A career fundraising professional, Don Stewart has a vast breadth of experience in all aspects of the fundraising process. In his 30 years at Appleby College, where Don earned his CFRE designation, his roles included everything from managing the annual fund, conducting prospect research and identification, undertaking major gift solicitation, performing donor stewardship and spearheading special events.
Beyond his College career, Don is well known as “Don The Auctioneer.” For more than 20 years he has served as the Auctioneer and/or master of ceremonies at high-profile charitable events across North America. Annually he helps to raise between 10 and 15 million dollars for great charitable causes. He has also provided consultation and expert guidance to help clients create and execute powerful special events that exceed fundraising and friendraising goals.
Don knows the powerful impact special events can have in forwarding an organizations mission. However, he also knows that a poorly-executed event can have devastating consequences. He understands the amount of time and effort that goes into hosting any event and always strives to ensure he’s exceeding expectations and maximizing returns.
Don married Laura and followed her to Grimsby from Oakville in 2015. Together they share 7 children and 2 grandchildren. They split their time between their Grimsby home on Lake Ontario and their lake house in Wainfleet, on the shores of Lake Erie.
Don is Chair of the Grimsby Fund, a community advisory committee of the Niagara Community Foundation. As a member of that committee he was heavily involved in the establishment of and in the on-going activities of The Finest at The Forty, a social and charitable group that brings people together to celebrate and support local nonprofit organizations. In his down time Don can usually be found in his work shed building something.
Don earned his Bachelor of Physical Education at McMaster University, his Bachelor of Education at the University of Toronto and his Master’s in Educational Administration at Brock University.