Fundraisers

#1 Media & Literary Event
The highlight of the literary calendar, the award doubled its prize money this year to $100,000. Sean Michaels won for his novel Us Conductors and was feted at the black-tie gala dinner for 450 authors, editors, and publishers at the Ritz-Carlton Toronto. Next: November 10, 2015

#2 Media & Literary Event (up from #3)
The festival relocates to Harbourfront Centre and the revitalized Queen’s Quay this fall. The indoor-outdoor venue is increasing programming options, including newly added Author Boat Cruises where readers can cruise Lake Ontario with writers. Next: September 27, 2015

#3 Media & Literary Event
In 2014, the 11-day festival featured the best of contemporary fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama, as well as a focus on World War I and a special event in support of PEN Canada featuring film director David Cronenberg. Next: October 22-November 1, 2015

#4 Media & Literary Event (up from #5)
The public debates continue to elevate the political discourse in Toronto by packing Roy Thompson Hall twice yearly and now creating podcasts for the Globe and Mail’s Books section. The topic of the spring debate was the West versus Russia. Next: November 2015

#5 Media & Literary Event
The gala moved to the Arcadian Court this year where Oliver & Bonacini Events catered dinner for a sold-out room of 450. Gossip queens Lainey Lui and Jessica Allen co-hosted. RedPoint Media and Rogers Publishing were among the sponsors. Next: June 2016

#6 Media & Literary Event
Naomi Klein’s climate-change book This Changes Everything won the $60,000 prize in 2014 at a salon-style gathering for more than 200 members of the literary, philanthropic, and arts communities. Next: October 2015

#7 Media & Literary Event (up from #8)
The 2015 award gala attracted 600 guests, the largest attendance to date, at the Fairmont Royal York. The CJF Tribute, honoring a Canadian for his or her international media impact, was Malcolm Gladwell, author and staff writer at The New Yorker. Next: June 2016

#8 Media & Literary Event (up from #9)
The invitation-only event brought together 350 literary notables at the Distillery District for dinner and dancing to a theme of Under the Sea. Two poets—one Canadian and one international—were each awarded $65,000 for their work. Next: June 2016

#9 Media & Literary Event (up from #11)
The Canadian Journalists for Free Expression gala is expected to draw 500 politically conscious journalists and supporters for a dinner at the Fairmont Royal York. Sponsors for 2014 included Scotiabank, CTV, and CBC News. Next: December 2, 2015

#1 Art & Design Event
With a British music impresario newly at its helm, the citywide arts festival aims to boost local and international content. Program partners BMO and Manulife support the 10-day event, including festival hub, the Garden of Light. Next: June 2016

#2 Art & Design Event
Last year’s all-night art party had an economic impact of $40.5 million on the city and drew one million people to view works by nearly 400 artists and curators. The event marks its 10th anniversary in 2015. Next: October 3, 2015

#3 Art & Design Event
Sponsored by residential real estate developer Great Gulf, the architectural tour increased visits to 252,000 this year due to additional walking tours at the University of Toronto and an expanded number of buildings participating: 162. Next: May 28-29, 2016

#4 Art & Design Event
Canada’s international fair for modern and contemporary art will feature 100 galleries, panel discussions, lectures, and an extensive V.I.P. program. The event takes place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre again this year. Next: October 23-26, 2015

#6 Art & Design Event
Canada’s national design and architectural exposition and conference aims to host more than 30,000 people this year for 1,600 exhibits in two buildings at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The 2015 iteration will include international speakers, seminars, and demonstrations. Next: December 2-3, 2015

#1 Benefit
The theme of this year’s event, staged as always at the waterfront Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery, was Appetite for Excess. Presenting sponsor was Max Mara, and the evening included drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and food performance. Next: June 2, 2016

#2 Benefit (up from #4)
Every other year—2015 being one of them—the fund-raiser hosts a silent auction in addition to its usual chef-cooked dinners in top philanthropists’ homes. Organizers expect to raise more the $5 million for research at the University Health Network. Next: October 29-31, 2015

#3 Benefit
The fund-raiser for kids with disabilities is looking to raise more than $1 million again this year with its dinner and dance for 1,200 people at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Sponsors include Samsung, Jaguar, and Telus. Next: November 21, 2015

#4 Benefit
Attendance at the design museum's annual party celebrating the intersection of all things creative grew to 950 design enthusiasts and philanthropists in 2014. Key sponsors included M.A.C. Cosmetics, TD Canada Trust, and Dyson. Next: November 6, 2015

#5 Benefit (up from #9)
For its 25th year, the Second Harvest event broke fund-raising and attendance records, with 1,400 people raising $850,000 at an indoor-outdoor evening at Corus Quay. Assante Wealth Management was a new sponsor, and home builder Daniels Corporation returned. Next: June 2016

#6 Benefit
A sold-out crowd of 1,200 helped raise $.17 million for the foundation at an Italian-theme dinner and dance at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in 2014. Patron sponsors were CIBC and IT services provider CGI. Next: November 28, 2015

#7 Benefit
Money raised for the Stop Community Food Centre grew by more than 22 percent in 2014 to $343,000 at the event’s 10th anniversary party. Daniels Spectrum will be the venue again in 2015 when organizers hope to bring in $350,000. Next: November 4, 2015

#8 Benefit
The Art Gallery of Ontario’s signature party raised more than $300,000 in 2015, with almost 1,900 art-loving guests enjoying an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, and entertainment. TD Canada Trust returned as the lead sponsor. Next: Spring 2016

#9 Benefit
The Canadian Opera Company benefit skipped 2015 and moves from fall to spring in 2016, with 1,000 aficionados expected at the Four Seasons Centre. In 2014, the art, music, and fashion event raised $118,000. Next: May 19, 2016

#10 Benefit (up from #11)
For 2015, the benefit for breast cancer expects to grow to 2,000 from 1,500 young guests and raise as much as $280,000 while celebrating late into the night. Last year’s circus-inspired party—dubbed Big Top Booby—raised $245,000. Next: October 2, 2015

#11 Benefit
This year’s Raise a Little Health gala, held at a private home, was smaller in size—300 people—but larger in money raised—$550,000—than the 2014 event. Rock band Trooper performed in a backyard, and the band Rookie rocked a pool cabana roof. Next: Spring 2016

#12 Benefit (up from #14)
Bibliophiles attending the 10th anniversary edition of the event in 2015 got to dine and mingle with authors in the stacks of Toronto’s main reference library. The benefit raised $565,000 and organizers hope to grow that to $750,000 in 2016. Next: February 4, 2016

#13 Benefit
For the annual affair, entertainers, athletes, and celebrities drive high-end vehicles through the city, making pit stops for activities such as boarding an F-18 fighter jet or shooting a commercial. Last year the event raised more than $1 million for pediatric cancer research, treatment, and care. Next: September 18-19, 2015

#14 Benefit (up from #15)
More than 2,000 patrons routinely raise more than $1 million at the ballet’s annual gala, which includes an exclusive performance. The theme for 2015 was Lost in Venice. CIBC was the lead sponsor for the ninth consecutive year. Next: June 2016

#16 Benefit (up from #17)
Nearly two dozen boutiques and galleries invite chefs and florists to create unique dining venues to fund H.I.V. and AIDS research. Afterward is a party and silent auction at the Royal Ontario Museum. More than $750,000 was raised in 2014. Sun Life Financial and BMO are sponsors. Next: November 25, 2015

#17 Benefit (up from #18)
The gold-theme gala in the Distillery District, for the nonprofit behind the magazine The Walrus, continued to increase fund-raising in 2015, netting $500,000 from the sold-out crowd of 450. Miners Alamos Gold and Agnico Eagle sponsored. Next: January 20, 2016

#18 Benefit (new to the list)
Some 400 eco-minded guests helped raise $500,000 at the fourth annual gala at the CBC. Inuit throat singer Tanya Tagaq, Tragically Hip lead singer Gord Downie, and an auction of Edward Burtynsky art were highlights. RBC was the presenting sponsor. Next: April 2016

#1 Festival & Parade
Pride Toronto seemed a bit tame in 2015 compared to last year’s WorldPride celebrations. But it remains the city’s top festival, with 1.5 million people out for the parties. Cyndi Lauper and Pussy Riot served as the parade’s grand marshals. Next: June 2016

#2 Festival & Parade
The monthlong celebration of Caribbean music and culture, sponsored by Scotiabank, has planned several events in 2015 to appeal to the influx Caribbean and South American visitors in the city for the Pan Am Games. The grand parade, slated for August 1, is expected to draw one million spectators. Next: July 7-August 9, 2015

#3 Festival & Parade
The unique and exotic festival, sponsored by TD Canada Trust, continues to grow in the city’s Little India. Crowds will celebrate food, fashion, music, and dance from Indian, Afghani, Pakistani, Bengali, and Sri Lankan cultures. Next: August 15-16, 2015

#4 Festival & Parade
The festival, featuring jugglers, mimes, musicians, and more, in conjunction with the Busker Ball, raised $360,000 for Epilepsy Toronto in 2014. New this year: a Family Fun Zone. The annual summer event is sponsored by Scotiabank and takes place in the downtown Yonge neighborhood, from Queen to College Streets. Next: August 27-30, 2015

#1 Music Event
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the TD-sponsored jazz festival returned to its roots to feature solid jazz this year and paid tribute to the late Oscar Peterson, a Canadian jazz giant. New sponsors included Toyota and Weber. Next: June 2016

#2 Music Event
Free concerts at Yonge-Dundas Square were expected to increase attendance even though the festival was scaled back to five days following its 20th anniversary bash in 2014. Airbnb was a new sponsor, while Budweiser and Vans returned. Next: June 2016

#3 Music Event (up from #5)
Attendance grew to 180,000 in 2015 as programming doubled to 10 days. More than 1,000 artists performed at 60 venues, while 600 music journalists reviewed and interviewed bands. Jim Beam came on board as the official whiskey sponsor. Next: May 2016

#4 Music Event
Billed as the biggest festival to date, this year’s event will be extended by a week to take advantage of crowds visiting for the Pan Am Games. Canada’s largest free jazz festival added two beverage sponsors: Two Oceans Wines and Savanna Dry Premium Cider. Next: July 10-26, 2015

#5 Music Event (up from #6)
Prize money for Canada’s album of the year—based solely on artistic merit—grows to $50,000 from $30,000 this year. The award gala takes place at the Carlu again in 2015, with music-streaming service Spotify as a main sponsor. Next: September 21, 2015

#8 Music Event (new to the list)
Urban hipsters and their kids keep boosting attendance at the three-year-old, two-day music and arts festival at historic Fort York. This year’s event included more infrastructure and activities for families. Sponsors include TD Canada Trust and American Apparel. Next: June 2016

#1 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event
The Good Food and Drink Festival was renamed this year and saw a 40 percent increase in attendance. The licensed three-day show at the Direct Energy Centre appeals to all demographics thanks to family-friendly programing during the day. Next: April 8-10, 2016

#2 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event
The ongoing popularity of beer, especially craft beer, is expected to boost attendance of the festival by about 5 percent this year. Held again at Exhibition Place’s Band Shell, the 2015 event features an Irish Pavilion with 15 Irish brewers, Irish food, and musicians. Next: July 24-26, 2015

#3 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event (up from #4)
Previously known as the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association Show, the hospitality expo was rebranded in 2015 but stayed at the Direct Energy Centre. Celebrity chef Lynn Crawford and actor Dan Aykroyd gave seminars, and Coca-Cola and Labbatt came on as new sponsors. Next: February 28-March 1, 2016

#4 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event
About 45,000 people are expected at this year’s food-lovers’ feast at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, where Mott’s is returning to host the Best Caesar in Town competition and Grain Farmers of Ontario is coming on as a sponsor. Next: November 19-22, 2015

#5 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event
Nearly 700 chefs, sommeliers, restaurateurs, and food writers attended the event in 2015. Next year, as the educational event celebrates 10 years of industry-leading programming, organizers are planning a move to a new venue. Next: April 24-27, 2016

#6 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event
More than 120 vendors will serve authentic Asian food for more than 120,000 people this year. Sponsors of the night market include Coca-Cola. This year’s charitable partner is the Yellow Brick House, which helps victims of domestic abuse. Next: July 24-26, 2015

#7 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event
The homage to vegetarian lifestyles is expected to grow by 20 percent to 60,000 people in 2015, following last year’s 30th anniversary event. With sponsors like Whole Foods, the festival includes lots of cupcakes, comfort food, and music of all kinds on the Redpath Stage. Next: September 11-13, 2015

#8 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event
The food-fest-cum-street-party brought in a record 1.6 million people last year, and the economic impact grew to $69.9 million. Krinos Foods returns as title sponsor in 2015, as do the Guinness World Records challenges, which will award trips to Greece as prizes. Next: August 7-9, 2015

#9 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event (new to the list)
TD Canada Trust and Western Union sponsor the 60,000-person celebration in Centennial Park of all things jerk. A V.I.P. garden experience and a kids’ zone tailor the Caribbean event to a variety of guests, and all-day bands help set the mood. Next: August 8-9, 2015

#10 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event (new to the list)
Part of the international Taste Festivals, the event marks its second year in North America at historic Fort York with more than 60 artisan food producers from here and abroad. Featured sponsors include American Express and the Food Network. Next: July 2-5, 2015

#1 Advertising & Marketing Event
The event's unique format of networking, award show, dinner, and dancing keeps it at the top of its category. TD Canada Trust's chief marketing officer, Dominic Mercuri, was named Marketer of the Year in 2014, while Publicis Montreal won Best of the Best. Next: November 27, 2015

#3 Advertising & Marketing Event
Strategy magazine celebrated 25 years of awards in 2014 with 450 guests at the Ontario Science Centre, where sponsors included The Globe and Mail, Bell Media, and Molson Coors. New this year was an award for PR agency of the year. Next: November 5, 2015

#4 Advertising & Marketing Event (up from #5)
Honoring business effectiveness, the event handed out 60 awards at the Hilton Hotel Toronto in 2015. The top honor, the Cassies Grand Prix, went to the agency Rethink and Molson Coors for the Molson Canadian Beer Fridge campaign. Next: February 2016

#5 Advertising & Marketing Event (up from #6)
Held again at the historic Arcadian Court, more than 300 public relations professionals feted Weber Shandwick and McDonald’s for winning PR Campaign of the Year at a banquet dinner. Post Media was a first-time sponsor. Next: May 2016

#6 Advertising & Marketing Event (up from #7)
A crowd of 350 marketing masterminds attended the 10th annual gala at the Liberty Grand, where host Ben Mulroney helped induct legends in three categories: Builders, Enablers, and Mentors. Next: January 2016

#7 Advertising & Marketing Event (up from #8)
Advertising, marketing, and media leaders gathered at the TIFF Bell Lightbox for this year’s five-day conference. The Ad Ball was sponsored by Yahoo Canada, and other lead sponsors were Bell Media, Porter Airlines, and Steam Whistle Brewing. Next: January 25-29, 2016

#8 Advertising & Marketing Event (up from #10)
The Canadian Marketing Association merged its summer conference with CMAcreative this year for a one-day powerhouse event at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. Juno award-winning singer-songwriter David Usher gave the closing keynote. Next: May 2016

#9 Advertising & Marketing Event (up from #11)
Some 600 media and marketing trailblazers attended the 2014 award show at the Sheraton Centre Hotel where best in show went to Touché Toronto for its Canadian Tire ice truck. Next: November 12, 2015

#10 Advertising & Marketing Event
The event celebrated 50 years of radio creative, awarding best in show to LG2 for its lifelike ad for Quebec’s automobile insurance agency that was aimed at deterring people from driving and texting. Next: Spring 2016

#1 Sports Event
Toronto hosts the best in women’s tennis this year, with the York University site focusing on bringing fans close to their favorite players through interactive on-site fan engagement tactics and a new tournament app. Next: August 8-16, 2015

#2 Sports Event
Ontario’s largest annual sporting competition moved from July to June in 2015 to accommodate the Pan Am Games. Molson Coors returned as the official beer of the event, and the Verizon IndyCar Series race continued to be the marquee event. Next: July 2016

#3 Sports Event
A sold-out crowd cheered the Jays for the team’s home opener again this year. Sponsored by Honda, the event awarded one lucky fan a new CR-V, and two others won lawn mowers to try to make their yards as pristine as the outfield at the Rogers Centre. Next: April 2016

#4 Sports Event
The most prestigious horse race in Canada maintains its purse of $1 million this year, including $600,000 for the winner. The Hats & Horseshoes party, with a red carpet and gourmet food trucks, is sponsored by Stella Artois. Next: July 5, 2015

#5 Sports Event (new to the list)
The soccer club kicked off its season against the Houston Dynamo with a pre-match rally followed by a ceremony that included fireworks. More than 30,000 fans, including the notoriously rowdy Red Patch Boys, attended the sold-out game. A $120 million makeover of BMO Field this spring, which added 8,200 seats, sought to turn the venue into one of Major League Soccer's top stadiums. Next: May 2016

#6 Sports Event
The Scotiabank-sponsored race grows to 27,000 runners this year, including as many as 500 international racers from 60 countries. The free expo, for the two days prior to the race, takes place at Exhibition Place’s Direct Energy Centre. Next: October 18, 2015

#7 Sports Event
Past, current, and future hockey greats mingle with guests at the annual induction gala. The weekend also includes exclusive autograph sessions, fan forums, a Maple Leafs game, and a Legends game, played by celebrated old-timers. Next: November 9, 2015