“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., Adjunct Professor, MBA Program in Arts & Media Administration, Schulich School of Business, York University & former CTV President
The Foundation for WIFT-T is dedicated to raising funds to support the empowerment of women in the screen-based industry.
In 2015, we faced many challenges as the uncertain economy continued to impact our overall donation levels. One thing, however, remains certain, each of us as individuals can make a difference and this is the message we bring to you today. As a donor you play a vital role in ensuring women have access to all the professional development tools they need to succeed — a strong and supportive network, key business and leadership skills and opportunities for personal and professional growth and promotion. Together we can empower young women to be leaders of tomorrow.
Donate today!
Many donors make a monthly or annual gift to the Foundation. Annual donors receive invites to special events.
Designate the Foundation as your charity of choice as part of your company’s United Way campaign.
A memorial or honorary gift is a meaningful way to celebrate your friends or loved ones while also supporting the Foundation.
Provide professional development opportunities for underrepresented women or those women with limited access or limited funds.
Our biggest annual fundraising event sells out fast, so secure your seat/table early!
Take comfort in knowing that you are contributing to the ongoing work of the Foundation, without affecting your immediate income.
~Donor Dawn Wilkinson, writer, director & producer, Heartland, Degrassi, Murdoch Mysteries, Republic of Doyle
A heartfelt thank you goes to the donors who made bursaries, such as the one awarded to Zohrain Zafar, possible in 2015. Your donation directly impacted the lives and careers of several bright, driven women who show exceptional potential in the screen-based media industry.
As we move into 2016, please help create more bursaries to enable women such as Zohrain to advance their careers in screen-based media.
Access to high-quality educational programming, such as the Digital Media Bootcamp (DMB) that Zohrain attended, can radically alter the career projection of women who would be unable to attend without support. Bursaries can make a very concrete and substantial difference in the lives of these women.
A previous WIFT-T volunteer, Zohrain learned critical information about the digital technical environments now available to tell stories and distribute work – plus practical business skills such as how to effectively manage project deadlines and budgets.
~Vanessa Piazza, Executive Producer & Principal, Prodigy Pictures (donor)
Amy Jo Johnson and Trina McQueen were our Give the Gift of WIFT-T 2015 Ambassadors. They are also donors. Every dollar counts and is used to provide women access to the skills, knowledge, and networks they need to succeed.
“I am honoured to work with [WIFT-T]. ... It is the job of everyone ... to enable, support, or be artists.”
~Donor Trina McQueen, O.C., Adjunct Professor, MBA Program in Arts & Media Administration, Schulich School of Business, York University & former CTV President
Amy Jo Johnson has been an active member of WIFT-T for several years, including screening films she wrote, produced and directed at the WIFT-T Showcase – Bent, Lines, and Shooting Blanks. “Being part of a community that supports women in the arts has been an incredibly nurturing and inspiring aspect to my filmmaking journey.”
A generous ongoing donor, Trina McQueen is an inspiration. A pioneer in forging a path for women in broadcasting, she began as the first female host of CTV's W5 and went on to hold numerous positions of influence, including executive producer for CBC's The National and president and COO of CTV Inc. Currently an adjunct professor at the prestigious Schulich School of Business, she continues to guide the leaders of tomorrow.
Please consider following Trina McQueen and Amy Jo Johnson's example and become a donor, enabling more women to forge forward in screen-based sectors.
“WIFT-T is more important than ever in ensuring that women’s role in the entertainment industry continues to grow.”
~Donor Virginia Thompson, President, Vérité Films
