Our family is growing – New EIR joins Capacity Canada!

Acknowledged for his leadership in the area of charitable accountability, Rob Donelson has joined Capacity Canada as its new Executive-In-Residence. Most recently, Rob served as Executive Director of Advancement at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. Before this, he was Executive Director, Development & Alumni Relations at University College Cork in Ireland and Vice-President, Development & Alumni Relations at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Canada. He has also led multi-million-dollar campaigns with two hospital foundations. His experience in all aspects of the donor cycle is extensive.

Rob led the first registered charity in Canada to earn the Ethical Fundraising License and the first university to earn the Standards Accreditation Trustmark from Imagine Canada. He has been invited to speak at several noteworthy national and international conferences of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners, the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (CCAE), and the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy. He has also served on the Board of the CCAE. He was named the Outstanding Fundraising Professional by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Golden Horseshoe Chapter, and received the Mission Legacy Award of the St. Joseph’s Health System.

Rob has a keen interest in international development and was part of a community development project in Nicaragua and served on a national fundraising committee of a Canadian international development agency. He also led Wilfrid Laurier University’s response to the Syrian refugee crisis in the sponsorship of three families. Rob is an avid runner having completed five marathons, including the Boston Marathon.

Rob brings 41 years of extensive experience to Capacity Canada, and we are thrilled to have him join our family.