January/February 2026 Newsletter | |
A Message from Our Founder & CEO
Greetings AADO Members,
As we open this January–February edition of the AADO Newsletter, it feels both timely and intentional to begin the year grounded in Black History Month, a moment to honor and celebrate the legacy and ongoing contributions of Black leaders in our profession.
In this issue, we proudly highlight the global reach of AADO by celebrating Canadian fundraisers within our community. You’ll meet a featured member whose leadership and impact exemplify excellence, learn about important research conducted by a Black philanthropic company, and hear the history of how one of our Black fundraising groups was established. These stories remind us that our work knows no borders and that our collective voice is stronger when it is shared.
Over the next 11 months, we will intentionally profile AADO members who are doing incredible work through advancing philanthropy, leading with courage, and making a difference in their communities. This feature is called AADO Voices of Impact. We will seek out these individuals.
Additionally, we also want to know if you have your own story worth telling? We invite you to share your journey and let the AADO community celebrate your impact. We are opening an invitation in this newsletter and encourage you to submit your own story. Your journey matters, and your impact deserves to be celebrated.
We will also begin collecting your favorite go-to books on fundraising. This community is rich with wisdom, and we look forward to learning from one another. Submissions open now and we will begin highlighting community favorites in our March AADO Newsletter, so don’t wait to share the titles that have shaped your practice.
And get excited for AADO Connect 2026—our reimagined conference experience designed to deepen connection, learning, and community in new and meaningful ways and coming to a city near you!
I am deeply energized by what AADO has accomplished over 27 years and inspired by what lies ahead. Serving and supporting our 6,500+ members is an honor and a responsibility. I wish you a successful, prosperous, and purpose-filled 2026.
Warm regards,
Birgit Burton
Birgit@aadonetwork.org
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Submit Your AADO Story
Share your journey, your work, and the impact you’re making. Submissions are now open, and selected member stories will be featured throughout the year beginning with our AADO March newsletter.
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Share Your Favorite Fundraising Book
What book has shaped your fundraising practice or leadership? Share your go-to read now—we’ll begin highlighting community favorites in our March newsletter.
| | Get early access to news, announcements, and updates about the upcoming AADO mini conferences across the country. | | |
AADO
Voices of Impact
AADO Voices of Impact is a new AADO feature that celebrates leaders whose work, presence, and commitment are making a meaningful difference in our profession and communities. This is not a nomination process, instead, we will thoughtfully seek out and invite individuals whose impact we witness—through shared stories, written work, conversations, and the ways they show up and lead. We are listening. We are watching. We see you.
This month we feature Chantelle Ohrling, CFRE. Chantelle embodies everything this series represents. Her passion, leadership, generosity, and dedication to equity and community strengthen our sector in meaningful and lasting ways.
Chantelle is always working to advance equitable, community-rooted philanthropy. For the past decade, she has been grassroots organizing & fundraising for feminist movements. She also contributes to Hogan’s Alley Society through fund development and is active in the Black Canadian Fundraisers Collective, where she helps build spaces for belonging and sector transformation.
Guided by a commitment to equity, Chantelle works to create a philanthropic landscape that functions as a web of interconnected relationships, where giving and receiving are reciprocal. She believes we can alchemize oppressive systems, much like fungi decompose dead matter, into fertile ground for new societies rooted in deep care and respect for all living relations.
You can check out Chantelle's full bio here.
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Ruth MacKenzie, President & CEO, Canadian Association of Gift Planners shared: " Chantelle Ohrling is a rising star in the CAGP community, bringing fresh energy and meaningful innovation through her work with the Vancouver Chapter and the national conference planning committee. She approaches gift planning with both intellectual curiosity and genuine compassion, a combination that sets her apart. It has been a long time since a new leader has inspired such excitement in our network, and her potential for continued growth is unmistakable."
"Chantelle is a sparkling gem. She is someone whose identity and full life experiences have, and continue to, mold who she is and how she shows up today—a woman of brilliance, determination, compassion, and infinite courage. All those qualities, combined with her fierce advocacy and conviction to equity and justice, converge to make Chantelle someone I deeply admire, respect, and am inspired by—a special sparkling gem." -Nicole Salmon, Founder & Principal Consultant of Boundless Philanthropy
"Witnessing the unfolding brilliance of our members is truly a privilege. Chantelle stands as one of our most radiant stars. She possesses a keen insight deeply anchored in historical accuracy, an unapologetically authentic life journey, and an insatiable quest for both personal and communal freedom. In a world that seldom recognizes Black women, she exemplifies yet another stunning testament to our enchantment. The Black Canadian Fundraisers' Collective celebrates the talents of all our members, and with immense joy, we honour Chantelle, our cherished sister.” ~ Nneka Allen, Founder of The Black Canadian Fundraisers’ Collective
It is clear that Chantelle's work not only uplifts her local community but the sector as a whole, we are honored to be able to highlight Chantelle and we look forward to recognizing more AADO Voices of Impact in 2026.
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Congratulations to the 2025 R.I.S.E fund recipients.
Faith Oviasuyi
Morgana Nieves, MBA
Christine Enetak, CAP®
The R.I.S.E. Fund was created to complement, not compete with, other educational awards, funds, and organizations working to advance women and men of color in the fundraising profession.
Founded by a group of Black female fundraisers, the R.I.S.E. Fund partners with allied organizations that also support the advancement of fundraisers of color, including the Black Canadian Fundraisers Collective, Fabulous Female Fundraisers (F3), the African American Development Officers Network (AADO), and Men of Color in Development (MOCID).
Each year, the R.I.S.E. Fund provides financial support to these partner organizations so they can award educational stipends to eligible recipients selected from among their membership.
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A few months ago, we invited our members to complete a survey to help inform this report. Today, we’re pleased to share Fundraising While Black: Harm, Happiness, Healing — a groundbreaking report from agentsC highlighting the lived experiences of Black fundraisers in Canada and the U.S.
The findings are powerful:
80% report burnout.
64% have faced racism from donors.
And 92% still love their work.
This report explores how Black fundraisers navigate systemic anti-Black racism while managing harm, creating moments of happiness, and grounding themselves in healing.
#FundraisingWhileBlack #EquityPhilanthropy #BlackFundraisers
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ARCHITECT Philanthropic Collective has welcomed two new members to their team. Jessica Foster as Operations & Client Relations, bringing deep experience in grant management and grassroots nonprofit support. Raijene Walker as Partnership & Relationship Advisor, with a gift for community development and donor engagement. Congratulations, we love to see continued growth and collaboration in the sector.
Have you recently made a move? We would love to celebrate with you. Let us know at the link below for a chance to be featured in an upcoming newsletter.
| | | | Resources and Opportunities | | Event Recap: Building Effective Recruiter Relationships in Fundraising Careers | |
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AADO Webinar Recap | January 7, 2026
AADO started the year by hosting a candid and timely conversation with leaders from top recruiting and consulting firms about how fundraisers can more effectively navigate recruiter relationships and today’s evolving hiring landscape. This conversation reinforced something we know well at AADO: relationships, clarity, and trust remain the most powerful tools in career navigation.
Huge thanks to Lindauer, Aspen Leadership Group, Boyden, Marts&Lundy, and Keatley Scroggins, JD, CFRE, CAP® for their generosity and insight.
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"Brave, NOT Safe!"
We invite you to read "Brave Not Safe!" - a powerful article by our Canadian sister and AADO Member, Nneka Allen that traces the history and evolution of the Black Canadian Fundraisers Collective. With honesty and courage, Nneka shares the story behind the movement and the people who shaped it.
Be sure to read part one and two of Nneka's essay.
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Begin the New Year as an AADO Plus Member
Consider upgrading your membership to AADO Plus and be part of the movement year-round. Plus member benefits include:
- Invitations to Plus-only events
- Professional development & resources
- Priority registration and select discounts
- Expanded networking & mentorship access
Don't miss out on this opportunity to enhance your skills, expand your network, and make a difference in the world of fundraising.
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