Foundations and Grants Officer

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

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

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.

• 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

• 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

• 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…