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 nonprofit initiatives, bringing her experience and insight back to her alma mater to support students, faculty, and the broader community.
- Who are you, and what do you actually do? I’m Erin Morantz, Vice President of Advancement and Alumni Engagement at SFU. My team oversees fundraising, alumni relations and ceremonies, events and protocols for the university. I live with my husband, two sons and a Nova Scotia Duck Toller in North Vancouver.
- What pulled you into the nonprofit world? I’m curious about people, and I like to fix problems. It may sound corny to say, but I want to make the world a better place for people.
- Tell me about a moment that made you think, “Yes. This is why I do this.” There are many, but one recent moment stands out. A few summers ago, I had the privilege of sitting front row at Convocation with a couple who had funded full-ride scholarships. As one of the students they supported crossed the stage to receive their degree, the donors beamed with pride—as if it were their own family member up there.
- What’s something about working in nonprofits most people don’t understand? Significant gifts take a long time to come to fruition. When you hear about a multi-million-dollar gift to an organization, there are years of work behind it, and not just on the part of the charity and its fundraisers, but on the part of the donors, too. Meetings, discussions, planning, and strategy all take place behind the scenes.
- What’s one thing you wish more fundraisers or hiring managers knew? It’s okay to show your personality. We all want to present a professional image, but the best fundraisers I know are the ones who approach their work as their authentic selves. Share a bit about your life with people, wear that quirky piece of jewelry, show a little of whatever it is that makes you - you.
- What’s a small, underrated habit that’s helped your career? I keep a running To Do list. It helps me ensure I don’t drop the ball on things, and it is so satisfying to cross things off.
- Finish this sentence: “The future of fundraising is…” Necessary.