Senior Philanthropy Officer, Principal Giving
We are committed to pay transparency and equity. The hiring range for this role is $95,000 -$103,500 annually.
We wake up to a different alarm.
The issues impacting our communities here in the GTA keep us awake at night. But it’s also what gets us up each day, determined to fight local poverty and its interconnected challenges, and to make this region everything it can be for everyone who calls it home. We believe in the power of community, of people coming together, doing what it takes to build and transform neighbourhoods where everyone can thrive. Any Way We Can.
United Way Greater Toronto is currently seeking a Senior Philanthropy Officer, Principal Giving to join our team.
How you will make a difference:
Reporting to the Director, Principal and Planned Giving, the Senior Philanthropy Officer, Principal Giving will formulate and implement donor development strategies for donors and prospects with the ability and inclination to contribute Principal gifts of $1M+, to support the strategic growth objectives of United Way Greater Toronto including community real estate and neighbourhood development strategies.
- Partner closely with the Director, Principal & Planned Giving on strategy development, prospect identification, pipeline management, advancement, and stewardship of multiyear principal gift opportunities
- Manage an assigned portfolio of high-net-worth donors and prospects within a rigorous clearance, discovery, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship process, working in collaboration with and in support of senior leadership, including the CEO, with a focus on principal and transformational gift prospects ($1M+).
- Plan and execute donor strategy and touchpoints that result in enhanced relationships and progressive principal and transformational-level philanthropic investment financial commitment to United Way’s community-building work
- Develop written materials that support donors and prospect engagement including proposal, financial budgeting progress/stewardship reports and other donor/prospect communications as required)
- Work collaboratively with the Comprehensive Campaign team and Community Impact teams to align donor and organizational funding priorities and develop solicitations for principal gifts
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with senior volunteers, new prospects, and current donors
- Work with seniors volunteers and cabinets to advance organization’s goals. Maximize the use of the CRM tool to track, implement and facilitate fundraising plans against principal gift prospects and donors
What you bring to the role:
- More than 5 years, in a major gift fundraising, with demonstrated success in building strategy for, securing and stewarding six- and seven-figure gifts
- Demonstrated ability to effectively forge, manage and maintain long-standing donor relationships
- Demonstrated track record in major / principal gift cycle activity and fundraising and complex donor strategy execution
- Alignment with the mission of United Way Greater Toronto
- Familiarity with planned giving vehicles (bequests, insurance, etc.) and other blended ask strategies
- Highly developed analytical skills with ability to conduct research and use independent judgement to problem solve
- Ability to influence, negotiate and manage complex donor situations
- Ability to coordinate projects, and work with senior volunteers
- Proven ability to take initiative and carry projects to completion with minimum supervision
- Excellent teamwork, interpersonal and constituent service skills including the ability to work respectfully and inclusively with a diverse employee population and multiple stakeholders
- Willingness to actively contribute to the organizational Reconciliation and Equity framework through participation in learning opportunities and implementing anti-oppressive, and anti-racist learnings into action internally and externally
- High degree of comfort with sophisticated donor database use and Microsoft Office tools for tracking activity and financial results
- Strong communication skills (both written and verbal)
- Ability to travel across Greater Toronto Region and work occasionally outside of regular office hours
Being part of our team:
- Competitive total compensation package including:
- Salary
- Comprehensive benefits
- Defined benefit employer-matching pension
- Life insurance
- Short-term and long-term disability benefits
- Employee and family assistance program (EFAP)
- Generous paid time-off package including vacation, personal and cultural days, summer hours and hybrid work environment
- Commitment to the well-being and work-life balance for our employees
- Collaborative, high-performing, team focused on long-term and collective success
- Largest United Way world-wide
- Work with the GTA’s top philanthropic leaders
Please apply no later than July 17, 2026.
As part of our recruitment process, United Way Greater Toronto offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities. If we contact you about an opportunity, please let us know if you require accommodation.
UWGT is committed to the ethical and responsible use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI). While we currently do not use AI for decision-making that produces legal or similarly significant effects, we may use analytics or automation tools to improve donor engagement, personalize experiences, or optimize internal processes.
As per our recruitment policy, internal candidates are encouraged to let their current manager know that they have applied for another role.
About United Way Greater Toronto:
As the largest non-government funder of community services in the GTA, United Way Greater Toronto reinforces a crucial community safety net to support people living in poverty. United Way’s network of agencies and initiatives in neighbourhoods across Peel, Toronto and York Region works to ensure that everyone has access to the programs and services they need to thrive. Mobilizing community support, United Way’s work is rooted in ground-breaking research, strategic leadership, local advocacy and cross-sectoral partnerships committed to building a more equitable region and lasting solutions to the GTA’s greatest challenges.
Diversity & Inclusion:
United Way is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that reflects our diverse community to ensure we’re best equipped to serve it. We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds and those who may need accommodation to apply to join our team. Our commitment to excellence in diversity goes beyond promoting equity. By incorporating a variety of experiences and perspectives, we create opportunities for innovative solutions and maximize the impact of our work.
Building community takes a community and together, with you, we will shape a stronger, brighter GTA for everyone who lives here. Any Way We Can.
Learn more about our work at unitedwaygt.org.
