Page 8 - The Future of Philanthropy

THE FELLOWSHIP EXPERIENCE
Cheryl Blackman Fellow
Can you tell us about your fellowship project?
I’m examining how we acquire donors and looking to challenge some of the norms and make sure the team is aware that philanthropy is changing and our donor base needs to reflect the composition of society in Toronto and Canada. It’s great that we’re celebrating philanthropy, but it’s important that we’re not overlooking economic justice and social good.
What part of the program
are you most excited about so far?
The AFP Congress experience and the pre-Congress experience. It was our first opportunity to connect and be surrounded by people who are like-minded. As well, the mentor experience has been phenomenal.
Eugenia Duodu Fellow
Can you please describe
the fellowship project you’re working on?
Are communities engaged? My project involves youth in a process that looks at low-income communities and how
to engage them. I’m working with four other fellows, and we’re looking at different communities.We plan to develop
a tool to empower communities served, through meaningful engagement at the steps and stages where recipients want to be involved.
What part of your project
are you most excited about so far?
I’m really excited about just asking the recipients. I’ve worked with youth for years and I’ve never asked them if they want to be part of raising funds, if they want to be empowered
to raise funds themselves, and if they want to be at the
table when the funds are allocated. It’s about rounding out the assumptions. I’m really excited about the potential of something like that.
How do you think your organization
will be different after you complete the fellowship? My organization is already different. Understanding different ways of raising funds is new. Because I run the organization, having that understanding of fundraising allows me to structure my staff and direct my staff so that we are all working together to push that forward.
Four fellows from the first cohort were interviewed about what the program has meant for them and for their work
How do you think your organization
will be different after you complete the fellowship?
I hope I will have brought to the table a facet of philanthropy they’re not talking about yet.There’s a need for some fearless conversation in our sector. It’s been happening in the private sector and we have some catching up to do. If we’re making that start, it’s a really positive thing.
How do you think the fellowship program will change AFP? How will it change the philanthropic sector?
I hope AFP will begin to set targets as an outcome of the research done through these fellowships. It would be great to see strategic objectives aligned with what we learn through these fellowships.
How do you think the fellowship program will change AFP? How will it change the philanthropic sector?
It was really evident that we were a new program and that we represented a shift. I could feel and see that at Congress. I feel that over the years we’ll be able to visibly see the shifts that come out of it. It will make AFP more vibrant, more diverse, and inclusive, as it’s intended to. I had never heard of AFP before. I’ve been able to go to my network and contacts and tell them about AFP and I feel like a lot of the fellows have done the same.