In 2024, Linda Sumbo and Titilayo Adedeji receive the MPNL Award for Black Emerging Fundraising Professionals. In partnership with Carleton University, the Black Canadian Fundraisers’ Collective offers this Award to Black students in the Master of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership program. “If you’re looking to make an actual, meaningful difference in someone’s life, this Award is a really good way to do that,” says Holly Bair-Marshall, a graduate of the MPNL program who received the Award in 2021 and continues to be part of the Collective today.
“Congratulations to both Titilayo and Linda,” says Anil Varughese, Graduate Supervisor of the MPNL program. “Your achievements and aspirations are inspiring, and I hope the Award contributes to your future successes in the philanthropic and nonprofit sector. And thank you to the Black Canadian Fundraisers’ Collective for offering this award, which cultivates leadership and a more inclusive, innovative sector.”
Titilayo Adedeji
Titilayo Adedeji
“Receiving the Award is a deeply meaningful affirmation and recognition of my journey as a Black professional in the nonprofit sector,” Titilayo says. “It provides valuable support for my studies and inspires me to continue striving for excellence in all I do. It’s also a great source of motivation to deepen my impact. A significant portion of the Award will directly support Empowering Local Innovators (ELI), my latest initiative in West Africa, Nigeria, focused on fostering sustainable development in underserved communities.”
With the initiative and support of alumna Muthoni Kariuki and members of the Black Canadian
Fundraisers’ Collective, the Award was established in 2020 to promote Black leadership within the philanthropic and nonprofit sector and to make professional education more equitable and inclusive.
“The MPNL program is fulfilling everything I hoped it would,” Titilayo says. “It’s shaping my professional growth and transforming the way I approach philanthropy and nonprofit leadership. Every day, I gain fresh insights from its engaging curriculum, live sessions with industry experts, and opportunities to connect and learn alongside my amazing peers. The process of learning, unlearning, and relearning has been eye-opening and empowering. By strengthening my skills in policy, leadership, impact measurement and financing, this program is preparing me to work toward eradicating systemic barriers, elevating marginalized voices, and leading meaningful, inclusive change in the nonprofit sector.”
Linda Sumbo
Linda Sumbo
Linda grew up in a rural community in northern Ghana, where she witnessed the transformative role of nonprofits in providing resources to underserved communities. These initiatives inspired her to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector, dedicated to creating opportunities that empower others.
After earning her bachelor’s degree, Linda worked with CARE International and World Vision for over six years, leading initiatives in health, nutrition, sanitation, and the well-being of women and children. Since immigrating to Canada, she has continued her commitment to community service by volunteering with various organizations to help newcomers integrate into Canadian society. Linda is advancing her expertise through the MPNL program, honing her skills in grantmaking and fundraising to drive social impact and sustainability.
As an emerging Black fundraising professional, she’s dedicated to promoting equity and inclusivity within the nonprofit sector. She sees herself as a changemaker, committed to advocating for collaborative, community-centred approaches that empower underserved populations and maximize the impact of donor dollars. Drawing on her journey from rural Ghana to becoming a nonprofit professional, Linda offers a unique perspective on the importance of community empowerment and collaboration. She’s passionate about transforming traditional provider-recipient dynamics by fostering partnerships that prioritize local insights and expertise.
Holly Bair-Marshall received the Award in 2021 and is part of the Black Canadian Fundraisers’ Collective today
Holly Bair-Marshall
“What inspiring students this year,” says Holly Bair-Marshall, was impacted by both the Award and the network of Black fundraisers that accompanies it. “Funds and scholarships are a great way to actually move the needle, but more than just the financial aspect, you’re helping support networks, which is really important.”
She says winning the Award has also garnered recognition in her professional life. “As a Black woman, every little bit helps,” she says.
Holly encourages donors of all backgrounds to participate because, “we’ve all come to understand and realize the value of having diverse voices at the table.” She says it’s no longer a question of ‘how do we do it,’ because this Award presents a simple answer.”
Please visit PANL Perspectives for stories about last year’s recipient and past recipients of the MPNL Award for Black Emerging Fundraising Professionals.
Click here to donate to this award to support future MPNL students.
Banner photo is courtesy of Jamshed Khedri.
Wednesday, November 27, 2024 in Awards, News
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