clients and colleagues
  • Responsible for the curation and management of a donor portfolio of high-net-worth donors and prospects
  • Identify new prospects who are non-donors, as well as existing donors with greater capacity
  • Curate a prospect pipeline and keep it up-to-date with relevant information
  • Work closely with the professional fundraising team to produce a range of research information products and reports including research profiles for prospective donors
  • Proactively identify prospective major donors, and establish new relationships while working cross functionally to find the most effective and impactful donor journey
  • Review lists of prospects and provide input and analysis in terms of capacity and proclivity to give
  • Support accurate data maintenance, strategic tracking, analysis and critical thinking around the movement of top prospects
  • Draft biographical, financial and philanthropic bios and briefings on donors and prospective donors in support of staff
  • Help plan and organize prospecting events and follow-up processes
  • Attend and support in person events for the department and the organization at large

Qualifications:

  • Relevant Education or equivalent experience
  • Strong interpersonal skills with ability to quickly build rapport with colleagues
  • Experience researching prospects and donors on social media and conventional media
  • Ability to work independently and handle multiple priorities in a busy environment
  • Advanced level of proficiency in Microsoft Excel and associated functions
  • Willingness and ability to learn additional applications and platforms as needed
  • Knowledge of Salesforce an asset
  • Proactive with excellent organizational, prioritizing and time-management skills
  • A self-starter able to leverage his/her knowledge, skills and experience to manage complex change from start to finish
  • Ability to manage complex projects and budgets, working collaboratively with staff as well as with multiple stakeholders to deliver results
  • An ability to think strategically and critically
  • Strong problem-solving, decision-making and analytical capabilities with excellent attention to detail
  • Enthusiasm, creativity, innovation and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Maintain a high degree of discretion and confidentiality
  • Familiarity with the Toronto Jewish community and/or experience in Jewish Communal Service considered an asset

* This is a full-time permanent position. . As UJA currently operates on a hybrid basis. Please note that UJA’s offices are closed on all Jewish holy days (yom tov) and the Jewish Sabbath (Shabbat).

Qualified applicants are invited to submit a cover letter and resume. Only those applicants invited for interview will be contacted. Please be advised that all offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of professional references and background checks including Social Media Account(s) and a Police Records Check/Vulnerable Sector Screening.

Commitment to Inclusion and Accessibility:

UJA Federation is proud of our dynamic professional team, which reflects the diversity of the Jewish community and general community alike in Greater Toronto. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants from all communities.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible workplace, and believe this is essential to ensure that every member of our team can thrive.

We adhere to barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs.