For 15 years, Ian-Pierre Scott has been working in the non-profit sector, a community that aligns with his values and his desire to make a concrete contribution to his community. A little over five years ago, he decided to specialize in philanthropy, a field where he can put his relational and communication skills “to work for causes I hold dear to my heart.” Since last fall, he’s been part of the development team at the Jewish General Hospital Foundation, where he works as their Development Associate. “As part of my job, I work in close collaboration with donors, members of the medical staff and committed colleagues in order to support the hospital’s priorities.”

His academic trajectory started in History, a field that is certainly distinct from philanthropy, but that enabled him to develop “solid research and writing skills, as well as intellectual curiosity.” Over the years, to complete his training, he participated in courses and webinars specialized in philanthropy.

Ian-Pierre acquired a special expertise in the fields of health and the fight against poverty. He worked on finding sources for programs, mobilizing donors, developing partnerships and planned giving.

Among the issues he holds most dear are “contributing to better access to care, especially for vulnerable populations. I’m convinced that fundraising can play a decisive role in improving the services offered, supporting medical innovation and meeting needs that the public system cannot always respond to on its own, such as medical research.” He also stressed “the importance of building relationships of trust with donors by demonstrating the impact of their generosity on improving health care.”

An active member of AFP’s Education Committee, Ian-Pierre sees his involvement as a way of “concretely contributing to the professional development of my peers. It’s a wonderful opportunity to reflect on current issues in our sector, such as AI, governance and ethics, to propose relevant content and to collaborate with colleagues as involved as I am. My involvement is a way for me to give back, to continue to learn and to build a solid network that I can rely on.”

His advice for those who wisht to get involved in philanthropy? “I’d say dive in with the best intentions in the world. In philanthropy, every gesture counts. By showing that you’re listening to people and their needs, you’ll be able to have a real impact. Every form of engagement, no matter how modest, can make a real difference in people’s lives and for the organizations supporting them.”

Lastly, for him, “being a member of the AFP means belonging to a committed network that cares deeply about its members. And it’s also about having access to the best resources, key training opportunities and a network of experts, so that you can progress and excel in philanthropy.”

To end on a lighter note, Ian-Pierre is “a diehard vinyl collector, always on the lookout for new records—little known or classics—that have character.” A passion that perfectly illustrates his patience and attention to detail. Qualities that he also lends to his work in philanthropy, where every gesture, even the very smallest, can have genuine impact.