2009 Award Recipient Profiles

Recipients of the 2009 AFP Greater Toronto Chapter Philanthropy Awards

Outstanding Philanthropists - Joseph and Sandra Rotman

Joseph and Sandra Rotman are the founding philanthropists of the Rotman School at the University of Toronto. As a result of the Rotman’s leadership and financial contributions of $36 million since 1993, the Faculty of Management at the University of Toronto has been transformed into an internationally recognized institution of business education. The Rotman’s distinguished philanthropic record as supporters of numerous higher education, health and arts organisations demonstrates their deep commitment to community involvement and volunteerism. As Canada’s leading philanthropists, the Rotmans provide ongoing leadership and financial support to many institutions and organisations of social and cultural importance. 

Outstanding Volunteer - John Hunkin

In his years of involvement with St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and York University, John Hunkin’s record of volunteerism combines personal generosity with a magnificent ability to inspire and motivate others to give.  Mr. Hunkin is passionate about the importance of philanthropy, and the role of corporate and community leaders in teaching young Canadians to give back through gifts of time and resources. Engaging and committed to building an organizational culture that attracts and supports staff, volunteers and donors, John Hunkin has built a legacy of true philanthropic leadership, powered by both passion and business sense.

Outstanding Corporation - CIBC

The scope of CIBC’s community investment program truly spans the country from coast to coast to coast, including support for more than 2,500 organizations.  In 2008, CIBC committed more than $27 million in Canadian charitable and non-profit initiatives.  With a strategic focus on youth, education and health, CIBC demonstrates its commitment to philanthropy and its leadership as an outstanding organization dedicated to making a difference for all Canadians. CIBC’s exceptional commitment to providing ongoing support to causes that matter to its clients, employees and communities has enabled it to contribute to the success of many charitable organizations. 

Outstanding Foundation - The Counselling Foundation of Canada

The CFC is a private family-based charitable foundation, which supports the creation and delivery of career counselling and personal development programs for the benefit of people, practitioners and communities.  The Foundation has granted close to $60 million to a variety of social service agencies, schools, universities and other not-for-profit organizations, such as Pathways to Education, YMCA of Greater Toronto, the Canadian Education and Research Institute for Counselling, and Eva’s Initiatives for Homeless Youth Toronto. The Foundation has become a recognized leader in developing innovative pilot projects and building partnerships designed to encourage others to take leadership in their communities.

Outstanding Fundraising Professional - Shawn St. Michael

Shawn St. Michael is the Executive Director, Marketing and Development at the Art Gallery of Ontario, where she has been a lead fundraiser for 15 years. Under her leadership in 2008, the Transformation AGO campaign achieved approximately $306 million and is heralded as the most successful cultural campaign in Canadian history. A consummate and highly regarded professional, Ms. St. Michael has built a stellar reputation with staff, volunteers, and donors at the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Stratford Festival, where she was a fundraiser for 7 years. Her outstanding fundraising achievements are built on a disciplined approach to development, openness to collaboration and remarkable creativity.

Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy - Bilaal Rajan

Bilaal became involved in philanthropy when he was only 4 years old. Determined to do something to help the 2001 earthquake victims in India, he managed to raise $350 by going door-to-door selling oranges. At the age of 7, Bilaal founded www.bilaalrajan.com, an organisation created to raise millions of dollars to help kids in need all over the world.  In 2005 UNICEF named Bilaal Canada children’s ambassador. In 2008, he wrote and published a book called Making Change: Tips from an Underage Overachiever, which focuses on teaching young people how to make a positive difference in the world.  As Bilaal likes to say: “Together, we CAN make a difference”.

Small Organization for Excellence in Fundraising Co-Recipient - Station Gallery

The Station Gallery is a cultural leader and has been an integral player in the art sector in the Durham Region since the late 1970s.  In the past three years, the Station Gallery has transformed its organisational and fundraising structure, so as to successfully manage the fine balance of art and business. The gallery was able to triple its membership, develop a strong volunteer program, double its event revenue, generate $50,000 in the first year of its new corporate strategy, and extend its reach of influence and leadership beyond the gallery walls by establishing partnerships with over 20 community organisations.

Small Organization for Excellence in Fundraising Co-Recipient - The Redwood

Since 1993, the Redwood has provided crucial emotional, social and practical support to help thousands of families get their lives back on track after escaping violence. It is one of the only organizations in the Violence Against Women sector in the GTA to successfully use volunteer cabinet to raise major gifts on an on-going basis to support the delivery of core services.  Overcoming numerous challenges associated with its small size and little name recognition, the Redwood has achieved a steady increase in annual fundraising revenue of at least 20% in the past four years and has successfully developed a strong, balanced and diversified fundraising program.