After years of watching others cash in on the influx of stars it supplies and the buzz it generates, TIFF is throwing a fundraising party of its own.
The inaugural Friends of TIFF Gala, with a James Bond theme, will take place Saturday night at Corus Quay. Tables of 10 sold for $25,000 each and tickets to the after-party went for $500 apiece.
Lost in the glitz of the annual festival is the fact that TIFF is a registered charity. Last year, according to documents filed with the Canada Revenue Agency, 62 per cent of TIFF’s revenues came from donations. Taxpayers contributed 11 per cent of its overall revenue.
TIFF is more than a film festival. The organization runs programs year-round.
But it’s the envy of a lot of charities. TIFF is hugely profitable, operates from the state-of-the-art TIFF Bell Lightbox and compensates its managers well.
The organization reported $11.8 million in profit in 2011 on revenues of $52.1 million. It spent $15.8 million on salaries and compensation last year for its 127 full-time employees and hundreds of part-time workers. According to Canada Revenue Agency documents, nine top TIFF employees earned more than $120,000 each, including two who were paid more than $200,000.
TIFF spent $2 million on fundraising in 2011 (including paying $50,593 to a professional fundraiser who brought in $91,578), $2.1 million on advertising, and $416,212 on travel.
Last year, TIFF received $1.3 million from the federal government, $3.8 million from the province and $800,000 from the City of Toronto. This public funding is down from $14 million it collected in 2010.
OTHER FUNDRAISING EVENTS DURING TIFF:
• ONEXONE is a popular annual event that typically attracts stars who are in town for TIFF. This year’s party takes place at Kool Haus on Sept. 8 and features a performance by Lauryn Hill. ONEXONE raises money to benefit children’s wellness initiatives in Canada and around the world. According to Canada Revenue Agency, it made $2.9 million in 2011 but spent $1.2 million on salaries and consulting fees and another $1 million to stage a gala.
• The Stratford Festival Fundraiser takes place Sept. 10 at the Fairmont Royal York hotel. Christopher Plummer will present Dame Maggie Smith with the legacy award. The event is expected to raise as much as $500,000 for Stratford’s endowment fund.
• Artists for Peace & Justice, hosted by Canadian director Paul Haggis, is staging a brunch at a private residence in Rosedale on Sept. 8 featuring performances by Chantal Kreviazuk, Raine Maida, K’naan and members of Arcade Fire. About 300 guests paid $1,250 each to be on the guest list.
• The annual Best Buddies gala is set for Sept. 12 at the Fairmont Royal York and raises funds for the organization dedicated to helping people with intellectual disabilities. The special guest is actor James Earl Jones.
• The last Fashion Cares gala takes place Sept. 9 with dinner for 600 guests who paid as much as $50,000 per table at the Fairmont Royal York followed by a concert and fashion at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts. Guests include Linda Evangelista, Scissor Sisters, Janelle Monae and headliner Sir Elton John. The event will support the AIDS Committee of Toronto and the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
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