Mary Madzongwe, M.A.

How have philanthropy and volunteering inspired the Black community?

Human solidarity practices are part and parcel of the Black communities’ social fabric. In Zimbabwe, we have qoqelela, which means community action for the good of the whole. The action comes in different forms:  material, physical or manual support, knowledge, moral or emotional support. Translated, this involves money, time and skills – similar to the western concepts of philanthropy and volunteerism.

In The Poor Philanthropist – How and Why the Poor Help Each Other, Susan Wilkinson-Maposa presents the concept of “horizontal philanthropy” whereby, “help between poor people is widespread, deeply embedded, morally grounded and operates as a vital element for both survival and progress.” The help is among families, friends, neighbors and the community at large.

I grew up in such an environment in which “philanthropy” and “volunteerism” were simply a moral obligation. Here in the Diaspora, the qoqelela tradition continues to be passed on to our children.

How do you cultivate diversity in fundraising?  

Philanthropy and Fund Development are not well known professions in diverse communities. And yet, many individuals from these communities share my dilemma that I carried for years - the desire to make a difference but a lack of personal financial capacity.

Right now the profession lacks enough role models to inspire non-Caucasian prospects. Naturally, people are drawn to those like them, and there aren’t many of us to draw the young to the fundraising profession. Through formal and informal channels, I plan to influence future fundraising professionals of diverse backgrounds.

As a fundraiser, my strategic plan integrates appropriate strategies to raise funds and to bring “organized” philanthropic awareness to diverse communities in Ontario. A respectful approach and understanding of the diverse histories, traditions and giving motivations of the communities is core to the successful implementation of the plan.

Who is your most favorite figure in the Black community? 

Dr. Dambisa Moyo, a black African economist who authored Dead Aid – Why Aid is Not Working and How There is a Better Way for Africa. Dambisa says she has a “personal quest” to establish sustainable solution to African economic woes. Dambisa fueled my ambition to make a significant difference in the lives of millions entangled in poverty in Africa.

Has working in one of the most diverse cities in the world affected your professional or personal outlook? 

Having lived in the Midwest, Indiana I expected the ultimate cultural diversity

experience both professionally and socially when I relocated to Toronto. Socially, it

was over the top. Professionally, the limited race diversity among the AFP Congress

delegates baffled me. Lack of diversity in the fundraising profession presents both 

challenges and opportunities. With the recent constitution of a Diversity Committee,

the AFP Toronto Chapter is on board. As change agents, fundraisers are challenged

to keep up with the fast-moving population changes in Ontario.

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Mary Madzongwe was born and raised in Harare, Zimbabwe. She spent ten years in the US, before relocating to Canada in 2007. In  her current role of Director of Philanthropy, Ontario at Opportunity International Canada, Mary works to unleash the entrepreneurial capacity of the developing world through microfinance.

Mary holds a B. Sc. degree in Corporate Communications from the University of Indianapolis (2002) and a M.A. in Philanthropic Studies from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) Center on Philanthropy (2004).

Previously, Mary was the Grants Coordinator for Martin University, a private institution in Indiana, that predominantly serves economically marginalized African-Americans. In 2008 - 2009 she was Senior Development Officer responsible for major gifts fundraising at the York University Foundation. 

Mary’s new role with Opportunity International has been a “homecoming” of sorts - it has allowed her to reconnect to her roots in Africa and work with Canadian partners to help make global poverty history.