I stumbled into fundraising early.
When I was a teenager, my first summer job was at a small, newly founded youth centre in my hometown. We were tucked away on a main street no one could find—so my first task was to make a sign. I asked a relative to build it, got some wood donated, and installed it out front. Then I convinced a local artist to mentor the youth in painting murals on the massive 20-foot-high walls inside our activity room. When I learned there was no budget for paint, I knocked on doors at local businesses to raise funds. By the end of the summer, I realized I had become a budding fundraiser.
Over the past 30 years, I’ve developed a niche in helping organizations build or strengthen their fundraising capacity—especially when they’re starting from scratch or facing a big leap. I’m drawn to challenges that require creativity, courage, and clear strategy. Whether it’s reimagining an annual program, building a legacy pipeline, or guiding a team through an unfamiliar fundraising territory, I love helping charities accomplish what once felt daunting.
I co-founded the Ten Oaks Project from my kitchen table. What began as a grassroots idea to create magical summer programs for children and youth from 2SLGBTQ+ identities and families has grown into a national organization with a 20-year history.
At Good Works, I serve as Partner and CEO, leading a team of talented fundraisers who bring heart, strategy, and steady guidance to every client relationship. I believe fundraising is ultimately about meaning, connection, and community—and that the best results come from teams who feel grounded, supported, and inspired. I also co-authored You Can’t Take It With You: The Art and Science of Legacy Fundraising, driven by my commitment to advancing the field of legacy giving in Canada and building a documented playbook for fundraisers to grow their programs with confidence.
If you’re looking for a partner to help you grow with intention, and tackle big ideas with confidence, I’d love to work with you.
Holly is an instructor for the Individual Giving Collective, an educational initiative from Good Works.
The Fall cohort of DM 101: The Ultimate Guide to Executing a Direct Mail Campaign begins September 18th.
