Carbon Communications Inc.

WRITER – EDITOR – CONSULTANT

Through full-time employment and his companies Carbon Communications Inc., Arbopals Inc., Carbon Publishing, and Thomas Memoirs, Peter O’Brien writes, edits, and produces various communication and fundraising materials (books, memoirs, websites, brochures, cultivation and solicitation documents, quarterly reports, articles, reviews, advertisements, blogs, etc.) for individuals, corporations, institutions, and associations.

Corporate Testimonials

“I would like to thank Peter O’Brien. He helped me tiptoe into writing, encouraged me along the journey, and challenged my ideas to best express the message. I am blessed for his experience, his intelligence, and his commitment to always learning. I am better because of him.”

Melinda Harrison, Olympian, author of Personal Next: What We Can Learn from Elite Athletes Navigating Career Transition

“I want to thank Team Glenn Gould Foundation. Peter O’Brien’s energy, precision, optimism, editorial acumen, curiosity, insights, and can-do attitude have made an inestimable contribution.”

Brian Levine, CEO, The Glenn Gould Foundation

“It has been a great pleasure working with you – on major gifts, the Annual Campaign, and special events – over the past year and a half. A real privilege, the best time in all my years of working.”

Linda Abramsohn, The Leo Baeck Day School

“Thanks so much for your work on OCAD University development material over the past year, including our proposals and stewardship documents for our top donors and prospects. I always appreciate your focused crafting of the perfect word and the right image!”

Rose Anne McCants, Director of Development, OCAD University

“Arbopals connects international tree planting activities with internet-based activities for kids. I think the site is a great way to encourage young people around the world to get involved with important environmental activities.”

Tim Flannery, author of The Weather Makers, Chair of the Copenhagen Climate Council

“I want to thank you for the superb support provided on all counts under intense time pressure.”

Heather Munroe-Blum, Principal, McGill University

“This book would not have been possible without the encouragement and constant writing challenges from my cousin and editor, Peter O’Brien. His coaching and editorial expertise came in unlimited buckets and were deeply appreciated.”

Larry O’Brien, Founder and Former CEO of Calian, and former mayor of Ottawa

“Great work. Your communications expertise – your writing, editing and design talents, and your work with existing staff and consultants – has really helped improve and revitalize the magazine.”

Matthew Bassett, Bassett Media Group

“The work you did on our proposal – a major initiative for Goodwill – was terrific.”

Mitzie Hunter, Vice-President of Marketing, Goodwill

“I am absolutely thrilled with ‘your’ speeches – that became ‘mine.’ I received compliments all evening long, and for days to follow. Thank you.”

Natalie Little, Head, Bishop Strachan School

“Thanks for being so responsive and professional in your work for UOIT. I particularly appreciate your ability to quickly grasp what is needed, enhance it and produce polished work by or before deadline.”

Lisa Banks, Director, Communications and Marketing, University
of Ontario Institute of Technology.

“The auction that you conducted last Wednesday was another ‘work of art.’ Furthermore, you have the distinction of raising more money than any other individual. Thank you sincerely for so willingly taking on the task, and for doing such a splendid job.”

Bill Welbourn, 100 Prints Committee, Open Studio

“Congratulations to you! Excellent engagement. This is fantastic! So well done and I love the attention to details.”

Anne-Marie Kee, Executive Director, Canadian
Accredited Independent Schools

“You are awesome! How you can weave such a lovely garment with so little cloth is amazing!”

Ann Rosenfield, Executive Vice-President, Operations, Legacy Leaders

“Book Clubs for Inmates is doing important work for incarcerated women and men in Canada’s penitentiaries. It runs 36 book clubs, offers a child/inmate reading program (ChIRP), and funds university education for academically able inmates. I heartily support the work of BCFI and I encourage you to do so as well.”

Margaret Atwood, writer and supporter of many worthwhile initiatives around the world

“Thank you, thank you, thank you … you are amazing … I am so pleased we found you! … I am going to leave something in my will to the person who connected you and I!”

Carol Finlay, Founder, Book Clubs for Inmates

Canadian Accredited Independent Schools

Consultant and In-House Writer

Various types of material, including the “CAIS Governance Guide,” “Ahead of the Game” (a handbook for new Heads), and the series “Making the CAIS”: blogs written for Heads from across the country.

Leo Baeck Day School

Acting Director of Development

Staff responsibility for stewarding annual revenues of ~$750,000 in campaign pledge payments, and soliciting ~$250,000 in Annual Campaign gifts. Responsible for donor research, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for the school’s capital campaign, with particular emphasis on major gifts of $18,000+. Organized cultivation, solicitation and stewardship special events, including a campaign for a new elevator, and school-wide stewardship events.

Massey Hall and
Roy Thomson Hall

Director of Corporate and
Foundation Giving

Chief staff writing and design responsibility for two successful $8 million asks: one to the federal government, and one to the provincial government. Worked closely with the senior leadership and senior members of the Board. Responsible for drafting the case for support, and for identification, cultivation, solicitation, reporting, and stewardship for corporations and foundations. Chief editorial, graphic, and publication consultant for the book Roy Thomson Hall: A Portrait.

The Bishop
Strachan School

Director of Communications and Public Relations

Wrote and edited many documents for the school, including fundraising material, the award-winning BSS Magazine, and academic and extra-curricular marketing material.

Arbopals

Founder and President, 2007-2012

Arbopals Inc. was an environmental website and virtual world for children. As users played on Arbopals, real trees were planted on their behalf in 21 countries around the world. Responsible for all aspects of the company: fundraising, staff and volunteers, international consultants, content development, overseeing the development and launch of the virtual world website, marketing, finances, legal, etc.

Via Rail

Consultant and Writer

Wrote various cross-Canada brochures for VIA Rail, including the major brochures for their flagship train tours.

University of Toronto

Independent
Consultant and Contractor

After full-time employment at the University of Toronto, various materials for the university, most notably the President’s Report for 2005 – The University of Toronto: Where the Imagination Comes to Life, which won the international Graphis Gold Award.

Trees Ontario

Consultant and Writer

Various publicity, marketing, and communication documents for the environmental association Trees Ontario.

The Monitor Company

Editor

Editor for this major economic impact study produced for the Canadian government by international consultants Michael Porter and the Monitor Company. 468 pages.

OCAD University

Consultant, Content Developer, Writer

Produced a range of fundraising material, including research, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship documents for various corporate, foundation and individual donors.

Not-For-Profit Materials

Various Clients

Project proposals, brochures, marketing material, and various fundraising documents (research, identification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, special event) for various clients, including McGill University, Goodwill Toronto, Havergal College, Gift Planning in Canada, Book Clubs for Inmates, and the CNIB.

Shaare Zedek
Hospital Foundation

Newsletter

Newsletter and related for material for a hospital fundraising foundation, including a message from the president, stories on donors, information on special events, etc.

Radiation Safety
Institute of Canada

Various Collateral Materials

Technical documents and institute-specific communication and publicity materials.

Imperial Capital

Various Documents

Quarterly reports, annual reports, biographical overviews, and various financial and regulatory materials, including Acquisition Fund Confidential Offering Memorandums.

Museum, Art,
and Design Materials

Various Clients

Publicity, marketing, catalogue materials, and translation services for various clients, including the Montreal Museum of Fine Art, C Magazine, Open Studio, and the International Design Centre. Also wrote a wide assortment of reviews of exhibitions and art catalogues.

Financial Documents

Various Clients

Documents for various banks and private equity firms, including RFPs, annual reports, quarterly reports, and relevant marketing and sales material.

Speeches and Op-Eds

Various Clients

Various public-facing speeches, newspaper op-eds, and blog posts on various topics, including education, health, and the arts. This material was produced for, delivered by, or credited to others, including Presidents, CEOs, and Heads of Schools.