Leadership – Kathleen Provost
By Kathleen Provost
As a professional fundraiser people often ask me how can you stay so optimistic? The field of philanthropy is full of challenges and there are so many factors that can impact our profession as fundraisers. I do believe there are always challenges, yet we still fundraise! In my opinion, there are more positive outcomes and opportunities to consider then negatives ones – which is why we continue to persevere.
To know me you would know that I am that person “whose glass is always half full”. I was recently interviewed for an article with the Canadian Family Offices entitled “Outlook 2025”. I shared some of the concerns other interviewees highlighted, but I also stated that we are faced with great opportunities.
“Donors are becoming more educated and sophisticated, wanting to be more actively involved and have direct impact, rather than just donating. There’s less interest in just feeling good about giving, and more focus on working together to achieve measurable results.”
In this same article, John Bromley, founder and CEO, Charitable Impact, talked about the lack of formal education and resources available as a significant barrier for Canadians to learn about effective and impactful giving. And I agree with him. Yet, Imagine Canada’s recent polling shows that 75 percent of Canadians know that millions of Canadians rely on the services of charities and non-profits every day, with 81 percent believing these services are essential to Canadians’ well-being.
We need philanthropy
Our discretionary dollars are sought after in a very competitive way. Struggling to feed the hungry, improving the quality of life of the homeless, or addressing climate change; these are all issues we want to do something about. The question then becomes: is it necessary for fundraising to be a “big machine”? Do organizations need to invest heavily to find solutions and have a lasting impact in their communities?
In the article, The Quiet Heroes of Philanthropy, Lois Graveline, Founder and CEO of Harmonia Philanthropy, talked about philanthropic “hidden hearts”. A reminder of the importance of all types of giving, including the often-unseen efforts of donors who support the efforts of small, grassroots charities providing essential services and programs in local communities.
According to Graveline a “small” charity fits that model and 77 percent of Canada’s charities and nonprofits and raises less than $500,000 annually. Ninety percent of these charities have ten or fewer employees, and 59 percent are entirely volunteer run. “Hidden heart” donors don’t seek attention for their contribution. These “hidden hearts,” believe in the labour of love and their impact is undeniable. They serve as lifelines for their beneficiaries and the stakes are incredibly high. Even small disruptions in funding for these “small shops” can have serious implications for those who rely on their benevolent services.
When it comes to philanthropy, the challenges most donors face with Canada’s regulatory is the complexity to navigate strict rules around charitable donations and tax receipts. At times, a lack of simplicity can make it more difficult to engage potential donors. These complex rules and extra layers of bureaucracy should potentially deter us to fundraise. However, some funders and some foundations are challenging these rules and pushing the limits of “risk”.
In her article entitled: Why some foundations are not letting ‘risk’ stop them from partnering with non-qualified donees, Sherlyn Assam, freelancer, demonstrated how some foundations chose their partnerships specifically to transform community organizations that are often left out of the conversation. Thus, disregarding the “rules”.
Even though Canada Revenue Agency’s guidance on how to make grants to non-qualified donees mentions “risk” 31 times, the philanthropic sector is moving more towards community-centred philanthropy and trust-based giving.
My final thoughts
The benefits outweigh the challenges. We will experience economic recessions and depressions; we will witness hurricanes and flooding; but it is what we do about these challenges that makes a difference. By focusing on the positive factors that influence the field of philanthropy we can deepen donor engagement and foster a better understanding of issues to create meaningful connections between donors and the communities they aim to support.
I am not saying we must avoid challenges, but challenges can be a powerful tool for building a more connected, compassionate, and resilient society. By using our generosity, and fundraising efforts we can channel goodwill into meaningful action. Whether through donations of time, money, or resources, fundraising encourages individuals and businesses to become active participants in shaping the future of their communities. This collective effort not only supports charitable initiatives but also encourages social responsibility and strengthens the fabric of our society.
With this in mind, I am ready to welcome 2025 with all the challenges it brings. Are you ready too?
Kathleen A. Provost, CFRE, MAdEd, is Vice President, Philanthropy and Communications at United for Literacy (previously Frontier College), a national organization with 125 years of community partnerships in Canada, offering free tutoring and mentoring to adult, youth, and children who need literacy and numeracy support. Kathleen has over 30 years of experience in the charitable sector.
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