[Past] The Geography of Giving: Why Place-Based Approaches Matter
We invite you to register for this month’s Meet the Institute webinar on September 25 at 2:30 (NL) / 1pm (ET) / 10am (PT) where you’ll receive an update on the Shorefast Institute’s latest initiatives and listen to this month’s feature presentation:
The Geography of Giving: Why Place-Based Approaches Matter – Join Shorefast’s philanthropy team, Tara Janzen and Beth Zener, for a conversation on place-based fundraising practices and lessons from the field.
What happens when fundraising strategies are rooted in place? Join us to unpack real-world examples of place-based philanthropy and what they reveal about community trust, equity, and accountability. Expect practical stories—from campaign milestones to creative partnerships—that show how focusing on “where” unlocks new opportunities. You’ll gain actionable ideas you can apply in your own work, whether you’re looking to strengthen donor engagement, scale community initiatives, or rethink your approach to social impact.
Tara Janzen
Tara Janzen is Senior Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships for Shorefast, based in Toronto. She started her career in commercial banking before joining the nonprofit sector in 2014. Tara led Wanuskewin’s Thundering Ahead campaign and UNESCO World Heritage application process. Prior to joining Shorefast, she held senior roles with Remai Modern and the Royal Ontario Museum Foundation. Tara has Bachelor of Commerce and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Saskatchewan. In 2023, she was recognized with the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for service to philanthropy. Raised in a culturally-mixed home, Tara has parental ties to India and settler Saskatchewan.
Beth Zener
Beth Zener (Toronto) is the Philanthropy Lead at Shorefast with a strong track record of driving strategic impact in the nonprofit and social business sectors. She has worked for FoodReach, an innovative social enterprise that leverages a digital platform to offer affordable and nutritious solutions to the city’s food access organizations. Its success contributed to receiving the 2024 Feed Ontario Award for Innovation. Before this, Beth led the growth and strategic development of the e-commerce and digital operations at VSP Consignment, a leader in sustainable luxury resale and marking her introduction to purpose-driven business models. Beth holds a BA (Hons) in Media & the Public Interest from Western University, a Master in Social Innovation for Sustainable Dev. from the University of Turin/ITCILO, and a PGCert in Sustainable Business Management from Seneca College.
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