AFP Member Spotlight: Thais Casasola Venditti

AFP Member Spotlights are a recurring series of interviews with AFP members, highlighting the unique individuals and career paths that exist within the fundraising profession. If you know an inspiring fundraising professional who deserves to be featured, please email [email protected].

In this member spotlight, we interviewed Thais Casasola Venditti, director, new business development at United Way of British Columbia. She shared with us how her lifelong commitment to community care — from launching a volunteer-powered nonprofit in Brazil to finding belonging through AFP in Canada — continues to shape her belief that real change happens when we build it together.

Q: How did you start your career in the fundraising profession and what led you there?
A: My first experience with fundraising was at 16, raising support for people experiencing homelessness in Brazil. Community service became part of who I was early on, but a turning point came in 2016, when I faced a breast tumor. That experience pushed me to create a project to support children with cancer. What began as a small initiative grew into a nonprofit organization with more than 400 volunteers, and it ultimately supported over 4,500 children and their families. That journey taught me that fundraising isn't just about resources; it's about mobilizing people around dignity, hope, and practical help.

Q: When and why did you decide to become an AFP member?
A: I learned about AFP after moving to Canada, when I was trying to understand how to re-enter the nonprofit sector and grow in the fundraising profession here. I was fortunate to meet Rowena Veylan, who has been an incredible mentor to many fundraisers in Canada. After taking one of her courses, she encouraged me to attend an AFP member mingler. That event was a pivotal moment for me — people were welcoming, generous with advice, and eager to help me find my footing. AFP immediately felt like a community, not just an association.

Q: Are you doing anything innovative at your organization (or a past organization) that you think other fundraisers could benefit from?
A: One approach I'm passionate about is designing fundraising and partnership work in a way that stays deeply human while also being disciplined and repeatable. In my earlier nonprofit work, growth came from building a volunteer-powered model rooted in trust, shared ownership, and clear purpose — creating a structure where people felt they truly belonged to the mission, not just to a task list. I think many organizations can benefit from investing in systems that make it easier for people to contribute ethically and sustainably, so impact doesn't depend on a few heroic individuals, but on a community working together.

Q: What is your favorite word? (only one word) How has this word influenced or inspired your career?
A: Together. This word has shaped my entire career. I've seen firsthand that real change happens when we create space for people to contribute — donors, volunteers, staff, and community members — each bringing what they can. "Together" reminds me that fundraising is relationship-building and bridge-building. It's also a call to use our voices on behalf of those who are too often ignored, and to make sure more people have a place at the table.

Q: What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?
A: I'm most proud of founding and growing a nonprofit in Brazil that supported more than 4,500 children with cancer and their families, powered by over 400 volunteers. The numbers matter, but what stays with me most are the individual lives touched — the moments of relief, support, and care during an incredibly difficult season for families.

Q: How has being an AFP member and participating in the AFP affinity groups benefited you in your career?
A: AFP helped me find community and direction when I was building my professional network in Canada. Later, joining the IDEA committee in my local chapter in 2023 gave me a deeper view of AFP's leadership, advocacy, and commitment to advancing the profession. It has been meaningful to be in spaces where people don't just talk about best practices — they work to build a sector that is more inclusive, ethical, and sustainable.

Q: In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge facing the nonprofit fundraising profession today?
A: One of the biggest challenges is the broader social and political climate that can fuel division and distrust. Fundraisers are navigating increasing polarization while trying to build the relationships and shared purpose that philanthropy depends on. I still believe that together we are stronger, and that fundraising, at its best, is a force for connection: bringing people together around common values and a shared responsibility for community.

Q: What advice do you have for other fundraising professionals?
A: Stay grounded in ethics and purpose, and never underestimate the power of learning. I consider myself a lifelong learner. I believe everyone has something to teach, and we all have more to learn. Seek mentors and peers, share knowledge, and advocate for fairness so more people have real opportunities in this profession. And when things feel hard, remember: we don't do this work alone. We build change together.