My journey in philanthropy began around the age of 10, tagging along as my mother canvassed our neighbourhood for charity. I remember knocking on the door of a loud, rather chaotic family home. It was dinnertime and the woman who answered looked worn. Even as a child, I would have understood if she brushed us off and slammed the door. But instead, she scraped up all the change she could find and gave us $10 in dimes and quarters. That woman’s generosity opened my eyes to the true spirit of giving.
I think about that moment a lot. At the time though, I never considered growing up to be a fundraiser. That all came to be, albeit unexpectedly, a few years later in 2010. A Nova Scotia girl born and raised, I had just moved to Ottawa and needed a job.
This was about 6 months prior to the 2011 federal election, and Jack Layton’s NDP team was looking for people power. I was hired on as a part-time fundraising caller, but soon found myself a permanent home on the NDP fundraising team.
During my eight years with the NDP, I was immersed in the world of political fundraising, soaking up all the knowledge and experience I could. There wasn’t exactly a handbook—it was more like piecing together an aircraft mid-flight, learning every bolt and wire of direct mail and digital fundraising appeals.
Then came my twin boys, and life shifted. By 2018, I was ready for a change and found my way to Good Works. I’d been secretly fangirling over their emails, blog posts and conference sessions for years. And the chance to work with so many different causes? It was – and remains – my dream job!
Today, I’m the worn-looking mom at the door, tripping over dinkie cars to find cash for whatever cause is needing it. Life has a funny way of coming full circle, doesn’t it?