Meet Shani Eribo: Championing Sustainable Heritage Through Fund Development

Here at the National Trust, we are excited to introduce the newest member of our team, Shani Eribo.  Shani joined the Trust in February as our Manager, Fund Development.

Shani operates at the intersection of philanthropy, sustainable building, and financial structuring. His education and experiences span 3 continents in both commercial and non-profit sectors. His professional career began initially in property development, but he was led by his passion for sustainability and the desire to make a difference to transition into the nonprofit sector where he has developed advanced competencies in research, strategic planning, fund development, and sustainable building.

Leveraging this unique combination of skills, Shani has led several research projects and other initiatives including a recent study on Limited Life Foundations in Canada connected with his graduate studies at Carleton University; advised federal ministers and multilateral development agency leaders including the International Finance Corporation and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Development Organization (FCDO) on catalyzing investments into green buildings; and drove the launch of a-first-of-its kind regular giving campaign by an international charity in Western Africa in 2014.

At the Trust, Shani is leveraging his fund development skills and passion for sustainability to advance work around the adaptive reuse of Heritage Buildings, so that new life can be breathed into Canada’s most endangered buildings.

With regard to the recent trends in charitable giving in Canada where capacity seems increasingly to rest with the older (baby boomer) generation, while younger generations struggle with the soaring costs of living, Shani believes fundraisers must go beyond mere engagement to provide real value added support such as on financial education which would provide the younger generation the tools they need to improve their financial situation. This, with a longer-term view on building meaningful connections and relationships that will endure.

Shani recently completed a master’s degree in Philanthropy & Nonprofit Leadership from Carleton University where he achieved several awards including the 2023 Tessa Hebb Social Innovation Research Fellowship. He also holds a second master’s degree in Corporate Communications & Public Affairs from the Aberdeen Business School in Scotland, United Kingdom.

He is a certified EDGE Green Building Expert licensed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and a member of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners (CAGP).

When he is not trying to save the world, Shani enjoys travelling and visiting historic and cultural sites, reading (history,) and spending quality time with his family.