Award recipients past and present gathered yesterday at the Rogers Centre Ottawa to mark the 30th anniversary of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Philanthropy Awards (fondly known as the Phils), formally recognizing the contributions of many of the city’s philanthropic leaders.
Among those in the 400-person crowd were as many as 45 previous award-winners, some travelling all the way from Vancouver to mark the occasion.
Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe was one of those previous award recipients. During his opening remarks, the mayor said: “I want you to stop and think about where our community would be were it not for not for all the amazing things the people in this room have done over many, many years.”
In an interview with OBJ Social, Derek deLouché, chair of the Phils and senior development officer at Carleton University, said he was “so excited to see the organizations that have come together to celebrate philanthropy in Ottawa, and be part of tonight.”
Award sponsors included organizations such as Welch LLP, the University of Ottawa, CLV Group, and many more.
During the main award ceremony, hosted by Sam Laprade of Rogers TV’s An Hour To Give, six awards were handed out:
Outstanding Corporate Philanthropist: Gabriel Pizza
Outstanding Philanthropic Group: Goodwill Ambassadors
Outstanding Individual Philanthropist: Taggart Parkes Family
Outstanding Fundraising Professional: Jacqueline Belsito
Outstanding Small Business Philanthropist: Cushman & Wakefield Ottawa
Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser: Paul LaBarge
LaBarge was nominated by the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation. A founding partner of LaBarge Weinstein, LaBarge served as chair of the institute, where he launched a fundraising campaign for a new tower and surgical suites. In addition, LaBarge spearheaded the establishment of the institute’s Speak-LaBarge Endowed Chair in Cardiac Nursing.
“You can’t turn over a rock in this town and not find somebody who (hasn’t) been touched in some way by the heart institute,” LaBarge said, adding that fundraising for the institute is “easy.”
“It's the staff that is so supportive — it's the nurses, it's the doctors, it's the researchers. I just happen to be the guy out front asking for money.”
With more than 30 years of fundraising experience, Belsito was nominated by the Boys and Girls Club Ottawa. Currently the president of the Senators Community Foundation, Belsito spent a decade at the CHEO Foundation, raising millions of dollars for the purchase of new equipment, medical research and family support programs.
“That’s the impact that fundraisers have (in the community),” Belsito said. “Just to be able to have an award that acknowledges the profession and gives it some legitimacy is really quite special.”
The evening’s welcome reception was sponsored by United Way East Ontario and, in a surprise twist, the organization awarded a Community Builder award to an “unsuspecting but very deserving attendee,” as deLouché put it: Caroline Phillips, former OBJ Social columnist and photographer, who has spent years spotlighting thousands of charities and non-profits.
As part of the Kelly Funeral Homes annual drive for the Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation, all guests received a reusable gift bag that can be filled with essential items for community members in need.
“We're asking people to take the spirit of what they hear tonight, walk out of the room with those gift bags, fill them and return them, so that that spirit of giving takes that next step,” said deLouché.
LaBarge added: “Our community depends on volunteers, and it's what gives a community strength.”
