The Slaight Family Foundation, the Harbinger Foundation, BMO Financial Group (BMO) and a number of other donors make significant contributions to support the long-term future of TIFF

TORONTO (December 14, 2009) – Piers Handling, CEO and Director of TIFF today announced $5.2 million in philanthropic gifts to support the Bell Lightbox Campaign. Today’s announcement brings the total amount raised to date to $162 million, representing 82 per cent of the organization’s total fundraising goal of $196 million. These gifts generate significant momentum as the organization moves into its final push to complete the capital campaign in 2010.

“We are delighted to be wrapping up an immensely successful year with these generous philanthropic gifts,” said Handling. “Despite a challenging economic climate, we are very fortunate to see a number of long-time friends of TIFF step forward to support the future of our organization. As well, we are thrilled to welcome new supporters of TIFF to our growing family. Through their support, we are able to launch Bell Lightbox, which will cement our reputation as a global leader in the discovery and understanding of film.”

Long-time TIFF friends and former board members Allan and Gary Slaight have donated $2 million to TIFF’s learning and emerging artist programmes. The Slaight Family Learning Fund will give young people from all walks of life the opportunity to participate in filmrelated camps and workshops. School groups, teens and families will gather in Bell Lightbox to explore their creative potential and expand their horizons, thanks to the support of the Slaight Family Foundation. This generous gift will continue to ensure that TIFF is a launching pad for the next generation of Canadian artists through the support TIFF’s world-renowned mentoring programme, Talent Lab. Allan Slaight has supported TIFF for many years, most recently with a $1million gift naming of the Slaight Family Stage in Theatre 1, inspiring others to contribute to the campaign.

The family-based Harbinger Foundation, a long-term supporter of TIFF, has contributed an additional $500,000 to the Bell Lightbox Campaign. In recognition of the gift, the escalator that rises from the atrium lobby to the third floor educational centre will be named The Harbinger Pathway to Learning. The Foundation’s previous gift established the creation of the John VanDuzer Children’s Film Collection, an international film collection dedicated to children’s and family viewing. The first of its kind in the world, this collection is currently available for use in schools across Canada and will be a feature of family programming in Bell Lightbox.

BMO has also once again generously supported the Bell Lightbox campaign with a $500,000 gift to name the BMO Financial Group Study Centre located on the fourth floor of Bell Lightbox. This gift is in addition to a previous contribution of $500,000 to endow the BMO Financial Group Learning Fund, which plays a critical role in sustaining TIFF’s educational programmes for youth and children.

In addition, a number of individuals from the community, foundations and the TIFF Board of Directors collectively have contributed $2.2 million in major gifts to the campaign in 2009.

The organization’s focus over the next several months will be raising the $17.8 million in gifts needed to complete the capital target of the Bell Lightbox campaign. The remaining $12 million in operating funding is also expected to be raised in 2010. After the building opens in late 2010, the remaining $4 million in endowment gifts will be the focus for the next phase of the campaign.

About TIFF Bell Lightbox: Currently under construction, TIFF Bell Lightbox, a breathtaking five-storey complex located in downtown Toronto, will provide a permanent home for film lovers to celebrate cinema from around the world and will propel TIFF forward as an international leader in film culture. Designed by innovative architecture firm KPMB, TIFF Bell Lightbox’s fluid structure encourages exploration, movement and play. The campaign to build TIFF Bell Lightbox is generously supported by founding sponsor Bell, the Province of Ontario, the Government of Canada, the King and John Festival Corporation - consisting of the Reitman family and the Daniels Corporation – RBC as major sponsor and official bank, Visa†, the Copyright Collective of Canada, the Slaight Family Foundation, NBC Universal Canada, the Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation, the Harbinger Foundation, CIBC and BMO. The Board of Directors, staff and many generous individuals and corporations have also contributed to the campaign. For more information on the TIFF Bell Lightbox campaign, visit belllightbox.ca.

About TIFF: TIFF is a not-for-profit cultural organization whose mission is to transform the way people see the world through film. Its vision is to lead the world in creative and cultural discovery through the moving image. TIFF generates an annual economic impact of $135 million CAD and currently employs more than 100 full-time staff and 500 part-time and seasonal staff, and counts upon the largesse of over 2,000 volunteers year-round.

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For information, contact the Communications Department at 416-934-3200 or email proffice@tiff.net.