Foundations and Grants Officer

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The Canadian Opera Company is now accepting applications for the position of Foundations and Grants Officer

PURPOSE OF ROLE

The Canadian Opera Company is at a defining moment of transformation. With new leadership at the helm and a sharply focused Strategic Plan guiding the way, the COC is charting an ambitious path forward—one that builds on its legacy of artistic excellence while embracing new possibilities for growth, relevance, and community connection. This renewed vision is already generating an upswell of interest and enthusiasm among new and returning audiences alike. Central to sustaining and accelerating this momentum is robust philanthropic investment, secured through compelling and strategic grant applications that clearly articulate the COC’s bold goals, impressive milestones and rippling impact on the surrounding community.

Reporting to the Director of Major Gifts, the Foundations and Grants Officer is a new, full-time position that plays a vital role in securing institutional support for the Canadian Opera Company by managing a portfolio of foundation grants up to $50,000. This position is responsible for researching funding opportunities, writing grant proposals and reports, managing submission deadlines, and maintaining strong relationships with foundation partners. Working collaboratively with the Development team, the Director, Public Affairs and Strategic Partnerships, and program staff across the organization, the Grants Officer ensures timely and compelling communication of the COC's impact to institutional funders.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Grant Writing & Proposal Development

• Write and submit a minimum of 25-30 grant proposals annually for foundations and government funders with grant sizes up to $50,000


• Develop compelling narratives that align COC programs and priorities with funder interests and guidelines


• Assist members of the Development team with complex proposals and applications, supporting research and content development


• Maintain up to date information in all foundation and government granting portals


• Prepare letters of inquiry, full proposals, and supporting materials including budgets, organizational documents, and program descriptions


• Liaise with Artistic, Production, Community Partnerships & Programs, Public Affairs & Strategic Partnerships, and administrative staff to gather program information and impact data for proposals


• Tailor each proposal to specific funder requirements and priorities, ensuring alignment with COC strategic goals


• Maintain a grants writing calendar with all submission deadlines and ensure 100% on-time submission rate


• Prepare backgrounders and budgets for cultivation and solicitation materials

Grant Reporting & Stewardship

• Prepare and submit interim and final grant reports for all funded grants, ensuring 100% on-time report submission


• Track grant deliverables and reporting requirements throughout the grant cycle


• Collect program outcomes, attendance data, financial information, and impact stories for reporting


• Support government relations in maintaining government grant portal information


• Develop stewardship communications including thank you letters, updates, and impact reports for foundation partners


• Maintain regular communication with program officers and foundation contacts to strengthen relationships


• Coordinate funder recognition including program listings, annual report acknowledgments, and special recognition opportunities


• Document all funder interactions in Tessitura within 24 hours of contact

Research & Portfolio Management 

• Support a portfolio of foundation donors, cultivating and stewarding entry and mid-level institutional gifts and deepening engagement by delivering an exceptional donor experience


• Research funding prospects and monitor grant and funding trends, identifying 10-15 new foundation funding opportunities annually


• Conduct prospect research to assess funding priorities, application processes, and eligibility requirements


• Maintain detailed records in Tessitura including contact information, funding history, proposal tracking, invoices, pledge reminders, call reports, and moves management details


• Track grant application outcomes and maintain organized files of successful proposals and language for future use


• Coordinate reports for prospect meetings and ensure pipeline reports are up to date

Administration & Collaboration 

• Prepare monthly pipeline reports showing grants submitted, pending decisions, and revenue forecasts


• Coordinate with Development Operations to ensure accurate gift processing, acknowledgment, and recognition for institutional gifts


• Maintain organized files of all grant proposals, correspondence, and reports both digitally and in Tessitura


• Participate in Development team meetings and contribute to departmental planning and goal setting


• Support foundation cultivation events and funder site visits as needed


• Contribute to annual budget planning by providing foundation revenue projections based on pipeline analysis

Working Conditions & Other Requirements

• Work primarily during regular business hours with occasional evening or weekend work for events or deadline-driven work


• Working evenings and weekends in support of fundraising team for in-season performances and events


• Able to travel regularly between 227 Front Street East and the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts


• Attend a minimum of 3 COC performances per season to deepen understanding of artistic programs


• Maintain proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Tessitura CRM system


• Strong analytical and writing skills with ability to produce clear, compelling, and error-free grant proposals, metrics and reports
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required


• Demonstrated excellence in written communication


• Some experience in grant writing, fundraising, or nonprofit communications, with a portfolio of successful grant proposals preferred


• Strong research and analytical skills with attention to detail


• Ability to successfully manage multiple deadlines simultaneously in a fast-paced environment


• Collaborative approach with ability to work across departments and build relationships with program staff


• Experience with donor databases (Tessitura experience an asset)


• Passion for the performing arts and commitment to the COC's mission

ABOUT THE CANADIAN OPERA COMPANY

Based in Toronto, the Canadian Opera Company is the largest producer of opera in Canada and one of the largest in North America. General Director David Ferguson joined the company in 2024, forming a leadership team with Music Director Johannes Debus. The COC enjoys a loyal audience, including a dedicated base of subscribers, and has an international reputation for artistic excellence and creative innovation. Its diverse repertoire includes new commissions and productions, local and international collaborations with leading opera companies and festivals, and attracts the world’s foremost Canadian and international artists. The company is an incubator for the future of the art form, nurturing Canada’s new wave of opera performers and creators with customized training and support. The COC’s purpose-built opera house, the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, is hailed internationally as one of the finest in the world.

As Canada's largest opera company, the COC deeply values equity and diversity across all levels of the organization and believes in fostering an inclusive, discrimination-free environment that fully supports our team’s personal and collective success. We are committed to building a workforce that reflects our community, our city, and our country and, in turn, the COC welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and abilities who share and embrace these values of anti-racism and inclusion.

The COC is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) in all parts of the hiring process. If you require an accommodation, please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.

To be considered for this role, applications must be received by March 10, 2026