Blog Posts

The Unexpected Gift of Gratitude: A Christmas Story from a Recruiter

The holiday season is a time for reflection, gratitude, and connection, both in our personal lives and in the professional world. And this year, I received a little reminder of just how meaningful small gestures can be. Out of the blue, someone in my network sent me a recommendation on LinkedIn. It wasn’t prompted by a request or a milestone. It wasn’t strategic or transactional. It was just… genu

December 22, 2025 Read more

7 Questions for a Changemaker with Vanessa Abaya

This time, we’re featuring Vanessa Abaya, Senior Vice-President, Philanthropy & Campaign at VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation. With decades of experience leading large-scale fundraising in health care, Vanessa brings clarity, conviction, and heart to her work. We asked her seven quick questions about leadership, philanthropy, and what drives meaningful change. 1. Who are you, and what do you a

December 17, 2025 Read more

F-Bombs in My Inbox: What Rude Emails Teach Us About Human Nature

Nothing brightens my inbox like an email sprinkled with creative profanity. Yes, the F-word, in all caps, used for maximum dramatic effect… and yes, I actually get those. Thankfully, it's rare, and most of the time, it’s when people think their message isn’t actually going to me. Usually, it’s unsubscribes and people claiming we signed them up when we never do without consent. (Thanks to our tech,

December 9, 2025 Read more

7 Questions for a Changemaker with Dr. Katherine Pui

Today, we’re spotlighting someone who truly bridges worlds: medicine, philanthropy, and system-level change. Dr. Katherine Pui is not only a practicing medical doctor, but she’s also a seasoned fundraising leader with a long track record of advancing healthcare innovation, research, and patient care. Her work connects clinicians, donors, and communities with purpose, translating complex medical pr

December 2, 2025 Read more

The Art of Job Searching When You’re Not in a Rush

Here’s some news: You’re in the best position to look for a job when you don’t actually need one. You likely already know this, but it’s worth emphasizing. Job hunting while unemployed or under pressure to find a job quickly can be extremely stressful, putting you at a disadvantage. You may find it harder to be selective and could feel pressured to accept any offer that comes your way, which can l

November 24, 2025 Read more

7 Questions for a Changemaker with Siobhan Aspinall

The next changemaker in my 7 Questions for a Changemaker series is my friend Siobhan Aspinall . A brilliant fundraiser, consultant, surfer (of course she is!!) , and, honestly, one of my favourite people to share a French dinner with. She also makes me laugh like few others can! Siobhan helps charities strengthen their fundraising programs and build confident, capable teams. With deep experience i

November 12, 2025 Read more

The Week I Let Go of Holding It All Together

When Life Stops You in Your Tracks I had one of the toughest weeks recently. The kind where everything suddenly stops, and all you can do is act and cope. It came right in the middle of a busy work week, and as if that wasn’t enough, several other urgent situations unfolded at the same time, including a personal loss. I had to cancel all social and work commitments. In our world of social media an

November 3, 2025 Read more

The Canadian Job Market Is Cooling. Here’s What That Means for Nonprofits and Job Seekers

You’ve probably noticed it: the Canadian job market is slowing down. In August 2025, the unemployment rate moved up to 7.1%, the highest it’s been in years, with the economy shedding 66,000 jobs that month ( Global News ). What Nonprofits Are Feeling Nonprofits like to think of themselves as “different” and often immune, but that’s not the case. Nonprofits are a huge part of Canada’s economy: they

October 20, 2025 Read more

7 Questions for a Changemaker with Denise Praill

I’ve been chatting with some incredible nonprofit leaders for my 7 Questions for a Changemaker series. Third up is Denise Praill, CEO of Canuck Place Children’s Hospice. Denise shares her journey, what drives her, and some insights every fundraiser should hear. Who are you, and what do you actually do? I’m Denise Praill. I’m a daughter, wife, and most importantly, a mom to two daughters. I am the

October 15, 2025 Read more

Ready to Take Your Career to the Next Level?

We’re thrilled to introduce Career Services for nonprofit and sector professionals! Whether you’re exploring your next move, refining your résumé, preparing for interviews, or planning your long-term career path. Phil'sJobs Career Services provides personalized guidance, honest feedback, and practical strategies to help you move forward with confidence. And if you ever just need to vent about anyt

October 7, 2025 Read more

Stop Putting People on the Spot!

I’ll admit it: I’ve been guilty of putting someone on the spot. And yes, it strained a relationship. Here’s what happened. An acquaintance mentioned that they wanted to connect with someone at an organization they were interested in. Without thinking it through, I jumped in: “Oh sure, I’ll introduce you.” I quickly fired off an email, copying my contact and the person in question. Within hours, I

September 23, 2025 Read more

Investing in Short-Term Leave: A Strategic Pillar in Employee Satisfaction

We are excited to feature this guest post, by Lacey Kempinski from https://balancedgood.com/ When we think about workplace wellbeing and equity, covering short-term leaves isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. But in an ever-changing economy that significantly impacts the nonprofit sector, short-term coverage can improve employee retention, organizational health, and employment equity. When em

September 15, 2025 Read more

7 Questions for a Changemaker with Erin Morantz

We’re excited to dive into our second edition of “7 Questions for a Changemaker” with our dear friend Erin Morantz , VP Advancement & Alumni Engagement at SFU. Erin has spent her career building meaningful philanthropic relationships and driving impact across the nonprofit and education sectors. An SFU alumna, she has held leadership roles in major giving, alumni engagement, and national nonpr

September 8, 2025 Read more

September Reset

Welcome back! Can you believe it’s September already? Summer is basically behind us, though Vancouver always gives us a beautiful September. I only managed one ocean swim this year, but I packed my calendar with Bard on the Beach, Theatre Under the Stars, Arts Club plays, and Opera, and Symphony in the Park. Summer was rich in experiences, even if it wasn’t full of beach days. Still, I never reall

September 1, 2025 Read more

7 Questions for a Changemaker with Rowena Veylan

We’re kicking off our first 7 Questions for a Changemaker with our dear friend Rowena Veylan , founder of the New School of Fundraising . Rowena has spent over two decades in the sector and is now building a space where fundraisers can learn, grow, and challenge the old ways of doing things. She’s thoughtful, values-driven, and one of the most generous people you’ll meet, exactly the kind of chang

August 26, 2025 Read more