I started my career in philanthropy 25 years ago working for the Terry Fox Foundation. There I learned the power of unwavering belief in an important goal can make miracles happen. How did a young kid, from a small town, an amputee, with no wealth and no network raise $ 23 Million – surpassing his goal of a dollar from every single Canadian to fund pediatric cancer? How 37 years later has $750 Million been raised?
Courage—Conviction—Confidence in a cause worth fighting for.
With that first experience in fundraising I have never thought there are limits to people’s capacity to change the world through philanthropy. Today 80% of kids diagnosed with cancer survive- it was 20% when Terry first started his run.
I am extremely honoured to be recognized by this Outstanding Career in Philanthropy Award.
I share this honour with all the colleagues, volunteers and philanthropists that I have had the pleasure to work with over 25 years to make positive change happen.
As a professional working in philanthropy, whether it be medical research, education, arts, the environment, social justice or community development- we interact everyday with people wanting to see change happen and those working first hand to make it happen.
Michele Thibodeau DeGuire the PDG when I worked at Centraide, used to say we form the bridge between these two groups.
What does it take to excel in this role?
The first thing is curiosity. Curiosity in people’s lives, their dreams. When I was at Centraide early in my career I saw the curiosity of a group of business leaders, led by Paul Desmarais Jr, to understand the social fabric of our city and the Social Entrepreneurs who strengthened it.
I learned how curiosity, conversation and commitment can also change the world.
At Sainte-Justine my colleagues and I are surrounded by courage – the courage of kids who face illness, courage of their parents who want to move heaven and earth to help their children. Families mobilize philanthropically, as a way to deal with their personal health challenges and advance research to help others. Pierre Bruneau, Pierre Boivin, the kids who are participating to the Sainte-Justine Private Schools Youth Challenge, all of whom have been honoured at National Philanthropy Day are such people.
Curiosity in how scientists advance medicine is also part of our daily lives at Sainte-Justine. Visitors young and old come in to meet with medical researchers who dedicate their lives to unravelling the mysteries and complexities of the human body in the hopes to treat and cure children to live healthy lives.
As professionals and volunteers working in philanthropy we face the toughest issues of our day: poverty, mental illness, cancer, climate change to name a few.
But I am an optimist – you have to be when you fundraise! I believe we can advance and solve many of our biggest challenges. And I am encouraged by seeing that more organizations are working cooperatively rather than in competition to tackle these issues. And philanthropists are encouraging this collaboration.
So this National Philanthropy Day I salute every individual with courage and commitment who shows they care, who collaborate with others in donating, volunteering or working to help causes that improve people lives and strengthen our communities.
Happy National Philanthropy Day!
