by Anne (Coyle) Melanson, BPr, CFRE (Principal, Bloom Non Profit Consulting Group)
Sitting atop the list of potential major donors for a multitude of Canadian charities simply can’t be a restful place. Particularly these days. And so I asked the perennially warm, engaged, and engaging (Wallace) McCain family matriarch (and lifetime philanthropist), to share a lesson or two for both charities and other philanthropists, based on her wealth of experience as volunteer, activist, and donor…
Q. You are one of Canada’s most active and visible champions for women, children and families. How did that come about?
A. Many years ago I became involved with the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Centre for Family Violence Research. I agreed to chair their fundraising campaign after having some involvement in supporting causes for women, children and families. It catapulted me into the issue and it grew from there. My work with that organization made me really understand the importance of education, research and knowledge transfer. The evidence was clear — you have to start at the very earliest stages of childhood development in order to prevent violence and develop a healthy society.
I went on to co-author a report on early childhood education and development called “The Early Years” (The Pascal Report) with Dr. Fraser Mustard. The project was supported by the Atkinson Charitable Foundation and the report was ultimately adopted by the Provincial Government of Ontario to help guide policy reform. It was a great example of how (as a philanthropist) you can be involved in understanding a societal problem, help develop solutions, and then work with partners and government in implementing them. The experience inspired the mission of our family foundation when it was established 3 years ago, which is modeled after the (involved philanthropy) of both the Atkinson Charitable Foundation and the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation. (Like those philanthropies) we want to be engaged donors who are actively involved in helping grantees meet their objectives, rather than just writing a cheque. Our foundation invests in young children and their families with practice, policy and knowledge objectives, primarily in Atlantic Canada.
Q. You have served as a volunteer fundraising chair for ambitious campaigns ranging from the David Foster gala in Atlantic Canada to the National Ballet School’s campaign. What do you see as the keys to fundraising success?
A. Leadership. And passion. You need a stronger leader who believes sincerely in the cause and is prepared to bring in others who share that. It’s not a matter of numbers of volunteers, but their level of commitment. Its particularly important in challenging economic times. So many campaigns are struggling because many donors are able to give so much less than before. But for me, passion has been the key. And perseverance. In many circumstances I’ve brought the passion and have been supported by my husband, Wallace, who brings great perseverance. When the cause is critical you just can’t take ‘no’ for an answer.
Q. The last two years have been leaner, meaner times for many non profits and charities. What lessons should they take for fundraising purposes?
A. In leaner, meaner times, donors are more likely to go into a bit of a holding pattern when it comes to making new (financial) commitments. They want to be able to honour the pledges they have already made. And the focus often shifts from making large, strategic investments to helping people most at risk in an economic downturn….like those affected by hunger and homelessness. Philanthropists are less apt to take on major new projects. Our giving tends to be more about being compassionate to immediate needs, and perhaps a bit less about long-term strategic goals.
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The Honourable Margaret Norrie McCain has served on the boards or advisory councils of The Muriel McQueen Fergusson Centre for Family Violence Research, Mount Allison University, Canadian Women’s Foundation, the National Ballet School, the Canadian Policy Research Network, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, The Learning Partnership and the Atkinson Centre for Society and Child Development. She was appointed the 27th Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick in June 1994. She was invested as Dame of Grace of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem; the Order of Canada (O.C.); and the Order of New Brunswick (O.N.B.). She continues to play a major role in many early child development policy and program initiatives in Canada. She has left an indelible mark on public policy in numerous organizations that promote women’s rights, social equality, education, music and the arts, both at the provincial and national levels.
