The Advancement Offices are located just beyond the Greenroom on the Admin Level of the Festival Theatre.
The Advancement team is a group of 14 colleagues who are responsible for raising funds and working closely with the Festival of Canada Board, the Festival of America Board, the Endowment Board, and their various committees. There are 7 directors and 7 additional staff members who manage Membership programs, Major Gifts in the GTA and across Canada and the U.S., Legacy Giving, an annual Gala held in Toronto, and fundraise for a variety of campaigns and programs.
The contributed income raised by this dedicated team counts for approximately 47% of the Festival’s operating budget annually. Noting that the involvement of administrative, artistic and production staff is key to our fundraising efforts.
From time to time we may call upon you to welcome our Donors and Members to experience your work and at various events throughout the season. Our supporters are passionate about the Stratford Festival and we offer them opportunities to peek behind the scenes and meet the people who make the Festival such an incredible place. These opportunities to engage with the company and creative teams truly enhance their relationship with the Festival and allow them to experience our community in a more significant way.
The Advancement Team looks forward to collaborating with you in celebration of the Stratford Festival.
Thank you,
Catherine Taylor-Williams
Vice-President, Advancement
The content on this page was provided by Andrea Gittens Event Coordinator, December 2025
Questions? 
Catherine Taylor-Williams, Vice-President Advancement
cwilliams@stratfordfestival.ca
FESTIVAL FACT:
The $35,000 budget shortfall in 1953 was retired with two anonymous donations of $10,000 and $25,000. It was later revealed that the donors were The Governor General Vincent Massey and The Perth Mutual Insurance Company.
This historical fact was provided by Nora Polley.
Vincent Massey looking at a model of the Tanya Stage