Linda Sumbo and Titilayo Adedeji receive “MPNL Award for Black Emerging Fundraising Professionals”

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.

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.

Titilayo Adedeji

Titilayo is a Biochemistry graduate with both a BSc and an MSc and has embarked on an academic and professional journey fuelled by a dedication to humanitarian causes. She founded The Corinth’s Humanitarian Foundation in 2017, and has spearheaded eight annual impactful community outreach projects in West Nigeria.

Titilayo is pursuing an MPNL degree to master nonprofit management and fundraising, and aims to leverage this multidisciplinary curriculum to deepen her understanding and practical skills in the field.

She currently works within the newcomers support department at an NGO in Canada, and volunteers with the Canadian Red Cross. She’s worked in diverse roles in community engagement and organizing health and education initiatives. One of her goals is to expand her humanitarian efforts in Africa while also establishing a humanitarian cause in Canada, her second home.

Titilayo is a humanitarian entrepreneur, biochemist, educator, mother and wife who wants to make meaningful contributions to communities in need.

Holly Bair-Marshall received the award in 2021 and is part of the Black Canadian Fundraisers’ Collective today

“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 — and click here for information about how to donate to this award.

Banner photo is courtesy of Jamshed Khedri.

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Sunday, November 24, 2024 in General
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