Dr. Bill Hallett — a renowned Canadian fundraiser — is the latest to join Armstrong Strategy Group’s growing team as a Senior Associate, Fundraising.
“I have known Bill for many years and am struck by his top relationship-building skills, great judgment and depth of ability and success in the fundraising sphere,” said ASG president John Armstrong, who worked with Hallett on the Niagara Health System’s It’s Our Time campaign. “We are delighted to have Bill as part of ASG — he is a superb addition to significantly bolster our fundraising expertise alongside a strong, diverse team powering our multidisciplinary communications firm.”
“I was attracted to the strategy and communications expertise at Armstrong Strategy Group along with their experience and fundraising knowledge,” said Bill Hallett. “ASG is well positioned to be a strong alternative to the large fundraising firms.”
In 1997, after many years as a fundraiser in the YMCA network, Bill began a full-service fundraising consulting practice where he led the development of campaigns in Toronto at Ryerson University, Belmont House and Centennial College, Halton Women’s Place and multiple YMCAs to name a few. As a consultant, he has been involved in the development of many fundraising programs, feasibility and planning studies and campaign management for dozens of clients.
In 2000, he was contracted to serve as The Hospital for Sick Children Foundation’s Chief Development Officer. During his three-year contract he led the development team at Sick Kids that raised over $125 million.
He led the creation of the Niagara Health System Foundation in June, 2004 (now the Niagara Health Foundation). In 2005, the new Foundation Board of Directors asked him to continue as its President and CEO on a contractual basis. During his tenure, from 2005-2010, Hallett planned, launched and implemented Niagara’s Region-wide It’s Our TimeCampaign — along with ASG’s John Armstrong who branded the campaign and draft the Case for Support..
Hallett’s 30-year involvement in the Association of Fundraising Professionals has made him well-known in Canada’s fundraising sector. He was also a founding Board member of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners (CAGP), the national organization in Canada that promotes planned giving.
In 2000 he became the second Canadian to earn the Advanced Certified Fund Raising Executive (ACFRE) designation. In 2003, the Toronto Chapter of AFP selected Bill as its Outstanding Fundraising Executive.
For two years, from 2007 to 2008, Hallett served as the Chair of the AFP Canada Council. For five year, he was a teacher of Major Gifts, Planned Giving and Endowment in Humber College’s Fundraising Certificate Program.
Hallett was born and raised in St. Catharines, Ontario and has degrees from the University of Windsor and University of Alberta, where he obtained a PhD in physical education.