To our fundraising community,

It is hard to believe that we are already halfway through 2026. As I reflect on the past six months serving as President of AFP Nova Scotia Chapter, I am reminded of just how quickly time passes when you are surrounded by passionate professionals working to strengthen our communities. 

The first half of this year has been filled with opportunities to learn, listen, and grow. I have had the privilege of connecting with fundraising professionals across the province, hearing their stories, celebrating their successes, and gaining a deeper appreciation for the challenges many of our organizations face. Along the way, I have learned a great deal—not only about our sector, but about the strength, resilience, and generosity that define our AFP Nova Scotia Chapter community. 

Six months into my term, I would like to share some of the observations and insights that have stood out most to me, as well as what I believe will be critical to our success moving forward. 

Across our province, we are witnessing encouraging signs of growth and adaptation. Nova Scotians continue to demonstrate remarkable generosity, with online giving increasing at rates that lead the country. At the same time, our sector is embracing new tools and approaches to strengthen fundraising outcomes. The integration of artificial intelligence, improved donor management systems, and data-informed engagement strategies are helping organizations build stronger donor relationships while operating more efficiently. We are also seeing a continued shift toward trust-based philanthropy, where funders and community organizations are working collaboratively to address complex social challenges, including food insecurity, mental health, housing affordability, and community well-being. 

As I consider what I’ve learned, one theme rises above all: “Our greatest strength is each other”. Technology will evolve, funding models will change, and economic pressures will continue to test our sector. Yet our ability to collaborate, share knowledge, mentor emerging professionals, and advocate collectively will remain essential to our success. 

Sector Gatherings: 

Looking ahead, I encourage all members to join us for the AFP Nova Scotia Annual General Meeting on June 25 at the Delta Hotels Dartmouth. In addition to conducting the business of our chapter, we are pleased to offer a free strategic workshop: Unlock Fund Development: Practical Strategies for Non-Profits. This session will provide practical insights and actionable approaches to addressing many of the capacity challenges organizations are facing today. I hope to see many of you there as we continue to learn from one another and strengthen our collective impact. 

Moments in Philanthropy 

• Historic Anonymous $7.75-Million Donation: In late May 2026, the Yarmouth Hospital Foundation announced a staggering $7.75-million gift. Contributed by an entirely anonymous donor, this represents the second-largest donation in the foundation’s history. The multi-million dollar windfall is earmarked directly for critical upgrades to the hospital’s Emergency Department. 
• RBC IWK Charity Classic: The 2026 hockey tournament raised $35,000 for the IWK Foundation, bringing its cumulative six-year fundraising total to over $175,000. The event is an independent part of the broader annual ⁠IWK Telethon for Children broadcast, which raised a record-breaking grand total of $9,110,219.34. 
• Medavie Blue Nose Marathon ("Giv’er Charity Challenge"): The 2026 race weekend exceeded its initial $275,000 target to raise an outstanding $301,722.82 distributed among its local ⁠Charity Challenge partners. 

As we prepare for the second half of the year and look toward the future of AFP Nova Scotia, my vision is for our chapter to continue serving as a catalyst for professional growth, innovation, and leadership. By strengthening connections, embracing new ideas, and investing in one another's success, we can ensure that our profession, and the organizations we serve, continue to thrive. 

One quote that has resonated with me throughout my first six months as President is from Socrates: "The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new." 

As our sector continues to evolve, I believe this mindset is more important than ever. Rather than focusing solely on the challenges before us, we have an opportunity to build stronger organizations, foster deeper donor relationships, embrace innovation, and create a more sustainable future for philanthropy in Nova Scotia. 

Thank you for your leadership, your dedication, and the important work you do every day. I look forward to connecting with many of you at our AGM and continuing this journey together. 

Warm regards,

An Evening of Insight, Impact, and Connection: FREE Education Session, Annual General Meeting, and Networking

It’s time to celebrate all the power of philanthropy, the fabulousness of our profession, and the people-power that makes it happen!

Join us on Thursday, June 25th, 2026 for an evening to learn, share, and connect.



We are honoured to welcome Moncef Lakouas, Vice President, Atlantic, BNP Inspire. Moncef will be providing a FREE educational opportunity: "Unlock Fund Development: Practical Strategies for Non-Profits." This 90-minute interactive workshop will explore practical insights, real-world examples, and collaborative solutions to help strengthen your fundraising efforts and build long-term sustainability. The workshop will be facilitated by Moncef Lakouas, Vice President at BNP Inspire, and his team. We look forward to seeing you!

Registration NOW OPEN!

Join us at this year’s Maritime Fundraising Conference, presented by DonorPerfect, and stay ahead of the changes shaping our sector. This year’s theme, “Stronger Together,” highlights how collaboration helps fundraisers and organizations adapt, innovate, and grow in a changing environment.

Designed for fundraisers at every career stage, the conference offers a full day of interactive, practical learning with real-world relevance. Sessions will explore partnership-driven strategies, including working with corporate supporters, strengthening community collaboration, and sharing knowledge and capacity in uncertain times.



You’ll leave with fresh ideas, practical tools, and valuable new connections to support your work well beyond the event. Register early to take advantage of early bird pricing and join a community committed to learning, adapting, and moving forward together.

2026 AFP in Canada Leadership Retreat

Registration is now open for the AFP in Canada Leadership Retreat! We are thrilled to welcome AFP chapter leaders from across the country to Halifax for an inspiring opportunity to connect, learn, and collaborate as we strengthen the future of the fundraising profession together.

AFP Nova Scotia Fundraising Field Notes

AFP Nova Scotia Fundraising Field Notes is a Substack channel for articles, stories and reflections by fundraising professionals for fundraising professionals. 

Check out, Learnings from a year of using TipTap, our first post by AFP NS Board Member Shaylyn MacAulay. 



If you are interested in contributing to Fundraising Field Notes check out the contributor guidelines and share your idea on our form! 

Reach out to Shaylyn at Shaylyn.MacAulay@nscc.ca if you have any questions.

Learn and Engage with Impact Organizations of Nova Scotia

A core part of IONS work is to provide capacity building opportunities that willo help organizations better achieve their mission. IONS has scheduled high quality training, resources, and skill development believing the sector will be most impactful when organizations develop the capacity and build skills to nurture healthy workplaces, cultivate innovation, and operate sustainably.

Nominate a Transformational Changemaker or Outstanding Organization for a 2026 CharityVillage Award

CharityVillage is celebrating the exemplary contributions of nonprofit changemakers at their virtual CharityVillage Awards and Sector Summit on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. 

Nominations close on June 30, 2026. 



CharityVillage would like to thank Riipen, the Presenting Sponsor for the 2026 Summit & Awards.

Reflections from AFP ICON 2026: Key Insights for Nova Scotia Fundraisers
by Omolara Ogunbosi

Attending AFP ICON 2026 in San Diego, as a Chamberlain Scholar, was a valuable opportunity to learn, connect, and reflect on emerging trends in philanthropy.

A central theme of the conference was the shift from transactional fundraising to transformative fund development. Speakers emphasized that strong fundraising is built on authentic relationships, clear communication of impact, and stories that connect donors to meaningful community change.

A key takeaway was the importance of strategic alignment. Rather than asking whether an organization is eligible for funding, fundraisers were encouraged to consider whether an opportunity supports their mission and long-term priorities.

The conference reinforced the need to see funders and corporate supporters as long-term partners, and highlighted the importance of diversifying revenue streams to strengthen sustainability and resilience.

Board engagement and brave leadership were also recurring themes, with sessions focusing on how board members can act as ambassadors, advocates, and relationship builders.

Beyond the sessions, networking opportunities, including AFP Canada’s Red & White Reception and the Leadership Breakfast, strengthened connections across the sector.



AFP ICON 2026 offered valuable insights that will continue to inform my work and support philanthropy across Nova Scotia.

Chamberlain Scholarship Applications Opening Early Fall

Why should you learn more about the Chamberlain Scholarship? It’s your chance to attend AFP ICON. 



Need more? The AFP Foundation for Philanthropy is proud to offer the Chamberlain Scholarship Program for AFP ICON, which is designed to help individuals serving nonprofit organizations develop their knowledge and skills in fundraising.

Why Summer Might Be Your Most Strategic Fundraising Season
by Glenn Massad

Each year, many organizations assume summer is a slow period for fundraising; something to revisit in September. But treating these months as downtime can mean missing one of the most valuable windows of the year. 

While donor activity may feel quieter, summer is far from inactive. It offers a unique opportunity to focus on areas that often get overshadowed during busier campaign seasons. For example, it is an ideal time for stewardship. Donors may not be expecting an immediate ask, but they are open to meaningful engagement like thank-you conversations, impact updates, and relationship-building touchpoints. 

Summer is also when strong fall campaigns begin to take shape. Organizations can refine their Cases for Support, test strategies, and ensure leadership teams are prepared well before September arrives. 

Equally important, informal interactions such as coffee meetings, site visits, and small gatherings help build the trust that leads to future major gifts. 



The organizations that use this time intentionally enter the fall with momentum, while others find themselves catching up. 

The question isn’t whether summer is quiet, it’s how you choose to use it.