Dolores Larrier, CFRE

Do you have any memories of what black history meant to you as a kid, growing up in Toronto?

During my high school years, Harbourfront Centre would hold black cultural events during Black History Month.  It was always an exciting excursion to the city from the suburbs with my friends to attend as many events as we could.  There didn’t seem to be a voice for black history in the suburbs at the time, and we always found the activities at the Harbourfront so eye opening and meaningful.  One especially memorable event was a candlelight vigil that was held for Martin Luther King, Jr.

Americans have just elected their 1^st African American president – what do you feel will be his impact on North American society?

Only time will tell what President Obama ‘s true impact will be; however, his ascension alone to this Office is monumental to people of African or any non-Caucasian descent, for  that matter.  As children we are often told, we can be what we want to be, as long as we educate ourselves and work hard.  For some black children, due to their circumstances that parental advice seems like a myth.  To see someone of President Obama’s humble beginnings rise to his current status is incredible and like many, I never thought I would see it during my lifetime.  For his inauguration, I took the day off and spent the entire day engrossed in the ceremonies.  I ached to be among the thousands standing in the cold in Washington to see him be officially sworn in.  Watching those ceremonies, I truly felt for the first time that as person of colour you can achieve whatever you desire. 

What do you enjoy most about your experience as a fundraiser?

The incredible people I have met.  As a representative for charitable organizations, I have had the opportunity to meet and converse with some extraordinary individuals, most of whom I would not have necessarily met, if I was in another profession.  Some of those individuals have become friends over the years and even though their stations in life are different from mine, we have found common ground in being just people who passionately support a great cause. 

What’s the best career advice you ever received?

For individual giving, it sounds simple but “get to know your donor.”  It is important to truly get a sense of what is happening in your donors’ lives.   Don’t be afraid to ask deeper questions and listen to the answers.  Sometimes as fundraisers, we are so anxious to fully present our organization’s case that we miss the subtle cues that come from casual and personal conversation.  Knowing your donor and being sensitive to what is happening in their lives helps to build the relationship so that  the ask is appropriate and relevant. 

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Dolores Larrier has over 18 years of experience within the not-for-profit sector.  In her current role as Campaign Director, at Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation, she is the strategic fundraising lead for the portfolios of Surgical Innovation, Asthma and Lung Disease and Family and Community Medicine. 

From 1991 to 2006 she worked at Sick Kids Foundation in major gifts, planned giving and corporate partnerships. Dolores also served as Vice President, Resource Development for Junior Achievement of Central Ontario.  She was board member of the AFP Greater Toronto Chapter from 2005 to 2007 and served as Philanthropy Awards Luncheon Chair in 2006. 

Dolores holds a Bachelor of Arts from University of Toronto and was accredited with the CFRE designation in 1998.   She currently volunteers on the Public Relations, Fundraising and Finance Committee for PLASP Child Care Services and as Vice-President of the Board for Catholic Settlement House Day Nursery.