As national organizations deeply embedded in the fundraising community, the Canadian Association of Gift Planners (CAGP) and the CAGP Foundation have been observing and reflecting on incidents that recently emerged regarding the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Toronto Chapter (AFP GTC), and considering how best to productively weigh in on these matters.

We stand firm and join others in expressing disapproval and concern about troubling experiences of racism and discrimination faced by Nneka Allen, Mide Akerewusi and Múthoní Karíukí as outlined in Ms. Allen’s powerful narrative, Us and Them, What It Means to Really Belong, as well as the further harm they endured as a result of subsequent efforts that were insufficient in providing redress on those incidents.

The recent statement from Birgit Smith Burton, AFP Global Board Chair, announcing the appointment of Mide Akerewusi as interim president of AFP GTC is an important step in propelling forward with restitution and resolution. We offer our congratulations to Mr. Akerewusi, and our support to him, AFP GTC and AFP Global in their next steps to address racism and other forms of oppression that have been bravely brought to light.

We strongly believe that the work to repair and move forward is not the responsibility of people of colour or others who have experienced discrimination, but rather rests with those who have benefitted from entrenched systems of social injustice.

To be clear, we say this with humility and without insinuation that our own CAGP community is immune to occurrences of racism, bias or other forms of oppression. As an organization with a 30-year history, we have existed and continue to exist in a social construct of white dominance and white supremacy; it would be naïve and imprudent to suggest that we have somehow circumvented its manifestation in our culture and operations. For example, we are open in sharing that a recent member survey, which included lines of inquiry as to cultural heritage, gender identity and sexual orientation, elicited anonymous comments that could be construed as homo-/transphobic or, at best, heteronormative. Disappointing, but we recognize that reality as a clear indication that more explicit values and stronger policies are needed to ensure a safe space for our members.

While CAGP stands against all forms of discrimination and oppression, and states unequivocally that instances of such will not be tolerated, we believe that this moment also provides an opportunity to learn and grow. When we make mistakes or an issue of this nature is brought to our attention, we promise to trust those who were harmed, take ownership and action towards meaningful change and offer a pathway to healing.

For our CAGP community, we commit to continuing our work to achieve greater equity and inclusion, to examining our policies, programs and practices through that lens, to its integration in setting our strategic priorities for the coming years, and to doing so with authenticity, transparency and accountability.

This is a pivotal time for our sector. As we struggle to ensure philanthropy can be the powerful path to justice and equity that we know it can, we must ensure we are not cultivating a social contradiction by upholding internal systems and practices that allow denigrating lived experiences of our colleagues to go unaddressed.

Geoff C. Graham, Chair of the Board, CAGP

Jill Nelson, Chair of the Board, CAGP Foundation         

Ruth MacKenzie, President & CEO / Executive Director, CAGP / CAGP Foundation