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This is an archive of CharityVillage NewsWeek.
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Please note: While we ensure that all links and e-mail addresses are accurate at their publishing date, the quick-changing nature of the web means that some links to other web sites and e-mail addresses may no longer be accurate.
To view other articles in the archive, use our Chronological Index.
NewsBytes: October, 2000
Articles are arranged in reverse chronological order.
Donor numbers continue to dwindle while gifts get bigger
October 30, 2000
The trend of fewer donors giving more money continued in 1999, according to new charitable giving statistics released last week. Nearly 5.4 million Canadians recorded charitable gifts on their tax returns in 1999, bringing in a record $4.8 billion to the country's charities. Statistics Canada found that about 2,000 fewer people claimed donations on their returns last year than in 1998. Total donations, however, were up 2.7% from 1998 figures.The median donation across the country was $180. In 1998, the median was $173. Donors in P.E.I. and Nunavut gave the highest median gifts at $290, but they were followed closely by donors in Newfoundland, whose median gift was $280.
Ontario donors, who account for 37% of all taxfilers, still gave the largest volume of gifts -- $2.9 billion in total. However, Manitoba had the highest proportion of donors, with 29.5% reporting gifts. Across the country, 25.5% of taxfilers reported charitable donations last year.
As in the past, donors over 65 gave larger gifts than their younger counterparts, averaging gifts of $1,200 to their favourite groups. Those between 55 and 64 gave an average of $1,000.
While these figures do give some indication of trends, readers should note that not all donors claim charitable gifts on their returns, some people claim both their donations and those made by their spouses, and some use the carry forward option of accumulating gifts over several years. For more information about the report, contact Statistics Canada Client Services (613) 951-9720 or e-mail: saadinfo@statcan.ca.
October 30, 2000
Wireless high-tech entrepreneur Mike Lazaridis is giving $100 million to create a research institute for theoretical physics in Waterloo, Ontario. Lazaridis is the founder of Research In Motion Ltd. (RIM), known for its BlackBerry wireless messaging device. Two of his colleagues, co-chief executive officer Jim Balsillie and vice-president of operations Douglas Fregin are each kicking in another $10 million for the project. The new Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics will be an independent, non-profit study centre with 10 to 15 resident researchers at first. Lazaridis has already given $20 million in RIM stock and plans to donate another $80 million over the next year. Plans for the new centre have been underway for more than a year and organizers hope to open the doors in the fall of 2001.
October 30, 2000
CharityVillage is pleased to announce that consultant Dr. Gillian Kerr will be starting a new column on our site to help your organization deal with technology issues. Beginning early next month, Gillian and her team at Good Enough Information Systems will offer a monthly question and answer column about a wide range of technology subjects. Whether you want to learn how to select a new computer system, set up a basic network, or employ some of the new web-based technologies in your organization, you'll be sure to find helpful advice in Gillian's column.If you have technology-related questions that you'd like to see addressed in the column, please e-mail Gillian directly at questions@goodenough.ca.
Fast Fact:Ontario casinos ring up revenues
October 30, 2000
During the first quarter of the year, the four major charity casinos in Ontario brought in gross gaming revenues of $62.12 million. On average, 13,906 patrons visit charity casinos in the province each day. By contrast, the monthly gross gaming revenue at Casino Windsor during the first quarter of this fiscal year was $59.6 million. The commercial casino has an average of 17,581 visitors a day. -- Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation
October 30, 2000
Would-be volunteers for the 2001 World Championships in Athletics in Edmonton faced the Internet equivalent of a busy signal last week when they flooded to the web site to fill out online volunteer forms. So many people visited the web site and tried to fill out online forms that part of the site crashed. Although they couldn't fill out the four-page form online, visitors to the site could still download a printable application which they could then mail or fax in to organizers. Offline, during the first two hours of volunteer recruitment for the international sports event, organizers gave out more than 2,500 applications from their volunteer centre in a local mall. In total, organizers are looking for 5,000 volunteers for the 9-day event next August. Find more information at: www.2001.edmonton.com.
October 30, 2000
VolNet, an Industry Canada program to help small nonprofits gain Internet access, is still accepting applications from community groups through its delivery partners. The program includes skills development, a subsidized computer and Internet access for a year. In Toronto, Phoenix Community Works Foundation is one of the agencies helping to deliver the program. In Central Ontario, the United Way of Bruce Grey is working to help wire local groups. For information about access in Toronto, visit www.pcwf.on.ca, pcwf@web.ca or call 416-964-7919. In the Grey-Bruce region, www.log.on.ca/uwbg or e-mail uwaybg@log.on.ca. For a full list of VolNet delivery agencies or more information about the program, visit www.volnet.org.
October 30, 2000
The Canadian Breast Cancer Network (CBCN) is funding local breast cancer groups who want to hold community capacity building workshops. The funding will enable selected groups to cover the cost of a trained facilitator. Priority this year will be given to projects involving rural women and young rural women. Application forms will be available the first week of November and the deadline for proposals is December 1. For more information and application packages, please contact Isabelle Gervais, National Projects Coordinator at igervais@cbcn.ca, 1-800-685-8820 or (613) 230-3044 ext.226, or visit www.cbcn.ca.
October 30, 2000
As part of its portal development program, TELUS is launching community sections on each of its major local city portal web sites. The company is inviting nonprofits and local community groups to create a free space on the sites to promote their causes and activities to local web surfers. According to organizers, you don't need to know HTML coding to create a virtual space for your organization on the site. For more information, in Alberta, visit www.alberta.com/community; in Toronto, visit www.myto.com/community; and in B.C., visit www.mybc.com/community.
October 30, 2000
If you know an exceptional high school student who is a leader in your community, the deadline to nominate him or her for the TD Canada Trust Scholarships for Outstanding Community Leadership is October 31. Each winner receives full tuition at any Canadian college or university, $3,500 a year towards living expenses, and a guaranteed offer of summer employment at TD Canada Trust, for up to four years. For information, call 1-800-308-8306 or apply online at www.tdbank.ca/scholarship.
October 30, 2000
The Conference Board of Canada and Spencer Stuart are seeking entries from boards of directors that have demonstrated excellence by implementing innovative approaches to their governance practices. The National Awards in Governance program recognizes organizations in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors for best practices and innovation in the areas of: leadership and stewardship; empowerment and accountability; communication and transparency; service and fairness; accomplishment and measurement; and continuous learning and growth at the board of director level. The deadline for nominations is October 31, 2000. For more information, visit www.conferenceboard.ca, contact Catherine Gardiner at (613) 526-4857, or e-mail gardiner@conferenceboard.ca.
October 30, 2000
A judge in Winnipeg last week ordered 23-year-old Rafal Wisniewski to donate $3,500 to the charity of his choice as punishment for dumping his car into the Red River and then claiming to the insurance company that it had been stolen. Wisniewski's lawyer challenged a fine of $5,000-$8,000, suggested by the Crown attorney. Instead, he argued that celebrities are often ordered to make charitable donations when they are convicted of minor offences and that Wisniewski should have the same option. Queen's Bench Justice Albert Clearwater also sentenced him to two years of probation and 100 hours of community service. Wisniewski was given two years to make the donation and has not yet chosen what charity to support.
October 30, 2000
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada has teamed up with IBM to help its congregations across the country connect online. The church announced a new partnership last month that will help congregations manage a range of church activities online, including processing information about baptisms, weddings, and other church events, as well as donations. It will also include a database to help match congregations with new pastors. The new system is expected to be up and running at the national office in January and organizers plan to bring on local congregations over the coming year. Find out more at www.elcic.ca
October 30, 2000
The Bank of Montreal and BMO Nesbitt Burns helped kick off the new $50 million Alberta Children's Hospital capital campaign last week with a $500,000 donation. The first major corporate gift to the campaign, the donation will help fund a respite and palliative care unit for chronically and terminally ill children. The new $220-million hospital is expected to open in 2005.
October 30, 2000
After being nominated by more than 125 of his neighbours in Brampton, Ontario, Rosaire (Rosy) Rivest won the $10,000 Caregiver of the Year Award last week. The award is presented annually by Allianz Canada to non-professional caregivers who have dedicated their lives to caring for others. Rosy is the sole caregiver to three members of his family: his wife Doreen and two children (David and Diana) who suffer from Myatonic Dystrophy, a form of Multiple Sclerosis. For more information about the award and regional recipients, visit www.allianz.ca.
October 30, 2000
The UCLA Center for Communication Policy released a wide-ranging new study of Internet users last week which suggests that the Internet isn't such a lonely place after all. Countering previous studies suggesting that increased web use leads to greater feelings of isolation, the new study finds that more and more people are using the Internet to communicate with friends and family and engage in civic activities. The 50-page report "Surveying the Digital Future" is the first in a series that will look at year-to-year comparisons of the social and cultural changes produced by the Internet in U.S. households. Download it in pdf format at http://www.ccp.ucla.edu/newsite/pages/internet-report.asp.
October 23, 2000
Carleton University's Community Economic Development Technical Assistance Program (CEDTAP) received a $5 million grant from the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation last week that will help support economic development programs in communities across Canada. The largest private gift ever of its kind, the grant will enable CEDTAP to provide business and organizational advice to 500 community organizations over the next five years. The funding follows a three-year pilot phase that helped nearly 100 communities across the country. Community economic development (CED) is an approach that employs a non-profit organization to coordinate business and job generation. CED practitioners place a priority on integrating unemployed and disadvantaged citizens into the development process. For more information about the program, visit www.carleton.ca/cedtap-patdec/
October 23, 2000
Calgary-based investment manager Dave Bissett announced a major new community investment last week, giving $8.2 million to the Calgary Foundation. The gift was in the form of stocks in his company Bissett & Associates, which he recently sold to U.S.-based Franklin Resources. Bissett plans to direct the gift to various community organizations. In 1998, he and his wife Leslie gave $2.5 million to the foundation to help fund the United Way and the Parks Foundation. For more information about the foundation, visit www.forcalgaryforever.com
October 23, 2000
Since the opening ceremonies kicked the competition off last Wednesday, Canadian athletes have been shining at the Paralympics in Sydney, Australia. Just three days into the competition, Canadian athletes have already amassed an impressive 24 medals, including six gold, 10 silver, and eight bronze. On Saturday, sixteen-year-old swimmer Kirby Cote of Thunder Bay, Ontario set a world record in the 200-metre individual medley, clocking in at 2:29.59. The Paralympics run until October 29. For full coverage, visit the Canadian Paralympic Committee web site at www.paralympic.ca.
October 23, 2000
More than 726,900 Canadians used a food bank in March, 2000. This figure is up more than 92% from a similar survey done in March, 1989. Nearly 40% of food bank users are under the age of 18. -- Canadian Association of Food Banks
October 23, 2000
The Family Enrichment Program in North Bay, Ontario, took home the $50,000 Ruth Atkinson Hindmarsh Award last week for its work in improving the lives of at-risk children. The program brings together new parents to learn parenting skills while their children learn to socialize with other youngsters. It's the third time that the foundation has given out the award, named for the late daughter of former Toronto Star publisher Joseph E. Atkinson. Under program guidelines, the award may be used to further develop the organization's activity, educate the public or influence other organizations that help economically disadvantaged children. For more information about the foundation, visit: http://atkinsonfdn.on.ca.
October 23, 2000
Freestyle skiing champion Jean-Luc Brassard launched a curious new promotion last week that will help young skiers pay their way while training to become world champions. As part of the new BFGoodrich Freestyle Ski Fund, Brassard released a hip-hop rap song and video with backing vocals by two young female skiers from Alberta and B.C. The song, "Take Control" is being distributed to radio stations and ski resorts across the country and the video will be aired on Much Music and MusiquePlus over the next two weeks. It's also downloadable from the BFGoodrich web site at bfgoodrichtires.ca. The song will be used to help promote a new cause-related marketing program by BFGoodrich that will see $5 given to the ski fund for every set of winter tires sold by the company.
October 23, 2000
The Ontario Residential Care Association (ORCA) announced an expanded help line service last week that will allow callers to register a complaint about any retirement home in the province. Callers to the help line can also find other information about tenant rights and legislation concerning retirement homes. ORCA represents 250 retirement residences across the province and has operated a help line for its member facilities for some time. The new service, funded by a $1.2 million government grant, will allow callers to register a complaint about any retirement home, not just association members. Reach the response line at 1-800-361-7254 or find out more about the association at: www.orca-homes.com.
October 23, 2000
Queen's University kicked off the public phase of its $200 capital campaign last week, announcing a $2.5 million gift from DuPont Canada Inc.. It's the biggest gift that the company has made to a university and it will fund a new engineering education research chair at the Kingston, Ontario school. The university has already raised almost $140 million towards it goal and plans to raise the remainder over the next two years.
October 23, 2000
Toronto philanthropist Joey Tanenbaum called off the donation of his Chinese and Mid-Eastern art collection to the National Gallery last week. Estimated to be worth approximately $20 million, the personal collection includes more than 1,800 pieces. It was transferred to the gallery in March, but kept quiet until donation details were finalized. Tanenbaum has not publicly commented on change in plans, other than to say to media that the gallery couldn't meet the conditions that he imposed on the gift. He has not announced plans to give the collection to another organization, although he does sit on the board of the Royal Ontario Museum.
October 23, 2000
On Wednesday, November 1st an expected 400,000 grade 9 students from every province and territory will be heading out to more than 75,000 workplaces for the seventh annual Take Our Kids to Work Day. This national program, organized by The Learning Partnership, works to offer young people a "show and tell" view of how their education relates to the real world. For more information about the program, visit www.tlp.on.ca/kidswork/, call 1-800-790-9113 or 416-204-4508.
October 23, 2000
The Anglican Diocese of the Cariboo in British Columbia plans to dissolve within the year, the victim of crippling legal costs brought on by native residential school abuse cases. Church leaders voted last week to wind up the affairs of the diocese within the next year, closing its Kamloops office. The diocese currently faces 14 charges of sexual abuse against young aboriginal children who attended St. George's, a church-run residential school in Lytton. The diocese has spent about $350,000 battling court cases so far. The assets of 17 parishes in the area, which spans central B.C., may also be put up for sale, pending a decision as to whether they are owned by diocese or are held in trust.
October 23, 2000
The Saint-Boniface, Manitoba childhood home of French-speaking novelist Gabrielle Roy will be restored and transformed into a museum, thanks to some help from the Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Montréal (SSJB). Guy Bouthillier, SSJB president, announced last week that the society is granting the Corporation Maison Gabrielle-Roy a renewable five-year interest-free loan of $40,000 that will eliminate the mortgage on the house and allow it to move along with renovations and restoration. "Gabrielle Roy is very important for French speaking Manitobans, but she is also very important for Quebecers," said Bouthillier in a release. "For our part, the SSJB will immediately begin soliciting further support in Quebec for this wonderful project so that Gabrielle Roy's home will soon be welcoming visitors from everywhere in the world and particularly from Québec." For more information, visit: www.maisongabrielleroy.mb.ca
October 23, 2000
Following the launch of an investigation brought on by allegations of financial mismanagement, the B.C. Lions Society for Children with Disabilities has cancelled its 24th annual Timmy's Christmas Telethon. As is typical of many telethons, much of the money announced during the 24-hour program is raised from other fundraising events held throughout the year and is just presented during the television broadcast. Last year, the telethon total was $3.1 million, which included funds from other big events, such as the 24-Hour Relay. Organizers say that they have no plans to cancel the other events. The society is conducting an internal investigation into its financial dealings and leaders have promised to make the findings public.
October 23, 2000
Britain's Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture has hooked up with some popular novelists for an innovative fundraiser that will take supporters' names down in history. Billing the program as "The Immortality Auction", the foundation has recruited authors to auction the name of a character in their next novel. The authors include leading British writers Jim Crace, Louis de Bernieres, Sebastian Faulks, Nick Hornby, Hanif Kureishi, Kathy Lette, and Rose Tremain. Organizers expect the names to sell for thousands of pounds each at the live auction. All money raised will go to the Medical Foundation's £4.7m "Under One Roof" appeal for a new building. For more information about the auction, visit: www.torturecare.org.uk.
October 23, 2000
The Bay announced a new charitable program last week that organizers hope will raise over $1.3 million by the end of this year. The "Well Into the Future Program" will support cancer wellness by linking together all corporate and philanthropic donations, cause marketing and charitable initiatives under one umbrella. The Bay has partnered with four major national charities: Canadian Cancer Society; Look Good Feel Better; Wellspring; and Candlelighters Canada. All funds raised through the new program will be directed towards these four partnering charities. However, according to organizers, local stores will still have donations budgets to form their own relationship cancer wellness charities in their community.
October 16, 2000
Two of Canada's most prominent private foundations, the Donner Canadian Foundation and the Peter F. Drucker Canadian Foundation, announced plans last week to integrate their awards programs beginning next year. The new Canadian Awards for Non-Profit Excellence will begin in 2001 with 11 awards totalling $90,000 and presented in categories ranging from services to seniors to childcare to education to innovation. The program recognizes best practices among non-profits by using objective benchmarks to measure how well the organization uses its limited resources.Organizers also hope to expand the program to include new service categories such as health and sickness, the environment, and community development. Applications for the new awards program will be available January 1, 2001. Information will be available on the Donner Canadian Foundation website at www.donnerfoundation.org and on the Peter F. Drucker Canadian Foundation website at www.innovation-award.ca.
October 16, 2000
Sarnia-Lambton Rebound and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, Calgary Chapter took home top honours at the latest Donner Canadian Foundation Awards for Excellence in the Delivery of Social Services, announced last week. The annual awards recognize efficiency and effectiveness among non-profit agencies at the community level. "The system assesses performance between participating agencies in ten areas, including financial management, staff productivity, volunteer usage and management, and program cost," explained Jason Clemens, director of non-profit studies at the Fraser Institute. "This data will help agencies focus their often limited resources on areas of improvement, and ensure they are providing services effectively."More than 300 organizations applied for the awards. Prizes totalling $65,000 are presented to agencies in nine categories. There is also an special award of $20,000 for the agency with the highest evaluation marks overall. This year, the top prize was shared by Sarnia-Lambton Rebound, which provides early intervention, mentoring and life-skill programs for low "at risk" youth, and the Calgary Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, which helps people affected by multiple sclerosis in southern Alberta.
Other award winners in their respective categories included:
- Child Care Services, Kitsilano Area Childcare Society, Vancouver, British Columbia
- Crisis Intervention, Sarnia-Lambton Rebound, Sarnia, Ontario
- Counselling, Vernon & District Hospice Society, Vernon, British Columbia
- Alternative Education, York Region Abuse Program, Newmarket, Ontario
- Traditional Education, Cornwall Alternative School, Regina, Saskatchewan
- Prevention & Treatment of Substance Abuse, Women's Addiction Recovery Mediation, Fort Erie, Ontario and Julien House Society, New Westminster, British Columbia
- Provision of Basic Necessities, FIFE House, Toronto, Ontario
- Services to the Disabled, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, Calgary Chapter, Calgary, Alberta
- Services to Seniors, St. Joseph's Villa, Dundas, Ontario
For more information about the foundation, visit: www.donnerfoundation.org.
October 16, 2000
Clarica Life Insurance Company introduced a new Canadian corporate citizenship program last week. "Clarica's Contribution" will focus on making a difference in communities where its staff and agents live and work and give priority to programs that benefit children. Clarica plans to invest approximately one-third of its total corporate donations in programs directed at helping children, such as fostering effective parenting, safe and supportive communities and adequate family income. Clarica annually contributes one per cent of domestic pre-tax profits to charity. That amounted to approximately $3.7 million in 2000. The new program comes following a review of existing programs, a community needs assessment, local surveys, questionnaires sent to all staff and agents and discussions with community agencies. Find out more about the new direction at: www.clarica.com/e/about/commun/index.asp.
October 16, 2000
The Community Foundation of Ottawa has more than doubled its endowment in the first nine months of this year, taking in $19.5 million from the beginning of January until the end of September. The majority of gifts were made by individual donors, the largest of which was an anonymous $2 million gift. Most notably, however, was the fact that 97% of the new donations were in the form of stock shares. -- Community Foundation of Ottawa, as noted in the "Ottawa Citizen"
October 16, 2000
Although it will not likely pass before the next federal election is called, several social service organizations are promoting a private member's bill calling for income security for family caregivers. Bill 486, presented by MP Peter Stoffer, calls for up to 52 weeks of income replacement from the Employment Insurance fund. The bill received first reading in the House of Commons last month. Groups such as the Canadian Palliative Care Association have declared their support for the bill. Janet Dunbrack, executive director of the Canadian Palliative Care Association, noted that "With the responsibility for health care being shifted to the family as hospital services are cut back, more and more Canadians have to take time from work to care for family members." Canada currently has no income protection for family caregivers and little in the way of job protection.
October 16, 2000
The United Way of Burlington and Hamilton-Wentworth received its first-ever endowment gift last week, an anonymous donation of $1 million from a prominent Hamilton family. The local United Way recently launched a new Tomorrow and Forever Endowment Fund which will be administered by the Hamilton Community Foundation and its associate, the Burlington Community Foundation. Organizers hope that the new fund will allow for more continuity for program funding that the current annual campaign ensures. For more information about the organization, visit www.unitedway.interlynx.net
October 16, 2000
Growing from 850 marchers five years ago, to 30,000 in Montreal last Saturday, the annual March of Women drew calls for increased government attention to poverty and violence against women. Marchers made their way over a 3-kilometer route in downtown Montreal on Saturday, October 14. On Sunday, thousands more people flocked to another march in Ottawa and presented their list of 13 immediate demands to the Prime Minister. Among the demands: the federal government should commit one percent of its budget to social housing, another $50 million to front-line services for women who are victims of violence, and set aside $30 million in core funding for groups that promote equality for women.In addition to the march, WAVE Across Canada completed their three-month bicycle ride across Canada, finishing in Halifax last Friday and then flying to Ottawa to participate in the rally. Along the way, the four cyclists raised funds for the YWCA of/du Canada's Week Without Violence which runs from October 15-21. For more information about the Week Without Violence, including events across the country, visit: www.7wv.com.
October 16, 2000
Perspectives on labour and income, Statistics Canada's quarterly publication that analyzes a wide range of labour and income data, is now available online with a new monthly electronic version. Starting last week, at least one full-length article will be released each month in the electronic version on the StatsCan web site. Organizers plan to include all on-line articles in the subsequent quarterly paper version. Perspectives, available quarterly on paper since 1989, covers such topics as the labour market, pensions and retirement, work arrangements, taxation, and trends in income and spending patterns. Full text versions of the articles will cost $5, but abstracts, key facts, survey information and some news is available in a free section of the site. For more information, visit: www.statcan.ca:80/english/indepth/75-001/peonline.htm
October 16, 2000
The Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association came out swinging last week against a new bill that will download responsibility for affordable housing to municipalities. The Ontario government tabled the "Social Housing Reform Act" last week. If the legislation is passed, current housing agreements with many of ONPHA's 700 members will be broken and corporations controlled by Ontario municipalities would own and operate all 84,000 public housing units, and 156,000 non-profit and co-operative housing units, starting January 1, 2001. "If passed, this Bill will allow the government to break hundreds of its own 35-year housing operating agreements and change them as they see fit," said Catherine Boucher, president of ONPHA.The Ontario government has been promoting the bill as giving municipalities the "say for pay" they have been asking for. "There are three key benefits to the proposed transfer," said Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Tony Clement. "The Social Housing Reform Act would put a vital service in the hands of those best positioned to respond to local needs. It would allow local governments to integrate the administration of social housing with Ontario Works, child care and other social services to serve clients more effectively and efficiently. And it would put responsibility for bricks and mortar where it belongs - with municipalities"
For more information about ONPHA, visit: www.onpha.on.ca. For a pdf version of the Ontario government's "Guide to Social Housing Reform", visit: www.mah.gov.on.ca/business/SHT/report_ext-e.pdf
October 16, 2000
The Children's Aid Society of Toronto's family resource centre is getting a major facelift, thanks to a new five-year, $100,000 commitment announced last week by home improvement retailer RONA. It's the first time that the company has taken on a project in Ontario. Most of its 500 stores are located in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Quebec. The project will focus on refurbishing the centre's visiting rooms and playground, and the company plans to donate building and decoration materials as well as people to do the work. For more information about RONA, visit www.rona.ca. For more information about the Children's Aid Society, visit www.casmt.on.ca
October 16, 2000
Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary in Atlantic Canada received a welcome boost last week, with a $100,000 donation from Mobil Canada to help improve the organization's training and safety capabilities. The donation will support the Atlantic Search and Rescue Training Program for Auxiliary volunteer members in Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. Auxiliary personnel will also have an opportunity to participate in Mobil's emergency response exercises in Atlantic Canada.
October 16, 2000
The Ontario Gerontology Association has issued a call for papers for their upcoming 2001 conference, to be held April 26 & 27, 2001, in Toronto, Ontario. The theme of the conference is "Share Our Knowledge: Issues and Answers". The OGA conference will provide special opportunities for those working in mental health and home care to share their skills and knowledge.If you are involved in a new or innovative program that addresses either or both of these issues, organizers want to hear from you. All submissions must include a 200-word abstract or description of your presentation and a completed paper proposal form by October 27, 2000. For more information about the conference or the call for papers, call (416) 535-6034 or visit the website: www.ontgerontology.on.ca.
October 16, 2000
The City of Toronto is holding information sessions as part of the selection process for volunteer appointments to various city agencies, boards and commissions. Several city-run agencies have vacancies and are seeking applications, including: Toronto Atmospheric Fund; Toronto and Region Conservation Authority; and the St. Lawrence Centre for the Performing Arts, among others. Eligibility requirements differ slightly among the various agencies, boards and commissions, but most require that the applicant be a resident or municipal tax payer in Toronto and that they attend an information seminar before submitting an application by a specified date. For more information and a full schedule of sessions, call Access Toronto at 416-338-0338 or visit the web site at: www.city.toronto.on.ca/involved/abc_appointments.htm.
October 16, 2000
A new global electronic clearinghouse for surplus goods went live last week. Aidmatrix, with the help of tech partners I2 Technologies and Hewlett-Packard, plans to distribute surplus materials from manufacturers to charitable groups around the world. Several large American charities, including CARE, the American Red Cross, and America's Second Harvest, have signed on as participants. Aidmatrix has set a goal to raise $100 million to build the online community. Organizers hope to make the first distributions of donated goods early in the new year. For more information, visit www.aidmatrix.com.
October 10, 2000
The Salvation Army in British Columbia is launching its first-ever capital campaign next week. "Circle of Caring" is part of a $70 million program to expand and upgrade Salvation Army facilities. The new program identifies 11 capital projects which will be developed across the Lower Mainland. "We are delighted with the way corporations, foundations and individuals are responding to the campaign," says Thomas Skidmore, chairman of campaign. The Salvation Army is the largest non-government social services organization in British Columbia.
October 10, 2000
The Canadian Women's Studies Association has issued a call for papers for their upcoming 2001 conference, to be held May 25-27, 2001, in Quebec City. The theme of the conference is "Computer Technologies: Technologies of Gender" and participants will examine the impact of cyberculture on gender issues. Organizers are now accepting proposals for papers to be presented at the conference. All submissions must include a 300-word abstract or description of your presentation and a completed paper proposal form by November 1, 2000. For more information about the conference or the call for papers, visit: www.brocku.ca/cwsa_acef.
October 10, 2000
The federal government marked UNICEF's annual Halloween penny collection campaign last week by designating October 31st as National UNICEF Day. Since 1955, the organization has encouraged children to carry orange boxes around with them while trick-or-treating to collect spare change for its overseas aid efforts. Last year, UNICEF Canada brought in $3.1 million for programs in more than 160 countries. Close to two million children across Canada participate annually in the campaign, mostly through elementary schools. For more information, visit: www.unicef.ca.
October 10, 2000
For more information about this new survey, read this week's Cover Story. -- "Talking About Charities: Canadians' Opinions on Charities and Issues Affecting Charities", The Muttart Foundation
- Virtually everyone (90% of respondents) agrees that charities are becoming increasingly important to many Canadians.
- Most (79%) believe that charitable organizations understand the needs of the average Canadian better than government.
- A majority (69%) thinks that charities do a better job than government in meeting the needs of the average Canadian.
- Most (84%) think that the services provided by charitable organizations should not be a substitute for those services government can provide.
October 10, 2000
If you have a spare hat or two tucked in your front closet, a new charity based in Shakespeare, Ontario wants to hear from you. Hats Off to Chemo collects and distributes hats to people who are going through chemo and radiation therapy. So far, supporters have given nearly 8,000 caps. Organizers have just started a new program so that donors can drop off hats at Sears locations across the province. The charity hopes to distribute 20,000 hats across Ontario in 2000 and expand across the country to give 50,000 hats next year. For more information, visit www.hatsoff-to-chemo.org
October 10, 2000
The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) announced its biggest-ever single donation from an individual last week -- a $1 million gift from retired alumnus Clayton Carroll. Carroll co-founded Pioneer Paving Ltd., which constructed many of Calgary's major roads in the 1950s. The donation will fund the Clayton Carroll Automotive Centre, a new automotive building for the Calgary-based college. Find more about SAIT at www.sait.ab.ca.
October 10, 2000
Last week, World Wildlife Fund Canada (WWF) also announced its largest single gift ever --- a $2 million contribution from the family of the late Nelson M. Davis. The gift is in support of WWF's new five-year conservation program, which aims to create a network of marine protected areas; safeguard Arctic wildlife and habitats; and protect wildlife and wild places in all parts of the country. For more info, visit www.wwf.ca.
October 10, 2000
Women from across the country plan to rally in Ottawa this weekend to demand greater action by governments on poverty and violence against women. The march is part of the wider World March of Women in the Year 2000, a global women's solidarity event that will take place in New York on October 17th. The Canadian Women's March Committee (CWMC), which is planning the mass demonstration in Ottawa on October 15th, includes 24 national organizations. For more information, visit www.canada.marchofwomen.org or e-mail march@web.ca.
October 10, 2000
The new Children's Hospital of Western Ontario will have a Child and Family Resource Centre, thanks to a $1 million donation from the Royal Bank Financial Group Foundation. The gift, announced last week, is part of a $15 million public campaign for the new hospital. The new resource centre will include books, videos, a learning lab and a medical web site to help parents make better-informed decisions about children's health issues.
October 10, 2000
A dozen police officers from Greater Victoria completed a two-week bike ride around Vancouver Island last weekend, raising $500,000 to help children with diagnosed with cancer. Part of the broader "Cops For Cancer" program, the third annual Tour de Rock campaign took riders through 12 communities around the island and hooked up with several local events at each stop. For more details about the tour and other events planned, visit: copsforcancer.com.
October 10, 2000
Eight out of ten Canadians 65 and older made direct financial donations to charities, for a total of $924.7 million. Younger seniors between the ages of 65 and 74 were more likely to make in-kind donations such as clothing (65%), and food (52%) than their older counterparts (75 and older). However, 7% of older seniors left a bequest to a charitable, religious or spiritual organization, compared to 4% of younger seniors. -- NSGVP On-Line: The Giving and Volunteering of Seniors
October 10, 2000
Canada's largest clearance wholesaler of children's, women's and men's clothing and accessories is offering its wares to charities and community groups at substantially reduced prices. The Bargains Group has been supplying agencies such as Toronto's Project Warmth, Covenant House, and Out of the Cold, among others, for several years with new clothing items such as socks and underwear. Known in the area for its "50 cent sock special", the company is working to spread awareness of its services across the country. For more information, call (416) 785-5655 or toll-free: 1-877-868-5655
October 10, 2000
The American Foundation Centre has launched a new section on their web site with 520 data tables on a range of foundations and their giving habits. The free "FC Stats" area includes the most frequently requested types of summary financial data on U.S. foundations. There is also some information about international giving, including a table of the top 50 foundations awarding grants outside the U.S. Find it at: fdncenter.org/fc_stats/index.html
October 10, 2000
Tuesday, October 10 marks the ninth annual World Mental Health Day (WMHD). The WMHD theme for 2000 and 2001 is "Mental Health and Work". Former Canadian Finance Minister Michael Wilson, honorary chairman of Canada's Business and Economic Roundtable on Mental Health, says the direct and indirect costs of mental disorders equate to about three per cent of our gross domestic product and 13 per cent of the net annual profits of all Canadian companies. The day is co-sponsored by the World Health Organization, a specialized agency of the United Nations. WHMD follows the Canadian Mental Health Association's annual Mental Illness Awareness Week, which ran last week. For more information about WMHD and upcoming CMHA events, visit www.cmha.ca.
October 2, 2000
According to the Conference Board of Canada's 2000 Performance and Potential report, Canada is doing well on the social and economic front, but not as well as other major world economies. The Conference Board's "Top 40" report scores Canada's social and economic performance on 40 indicators divided into six categories: the economy, labour markets, innovation, environment, education and skills, and health and society. Canada's performance is benchmarked against six other countries: the United States, Germany, Japan, Sweden, Norway, and Australia.Jim Frank, vice-president and chief economist with the Conference Board, says that Canadian values are changing and it's having an impact on social policy. For the first time, public health care spending has outstripped public education expenditures but Frank says that Canada's long-term success depends on developing the workforce through life-long learning.
The report cites five key areas where organizers hope that policymakers will focus their efforts:
For more information about the report, visit www.conferenceboard.ca.
- Public awareness of the importance of education and developing a learning culture must become a higher priority.
- Canada's foreign investment performance must continue to be a focus of attention.
- Canadians must become more innovative.
- Our new social policy for the 21st century must be sustainable.
- The health care system needs a serious public debate about its sustainability.
October 2, 2000
The Johns Hopkins Institute for Policy Studies, Center for Civil Society Studies is seeking applications for its International Fellows in Philanthropy Program for the 2001-2002 academic year. The program offers eight placements a year for people involved in studying or managing private nonprofit, or philanthropic organizations outside of the United States, or working as NGO liaisons in the public or commercial sectors. For more information, or to download an application, visit: www.jhu.edu/~philfellow/ or contact Program Manager Carol Wessner at cwessner@jhu.edu.
October 2, 2000
Leading up to its first public awareness campaign this month, organizers of the Quebec Leave a Legacy program conducted some preliminary research into the legacy giving habits of people in Montreal and Quebec City. Among the key findings of the survey:-- "The Practice Of Charitable Giving In A Will Among Quebecers", Leave a Legacy Quebec
- 8.2% of the Quebecers questioned who had made a will, had made a charitable bequest to a charitable organization.
- 55% of the respondents who had made a charitable bequest or who planned to do so were between 35 and 54.
- Respondents over age 55 had, more often, made a will. However, they had made charitable bequests to a charity less frequently than the previous age group, and fewer intended to make a charitable bequest.
- Respondents who had made charitable bequests most often came from the following professional categories: middle managers, teachers, technicians; blue-collar workers; and service staff.
- 90% of the respondents who had made a charitable bequest, or intended to do so, had given a cash gift to a charity organization or a recognized cause in the previous year.
- The frequency of charitable bequests was proportionally higher among respondents whose family income was: below $35,000 (8%); or above $75,000 (11%).
October 2, 2000
The Ontario Human Rights Commission's province- wide consultation on human rights issues facing older persons began last week when the organization released a new consultation paper: The Changing Face of Ontario: Discrimination and our Aging Population. The consultation paper sets out specific issues on which the Commission seeks input. Interested individuals and organizations are invited to provide written submissions by November 1, 2000 and officials are scheduling public consultation sessions to take place in London, Toronto, Ottawa, Sudbury and Thunder Bay in November. For more information on participating in the Commission's consultation, visit the Ontario Human Rights Commission Web site at: www.ohrc.on.ca/age or e-mail ageconsultation@ohrc.on.ca.
October 2, 2000
Last weekend's annual CIBC Run for the Cure brought in an estimated $8.5 million for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. The 9th annual run attracted 96,000 runners, joggers and walkers in 29 cities across the country, up from last year's total of 72,000 participants and $6.7 million raised. For more information about the foundation, visit www.cbcf.org or call 1-800-387-9816.
October 2, 2000
The Ontario Chapter of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2nd Annual Special Projects Grant Competition. The program offers grants for a period of up to three years for up to $100,000 per year for projects with a strong bio-medical focus in the areas of early detection, diagnostic methods, prevention, treatment and support, and environmental factors concerning breast cancer and breast health throughout Ontario. Application forms, guidelines and criteria are available from the Ontario Chapter sub site of the CBCF web site at www.cbcf.org or by contacting Vilma Fernandes, Ontario Chapter Executive Assistant, via phone at (416) 596-6773 or 1-800-387-9816, extension 400, or via e-mail at vfernand@cbcf.org. The deadline for applications is October 31, 2000.
October 2, 2000
Ontario staff at the Bank of Montreal set a $2 million goal last week for their annual Fountain of Hope charitable fund-raising campaign. The campaign, which runs in provinces across the country, raises funds for programs in the community level and is the staff compliment to the company's annual corporate donations budget of $18.5 million. For more information about the bank's giving programs, visit http://www.bmo.com/community.
October 2, 2000
Last week, 600 people in Toronto climbed into wheelchairs and teams spun their wheels to raise more $140,000 at the 5th Annual Canadian Paraplegic Association (CPA) Ontario Wheelchair Relay Challenge. Over its five-year history, the event has raised more than $471,000 for the association's work in enabling adults with mobility impairments to reach their potential. For more information about the CPA, visit www.canparaplegic.org.
October 2, 2000
According to new results from the Pew Internet Project, 57% of Americans without Internet access say they do not plan to log on. There are, however, divisions based on age. A substantial majority of those under 30 say they plan to get access, but seniors who are not online show little inclination of going online. The expense of going online still looms as a major issue for them. -- "Who's Not Online", Pew Internet Project
October 2, 2000
Last week, Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI) announced a three-year sponsorship deal worth $1.8 million for the Toyota Evergreen Learning Grounds Program. Part of the Evergreen Canada Initiative, the new sponsorship help rehabilitate, naturalize, and rebuild school grounds across Canada. The program will enable Evergreen to provide groups across the country with a guidebook to designing and creating natural school grounds; seed grant money to help buy native plants, organizational support and advice from Evergreen. For more information about the new program or other Evergreen initiatives, visit the website at www.evergreen.ca.
October 2, 2000
A new report, now available from PROFIT and Chatelaine magazines, names the hundred top women entrepreneurs in Canada. According to the findings, from water-filtration equipment and custom homes to paper and safety boots, these Canadian women employed 19,111 full-time and part-time employees in 1999. In total, their businesses generated 1999 revenues of more than $1.7 billion. Find the full list of leaders and accompanying reports at: www.PROFITguide.com/w100/index.html.
October 2, 2000
Senator Michael Meighen and his wife, Kelly, announced a $5 million gift to the Stratford Festival last week. It's the biggest gift in the annual Shakespearean festival's history and one of the biggest ever to a Canadian theatre company. The gift gives a welcome boost to the festival's $50 million For All Time Endowment Campaign. Meighen is chairing the festival's endowment board and his wife is a member of the festival board and chairs its fundraising committee. So far, the endowment campaign has raised $15 million toward its goal. Both have been involved with the festival for several years. For more information about the festival, visit www.ffa.ucalgary.ca/stratford/.
October 2, 2000
The YWCA of Greater Toronto is looking for six dynamic women and one young woman (age 17 - 24 ) to honour at the 21st annual Women of Distinction Awards. If you know a woman who has excelled in her chosen field and has committed herself to supporting and developing opportunities for other women in that field then consider nominating her. Past recipients include athletes, authors, artists, social and community activists, theologians and business leaders. The nomination deadline is November 30th, 2000. For full award details, categories and a nomination form, visit the Y web site at:www.ywcator.org.
October 2, 2000
There's another deadline for Industry Canada's Community Access Program (CAP) looming at the end of the month. Under CAP, public locations like schools, libraries and community centres act as "on-ramps" to the Information Highway, and provide computer support and training. Originally directed at smaller communities, CAP is now being rolled out to larger population centres of over 50,000. By March 31, 2001, Industry Canada wants to establish public Internet access sites in up to 10,000 rural, remote and urban communities across Canada. For more information about the program, visit cap.ic.gc.ca, call 1-800-268-6608, or e-mail comaccess@ic.gc.ca.
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