A Lifelong Journey in Giving: Kathleen Provost's Legacy of Philanthropy
For Kathleen Provost, philanthropy is not just a career; it is a lifelong calling. Having dedicated her entire professional life to fundraising, Kathleen's journey has taken her from small community hospitals to regional and national organizations. Today, her commitment to the sector goes beyond her daily work, cemented in a lasting legacy. By choosing to include the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy--Canada in her estate plans, Kathleen is ensuring that the profession she loves will continue to thrive for generations to come.
Kathleen's entry into the fundraising world was a serendipitous pivot. Initially armed with an undergraduate degree in political science, she quickly realized that the prospect of raising funds for politics did not always mean winning and soon decided that this was not for her. Her path instead led her to a foundation at a small community hospital in her hometown of Montreal. It was there that she experienced a profound "aha" moment.
At a time when formal education for fundraising did not exist, Kathleen remembers a much different landscape. "We were known as beggars who went about and asked for money, you know?" she recalls. However, as she dug into campaign statistics, prospecting, and ratios, she had a revelation. "Oh, there's a science behind this," she realized, which sparked a deep curiosity that drove her to attend conferences, take workshops, and truly understand the profession. Throughout her career, Kathleen has seen the charitable sector evolve into a highly regulated, professionalized, and vital part of the Canadian economy. Yet, she believes that at its core, fundraising remains a "call" for individuals who possess empathy and a deep desire to contribute and make a difference.
Leading by Example at Work and at Home
When it came time to consider her own legacy, Kathleen's motivation was rooted in a simple yet powerful philosophy: practice what you preach. As a professional who spends her days asking others to consider planned giving, she felt a strong responsibility to lead by example and do it herself. Her legacy gift was carefully planned years ago. Kathleen and her husband, Richard, were putting their affairs in order and drafting their wills to make sure their family was taken care of. Because they both held a deep belief in charity and giving, they intentionally decided to leave a gift to AFP. With Richard's background as an accountant, they opted to structure this gift through a life insurance policy, taking advantage of the fiscal benefits of investing at a young age to guarantee a larger future impact.
Kathleen emphasizes that a legacy gift is rarely just an individual choice; it is a family decision. For her, her children needed to understand this commitment early on. She wanted them to understand that the provisions in the will were not only for them, "these specific clauses are for the charities, right?" This sharp clarity illustrates her dedication to teaching philanthropy within her own home. 
Trusting the Future of the Profession
The timing of her gift coincided with the establishment of the Canadian arm of AFP Global’s Foundation for Philanthropy--Canada. For Kathleen, it was deeply important to leave funds that would help ensure this Canadian foundation structure will remain long after she is gone.
When considering the specific impact of her future donation, Kathleen opted for an unrestricted gift. Drawing on her own experience as a fundraiser, she understands that the most valuable gifts are often those with the fewest restrictions. While she holds strong personal values, she acknowledges that the specific needs of the future are unpredictable and therefore places profound faith in the foundation. "I trust enough that they will do the best with it," she says. Her greatest hope is that future fundraisers will carry forward her passion for the profession. Her message to the next generation is clear: she wants them to remember her and that "you can all do something like me".
The Reward is the Journey
For those who might view legacy giving as a daunting task reserved for the distant future, Kathleen offers enthusiastic advice: "Do it, because if you want to have an impact, that is one way to do it". She challenges the misconception that planned giving is only about the end of one's life. Instead, she views a legacy gift as an ongoing experience. "The incentive is the journey," Kathleen reflects. She notes that making a planned gift connects you to an organization throughout your life, pointing out that she receives a birthday card every year simply because she has a planned gift with a university. Over the past two decades, Kathleen has watched the AFP Foundation grow and evolve, knowing all the while that a piece of her will remain to help it continue. Making a planned gift is a profound way to put your values into action, and as Kathleen joyfully confirms, committing to something you believe in simply "feels good and is very rewarding".
If Kathleen’s story has inspired you to think about your own impact, consider joining the Omega Circle and leaving a lasting mark on the fundraising profession. Omega Circle members make a significant contribution to the future of philanthropy through planned gifts of $5,000 or more, helping ensure the sector continues to grow, innovate, and thrive for generations to come. To explore how your legacy can help shape the future of fundraising in Canada, we invite you to connect with Sonia Sheechoria, Managing Director, Philanthropy & Operations, for a confidential conversation about planned giving opportunities.
