Since 1974, Dr. Bill Hallett has worked in the not-for-profit charitable sector. In 1981 Bill graduated with a PhD in Physical Education & Recreation from the University of Alberta. In 2000, he was the second Canadian to earn the Advanced Certified Fund Raising Executive (ACFRE) designation.
Bill joined the YMCA in Peterborough Ontario in 1979. In 1987 he moved to the YMCA of Greater Toronto where he became Vice President and Campaign Director, following which he became Vice-President of Facility and Financial Development. As YMCA Vice-President, he was a member of YMCA Canada's Philanthropy Task Force and served on the executive of the North American YMCA Development Organization (NAYDO).
In 1997, he left the YMCA to begin his full-service fundraising consulting practice. From 1997-2000 he led the development of campaigns in Toronto at Ryerson University, Belmont House and Centennial College, Halton Women’s Place and various YMCAs.
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.
In July 2003, Hallett returned to his consulting practice full-time. As a consultant, he has been involved in the development of many fundraising programs, feasibility and planning studies and campaign management for numerous clients.
Bill is a Canadian fundraising trailblazer. In 1993 he became the founding President of the current Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Greater Toronto Chapter, following which he served on AFP’s International Board, later becoming the first Canadian elected to its executive. He also was a founding Board member of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners (CAGP), the national organization in Canada that promotes planned giving. For five years, Bill shared his expertise and taught the Major Gifts Course in Humber College’s Post Graduate Fundraising Certificate Program.
From January 2007 to December 2008 Bill served as the Chair of the AFP Canada Council. Bill has spoken at numerous conferences, including the AFP International Fundraising Conference, Toronto's AFP Congress and Fund Raising Day program, CAGP Conference, the Association of Health Care Philanthropy Conferences, NAYDO Conferences, just to list a few. In 2003, Bill Co-Chaired AFP’s 40th International Fundraising Conference, held in Toronto.
Bill has received many awards and accolades during his career, including 2003 Outstanding Fundraising Executive, as selected by the Toronto Chapter of AFP.
In 2016, Bill and his wife Janet, also from St. Catharines, moved back home to Niagara and now live in Welland. Before joining the team at ASG, Bill had an opportunity to connect with John Armstrong as they worked together on the It’s Our Time Campaign in support of the new St. Catharines Hospital.