Fundraising Culture from the Inside Out an Interview with ED Ainsley Chapman

2025-11-27

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Fundraising isn't just about telling your story and making the ask – it's a deeply collaborative process that starts inside your organization. In this episode, we're joined by Ainsley Chapman, Executive Director of Evangel Hall Mission, a downtown Toronto mission providing services for people experiencing homelessness. With over 20 years in the sector, Ainsley shares how she went from avoiding fundraising entirely to confidently leading an organization that raises $1.3-$1.5M in philanthropy each year. We cover: How to bridge the gap between fundraising, finance and program teams by building trust, understanding shared values, and creating genuine internal partnerships What authentic, reciprocal donor relationships actually look like

Fundraising isn't just about telling your story and making the ask – it's a deeply collaborative process that starts inside your organization.

In this episode, we're joined by Ainsley Chapman, Executive Director of Evangel Hall Mission, a downtown Toronto mission providing services for people experiencing homelessness. With over 20 years in the sector, Ainsley shares how she went from avoiding fundraising entirely to confidently leading an organization that raises $1.3-$1.5M in philanthropy each year. We cover:

How to bridge the gap between fundraising, finance and program teams by building trust, understanding shared values, and creating genuine internal partnerships

What authentic, reciprocal donor relationships actually look like

Why fundraising training demystifies development work and gives nonprofit leaders confidence to lead fundraising initiatives, redirect board energy, and hire the right people

Creating a fundraising culture across your organization through clear policies and procedures, cross-departmental collaboration, and helping every team member understand the "why" behind their work

If you're a nonprofit leader who feels intimidated by fundraising, struggling with siloed departments, or looking to build more authentic partnerships with your donors, this episode offers practical insights on transforming your approach from transactional to relational and creating an organizational ecosystem where fundraising, finance, and programming truly work together.

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