Announcing AFP’s 2017 Outstanding New Fundraising Professional Award – Sasha Manes
The Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Toronto Chapter is pleased to announce that Sasha Manes, Manager of Major Gifts and Stewardship at YWCA Toronto, has been named the 2017 recipient of the Outstanding New Fundraising Professional Award.
It has been said of Sasha that she epitomizes what is so wonderful about Generation Y fundraisers. She excels at team work, embraces technology and is completely open to change. She is deeply mission-driven and recognized at an early age that she could help the greatest number of people by choosing fundraising as a profession.
Sasha first joined YWCA Toronto in 2007 in a junior role within their women and children’s shelters. After leaving the Association to pursue a Master’s Degree in Community Development, Sasha returned to YWCA Toronto in a fundraising position and was selected by her CEO to represent the Philanthropy Department at the National YMCA/YWCA Conference in Edmonton. By the following year, she was named the lead in securing $1.3 million– which enabled YWCA Toronto to hit an all-time high in the philanthropic operating revenues for the charity.
Under Sasha’s leadership as Manager of Events, Sponsorship and Volunteers, the Women of Distinction Awards, YWCA Toronto’s largest fundraiser responsible for one third of the Philanthropy Department’s annual revenue, has been completely re-invented attracting a younger demographic and the future leaders of the sector. Sasha’s hard work and dedication has renewed the vitality of the event and made it hugely successful, growing total revenues by 25% and increasing corporate sponsorship by 47% from 2013. With no marketing budget, Sasha relied on her creativity and resourcefulness to leverage in-kind support from advertisers and media – Globe and Mail, CBC Toronto, BlogTO, CP24, TTC AdStop, and the Toronto Star to promote this event. From 2014-2016, the last year Sasha was in this role, she maintained a 55% growth in her corporate sponsorship revenue targets, 155% increase over three years. Sasha’s fundraising impact goes above and beyond the event as many attendees have become monthly and major gift donors, including a $1 million donation from an attendee just days after the event, the largest donation in YWCA Toronto’s operating history. Because of her innovative thinking and creative fundraising, this event continues to sell out and welcomes 1200 guests and volunteers every year.
As part of the management team in the Philanthropy Department, Sasha helps to steer the direction of the strategic planning and, as of the beginning of this year, has been appointed to the newly created position of Manager of Major Gifts and Stewardship. This is first time in YWCA Toronto history that the Association will have a position dedicated to the major gifts portfolio. She is now excitedly working towards the YWCA Toronto Philanthropy Department’s strategic goal of doubling their annual revenue over the next five years.
Sasha currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Rwanda Survivors Foundation, the first Canadian human rights education non-profit to focus specifically on Rwanda. In addition to assisting the Foundation in their fundraising efforts, she is dedicated to advancing and disseminating knowledge about Genocide. She also sits on a fundraising committee for Heritage Toronto. Prior to these current volunteer positions, Sasha was a long-term fundraising volunteer with the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic, where she helped coordinate general fundraising efforts, as well as their largest annual fundraising event for 4 consecutive years.
Sasha appreciates that she spends her days talking to, and listening to, donors who are devoted to making our city, and the world, a place where women and children can thrive. Ultimately, she is deeply proud that, through her work in fundraising, she has the opportunity to connect the good someone wants to do, with the good that needs to be done. Sasha is deeply grateful for the path she has chosen.
Background
Established in 2001, the AFP Greater Toronto Chapter New Fundraising Professional Award recognizes a full-time fundraising professional who has displayed exceptional talent and demonstrated outstanding achievement early in his/her career. The recipient has between two and five years of experience in fundraising and is selected through submissions from Chapter members. The award encompasses career achievements, long and short term career objectives, personal volunteer service and a commitment to the profession.
About AFP
AFP Greater Toronto Chapter is a recognised leader in promoting philanthropy and providing education, training and best practices for those in the fundraising profession. With more than 1200 members, the Greater Toronto Chapter is the largest of the more than 244 AFP chapters throughout the world.
Contact
Cynthia Quigley
Director, AFP Greater Toronto Chapter
Tel: 416-941-9212
Email: cquigley@afptoronto.org
New Fundraising Professional Award Sponsor
Sasha will be honoured with her award at the Fundraising Day Luncheon. Join us on June 8th to celebrate Sasha’s achievement, attending awesome professional development and education sessions, and network with your fellow fundraisers. Register today!
