Canadian society is evolving at a rapid rate. Charitable organizations and approaches to fundraising need to keep up with the times. The increasing diversity and multiculturalism of our nation is reflected in the people, communities, and causes charitable and non-profit organizations serve, as well as in potential and existing donor populations.

Given this dynamic landscape, it’s a critical time in our trajectory as fundraisers to ask ourselves a series of important questions. For example, how well equipped are we as a profession to meet the needs of diverse and multicultural communities through our charitable works and our approaches to fundraising? Is our profession a place where equality of opportunity really thrives and where all have an equal shot at a successful career? How certain are we that the work we are doing today will resonate with the changing donor population of today and tomorrow?

As demonstrated in the global Association of Fundraising Professionals’ most recent strategic plan (2018 - 2020), AFP leaders - as well as a broad cross-section of members globally - are interested in pursuing these questions. Leaders and stakeholders alike recognize that now is the time to address the barriers to professional equity in fundraising, and to expand equal access to all under-represented groups in this dynamic, fast changing, and fulfilling profession in order to better understand and serve our communities and reach new donor groups.