Susan Mullin (right), director of development at the York University Foundation, recently made her writing debut, as a contributor to the book Major Donors: Finding Big Gifts in Your Database and Online.
The book brings together the expertise of fundraising professionals from Canada, Europe and the United States and is one of very few resources available to assist fundraisers across all continents. The 12-chapter volume outlines the many Internet and database-mining strategies and techniques that are now making it possible for charities, both large and small, and within all areas of the non-profit sector, to target their efforts on those with identified resources and interest in their causes.
“The book is designed for very practical use,” says Mullin. “With Web links and a wide list of appendices, busy fundraisers don’t have to read through the entire book to find what they’re looking for.”
Mullin, who has more than 20 years of fundraising and management experience, co-wrote the chapter, “Prospect Research Policy, Privacy and Ethics”, which outlines some of the research techniques that technology has made possible. The chapter stresses the importance of understanding relevant privacy legislation and regulation, and of adopting policies and procedures that clearly demonstrate an organization’s commitment to protecting the privacy of personal information entrusted to that organization.
Through her roles as immediate past-president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Greater Toronto Area chapter, and past Chair of the AFP Canada Council’s Privacy Task Force, Mullin has acquired substantial knowledge surrounding Canada’s privacy legislation. As current Chair of AFP’s Canadian Government Relations Committee, she continues to work with other fundraising and related not-for-profit associations to help educate local and national industry colleagues on privacy and related legislative issues.
“As fundraisers it is vital that we take issues surrounding privacy very seriously,” Mullin says. “In our profession, we build relationships with people who trust us as individuals, and have faith in our institutions. When people share personal information with us, we have an obligation to act ethically and responsibly.”
Prior to joining the York University Foundation in 2004, Mullin held senior roles with two national health organizations before becoming the executive director at Casey House, where she set strategic fundraising direction and actively raised major individual, corporate and foundation funds. Following this, she continued her work at the Riverdale Hospital Foundation (now called Bridgeport Health Foundation) and then at the Surrey Place Centre Foundation. Mullin also volunteers with smaller, community-based organizations and provides fundraising and board development advice.
This article was submitted to YFile by Allison Berg, communications officer, York University Foundation.