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About the Role

The Associate Director, Philanthropy and Planned Giving will provide strategic leadership for the Planned Giving program at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), advancing its growth and impact. This role cultivates relationships, inspires planned gifts, and secures philanthropic legacies to support the AGO's mission. The incumbent will serve as the main resource on gift planning, offering guidance on tax-efficient giving, donor-advised funds, estate gifts, and blended giving opportunities, as well as the creation and stewardship of endowed and foundation funds.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership for the Planned Giving program.
Advance the continued growth and long-term impact of the Planned Giving program.
Cultivate meaningful relationships with patrons, members, and supporters.
Inspire and arrange planned gifts.
Help secure a lasting philanthropic legacy for the AGO.
Serve as the main resource on gift planning, providing strategic guidance to colleagues on tax-efficient charitable giving, donor-advised funds, estate gifts, and blended giving opportunities.
Provide guidance on the creation and stewardship of endowed and foundation funds, including investment, distribution, and fund management policies.
Lead the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of planned giving donors.
Manage a pipeline of legacy giving prospects.
Secure planned, estate, and endowed gifts.
Oversee estate administration to ensure donors’ philanthropic intentions are honored and realized.
Lead donor stewardship and recognition initiatives for planned gift donors.
Oversee the AGO Legacy Circle.
Ensure effective management of gift administration, donor records, and departmental operations.
Review and assess the Planned Giving strategy, identify opportunities to strengthen program operations, and support the growth of legacy and estate giving.
Develop short- and long-term estate giving strategies aligned with organizational priorities.
Integrate planned giving strategies with major gift and leadership giving efforts.
Identify, cultivate, and solicit planned giving prospects.
Serve as a trusted advisor to colleagues, championing gift planning.
Represent the Development division on Gallery committees and working groups.
Serve as an ambassador for the AGO at external events and community engagements.
Contribute to goal setting, policy development, and the achievement of key objectives for the Development division.
Participate in multi-year and annual strategic planning for Development and Gallery-wide funding priorities.
Develop strategies to identify and engage donors through estate and blended gifts.
Manage and grow the legacy giving pipeline to secure future gift commitments.
Increase planned giving intentions year over year.
Maintain accurate donor records and develop prospect strategies.
Ensure timely follow-up with prospects and collaborate with Development Operations to complete and document gift agreements.
Develop and implement an integrated gallery-wide communications plan for Planned Giving.
Provide guidance and training to colleagues on tax-effective giving strategies, vehicles, and assets.
Develop and execute tailored planned giving strategies with senior leadership, volunteers, and colleagues.
Lead and participate in donor conversations and solicitation meetings.
Develop and implement strategies to steward and engage donors who give through donor-advised funds (DAFs).
Oversee the acceptance and administration of estate gifts.
Work collaboratively with external financial planning professionals and other professional advisors to facilitate the administration of complex planned gifts.
Provide Development colleagues with guidance on endowment giving, including Foundation funds, investment and distribution policies, financial considerations, and tax-effective giving strategies.
Support the endowment giving pipeline through prospect identification, cultivation, and solicitation.
Achieve philanthropic and revenue goals in collaboration with relationship managers.
Develop strategies that cultivate, solicit, and steward endowed and restricted fund donors.
Identify prospects, develop planned giving and endowment strategies, and advance new fund opportunities.
Develop and implement personalized stewardship strategies for planned gift donors.
Identify key recognition opportunities within customized stewardship plans.
Develop and implement tailored donor recognition strategies.
Serve as the primary relationship manager throughout the donor journey.
Monitor donor activity and ensure accurate tracking in the donor database.
Process and steward planned gift commitments, payments, receipts, and related transactions.
Manage the AGO Legacy Circle, developing engagement and stewardship opportunities for donors and prospects.

Requirements

Progressive fundraising experience, including planned giving.
Candidates with a strong major gift fundraising background and an interest in planned giving will also be considered.
Demonstrated success in integrating gift planning with major gifts, annual giving, or broader fundraising programs.
Working knowledge of tax laws, estate planning and planned giving vehicles, such as bequests, gifts of insurance, registered funds and securities.
Comprehensive knowledge of fundraising principles, practices, techniques and CRA guidelines for fundraising, especially regarding the interpretation of the Income Tax Act regulations.
Demonstrated track record of setting up and implementing a fundraising program.
Ability to build a culture of philanthropy within an organization.
Experience engaging donors, building relationships, and support effective gift discussions.
Original Canadian Gift Planning Course Certificate preferred.
Well-developed computer literacy including familiarity with industry data analytics overlaid on a donor database.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage priorities, attention to detail, and follow-through.
Sound judgment and discretion in managing confidential information and sensitive matters.
Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to build and sustain strong relationships.
Experience managing budgets and financial resources.
Successful track record in meeting or exceeding established goals.
Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
Working knowledge of Tessitura software is an asset.
A strong, authentic interest and openness to learning about art and the art world is an asset.
All inquiries and applications will be held in strict confidence.
This position is open to all Canadian citizens, permanent residents and those legally able to work in Canada.

Skills

Planned giving
Relationship-focused fundraising
Strategic leadership
Gift planning
Tax-efficient charitable giving
Donor-advised funds
Estate gifts
Blended giving
Endowed and foundation funds
Stewardship
Legacy giving
Major gifts
Annual giving
Data analysis
Prospect strategies
Communications
Training
Financial planning
Budget management
Financial resource management

Location

Toronto

Work Type

Hybrid
Occasional evening and weekend work required

Experience Level

Associate Director
Progressive fundraising experience

Salary/Compensations

$110,000 - $130,000

Benefits

Comprehensive suite of benefits

About the Company

The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is one of North America’s largest and most distinguished art museums, located in the cultural heart of Toronto.
Founded in 1900, the AGO houses a collection of more than 120,000 works spanning the first century to today.
The collection includes significant Indigenous and Canadian art, the renowned Thomson Collection of European masterpieces and ship models, and an expanding global contemporary program.
The AGO's architectural transformation by architect Frank Gehry cemented its place as an international cultural landmark.
Scheduled to open in 2027, the AGO’s new Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary Gallery will further share great art and experiences with local, national and international audiences.
The AGO serves hundreds of thousands of visitors annually and plays a central role in shaping Canada’s artistic and cultural dialogue.
The AGO launched a bold new initiative designed to make the museum even more welcoming and accessible with the introduction of free admission for Ontarians 25 years and under and a $40 annual pass.
The Art Gallery of Ontario is funded in part by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport.
Additional operating support is received from the City of Toronto, the Canada Council for the Arts, and generous contributions from AGO members, donors, and private-sector partners.
The Art Gallery of Ontario is not simply a museum — it is a civic anchor, a global cultural voice, and a platform for artistic innovation in one of the world’s most dynamic cities.
Mission: We bring people together with art to see, experience and understand the world in new ways by presenting great ART, facilitating LEARNING, and engaging with our AUDIENCE.
Vision: We lead global conversations from Toronto through extraordinary collections, exhibitions, and programs—and by reflecting the people who live here.
Operating Principles: Be inclusive, accessible and relevant to our visitors. Strive for artistic and operational excellence. Achieve financial equilibrium and sustainability.
Values: Respect, Openness, Collaboration, Accountability.
The AGO is truly the Gallery of Us—because we simply could not do what we do without the support of our community.
In 2025–26, this included: $12.5 million in donations, memberships, bequests, and corporate sponsorships; $142.8 million in the value of artworks gifted to the AGO; $11.6 million in gifts of funds for capital projects; $15.3 million in growth of the Endowment value and new contributions to The AGO Foundation.
The AGO has invested in the growth and potential of its Planned Giving program for many years, recognizing the important role legacy gifts play in its future.
The program is built on strong planned giving practices with relationship-building at its core.
The program currently includes more than 150 planned gift intentions and the AGO Legacy Circle of over 120 members.
Planned gifts generate approximately $1 to $3 million annually and represents an important source of revenue.

Equal Opportunity

The AGO is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment.
In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act & the AGO’s Recruitment & Selection Policy for Staff, a request for accommodation will be considered throughout the hiring process.
Pillar 1: Action and Accountability. Foster a museum that is inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible.
Pillar 2: Diversify our collection, exhibitions and programming. Reinforce diversity, inclusion, equity and accessibility as central to our art content decisions.
Pillar 3: Lead with the people who live here. Grow and deepen our relationship with diverse audiences and use consultation to gain community input with expert knowledge to remain vibrant and relevant in the changing global cultural conversation. Building on our work to create an organizational culture that fosters an environment that is inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible to all.
Pillar 4: Recruitment, retention and success. Integrate approaches to DEIA in recruitment, retention, onboarding, learning and development, and workplace experience for staff and volunteers, including our board of trustees.
Pillar 5: Inclusive Procurement. Promote diverse suppliers for goods and services Gallery-wide.