Advancement Officer

Company Overview

Tapestry Opera is an award-winning Toronto-based company dedicated to creating, developing and performing original Canadian opera. We are passionate about timely, resonant stories, told in innovative settings and interpreted by extraordinary artists. We create powerful opera that reflects and changes the world around us, bringing together art forms, creators, and communities to create boundary-pushing work.

We are a team of 7 people, working together in a flexible and collaborative environment in order to create and share extraordinary ideas, art, and initiatives. We are a diverse staff with deep interest and experience in equity and justice ideas and practices, and we particularly welcome applications from members of equity-deserving communities to apply. Tapestry Opera is invested in expanding our art form, creating new opportunities, and situating care for people at the core of our activities. 

Job Description

Job Description:

Title: Advancement Officer

Portfolios: Advancement: Government Grants, Foundation and Corporate Grants, Individual Donors

Reporting to: Executive Director, Director of Advancement

Start Date: Tuesday  September 25, 2023

Remuneration: $50,000 - $52,000

Growth opportunities: Manager or Director position in Advancement/Development

Location: Toronto, ON

In person/work-from-home: Remote working is negotiable with this role with occasional trips to Toronto for performances and events

The Advancement Officer will play a key role in building the sustainability of the organization through a major capital campaign, the construction of a new venue, and the creation of new works of opera.. We are looking for someone with 3-plus years development/fundraising experience with a history of strong writing, working with granting bodies, work in the non-profit and development sector and some understanding of CRMs. This role reports to the Director of Advancement and would work closely with the entire Tapestry team to ensure clear communication with donors, funders and audiences, and a well-supported Advancement department.

Projects that this role will fundraise to support include:

• Commissioning Canadian librettists and composers to create new operas

• World premiere productions

• COR - The Canadian Opera Resource - an archive and marketplace for Canadian operas and arias

• Women in Musical Leadership - 3-year fellowship for w and non-binary conductors

• Cultivation of emerging creative and performing artists

• Other dynamic artistic programming

We are committed to equity and justice in hiring and encourage applications from Black, Indigenous, and racialized people, members of the LGBTQ2S+ communities,  and members of the disabled and other equity-deserving communities to apply

Things that matter:

• We make art that is socially engaged - you have an understanding or lived experience of principles of equity and anti-oppression, and/or are interested in and open to the process of learning

• You have an understanding of and connection to the performing arts

• You have solid writing, analysing, and communication skills

• You have development and grant writing experience

• You see challenge as an opportunity

• You are looking for work you’ll love. We do this because we love the work, and we like each other.

What we Offer:

• Comprehensive health benefits

• Flexibility with hours, work-from-home days (even in non-pandemic times!)

• Casual working environment

• Unlimited vacation and paid time off 

• Open, transparent, and communicative office culture

• Professional development opportunities

• Your expertise is valued and trusted, and you will have real input into decision-making

• Tickets to all Tapestry productions

• Accessible office and studio space

• Access to studio and theatre spaces for personal use when available

What you will do:

This is a comprehensive but not exhaustive list, in which there is room for growth in particular areas of interest to the applicant. As with any small organization, additional duties as required, within reason and subject to discussion.

Organizational Participation

• Participate in and contribute to strategy sessions and long term planning

• Develop relationships with staff, volunteers, and board members

• Identify areas for Professional Development within and outside the organization

• Contribute to board meetings and AGMs as required

Government, Corporate, and Foundational Fundraising 

• Managing government grant research, writing, submission, reporting

• Track deadlines, reports, and deliverables for government grants, foundations, and corporate asks

• Research, prospecting, and identifying new avenues for foundation, and corporate

• Develop collateral and assets for corporate and foundation pitches and applications

• Participate in and contribute to strategy sessions and pitch ideations

Individual Giving and Philanthropy Support

• Participate in and contribute to strategy sessions and planning

• Track deadlines and deliverables for seasonal campaigns

• Oversee the reconciliation of all individual donations between CRM and Accounting software

• Support the issuing of all tax receipts

• Research, prospecting, and identifying new avenues for individual giving

• Cultivate relationships with individual donors (Tapestry’s Membership program)

• Assist in the development of calendar and fiscal year end campaigns including direct mail

• Assist with building reports and record keeping in CRM software