Which do you like best:
Winter or Summer?
- Both! That's why SW Ontario is a great place to be.
Cat or dog?
- Dog! Although other people's cats seem to sense this and always sit on my lap, lol
Hockey or Baseball?
Country or city?
Facebook or Twitter?
- Both! Facebook for personal, Twitter for work stuff
Music or podcasts?
- Music, in every form, live, vinyl, CDs, e... I have done a few podcasts, but don't listen to many.
Phone meeting or Zoom meeting?
One thing you are most looking forward to this year?
- Travel? Says she hopefully.
Most memorable donor interaction?
- One of my earliest and still best interactions with a donor was with Brent Kelman who was interim President of the London Health Sciences Foundation when I started there. He had been their Chair and then stepped in as ED when Martha Curgin died. I was new to Prospect Research and didn't know Brent was a major donor as well. He was so great from the get-go and saw the value of prospect research in regards to donors, prospects, and prospective board members. He was so inclusive and welcoming. It was only after I had been there for a while that I understood the depth of support and passion he and his wife had for healthcare. He was always open and a great example of leadership and commitment.
Favourite thing about fundraising?
- Oh, my clients and the people and organizations I get to work with for sure. A lot of them are small to medium organizations and are so receptive to any research, new ideas and innovation. I have had many of my clients for years so I have seen donors go through complete cultivation cycles from identification to gift and stewardship and back again. It's very rewarding and you can see the impact of these organizations on the communities they serve.
Aside from your own organization, can you tell us one charitable organization / non-profit that is most meaningful to you?
- Outside of Apra, AFP, and CAGP, it would have to be Pioneer Park Association in Bayfield, Ontario. This is a small privately-owned (by the Association) park on the shore of Lake Huron right across from our family cottage. It is volunteer-run. Our family has had the cottage there since 1970 and all of us have been involved in their fundraisers, and personally serving on their board, for many years. I am a monthly donor and will no doubt leave a legacy (when the time comes, hopefully way in the future!).
Best piece of fundraising advice you have ever received?
- Listen! "You have 2 ears and 1 mouth, therefore you should listen (at least) twice as much as you speak." It's hard for me, but I try!
Worst piece of fundraising advice you have ever received?
- Hahaha, assuming that everyone will want to give to your organization. I once worked for an (unnamed) organization where the (new) CEO actually said, "there are 33 million Canadians, if we can get each one to give $1, we will meet our goal." Oh my!
Best piece of fundraising advice you would give to someone else?
- Keep learning! Whether it's through formal or informal programs, networking, mentoring, volunteering, and so on - keep learning as fundraising is changing every day.
In the last 5 years, what is one thing that has changed within fundraising that are you most surprised by?
- Actually in the last year, because of the pandemic, events have ceased to be! [insert celebratory dance gif here] And because of this, fundraisers are able to speak more to their donors about the true mission of their organization and how their philanthropy impacts their community. This has resulted in real discussions with donors, and the time it takes to talking about, and obtaining, a major gift has been shortened significantly. Where I'm not surprised is that donors have stepped up in a time of need.
In the next 5 years, what is one thing that you predict will change within the fundraising sector?
- Again, because of the pandemic, there may not be a need for as many events. Organizations have taken the last year to assess what fundraising programs have a good return-on-investment and have pivoted (yes, I said it) to more meaningful impactful programs. And of course, remote working has taken over and many fundraisers may not be returning to offices. Organizations may have a smaller leasing footprint and can use that money elsewhere. And of course in regards to reaching out, Zoom has made the world smaller. Our AFP webinar this week had attendees from Alberta, Ontario (outside of our region), and London - UK!
How do you network and get connecting in an online world?
- Getting involved with networks that already exist is a good start. AFP, Apra, CAGP, Pillar, Innovation Works, and social circles too (book club, ukulele club, online fitness). While these interactions are virtual, real connections and productive work still take place.
When hiring your own fundraisers, what’s something you look for in a candidate you think others may overlook?
- I sometimes help my clients in their search process for new employees and I have some freelance researchers I hire as well. I always look to see if someone has been continuously upgrading themselves, whether or not their employer has been paying for it. Times change. If someone has not put any effort into keeping their skills up to snuff, then they probably won't be too innovative and forward-looking in the workplace either. Most organizations I work with want to retain their employees, and are willing to put in the work, but they have to see the employee is doing the same.
Something you would tell someone wanting to launch their career in fundraising?
- Network, educate, be flexible, persevere. It's tough! Find a position where you are passionate about the cause, or the people working there. I once took a position because I wanted to work for the excellent fundraisers I would be reporting to. They are still movers and shakers in the industry and I still work and present with them on a regular basis. We also recruit each other for volunteer gigs.
What led you to choose a career in fundraising?
- As many of you know, I graduated with an MLIS degree and while I worked in libraries throughout my undergrad, in my MLIS I majored in the research side and went into research when I graduated. I worked in healthcare and higher ed and also freelance. About 20 years ago I saw an ad for a "Prospect Researcher" (what?) for LHSF and it checked all the boxes of new cool stuff to do. But to be a good researcher, you have to learn a lot about your own organization and about fundraising. You want a holistic perspective so I work a lot with folks regarding integrated giving (no silos!). From a research perspective, this often makes more sense when looking at a donor - realistically, they don't fit into the categories we have created behind the scenes. The more I work with fundraisers and AFP, the more I learn, and hope I can contribute as well!