45 for 45!

 

December 5, 2025

The Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT) marks its 45th anniversary in 2026! It’s an opportunity to reflect on the impact that the organization has made on filmmakers the world over and we look forward to celebrating it with events and opportunities.

But it also allows us to set a goal.

In our “45 for 45” campaign, we’re hoping to raise $45,000 by Wednesday, April 8, 2026, the 45th anniversary of our incorporation! And we’re aiming to raise half of that by the end of this calendar year!

It’s a large number, but it’s obtainable with your help!

On Giving Tuesday, we received $4,500 from 45 people, so we’re a quarter of our way for our next goal.

Our next goal of the campaign is to raise $20,000 by December 31, 2025!

LIFT continues to be successful on a qualitative level: 80% of our 150 workshops sell out, we support over a 1,000 projects a year with rentals, film stock sales are at an all time high, our mentorship and residency programs continue to flourish.

However, the high costs of operating in Toronto, stagnant grant funding and the constant threats of inflation, tariffs, postal unrest and the like have made it difficult for us to maintain a positive cash flow. We need about $45,000 more a year than we’re able to raise on our own.

Just imagine how amazing it would be to get to $45,000, just through $45 donations! That visualization of our impact would be amazing to see.

If every one of our current members donated $45 and asked a friend to do the same, we’d get there by the end of the campaign. If past members reflected on the value that LIFT provided to their career and gave at least $45, we’d get there even faster!

So please consider giving to LIFT in the lead up to our 45th Anniversary!

Your support will go a long way towards helping us stabilize beyond our anniversary. Please think of LIFT when you plan your end of year giving this year. #GivingTuesdayCA

Sincerely,
Chris Kennedy
Executive Director

There are many ways to support LIFT. You can make a one-time cash donation or a monthly cash donation by going to our CanadaHelps page or through the form below. All donations receive a tax receipt.

If you would like to donate via cheque, please mail it to the address below:
 “45 for 45” Campaign
c/o Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT)
1137 Dupont Street
Toronto, Ontario  M6H 2A3
* Be sure to include a note with your mailing address, phone number and email along with the cheque.

 

Note: If you are looking to donate filmmaking equipment (of all kinds—not cameras or analogue equipment), please directly email a list of items to the Technical Department at tech@lift.ca. We accept analogue film and digital production and post-production equipment that is in working order. As a registered charity, we may be able to issue a tax receipt depending on the value and condition of the items.