Let's Get Real: Perspectives on Canadian Fundraising

Welcome to the first episode of the Let’s Get Real Summer Series! We have some slightly shorter episodes that you can listen to in between your Summer plans. First up, we have an episode with Leigh Sandison, the Managing Director of Real Path.  Leigh joins Ed and Lisa to discuss the difference between data and conversation, and how treating donors as more than a single data point can further your...

Ed and Lisa are fortunate enough to be joined by Rowena Veylan for this episode! Rowena is the Founder and Lead Instructor at The New School of Fundraising. Along with Ed and Lisa, she discusses the cuts to fundraising programs in recent years, and the new methods of education and teaching that have emerged as a result. Elsewhere in the episode, Lisa raises the topic of burnout amongst leaders, an...

This week on Let’s Get Real, Ed and Lisa are thrilled to welcome back Marla Smith, CFRE, from the Pathstone Foundation! Marla brings her perspective to a discussion about the gap between publicly and privately funded research in the philanthropic sector.  Later in the episode, the conversation about research continues as the hosts discuss data. How are we capturing data? And are these methods able...

This week on Let’s Get Real, Lisa and Ed dedicate an entire episode to the topic on everyone’s minds right now: AI. How is AI going to affect the fundraising sector? Should we be embracing this new technology fully? Or are there aspects we should be wary of? If you’ve been looking for a deep dive into AI and fundraising, you won’t want to miss this. Interested in learning more about planned giving...

On this week’s episode of Let’s Get Real, Ed and Lisa welcome back Peggy Killeen to discuss more pressing topics in Canadian fundraising! Peggy kicks off the episode by discussing how administrative work can often drain an organization’s capacity to fundraise. Later on, Lisa focuses on current challenges in leadership, and how changes in office setup and social norms leave leaders feeling like the...

This week on Let’s Get Real , Ed and Lisa are joined by Kerri LaJeunesse from Harvey MacKinnon Associates. Kerri brings her expertise to discuss the “metric vital signs” that every charity should be monitoring in order to identify their strengths and weaknesses and grow accordingly. Elsewhere in the episode, Ed brings up staffing in the fundraising sector, and the potential future difficulties tha...

What makes a good leader? That's the question Peggy Killeen, Senior Consultant at PGgrowth, poses today. Peggy joins Ed and Lisa to discuss the qualities that boards should look for when hiring leadership, and the foundational skills that may be overlooked in favour of more traditional business experience. Later in the episode Lisa discusses the staggering amount of money that GoFundMe raises...

This week on Let’s Get Real , Ed and Lisa are joined by Sandra Baker, the Director of Advancement and Admissions at Hamilton District Christian High School. Sandra starts off the episode with a discussion about the importance of thanking donors and how it can benefit your organization. Later in the episode, Ed discusses why specific fundraising designations are important steps in becoming a fundra...

Welcome to season two of Let’s Get Real: Perspectives on Canadian Fundraising ! To start the season off, Ed, Ken, and Lisa are joined by Lois Graveline, the Founder and CEO of Harmonia Philanthropy. Lois brings her experience working with small charities to discuss the challenges these organizations often face, and what donors and fundraisers can do to help them succeed.  Elsewhere in the episode,...

In the final episode of Let’s Get Real ’s first season, Ed, Ken, and Lisa summarize some wins and losses from 2025 in the fundraising sector. Everything from political instability to shifting economic trends have had an effect on this hugely important industry.  In addition to looking back, the hosts also look forward to offer their thoughts on what 2026 will have in store for fundraising in Canad...

Have you ever considered that fundraising could be a spiritual experience? On this week’s episode of Let’s Get Real: Perspectives on Canadian Fundraising , Ed, Ken, and Lisa dive into that very topic. Elsewhere in the episode, Ed discusses irregular management styles in the fundraising industry and the negative consequences this type of leadership can have. Finally, the hosts discuss what anxietie...

This week on Let’s Get Real: Perspectives on Canadian Fundraising , Ed, Ken, and Lisa discuss gift agreements and how to deal with common complications they cause (here’s a hint: always get legal advice!) Later in the episode, the hosts debate whether returning to the office is the right move for fundraising professionals, and point out crucial issues with today’s hiring process that prioritizes p...

With National Philanthropy Day approaching on November 15, Ed, Ken, and Lisa use this episode of Let's Get Real to discuss whether the day has a significant impact on the charitable sector. Also in this week’s episode, the hosts emphasize the importance of using proper language when discussing fundraising and consider ways to help maintain consistent terminology across the industry. Finally,...

In this episode of Let's Get Real: Perspectives on Canadian Fundraising , Ed and Lisa are joined by Marla Smith, CFRE, the Director of Foundation & Communication at Pathstone Foundation. Marla brings her perspective to discuss the rise of mediocrity and why people seem so willing to accept it. Additionally, Ed, Lisa, and Marla discuss fundraising metrics and how success is perceived in th...

This week on "Let's Get Real: Perspectives on Canadian Fundraising," join Ed, Ken, and Lisa as they discuss the rise of AI in the fundraising sector and the many drawbacks and shortcomings of replacing human labour with this technology. Later in the episode, Ken and Ed discuss significant mentors they've had in their careers, and the group addresses a recent hot-button topic: i...

Welcome to  Let's Get Real: Perspectives on Canadian Fundraising ! Join hosts Ed Sluga, Ken Ramsay, and Lisa MacDonald as they engage in an honest and intentional discussion of the many issues and conflicts currently facing the fundraising industry. Listen to this episode for the first of many candid conversations, and be ready to "get real."