2019 #NPDYYC AFP Calgary Area Chapter Outstanding Fundraising Professional Lorie Abernethy, MA, CFRE
Channel: AFP Calgary
Date: 19/12/2019

Nominated by: Nancy Scott, Autism Asperger’s Friendship Society of Calgary (https://aafscalgary.wildapricot.org/)

Lorie’s fund development career began in 1982 in Southern Ontario with the Shaw Festival Theatre where she was inspired by the leadership of their Artistic Director, Christopher Newton. In 1999 Lorie brought her passion for theatre and fundraising to Calgary where she joined the local AFP Chapter and also became the Director of Development with the “Calgary Centre for the Performing Arts” which was soon renamed the EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts.

Another passion for Lorie is education; she believes that this has the greatest power to bring about significant changes in people and the path they take. This passion led her to take several fundraising roles in higher learning institutions such as University of Calgary, Education Matters, SAIT Polytechnic and University of Alberta where she worked on many different projects that raised millions of dollars to change people’s lives. As it pertains to her own education and professional development, Lorie has a voracious appetite achieving her Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) designation and earning her Master of Arts Degree in Philanthropy and Development from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

Leadership, philanthropy and faith are three areas that are closely intertwined and play a huge role in Lorie’s life. In keeping with her faith, Lorie gives Mitzvah’s (moral deeds performed within a religious duty or simply gifts of various sorts) in many ways to help make the world a better place. As a member of AFP Calgary & Area Chapter she lives by the AFP Code of Ethical Standards and The Donor Bill of Rights that ensure your gifts are used as you intend. Lorie has held many different roles within the Chapter including Co-chair of National Philanthropy Day® in 2011 and two different terms as Past Chapter President, a role that she currently holds, takes seriously and excels at.

In 2007, Lorie received the Woman of Valour Award for her dedication and support to the Sisterhood of Calgary Beth Tzedec, was part of the SAIT Polytechnic team who received the AFP Campbell & Company Award for Excellence in Fundraising and is now being recognized by her peers as our Outstanding Fundraising Professional.

Produced for the AFP Calgary & Area Chapter’s Professional Awards as part of the 2019 National Philanthropy Day® Celebrations in Calgary https://community.afpnet.org/afpcalgaryareachapter/home 
Film Maker – Philip Spink, Glorious Features Inc.
Producers – Philip Spink & Wayne Steer
Executive Producer – Wayne Steer