Leadership and Innovative Programs are the hallmarks of the 2007 New Fundraising Professional – Teresa Marques

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Greater Toronto Chapter is pleased to announce Teresa Marques, Director of Development, Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR), as the recipient of the 2007 New Fundraising Professional Award.

The AFP Greater Toronto Chapter 2007 New Fundraising Professional Award was established in 2001. The award recognizes a full-time fundraising professional who has two to five years of experience and has displayed exceptional talent and demonstrated outstanding achievement early in their career. The recipient is selected based on submissions from Chapter members. The criteria for this Award encompasses career achievements, long and short term career objectives, personal volunteer service and a commitment to the profession.

“AFP Greater Toronto Chapter considers it a priority to recognize individuals who are making a difference to the lives of so many, as they lead by example and thereby inspire others,” says AFP Greater Toronto Chapter president Mark Climie. “Teresa truly represents the new generation of professional fundraisers.” Teresa has demonstrated her commitment to a career in the not-for-profit industry. She is passionate about the industry and is keen to continue developing her skills through on-the-job training, professional memberships, education opportunities and volunteerism.

Teresa joined CANFAR in 2003 after earning her Masters degree in History from York University. Her first position with the organization was as National Program Assistant. Promoted to National Program Manager, Teresa became responsible for the “Have a Heart” and “Spring for Life” annual HIV/AIDS awareness programs. Teresa doubled the number of participating schools in the Have a Heart Program to more than 1,000, and through Spring for Life, raised more than $80,000 for community AIDS organizations Canada-wide in the first national gerbera flower-selling campaign. In addition, she developed a sponsorship program for Spring for Life which raised $120,000 and covered all associated expenses.

Teresa was promoted to the position of Director of Development in 2006. In this new role, she has generated close to $30,000 in new foundation gifts; solicited a new partnership with the National Post and Canada Post to drop CANFAR’s first unaddressed ad mail piece; and developed a new monthly recapture program which is actively renewing lapsed monthly donors. Teresa is currently strategizing around new technologies of fundraising and building an on-line giving campaign that will engage telecom companies to develop a mechanism of short-code giving. She supports senior volunteers in an ongoing manner and this year, initiated a Board Fundraising Committee to assist in making corporate pitches and building the organization’s case for support. She also acts as the secretary at both Executive and Board of Director meetings. Teresa is very involved with the strategic planning for the organization and has taken a leadership role in government fundraising – a new area of fund development for CANFAR.

Teresa shows her ongoing leadership and commitment to the profession by volunteering with multiple organizations. She has served as a member of the United Way’s GenNext Committee and she currently tutors disadvantaged primary students at the “On Your Mark” program through the Working Women’s Community Centre. In addition, Teresa has recently joined the Board of Directors at the Dovercourt Boys and Girls Club where she is involved in fund development, the development of the strategic plan for this vibrant community organization and is engaged in strengthening Board governance practices and policies.

Teresa Marques will be honoured at the Fundraising Day Luncheon, Wednesday, June 6, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building. To order tickets to attend, contact Cynthia Quigley at the AFP Greater Toronto Chapter at 416-941-9212, or cquigley@afptoronto.org