Appointed Senior Consultant on March 1st, 2025, Toronto’s Jill Nelson is the newest member of the team of fundraising experts in the Ontario region. Jill brings over three decades of on-the-ground experience alongside organizations large and small. She is a leader in strategic gift planning, legacy marketing strategy and implementation, estate administration, donor stewardship, management, volunteer leadership, and relationship building.
For the past 18 years she served as Associate Vice President, Estates and Gift Planning at The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. Prior, she was the Director of Planned Giving at the Canadian Cancer Society (Ontario) for five years, and Director of Development for the Canadian Paraplegic Association (Ontario) for ten years.
Jill demystifies gift planning and collaboratively designs and develops integrated programs. She coaches Boards and staff on the power of integrated gift planning efforts, how to raise the topic and have comfortable conversations with donors, the power of gift planning vehicles, how to identify prospects, and systems and processes to manage the work. Legacy stewardship is close to her heart.
“I’m thrilled to join Global Philanthropic Canada’s cadre of outstanding consultants,” shares Jill. “My decision to join had a lot to do with our shared values. Excellence in fundraising takes many forms, and Global draws on significant depth and breadth of experience that enables us — and most importantly our clients — to elevate mission together.”
Known for her commitment to the growth of gift planning in Canada, she has provided leadership and teaching for the Canadian Association of Gift Planning (CAGP). As Faculty for CAGP, she has co-led the Original Gift Planning week-long course (often called “the Banff Course”), Gift Planning Fundamentals, and the Bequest Administration Essentials. She has been a popular speaker at numerous CAGP and AFP conferences and gatherings across Canada.
Jill has served as a member and chair of the GTA Chapter Executive, member and chair of the National Conference Programme Committee, member and chair of the National Education Committee, director on the CAGP Board, and director and chair of the CAGP Foundation Board. She was honoured with the “Friend of CAGP” award in 2014, and with the inaugural “CAGP GTA Icon Award” in 2024.
Her wise advice has long been sought by colleagues who want honest, kind, and practical ideas that can easily be implemented in their organizations. She loves to problem-solve and approaches each new challenge with openness and curiosity. Having navigated the challenges of small, multi-level, and large shops, she is sympathetic and experienced in the different and sometimes unique challenges faced in each.
“I’m very excited to welcome Jill to the team,” states Guy Mallabone, CEO & President of Global Philanthropic Canada. “She brings a wealth of experience in the philanthropic sector, with a proven track record of strategic fundraising, donor engagement, planned and legacy giving. Her expertise will be invaluable in advancing the mission of clients by helping them achieve their fundraising goals and maximizing their impact.”
“I am thrilled to have Jill join Team Ontario,” says Dora Boylen-Pabst, Vice President Ontario and Senior Consultant. “I have been familiar with her quality work and commitment to planned giving in the healthcare sector for decades, and it’s a privilege to be working with her at Global.”
Starting in March, Jill offers non-profits a complimentary 30-minute session to assess effective solutions to their most pressing challenges. You can also meet her in person at the 2025 CAGP National Conference on Strategic Gift Planning in Edmonton where she will be co-presenting “Gift Planning Fundamentals” on April 8, and delivering the session “Gift Planning 101” on April 9.
Global Philanthropic Canada is Canada’s fundraising consultancy comprised of highly experienced practitioners. With 70 + team members, we deliver professional and accessible fundraising counsel to organizations of all sectors, sizes and missions. We advocate for and believe in the power of a respectful and inclusive environment for all. We build capacity, striving to maximize the impact of your mission. We value every collaborative project with our clients, working on the ground with you, not for you. We aim to support, teach and propel you to meet and exceed your goals.
