WEBINAR
Arti Freeman • President & CEO at Definity Insurance Foundation
Agapi Gessesse • Executive Director, CEE Center for Young Black Professionals
Bruce MacDonald • President & CEO, Imagine Canada
Computers, insurance and salaries for administrative staff are some of the essential operating costs that create a well run organization and allow charities and nonprofits to offer high-quality programs and services to their communities. However, it can be hard to get funders and donors excited about covering these costs or to understand why they’re critical expenses.
Ensuring strong organizational infrastructure related to cybersecurity, data privacy, ethical use of AI, and more have also more recently raised the stakes as it relates to investments in core funding.
In this free webinar, join Arti Freeman, President & CEO at Definity Insurance Foundation and Agapi Gessesse, Executive Director at CEE Center for Young Black Professionals for a panel discussion moderated by Bruce MacDonald, President & CEO of Imagine Canada. This session will focus on a practical conversation about how you can talk to your funders and donors about the importance of core operating funding. The conversation will cover topics including:
- Concrete tips for approaching funders about covering core operating costs
- Challenges organizations of all sizes are having with securing core funding and how to shift the narrative
- Practical ways to address concerns funders may have about covering core operating costs
- How to build a trusting relationship with funders that allows you to ask for what your organization needs
About the Speakers
Arti Freeman
Arti Freeman President and CEO of Definity Insurance Foundation, a national philanthropic organization that works with charitable partners across Canada to address barriers to good health, socio-economic opportunity, and climate-related challenges by supporting solutions that focus on the roots and impacts of inequalities. Arti has over 20 years’ experience in the philanthropic and nonprofit sector. Her ability to lead and bring diverse players and sectors together to address systemic challenges speaks to her passion of driving positive social change. Her innovative approaches to high-impact philanthropy have been featured by The Philanthropist and the Grantmakers for Effective Organizations. Arti has lived and worked in several countries, including India, the Philippines, Belgium. South Africa, and ultimately made her home in Canada.
Agapi Gessesse
Agapi Gessesse, as Executive Director of CEE Center for Young Black Professionals, is dedicated to empowering marginalized youth and advocating for their rights. Leading initiatives for economic mobility in Canada, she brings strategic vision and tireless dedication to her work. Recognized as a sought-after voice on diversity and leadership, Agapi believes in the transformative power of continuous investment and empowerment in marginalized communities for genuine social change.
Bruce MacDonald
Bruce MacDonald is the President & CEO of Imagine Canada. When carnivals and social good combined, it pointed to a path and for 30 years Bruce has been walking that route. From working for organizations that provide services to young people, older adults, persons with disabilities, community service clubs and sports and recreation groups, Bruce’s experiences have led him to Imagine Canada. Prior to that, he was the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada where he participated in a collective effort to bring mentoring programs to kids. Bruce holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Sports Administration from Laurentian University, a Masters in Management in the Voluntary Sector from McGill University and a former record in the Guinness Book of World Records. From 2019-2023, Bruce served as Co-Chair of the Permanent Advisory Committee on the Charitable Sector working with the federal government.
This webinar is presented in partnership with Keela and Imagine Canada’s Grant Connect.
