About the role
Advancement (Fundraising) Intern
La version française suit.
Location: Hybrid (remote and in-office)
Hours : Part-time, minimum 15 hours/week (with the possibility of additional hours depending on projects/workload)
Term: 3 months, with the possibility of extension
About CIFAR:
The Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) is a globally influential research organization proudly based in Canada. We mobilize the world’s most brilliant people across disciplines and at all career stages to advance transformative knowledge and solve humanity’s biggest problems, together.
For more information please visit our website.
Purpose of the Position:
The Advancement Intern supports the fundraising team in achieving its goals. This is a hands-on opportunity to gain experience in donor reporting and stewardship, and nonprofit communications. The ideal candidate is passionate about making a difference and eager to learn about the inner workings of a successful fundraising program. As an Advancement Intern, you will be directly responsible for review and cataloguing of communications collateral for future donor relations purposes.
Responsibilities:
- Provide administrative support as we close out a significant grant.
- Review, index, and recommend video and photo assets for future donor communications.
- Conduct research on organizational history, potential donors, sponsors, and grant opportunities.
- Help maintain and update donor databases and records.
- Draft donor communications, thank-you letters, and campaign materials.
- Support stewardship efforts and donor engagement initiatives.
- Participate in team meetings and brainstorming sessions.
- Provide general administrative support to the Advancement team.
Qualifications:
Education/Experience required:
- Currently enrolled in or recently completed a program in Nonprofit Management, Fundraising, Communications, Marketing, Business, Library and Information Science, or a related field.
- Previous customer service experience is an asset.
Core Professional/Technical Knowledge & Skills required for the position:
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently while knowing when to seek clarification or support.
- Proficiency in Google Suite; familiarity with databases (e.g., Salesforce or similar) is a plus.
- Enthusiastic about fundraising, donor engagement, and making a social impact.
Apply:
Qualified applicants are invited to apply by September 16, 2025. We appreciate your interest in this opportunity, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted via email.
CIFAR is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. We recognize that bringing together individuals from multiple backgrounds, perspectives and experiences is integral to advancing excellence and increasing the impact of our organization. Our leadership, staff and volunteers strive to create an equitable, diverse and inclusive workplace and, in turn, an environment that will give our diverse global community of researchers the support to successfully address the most important questions facing science and humanity. Ensuring that every person feels valued and welcome, regardless of age, education, sexual orientation, gender expression and identity, parental status/responsibility, immigration status, Indigenous status, religion, disability, language, race, place of origin, ethnicity, culture, socio-economic status, and other attributes is vital to achieving our mission. We strongly encourage applications from members of our society who face systemic barriers and biases, including, but not limited to, women, Indigenous persons, members of visible minority/racialized communities, 2SLGBTQ+ persons, members of marginalized gender identity communities, and persons with disabilities. Applicants may confidentially self-identify at the time of application.
ACCESSIBILITY FOR APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES
- CIFAR is committed to providing accommodations throughout the recruitment and selection process to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and the Ontario Human Rights Code. To request a reasonable accommodation, please email hrteam@cifar.ca and include the term ‘Accessibility’ in the Subject Line, or call 416-971-4251. Please provide your name, preferred contact method, and a detailed description of the nature of any accommodation that you may require. Please include any materials or processes that may be used to ensure your equal participation.
CIFAR frequently communicates in both official languages and our preference is to hire employees who are fluent in both English and French where possible. Other languages are also considered an asset. For a French version of the job posting, please visit www.cifar.ca.
CIFAR is supported by the governments of Canada, Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec as well as international partner organizations, individuals, foundations, and corporations.
About CIFAR
CIFAR is a Canadian-based global research organization that convenes extraordinary minds to address the most important questions facing science and humanity.
By supporting long-term interdisciplinary collaboration, CIFAR provides researchers with an unparalleled environment of trust, transparency and knowledge sharing. Our time-tested model inspires new directions of inquiry, accelerates discovery and yields breakthroughs across borders and academic disciplines. Through knowledge mobilization, we are catalysts for change in industry, government and society. CIFAR's community of fellows includes 20 Nobel laureates and more than 400 researchers from 20 countries. In 2017, the Government of Canada appointed CIFAR to develop and lead the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy, the world's first national AI strategy.
CIFAR is generously supported by the governments of Canada, Alberta and Quebec, as well as foundations, individuals, corporations and Canadian and international partner organizations.
About the role
Advancement (Fundraising) Intern
La version française suit.
Location: Hybrid (remote and in-office)
Hours : Part-time, minimum 15 hours/week (with the possibility of additional hours depending on projects/workload)
Term: 3 months, with the possibility of extension
About CIFAR:
The Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) is a globally influential research organization proudly based in Canada. We mobilize the world’s most brilliant people across disciplines and at all career stages to advance transformative knowledge and solve humanity’s biggest problems, together.
For more information please visit our website.
Purpose of the Position:
The Advancement Intern supports the fundraising team in achieving its goals. This is a hands-on opportunity to gain experience in donor reporting and stewardship, and nonprofit communications. The ideal candidate is passionate about making a difference and eager to learn about the inner workings of a successful fundraising program. As an Advancement Intern, you will be directly responsible for review and cataloguing of communications collateral for future donor relations purposes.
Responsibilities:
- Provide administrative support as we close out a significant grant.
- Review, index, and recommend video and photo assets for future donor communications.
- Conduct research on organizational history, potential donors, sponsors, and grant opportunities.
- Help maintain and update donor databases and records.
- Draft donor communications, thank-you letters, and campaign materials.
- Support stewardship efforts and donor engagement initiatives.
- Participate in team meetings and brainstorming sessions.
- Provide general administrative support to the Advancement team.
Qualifications:
Education/Experience required:
- Currently enrolled in or recently completed a program in Nonprofit Management, Fundraising, Communications, Marketing, Business, Library and Information Science, or a related field.
- Previous customer service experience is an asset.
Core Professional/Technical Knowledge & Skills required for the position:
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently while knowing when to seek clarification or support.
- Proficiency in Google Suite; familiarity with databases (e.g., Salesforce or similar) is a plus.
- Enthusiastic about fundraising, donor engagement, and making a social impact.
Apply:
Qualified applicants are invited to apply by September 16, 2025. We appreciate your interest in this opportunity, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted via email.
CIFAR is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. We recognize that bringing together individuals from multiple backgrounds, perspectives and experiences is integral to advancing excellence and increasing the impact of our organization. Our leadership, staff and volunteers strive to create an equitable, diverse and inclusive workplace and, in turn, an environment that will give our diverse global community of researchers the support to successfully address the most important questions facing science and humanity. Ensuring that every person feels valued and welcome, regardless of age, education, sexual orientation, gender expression and identity, parental status/responsibility, immigration status, Indigenous status, religion, disability, language, race, place of origin, ethnicity, culture, socio-economic status, and other attributes is vital to achieving our mission. We strongly encourage applications from members of our society who face systemic barriers and biases, including, but not limited to, women, Indigenous persons, members of visible minority/racialized communities, 2SLGBTQ+ persons, members of marginalized gender identity communities, and persons with disabilities. Applicants may confidentially self-identify at the time of application.
ACCESSIBILITY FOR APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES
- CIFAR is committed to providing accommodations throughout the recruitment and selection process to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and the Ontario Human Rights Code. To request a reasonable accommodation, please email hrteam@cifar.ca and include the term ‘Accessibility’ in the Subject Line, or call 416-971-4251. Please provide your name, preferred contact method, and a detailed description of the nature of any accommodation that you may require. Please include any materials or processes that may be used to ensure your equal participation.
CIFAR frequently communicates in both official languages and our preference is to hire employees who are fluent in both English and French where possible. Other languages are also considered an asset. For a French version of the job posting, please visit www.cifar.ca.
CIFAR is supported by the governments of Canada, Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec as well as international partner organizations, individuals, foundations, and corporations.
About CIFAR
CIFAR is a Canadian-based global research organization that convenes extraordinary minds to address the most important questions facing science and humanity.
By supporting long-term interdisciplinary collaboration, CIFAR provides researchers with an unparalleled environment of trust, transparency and knowledge sharing. Our time-tested model inspires new directions of inquiry, accelerates discovery and yields breakthroughs across borders and academic disciplines. Through knowledge mobilization, we are catalysts for change in industry, government and society. CIFAR's community of fellows includes 20 Nobel laureates and more than 400 researchers from 20 countries. In 2017, the Government of Canada appointed CIFAR to develop and lead the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy, the world's first national AI strategy.
CIFAR is generously supported by the governments of Canada, Alberta and Quebec, as well as foundations, individuals, corporations and Canadian and international partner organizations.