WHY & HOW

empowering women to be tomorrow's leaders

change made easy

MAKE AN IMPACT

Our members tell us of the incredible impact we make on their lives—sharing stories of connection, learning, and advancement. Our ability to empower women, however, is dependent on your contributions. That's where you come in. Your donations help fund WIFT-T’s career-enhancing programs and provide tuition-subsidized bursaries to women otherwise unable to participate.

Paying it forward

Dawn Wilkinson, Director

“I wanted to give back to an organization that has helped me get where I am. The mentorship award helped me to re-invent myself as a TV series director and led to my success.”

Dawn Wilkinson has directed some of Canada's top TV series, including Murdoch Mysteries, Degrassi, and Kim's Convenience. She also directed award-winning feature film, Devotion, and short films including Wilderness and Dandelion.

A past recipient of WIFT-T and the DGC's Emerging Television Director Award, Dawn returned in 2017 to mentor our 2016 DGC Ontario Director Mentorship recipient, Nadine Valcin. 

Paying it forward is important to Dawn. In 2013, she also donated to the Foundation for WIFT-T to support other women on their journey in the industry.

Charitable Registration # 88524 0812 RR0001

BECOME A DONOR TODAY

Amy Jo Johnson & Trina McQueen,
Past Give the Gift of WIFT Ambassadors

“I am honoured to work with [WIFT-T]. It is the job of everyone...to enable, support, or be artists.” 
~Trina McQueen

WIFT-T donors, like Amy Jo Johnson and Trina McQueen, enable more women to forge forward in screen-based sectors. Every dollar provides women access to the networks, skills, and knowledge they need to succeed. 

Amy Jo Johnson became a member, then a donor, and finally a Give the Gift of WIFT Ambassador. “Being part of a community that supports women in the arts has been incredibly nurturing and inspiring.” Already a successful actress, Amy Jo screened films she wrote, produced and directed at our WIFT-T Showcase—BentLines, and Shooting Blanks.

Trina McQueen is a multi-year donor and an inspiration. The first female host of CTV's W5, she forged a path for women in broadcasting and held numerous influential positions, including President of CTV. As an adjunct professor (Schulich School of Business), she now guides the leaders of tomorrows through WIFT-T’s Media Leadership Program.

Charitable Registration # 88524 0812 RR0001

BURSARIES

Vanessa Matsui, Writer, Ghost BFF

“The Digital Media Bootcamp was a great opportunity to upgrade digital media and general business skills, get creative in a safe environment, as well as meet powerful people within the industry and build a network.”

Your donation can radically alter the career projection of women like Vanessa, who would be unable to attend our programs without financial support.

With access to high-quality programming, such as our Digital Media Bootcamp, Vanessa developed her web series, Ghost BFF. In 2017, we invited Vanessa and producer Katie Nolan to present Ghost BFF as our OMDC Master Class case study. Through her experienced with the Digital Media Bootcamp, Vanessa has a deeper understanding of telling stories and distributing work in a digital environment. She also gained practical business skills, such as how to effectively manage project deadlines and budgets.

Bursaries are awarded to women who are underrepresented in the industry and/or who have limited financial means or limited access to training. These bursaries are only made possible through individual donations and corporate support.

Charitable Registration # 88524 0812 RR0001

Our champions are the change-making women and men who donate generously to the Foundation for WIFT-T via corporations, foundations, and their own individual contributions.

ways to donate

GIVE THE GIFT OF WIFT

ANNUAL OR 
MONTHLY GIVING

Many donors make a monthly or annual gift to the Foundation. Annual donors receive invites to special events.

EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTIONS

Designate the Foundation as your charity of choice as part of your company’s United Way campaign.

MEMORIAL & 
HONORARY GIFTS

A memorial or honorary gift is a meaningful way to celebrate your friends or loved ones while also supporting the Foundation.

BURSARIES

Provide professional development opportunities for underrepresented women or those women with limited access or limited funds.

CRYSTAL AWARDS FOUNDATION SEATS & TABLES

Our biggest annual fundraising event sells out fast, so secure your seat/table early!

LEGACY GIFTS

Take comfort in knowing that you are contributing to the ongoing work of the Foundation, without affecting your immediate income.

Charitable Registration # 88524 0812 RR0001

“I’ve seen astonishing changes in the role of women in my career. The strength and talent of women in the industry is unprecedented. But there are still hills to climb, and WIFT-T’s help is needed as much as ever.”
~Donor Trina McQueen, O.C., Bell Media Professor, MBA Program in Arts & Media Administration, Schulich School of Business, York University & former CTV President