Two Causes, One City: Navigating Collaboration and Competition in Major Giving Campaigns

Register

Inspiring Conference Followed by a Visit to a Major Exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts

Conference in French

An inspiring conversation with:

• Laureen Bardou, CFRE, Senior Director – Philanthropy, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts Foundation
• Amanda Fritz, CFRE, MPNL, Director, Major Gifts and Campaign, CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation

Join us for an inspiring conference at the heart of Montreal’s philanthropic ecosystem.

Two Causes, One City: Navigating Collaboration and Competition in Major Giving Campaigns invites you behind the scenes of two major institutions simultaneously engaged in the most ambitious capital campaign in their history.

Do philanthropic sectors truly operate in the same way? And more importantly, what can they learn from one another? Two different causes, two distinct organizational cultures… yet the same territory, the same donors, and the same volunteers.

Through a rich and practical discussion, the speakers will share best practices, key learnings, and actionable insights to make cross-sector collaboration a powerful collective lever—even in an environment where philanthropic competition remains very real.

The conversation will be structured around three key themes:

• Context and environment
• Opportunities for collaboration
• The role of leadership

A must-attend session for anyone seeking to collaborate more effectively, understand the philanthropic ecosystem more deeply, and increase their chances of success in today’s competitive landscape.

Participants will also enjoy the rare opportunity to visit an exhibition by Kent Monkman at the Museum of Fine Arts, adding an exceptional cultural dimension to the evening.

SPEAKERS :

Laureen Bardou, CFRE
Senior Director – Philanthropy
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts Foundation

Laureen Bardou combines academic training in art history/museology and arts leadership/management with more than 13 years of philanthropic experience across cultural, academic, and health sectors in Québec and internationally. A CFRE-accredited professional and named among Montréal’s 50 Most Influential Women by Women We Admire in 2024 and 2025, she serves as Senior Director of Philanthropic Development at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts Foundation.

Convinced that art is essential to collective well-being and critical reflection, she works to connect meaningful causes with committed donors who wish to build a better future for the next generations. A dedicated and passionate leader, Laureen advances the profession through her volunteer involvement with the Association of Fundraising Professionals at local, national, and international levels. She has served as a CFRE Ambassador since 2025 and supports emerging fundraisers through philanthropic mentorship programs. Mother to two energetic daughters aged 5 and 8, she embraces every opportunity to champion philanthropy as a powerful societal lever across public platforms in Québec, Canada, and internationally.

Amanda Fritz, CFRE, MPNL
Director, Major Gifts and Campaign
CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation

Amanda Fritz is a true matchmaking force in fundraising, passionate about connecting philanthropists with high-impact projects. Born in Montréal, she holds degrees in Psychology and Public Relations from McGill University and earned her CFRE credential in 2013, becoming one of the youngest certified professionals in Québec. She completed a Master’s in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership at Carleton University in 2020.

With over 17 years of experience in education, health, and community sectors, Amanda is recognized for her analytical approach, her drive to modernize major gifts and volunteer engagement practices, and her deep commitment to strengthening the profession. She frequently speaks at local and international conferences on fundraising and philanthropy, championing the power of knowledge-sharing among professionals to elevate collective impact.

As Director of Major Gifts and Campaign Tracking at the CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation, she works closely with senior leadership and influential volunteers to support a historic campaign aiming to secure $500 million in new philanthropic investments.

Co-Chair of the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy – Canada, Amanda also serves on the boards of the Montreal Children’s Library and Champions for Life. In 2018, she received the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers for her contributions to youth education.

Register