WE ARE
FUNDRAISING DIRECT

25 years of experience with a track record in innovation and results

At Fundraising Direct we are passionate about innovation and creativity. We deliver fundraising solutions that drive progress and change and support the mission of our clients, the leading not-for-profit organizations and charities in Canada.

We believe in a donor-centric approach and put the supporter relationship at the centre of everything we do. Your mission, data, and supporter insights drive the execution across all channels, including out of home, digital, direct mail, and telephone.

We can transform your fundraising program. Contact us today.

Mission

To deliver creative solutions that exceed our clients’ expectations and fundraising goals

Vision

A community of prosperous and progressive not-for-profit organizations achieving success

Values

  • To lead the market in direct response
  • To influence social change
  • To inspire and nurture excellence
  • To deliver value through efficiency

The people that make it happen

Karl Holweger
Owner & Founder

+ About Karl

After 25 years of creating fundraising programs for UK charities and running one of the UK’s largest fundraising agencies, Karl decided to move to a place with less rain, proper mountains, and a progressive government. Apart from helping clients to come up with great fundraising strategies, his main role is as the agency’s coffee-boy. When not busy running the agency Karl can be found on any type of board. (snow, kite, or long)

Graeme Binning
CEO

+ About Graeme

With a track record in running operations in four different countries and the inaugural employee at Fundraising Direct, Graeme has a hand in everything that goes on at the agency. A strong director and dedicated fundraiser with many years of experience, he ensures that the agency runs smoothly and that nothing gets in the way of supporting our clients and their causes. Graeme’s dog Bernadette is a frequent visitor to the office.

Ada Nazzari
Head of Creative

+ About Ada

After spending over 18 years in the consumer products and retail sectors, first riding ATVs and watercraft, and most recently dabbling in diamonds and the world of luxury jewellery, Ada joined FD as Head of Creative. She’s passionate about brand strategy and digging into consumer insights and is using her marketing skills to help drive social change. When she’s not devising brand strategy, you’ll find her in the kitchen living out her second passion: baking.

Sarah Wise
Operations Director

+ About Sarah

Sarah has over twenty years experience in the fundraising industry and a passion for human rights. With a degree in Law and a post-graduate Legal Masters in ‘International Development Law & Human Rights’, Sarah combines her knowledge and experience to raise funds for humanitarian causes and beyond! Sarah loves to read and workout in her spare time, as well as spend time working on the garden.

Shannon Timmins
Senior Account Manager

+ About Shannon

With a background in economics and international development, Shannon brings a solution-oriented approach to fundraising. She is the office mathlete and is passionate about finding data-driven strategies to optimize fundraising programs and enact positive change. When she’s not working, you can usually find Shannon baking an extravagant cake while drinking her 7th coffee of the day.

Samantha Gatto
Account Manager

+ About Samantha

After completing a double major in Psychology and Biology, Samantha was eager to forge a path that would allow her to utilize her communication and critical thinking skills to make a social impact. Over the years, she gained experience in project management and account management in numerous sectors and has returned to philanthropy to exercise her skills as she believes it is the most purposeful line of work. When she is not working, you can find her exploring the outdoors with her dog, camping near the ocean, or playing sports. 

Chelsea Avendano
Account Manager

+ About Chelsea

Chelsea ventured into the world of fundraising over ten years ago, and has continued on her path within non-profit sector ever since. After working with dozens of local and international organizations, both in Canada and in the UK, she has had the opportunity to work in the face-to-face industry, as well as tele-marketing and project management, and has brought across those skills to our team here at FD as an Account Manager.

With a passion for donor engagement and rapport building techniques, Chelsea brings a wealth of experience into her team’s fundraising materials and a commitment to connect with each organization’s unique audience.

When she’s not revising a script or battling with her Google meet account, you can find Chelsea at home with a good book, or hiking along one of Nova Scotia’s many trails with her family and their puppy Luna.

Shilp Pandya
Account Manager

+ About Shilp

With a background in Engineering and Operations, Shilp decided to transfer his problem-solving skills into the non-profit and charitable sector. Having spent a year at FD as a telephone fundraiser and managing day to day operations as Floor Support, Shilp brings his valuable insights to optimize fundraising campaigns. In his free time, you can usually find him either travelling or learning a new recipe in his kitchen.

Nathan Morrison
Content & Mobile Manager

+ About Nathan

Nathan’s first step into the world of fundraising was as an alumni caller for his university – ever since, he has been passionate about finding ways to leverage that experience in support of charitable causes. Having spent a year managing telephone campaigns at FD, Nathan uses his firsthand experience with donor conversations to produce compelling content for our fundraising teams. In his spare time, you will almost definitely find him immersed in a good book, or in the kitchen trying to master a new recipe.

Anmol Kaur Batth
Account Coordinator

+ About Anmol

Anmol’s passion for project management and fundraising can be
tracked back to her pre-professional days. Whether as a member of
Campus project team or being active part of the fundraising events in
college.  She has been on the management path from the start.

Backed with her Masters in Marketing and Management and post
graduate certificate in Human Resources Management that will help
her in bringing Human relations and Idea oriented approaches to the
fundraising industry.

She enjoys going to gym, hiking and loves spending time in nature.

Aathi Iruthayanathan
Account Coordinator

+ About Aathi

Aathi is completing her undergrad in Neuroscience and Mental Health (Honours) with a Minor in Psychology at Carleton University. She is a goal-oriented analyst who thrives to optimize fundraising strategies in the non-profit sector with the help of our previous fundraising experience. She loves to travel and says if travel were free, you’d never spot her in the same spot again.

Data Coordinator

+ About Nadeem

With a background in Data Analytics, Nadeem is looking to bring an analyst-centric approach to fundraising. In his free time, you’ll find him trying out different recipes in the kitchen or grilling outdoors.

Hussein Shire
Account Coordinator

+ About Hussein

Hussein is an analytical thinker that is passionate about international development and the ways in

which he can improve the lives of others. In his current role, he plays an integral part in supporting the

charitable sector by organizing successful fundraising campaigns, which help raise hundreds of

thousands of dollars for major charities operating within Canada. Drawing on his work in politics, education and in the non-profit sector, Hussein brings a great understanding of client servicing and relationship development.

 

When Hussein isn’t working, you may find him traveling to far flung places and making new friends along the way.

Erin Power
Data Coordinator

+ About Erin

Having completed a BA in Human Environment, Erin has always been passionate about contributing to the betterment of humankind. Through volunteer work in university, she developed an understanding of
organized outreach and fundraising and with her love of math and data, found a role that perfectly combines all of her interests.

When she’s not working, you can find Erin either on the court playing
volleyball or out on the field playing soccer. She enjoys anything and everything outdoors and loves animals.

Ashfaq Ahmed
Data Coordinator

+ About Ashfaq

A data-driven individual with a passion to solve the big issues in today’s world. Ashfaq has a Master’s degree in Management, specializing in International Accounting and Finance. Prior to moving to Canada to pursue higher education, he had a career in Management Consulting with experience in public and private sector projects. His true interest is in creating a meaningful impact in the community and leaving things better than how he found them.

Ai Yin Han
Graphic Designer

+ About Ai Yin

With over 10 years working in the field, Ai Yin has established herself as a seasoned graphic designer. Whether it’s creating the perfect direct mail pack, an online donation page, an email, social media advertising or video editing, Ai Yin is always up for a new creative challenge.

In her free time, Ai Yin likes doing crafts anything DIY. She is also a fantasy and animated movie lover. She also enjoys hiking, cycling, and playing badminton with her friends and family.

Coming Soon

+ About

Coming Soon

+ About

Coming Soon

+ About

Coming Soon

+ About

Coming Soon

+ About