The Barbara McInnes Executive Mentoring Project Fund
The Barbara McInnes Executive Mentoring Project Fund
An impactful legacy in community-building
AFP Ottawa is honoured to partner with the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy–Canada to offer annual fellowships in memory of one of Ottawa’s dedicated community leaders, Barbara McInnes (1943-2021), through the Barbara McInnes Executive Mentoring Project Fund.
The fund is designed to:
provide bursaries and scholarships through the AFP Ottawa Chapter to new Executive Directors from underrepresented groups in Ottawa and from small NGOs and charities;
support executive level mentorship within the profession, particularly for leaders from underrepresented groups; and
encourage and promote diversity and inclusion in the fundraising profession in Ottawa.
The next application window will open in early spring 2027.
Interested candidates may share by letter how the Barbara McInnes Fellowship would help them achieve a professional development objective of their choosing over the following year.
Eligibility: Candidates need to meet one of the following three criteria:
You are an Executive Director or CEO of non-profit organization or charity in National Capital Region with annual revenues of less than $1M,
You are an Executive Director or CEO of arts based non-profit or charity in National Capital Region, or,
You are an Executive Director or CEO of non-profit organization or charity in National Capital Region from under-represented community (visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2+ people).
Please note that membership in AFP Ottawa is not a requirement of eligibility.
As the philanthropic arm of AFP, the Foundation raises funds for its National Scholarship Program, the Fellowship in Inclusion and Philanthropy Program, research, ethics education, and leadership development.
Gifts to the Barbara McInnes Executive Mentoring Project Fund are welcome and appreciated.
Michaela De Curtis, CoSA Ottawa “This opportunity will support not only my development as a leader, but also the sustainability and effectiveness of an organization that plays a critical role in promoting community safety, accountability, and successful reintegration.”
Ifeoma Okonji, Emerging Lives Initiative “This award strengthens my commitment to building resilient people and fostering connected, thriving communities.”
Ali Shaker, Foodeliver “This recognition comes at a defining moment in my leadership journey. It affirms that dignity must be at the centre of how we address food insecurity, not as charity, but as a system that respects people. I’m grateful to carry forward Barbara McInnes’ legacy of mentorship by building a model that restores access, reduces stigma, and rethinks how communities support one another.”
Previous Fellows
2025 Divya Jhunjhunwala, Executive Director, TiE Ottawa Nicole Milne, Arts Ottawa Pulcherie Ngoie Mwepu, Société Nationale de Chemin Du Fer au Congo
2024 Carrie Lauzon, Executive Managing Director, OrKidstra Michelle Ruel, Executive Director, Feed The City Taylor Howarth, Executive Director, Apartment 613
2023 Wendy Leung, Executive Director, Foodsharing Ottawa Eric Collard, Executive Director, Prescott-Russell Recreational Trail Angela Begin, Executive Director, OCH Foundation for Healthy Communities
2022 Patrick Newton Bondo, Chief Executive Officer & Co-founder, Outreach Social Care Foundation
About Barbara McInnes
Barbara McInnes loved to dance but found that cancer was an unappealing and awkward partner. Early in the morning on July 1st, with a brilliant smile on her face, she took one last solo twirl and left cancer behind as she died peacefully at home in the arms of her daughters.
Barbara worked tirelessly over decades to enhance the culture of philanthropy in Ottawa, in Canada, and internationally. During her 27 years as President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Ottawa, she developed new avenues and partnerships that enabled generous citizens to invest in their community. She helped to steer the Community Foundations of Canada and the International Transatlantic Community Foundation Network and fostered numerous local foundations across the country.
Barbara provided leadership to such organizations as Carleton University, the Ottawa School of Art, the United Way of Ottawa, Shorefast Foundation, the Equality Fund, Telus Ottawa, Compassionate Ottawa, PAL Ottawa. Refugee 613 and more. For her exemplary leadership in the philanthropic community, she was invested to the Order of Canada in 2010 and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from AFP Ottawa in June 2021.
Perhaps even more significant than her accolades and incredible career and service achievements, is how Barb inspired, supported and mentored people throughout her illustrious career.
