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| Path: Main Street : NewsWeek : Archive : NewsBytes : Article |
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: January, 2001
Articles are arranged in reverse chronological order.
Aid groups respond to earthquake in India
January 29, 2001
With the death toll from last week's earthquake in western India at more than 6,000 already, Canadian aid agencies are accepting donations to help with relief efforts in the region. The federal Foreign Affairs Department has also created a toll-free number where people concerned about relatives in the region can call for information: 1-800-387-3124. The following groups are accepting cash donations:
- Canadian Red Cross; 1-800-418-1111
- Canadian Hunger Foundation; 1-866-242-4243
- CARE Canada; 1-800-267-5232
- Canadian Food for the Hungry International; 1-800-667-0605
- Oxfam Canada; 1-800-466-9326
- Salvation Army; 1-888-321-3433
- UNICEF; 1-800-567-4483
- World Vision; 1-800-268-1650
January 29, 2001
Young adults are turning away from the country's churches in droves, according to new figures from Statistics Canada. In 1988, 34% of people between the ages of 15 and 24 were regular churchgoers. Ten years later, that number has dropped to 24%. On average, about 34% of Canadians ages 15 and over attend religions services at least once a month. That figure is down from 41% a decade ago.If it keeps up, this trend in attendance might be worrisome for nonprofit groups across the country. According to the results of the 1997 National Survey of Giving, Volunteering, and Participating (NSGVP), religiously active volunteers make up 43% of volunteers in Canada and account for 50% of all hours volunteered. Likewise, religiously active Canadians contribute 65% of all direct charitable donations.
January 29, 2001
The Ontario government has announced the first call for proposals for the Early Years Challenge Fund. The Fund matches contributions from the charitable and business sectors to support early child development and parenting initiatives. This round of funding will focus on province-wide activities, with a call for community proposals to be announced later this spring. Proposals can be from voluntary or professional organizations or service clubs, umbrella groups of agencies, or organizations developing a project that will impact the early child development and parenting activities of more than one community.The deadline for applications is February 28, 2001. For more information, visit the Children's Secretariat's web site at: www.childsec.gov.on.ca or phone (416) 327-1233. An information session on the provincial funding program will be held on January 31, 2001 2:30 - 5:30 at Ontario North Room, MacDonald Block, 900 Bay Street, Toronto. To register, phone (416) 327-1233 or e-mail anne.day@css.gov.on.ca.
Fast Fact:We're turning from the tube to the mouse
January 29, 2001
According to new figures from Statistics Canada, the average Canadian watched 21.6 hours of television a week in 1999, down one hour from the year before and the lowest average viewership in two decades. During the same time, the number of households with at least one regular Internet user jumped from 36% to 42%. -- Statistics Canada
January 29, 2001
While world political, corporate, and some nonprofit leaders are gathering in Davos, Switzerland for the 31st annual World Economic Forum, social activists are gathering on the other side of the globe in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Delegates to the first-ever World Social Forum are coming together to help develop social and economic projects that promote human rights, social justice and sustainable development. Organizers plan to hold the conference every year at the same time as the Davos event.At the conference, delegates from more than 100 countries are working on creating international strategies for grassroots organizing; building proposals to democratize international institutions, such as the WTO, the IMF, and the World Bank; creating sustainable development proposals to eradicate poverty and hunger, and to protect the environment; and a range of other issues. For more information, visit: www.forumsocialmundial.org.br.
January 29, 2001
Lou Siminovitch, a prominent Canadian medical researcher, launched a major new prize last week for people involved in Canadian theatre. The Elinore and Lou Siminovitch Prize, worth $100,000 a year, will be presented to a director, playwright or designer, in mid-career, whose body of work has made a significant contribution to the theatre in Canada. Direction, playwriting and design will be honored in a three-year cycle beginning with directors in 2001, playwrights next year, and designers in 2003. The award winner will take home $75,000 and will be able to give another $25,000 to a protege or an arts organization. Bank of Montreal is the corporate sponsor of the prize. For full program details, visit: www.siminovitchprize.com.
January 29, 2001
The Nova Scotia Cultural Network is partnering with CBC Television, Nova Scotia, to produce a new, interactive cultural awareness campaign. The CULTURE, EH! campaign will use short TV and radio spots to raise public awareness of the social and economic importance of the province's culture sector. Organizers are looking for creative representations of the word "culture" to use in the campaign and are hoping to incorporate the widest possible range of media, from sound and collage to bricks and leather. For more information about the program, contact Pamela Wetzel at (902) 423-7149; pamela@culture.ns.ca; www.culture.ns.ca.
January 29, 2001
After pulling its sponsorship a year ago in response to restrictive new tobacco advertising regulations, du Maurier announced last week that it is coming back to the lead sponsorship of Toronto's Downtown Jazz Festival for one more year. Neil Blanche, director of marketing communications for du Maurier said, in announcing the renewal, "When one develops a productive partnership such as that which has evolved with Downtown Jazz Toronto, it is important to make every effort one can to maintain that association." The sponsorship is worth more than $1 million to the festival. The tobacco company announced late last year that it would continue to sponsor Vancouver's jazz festival. A du Maurier spokesperson also said that the company is negotiating with similar festivals in Montreal, Halifax and Winnipeg. For more information about the Toronto festival, visit: www.tojazz.com.
January 29, 2001
The Community Foundation of Greater Kingston (CFGK) is accepting applications until March 15th, 2001 for its latest granting round. The foundation supports efforts within six broad program areas: community development; health and social services; arts and culture; education; literacy and the environment. Applicants must have a charitable registration number or be sponsored by a registered charity. For guidelines, application forms, and information about previous grantees, visit: www.cfgk.org, or call (613) 546-9696.
January 29, 2001
Organizers of the Tenth Biennial Conference on Canadian Social Welfare Policy have issued a call for papers and workshops to be presented at the conference this June in Calgary. They hope to focus on a range of issues, including: health, welfare and environmental policy; accountability, governance and new directions in the voluntary sector; the link between globalization and inequality; the media and social policy; and other related areas. Abstracts of 150 words or less should be submitted by email by January 31, 2001. For more information, contact: Margaret-Anne Stroh, Conference Coordinator, University of Calgary, Conference Management Services, 1833 Crowchild Trail N. W., Calgary, AB T2M 4S7; mastroh@ucalgary.ca.
January 29, 2001
Alberta's provincial government is set to announce an energy break for some nonprofits across the province this week. Gaming Minister Murray Smith is expected to announce a plan worth several million dollars that will help community groups deal with soaring heating costs. The help will come from provincial lottery revenues. Officials are still working on the details of the plan but it is likely that community-run recreation groups, such as those operating swimming pools and curling rinks, will be the first to reap the benefits. The Alberta Energy and Utilities Board recently approved a 51% increase in natural gas prices for Northern Alberta customers of ATCO Gas.
January 29, 2001
The City of Toronto is seeking nominations for its 2001 Access, Equity and Human Rights Awards. The program includes three awards that recognize people who have made a difference in the city by striving for equitable treatment for women, contributing to race relations or improving access for people with disabilities. The deadline for all awards is March 30, 2001. For complete details, visit www.city.toronto.on.ca/civicawards/index.htm or call (416) 392-0371.
January 29, 2001
In 1998/99 the three levels of government spent an estimated $5.7 billion on culture in Canada, supporting everything from libraries and museums to nature parks and broadcasting. It's the first time in four years that spending has increased. According to the report from Statistics Canada, the most recent figures are up 2.3% from 1997/98 numbers.It's also the first time in nearly a decade that spending by the federal and provincial/territorial governments increased, while municipal spending fell. The federal government spent $2.8 billion on culture in 1998/99, up 5.9% in current dollars, but still 8.0% less than peak spending in 1990/91. The provinces and territories spent $1.9 billion, a 9.0% increase over the previous year. Municipal spending fell 7.9% to $1.4 billion.
This week's throne speech is also expected to highlight new federal funding for the country's cultural organizations. A full copy of the report "Government expenditures on culture" is available from StatsCan for $50. Find it online at: www.statcan.ca:80/english/IPS/Data/87F0001XPB.htm.
January 29, 2001
Mike Johnston, author of The Fundraisers' Guide to the Internet,is looking for success stories and lessons learned in online fundraising to be profiled in the second edition of the book. If your story is selected to be used, you'll receive a free copy of the new book. For more information, visit: www.hjcnewmedia.com/helpmike/helpmike.htm.
January 29, 2001
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation pledged $100 million last week to help develop an AIDS vaccine for use in Africa. The foundation made the announcement at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland. The gift will allow the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) to begin trials of the vaccine in Kenya as soon as this week. The Gates Foundation hopes that the new initiative will spark other gifts to support the IAVI. So far, Yahoo Inc. has come to the table with an additional $5 million. For more information about the foundation, visit: www.gatesfoundation.org. For more information about IAVI, visit: www.iavi.org.
January 29, 2001
Khartum Shriners in Winnipeg are trying to distance themselves from a raunchy fundraiser that was recently promoted under their banner. Last week, several members of the Shriners' Motor Patrol held a "V.I.P. Gentlemen's Dinner" to help raise funds for the motor patrol and the Shrine children's charities. At the event, nude women performed sex acts and allowed some of the guests to fondle them. Soundly criticised the next day by the local media, the umbrella charity -- the Khartum Shrine -- said that it had not given any authorization for the event. The Manitoba Liquor Control Commission has since launched an investigation and the Shrine executive is holding a special board meeting to look into what happened.
January 29, 2001
Internet company Yfactor is looking for applicants to its YCommunityCares Program that offers Canadian non-profit and charitable organizations the chance to have a professionally designed web site developed for free. According to company president Anya Colussi, "We will be using new technologies within the Web site to showcase Yfactor's abilities as well as provide a value-added product to the client." To apply for the program, visit www.yfactor.com/whoweare-community.html. The deadline for applications is March 31, 2001.
January 22, 2001
A study released last week by the Canada West Foundation (CWF) finds that Canadian nonprofits are reluctant users of gambling proceeds. According to CWF President Roger Gibbins, "Charities we surveyed are telling us they would prefer not to use gambling revenue but often feel they have no other choice." The Ethics of Charitable Gambling surveyed 647 executive directors across the country. Among the key findings:
- About one third of respondents recorded revenues from charitable gambling between 1995 and 1999. When religious organizations are excluded, the usage rate rises to 48%.
- 60% of organizations that used charitable gambling in 1999 identified it as their most or second most important revenue source.
- 63% of organizations that do not use charitable gambling said that ethical concerns were a factor in their decision not to use it.
- 58% of respondents who used charitable gambling between 1995 and 1999 said they would prefer to use other methods but are unable to make up the shortfall by other means.
The report makes several recommendations for improving charitable gambling policy including: protecting levels of charitable gambling from the impact of government-run gambling; the creation of alternative funding sources for the charities that object to gambling; providing more non-gambling funding that can be used for infrastructure spending and the promotion of diversification of funding sources within the charitable sector; and involving charities in the gambling policy making process. Download a copy of the report from the foundation's web site at: www.cwf.ca.
January 22, 2001
Organizers of the Ruth Atkinson Hindmarsh Award, are now accepting nominations for the $50,000 annual prize. The program was established to celebrate and encourage the outstanding efforts of organizations that work with needy children in Ontario. The one-time prize may be used to further develop the winning organization's activity, educate the public, or influence other organizations that help economically disadvantaged children. For nomination brochures, call (416) 368-5152 or visit the foundation's website at atkinsonfdn.on.ca.
January 22, 2001
The United Way of Greater Toronto (UWGT) celebrated the conclusion of its most successful campaign ever last week. The annual campaign for health and social service agencies in the GTA brought in $70 million, $2.5 more than the campaign goal, and $7 million more than last year's tally. The UWGT has 200 member agencies, and more than 20,000 volunteers. Find out more at www.uwgt.org.
January 22, 2001
According to follow-up research on data from the 1997 Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating, there is a small proportion of Canadians -- a civic core -- who are very active in all three spheres of civil society and are responsible for the lion's share of effort all three areas. Researchers Paul Reed and Kevin Selbee found that 8% of the adult population provided almost half of all volunteer time and charitable dollars, and one-quarter of all civic participating in 1997. -- "Patterns of Citizen Participation and the Civic Core in Canada"
January 22, 2001
Upper Canada College (UCC) plans to open a new learning centre devoted to addressing boys' differences in learning styles and needs, thanks to a $6.9 million gift from Richard Wernham and Julia West. Wernham is the founder of Global Strategy Financial, and West is the founder of Julia West Home. The donation is the largest gift in UCC's 172 year history. Find out more at: www.uppercanadacollege.ca.
January 22, 2001
The Wanda Wyatt Foundation announced a new $1 million endowment fund at the University of Prince Edward Island. The money will fund ongoing scholarships at the university to reward well-rounded student excellence, with a special emphasis on applicants' interest in culture and the arts. It is the largest of four gifts that the foundation has given to UPEI over the past decade. For more information, visit the university's web site at: www.upei.ca.
January 22, 2001
The Canadian Council for Non-Smoking (CCNS) is selling cigarette pack sleeves with "positive messages" about the benefits of quitting smoking. The group has criticized the federal government for legislating graphic new images on cigarette packs. The images and accompanying text depict the damage smoking can cause to human tissues. Although lauding the overall efforts of the government, CCNS vice president Peter Fitzpatrick said that the Health Canada approach "Shows a clear lack of understanding of our youth culture, or understanding of the cigarette addiction."The group is selling covers for cigarette packs with messages such as "Quitting smoking will absolutely extend your life span" and "When you stop smoking: within one year your risk of heart attack is cut in half." All profits from the $19.99 package of 10 covers are going to support the organizations "Keep the Promise" program to prevent kids from taking up the habit. For more information about CCNS, visit: www.positivequit.com or www.nonsmoking.org.
January 22, 2001
A new history of P.E.I. women's contributions to arts and crafts in the 20th century is now available online. "First Hand: Arts, Crafts, and Culture" explores a range of creative works created by women's hands, including basketweaving, writing, rug hooking, photography, quilting, and visual arts. The public history was compiled by a group of local women, including both historians and practitioners. Following a public launch on January 16, the web version of the exhibit can be found online at: www.gov.pe.ca/go/firsthand.
January 22, 2001
Low-income cutoffs (LICOs) for 1999 and low-income measures (LIMs) for 1998, before and after tax, are now available from Statistics Canada. The updated thresholds for both measurements are contained in a single publication that replaces two former publications. The new publication includes a detailed description of the methods used to arrive at both measurements, explains how base years are defined, and how LICOs are updated using the Consumer Price Index. Click here to download the PDF version of the publication, or visit the StatsCan web site at: www.statcan.ca.
January 22, 2001
Last week, the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CCFF) received a cheque for $2.1 million -- its largest single gift in any one year. The donation came from Zellers and was the result of its annual Moonwalk program. The program raised $1.9 million, and was topped up with a $200,000 gift from Laura O'Reilly. She had received the money from Zellers in honour of her late husband, Michael O'Reilly. O'Reilly died in 1999 of complications related to CF and was a well-known advertising copywriter who had worked with Zellers on its advertising campaigns. For more info about the foundation, visit www.ccff.ca.
January 22, 2001
NetAction has launched a revised and expanded version of its Virtual Action online training course. The American nonprofit group launched the original course several years ago, when online activism was first becoming popular. The expanded training course includes two new sections, as well as mini-trainers on web design and online media advocacy. They have also updated information on copyright protection, privacy, censorship and spam, and checklists on preparing action alerts and creating e-mail alert lists. Find the new program online at www.netaction.org/training
January 22, 2001
Last month, the Art Gallery of Hamilton picked up two works of art worth $4.9 million. The 17th century painting and 19th century bronze sculpture were gifts from the Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Collection. The Tanenbaums made headlines last year when they pulled a major donation from the National Gallery of Canada and gave the $104 million collection of Chinese and Near Eastern art to the Royal Ontario Museum. For more information about the gallery, visit artgalleryofhamilton.on.ca.
January 22, 2001
Organizers of the International Conference and Workshops on Learning Potential have issued a call for papers to be presented at the conference in Winnipeg, Manitoba this August. UNEVOC-Canada, the Canadian Center for UNESCO's International Project on Technical and Vocational Education, and the International Center for the Enhancement of Learning Potential will co-host the conference. Papers for the conference are being accepted on any aspect related to Dr. Reuven Feuerstein's theories of structural cognitive modifiability (SCM) and mediated learning experience (MLE), or their applications: learning potential assessment device (LPAD) and instrumental enrichment (IE). For more information about the conference and how to submit an abstract, visit www.umanitoba.ca/unevoc/conference/papers.html.
January 22, 2001
To help commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first performance of the National Ballet of Canada the Royal Canadian Mint recently unveiled the Canadian sterling silver dollar for 2001 in Toronto. The coin, designed by Canadian artist Scott McKowen, depicts a scene from the company's debut performance of the classical ballet Les Sylphides. The 2001 silver dollar coin is the 38th in a series celebrating Canadian historical events, people and places. The Mint began issuing the special coins in 1935. For more information, visit the Mint web site at: www.mint.ca or the Ballet site at: www.ballet.ca.
January 22, 2001
Organizers launched a new web space last week that they hope will act as a national bilingual online public space for discussion. The eCommons.net pilot project is designed to close the digital divide between knowledge media rich and poor. Organizers hope that the site will grow into a place that fosters learning networks for community, human and civil society development. The project is backed by a $300,000 matching grant from Human Resources Development Canada's Community Learning Program and is being spearheaded by the byDesign E Lab. Find it online at: www.ecommons.net.
January 22, 2001
AOL Canada became a $1-million Founding Partner last week in Canada's SchoolNet program. SchoolNet GrassRoots provides funding to schools for teachers and students to develop educational projects for the Internet. The goal of the program is to create 20,000 classroom-based online projects that are developed by Canadian schools. The government pledged $15 million to the program and organizers have raised an additional $4 million from the private sector. For more information, visit: www.schoolnet.ca.
January 15, 2001
An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 shook El Salvador and much of Central America last weekend. First reports indicate that about 1,200 people are missing, with more than 250 confirmed dead. Aid agencies have been quick to mobilize forces in the area to help search for survivors and bring help to those who have lost homes and resources in the disaster. Canadian International Co-operation Minister Maria Minna was in San Salvador at the time of the earthquake, and pledged $1 million in emergency aid to help provide shelter for quake victims. Other Canadian aid agencies are accepting public donations to help with relief efforts:
- Canadian Hunger Foundation; 1-866-242-4243
- Canadian Red Cross; 1-800-418-1111
- CARE Canada; 1-800-267-5232
- Development and Peace; 1-888-664-DEVP (3387)
- Horizons of Friendship; 1-888-729-9928
- Mennonite Central Committee; 1-888-622-6337
- Oxfam Canada; 1-800-466-9326
- SalvAide; Ottawa: 613-233-6215, Toronto: 416-889-0902
- Salvation Army; 1-888-321-3433
- UNICEF; 1-800-567-4483
- World Vision; 1-800-268-1650
January 15, 2001
The Victorian Order of Nurses Peterborough, Victoria & Haliburton Branch (VON PVH) announced last week that it is pulling out of community nursing services in Victoria and Haliburton counties this spring. According to a release from the organization, effective April 8, 2001, the branch will discontinue its community nursing program, but will still offer programs including foot care, adult day care, acquired brain injury and Alzheimer programs. VON will also continue to provide nursing and other services in Peterborough County.Organizers cited the nation-wide nursing shortage and a disparity of wages between community and hospital nurses as primary reasons for discontinuing the service. VON PVH has been incurring a loss in excess of $20,000 per month and organizers said that they cannot continue to sustain this level of loss without additional community health care funding from government in sight. For more information, visit: www.von.ca.
January 15, 2001
Two couples, Joe Varnell and Kevin Bourassa, and Anne Vautour and Elaine Vautour, made history last weekend when they were wed in Toronto's Metropolitan Community Church. If the marriage license is registered by the province, they will be the first legally-wed same-sex couples in the world.Rev. Brent Hawkes, the minister who married them, used an obscure clause of the Marriage Act to argue that the marriage is legal before the courts. On the last three Sundays, Hawkes followed the ancient Christian tradition of publishing marriage banns, reading aloud the names of the two couples to the church congregation. According to the Marriage Act, this route is a valid alternative to seeking a marriage license from city hall. More importantly, the act does not specify that the couples must be of the opposite sex. Without any valid objections during the three readings, Hawkes was able to issue each couple a marriage license.
Bob Runciman, Ontario's minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations, has said that he will not be able to approve to union because marriage has been defined by the federal government as two people of the opposite sex. The couples are now preparing to take their fight for a legal marriage to the Supreme Court. For more information, visit the church web site at: www.mcctoronto.com
January 15, 2001
A group opposed to Ontario's anti-squeegee law lobbed the first volley in a constitutional challenge against the Safe Streets Act last week. Lawyers for the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty are arguing that the legislation, which forbids people from panhandling near bank machines, transit stops, or road intersections, violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.Several charities that run roadside collection programs have also been affected by the legislation, which they argue is too broadly defined. The national chair of the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Canada said in an interview last week that the group's Boot Drive fundraisers by firefighters have lost more than $200,000 as a result of the Safe Streets Act.
A ruling on the case is not expected for several months. For more information, visit: Ontario Coalition Against Poverty at www.tao.ca/~ocap/, or the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Canada at www.mdac.ca.
January 15, 2001
According to a new profile based on the National Survey of Giving Volunteering and Participation, most of Quebec's volunteers (45%) were in their mid-adult years (35-54). Of this group 24% were between 35-44 years of age while the remaining 21% were 45-54 years old. Nineteen percent of volunteers were youth (15-24) and 16% were young adults (25-34). At 10% each, the smallest percentage of volunteers emerged from the mature adult (55-64) and senior (65 and above) groupings. However, mature adults and seniors gave the highest average number of hours (188 and 264 hours respectively). -- NSGVP On-line
January 15, 2001
A new report from the Canadian Race Relations Foundation finds that, while visible minorities in Canada have achieved increasingly higher levels of education, they still have higher unemployment levels and earn less than white people. Released last week, the report "Unequal Access: A Canadian Profile of Racial Differences in Education, Employment and Income" was conducted by researchers at the Canadian Council on Social Development. Among the key findings:Download a full copy of the report at: www.crr.ca.
- Among those who are university educated, Aboriginal peoples are four times as likely as the Canadian born non-racialized group to be unemployed, and foreign-born visible minorities are at least twice as likely as the Canadian born non-racialized group to be unemployed.
- Less than half of foreign-born visible minorities who have a university education work in jobs with a high skill level.
- Compared to non-racialized groups, members of visible minority groups and Aboriginal peoples are less likely to hold managerial or professional jobs.
- Despite their higher educational attainment compared to non-racialized groups, visible minorities trail behind in terms of their employment and income.
- Data on earnings revealed that foreign-born visible minorities earned, on average, only 78 cents for every dollar earned by the foreign-born non-racialized group.
January 15, 2001
Fire ripped through the Community Care Food and Furniture Bank in Halifax last Saturday morning, causing significant damage to the building. Fortunately, no one was inside at the time of the blaze. After the fire was extinguished, staff and volunteers managed to salvage some of the food from the building. The cause of the fire was not immediately known, but fire officials will investigate the scene this week. The centre, operated by Community Care Network Society, serves about 250 people a week. It often offers furniture to people whose homes have been damaged by fire.
January 15, 2001
PEN Canada and the Ottawa International Writers Festival have condemned the arrest of a high school student who has been jailed for writing a monologue in which the protagonist blows up his school. The 16-year-old youth from North Stormont, Ontario was charged with uttering death threats after he read the story aloud to his class. He has been in jail since December 8. According to his parents, he wrote the story after being attacked by bullies at the school."In a country which should respect an individual's right to freely express creative ideas, it's ludicrous that this young man should be treated in such a heavy-handed way, simply for composing a dramatic monologue," says PEN Canada president Sandra Martin. "The fact that the story may deal with some disturbing themes hardly offers a justification for such action."
The Ottawa International Writers Festival is organizing a fundraiser and public awareness campaign in support of the teenager. Proceeds will establish a program allowing artists to visit schools for workshops and discussions on creativity and freedom of expression. "As concerns over violence in our schools grows, we need to offer creative, non-violent alternatives," says Sean Wilson, the festival's artistic director. "Any time people choose to express themselves creatively in response to violence and fear, they should be commended, not prosecuted. I can't think of a healthier response to bullying than a short story."
For more information, visit www.pencanada.ca or www.writersfest.com.
January 15, 2001
A Toronto-area group is looking for a mission, shelter, or food bank that would be interested in having nine challenged volunteers help out at your agency on February 24, 2001 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. These nine students are trying to achieve their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh's Award. One of their requirements is to overcome a challenge. The group, known as DEPCG - Duke of Edinburgh Personal Challenge Group - (Bloorview Macmillan site), decided upon overcoming their fear of homeless people. If your group can help host nine volunteers plus five attendants for community service support on this date, please contact Paula Schutz (Director of DEPCG) at pschutz@appleby.on.ca or (905) 845-4681 ext. 273.
January 15, 2001
Kids Help Phone, Canada's 24-hour phone counselling service for children and youth, opened the doors of its new chapter in Winnipeg last week. Last year, counsellors answered more than 14,000 calls from more than 230 communities in Manitoba. Now, in addition to the telephone service, 16 student ambassadors will help build awareness of the program in the Winnipeg area by visiting local high schools and events that are aimed at children and youth. Find the Help Phone number at 1-800-668-6868 or visit the web site at kidshelp.sympatico.ca.
January 15, 2001
The Alzheimer Society of Canada has launched a new online resource for people who have recently been diagnosed with the disease and related dementias. As part of its annual awareness campaign, the society has launched "I Have Alzheimer Disease," the first web resource in Canada aimed at those with the degenerative brain disorder. The new suite of pages offers information, support and resources to help people learn about the disease and manage day to day. About 364,000 Canadians have Alzheimer disease and related dementias. Find the new resource online at: www.alzheimer.ca.
January 15, 2001
Manitoba's Conservation Minister Oscar Lathlin unveiled a new $1 million fund last week for projects aimed at reducing the impact of climate change in the province. The Climate Change Action Fund (CCAF) will offer $250,000 annually for four years to support projects related to education and outreach, impacts and adaptation research, technological innovation, and energy efficiency and alternative or "green" forms of energy. The program is open to community groups, educational institutions, businesses and municipalities. Organizers are accepting "quick start" grant applications until February 9 to ensure that the first round of grants flow before April 1. Find information and applications at the Manitoba Conservation, Energy Information Centre: (204) 945-3760 or toll free 1-800-282-8069, ext. 3760; fax (204) 945-0586.
January 15, 2001
Several members of the Advisory Committee on Accessible Transportation (ACAT) threatened to quit the federal government committee last week over a deal to purchase $125 million worth of railway cars that are not all wheelchair accessible. VIA Rail has committed to buy 139 unused rail cars from Europe but the aisles of the new cars are too narrow to accommodate wheelchairs or walkers. The Council of Canadians with Disabilities has asked the Canadian Transportation Agency for an injunction against the purchase of the cars, but the rail line is arguing that the purchase meets the minimum standards for accessibility because some parts of many cars can be used by passengers with disabilities. For more information, visit the CCD web site at: www.pcs.mb.ca/~ccd/.
January 15, 2001
The Conference Board of Canada and Spencer Stuart announced the winners of the first National Awards in Governance last week. The program recognizes excellence in governance in the private, not-for-profit and public sectors. Tanking home the prize in each category were: Bank of Montreal, the Capital Health Authority and The Deposit Insurance Corporation of Ontario. Capital Health won in the not-for-profit sector for its innovative stakeholder consultations. It formed seven community health councils to link the organization's board and the communities it serves. As part of this process, more than 100 stakeholders participated in developing a core business framework and strategic goals for Capital Health. The winners will be recognized at the awards dinner on January 30, during which one of the three will receive Overall National Award in Governance. For more information about the winners and the award program, visit: www.conferenceboard.ca.
January 15, 2001
The New Waterford and Area Innovation Society in Cape Breton is calling on local nonprofits to submit proposals for funding from the Community Employment Innovation Project (CEIP). The program pays for human resources to support local community projects in the area. Interested groups can pick up application kits at the New Waterford and Area Family Resource Centre or call: (902) 862-7140 for more information. Visit the Family Resource Centre web site at: www3.ns.sympatico.ca/nwfamily/main.htm.
January 8, 2001
A new Internet site went live recently that promises to track news and stories about the unpayable debts of the poorest countries of the world. OneWorld launched the DebtChannel.org web site in partnership with over 70 leading aid agencies, human rights and campaign groups worldwide. "The launch of DebtChannel.org is a reflection of the growing worldwide support for the struggle against debt slavery," said Ann Pettifor, Jubilee 2000 co-founder and director. The site includes news, analysis, campaign actions, event listings, discussion forums, and a beginner's guide to debt. Find out more at: www.DebtChannel.org.
January 8, 2001
A new law in Manitoba makes it illegal for unions and corporations to make either financial or in-kind donations to political parties in the province. Under the amendments to the province's Elections Finances Act, only individuals can make gifts to political parties, and those gifts are capped at $3,000 per person each calendar year. The restrictions only apply to provincial riding associations and candidates.A move is also underway to ban third-party advertising during provincial election campaigns in the province. For more information, visit: www.elections.mb.ca.
January 8, 2001
The Canadian Centre for Philanthropy recently announced a call for proposals in six key research areas relating to volunteers: demographic and social change; motivation, recruitment, retention and recognition; volunteer development; the value of volunteering; volunteer management; and resources, infrastructure and governance. The Centre plans to award $900,000 in contracts to researchers in nonprofit organizations and post-secondary institutions. Awards will range from $50,000 to $100,000, though some larger proposals may also be accepted. The deadline for proposals is February 9, 2001. For full proposal details, visit: http://www.nonprofitscan.org/iyv.htm.
January 8, 2001
Late last month, the federal government changed the limit on tax-exempt allowances paid by employers to employees for mileage. According to the Finance Canada release, the rate "will increase from 37¢ to 41¢ per kilometre for the first 5,000 kilometres driven and from 31¢ to 35¢ for each additional kilometre. For the Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories and Nunavut, the tax-exempt allowance will increase from 41¢ to 45¢ for the first 5,000 kilometres driven and from 35¢ to 39¢ for each additional kilometre." For more information about the change, visit http://www.fin.gc.ca/newse00/00-096e.html. -- Finance Canada
January 8, 2001
The Canadian Centre for Philanthropy (CCP) is accepting applications for its National Access Bursary Program. The Bursary program covers the cost of membership in the CCP for a period of one year and is open to all registered charities in Canada with annual revenues under $500,000. The deadline for applications is March 16, 2001, and only a limited number of bursaries are available. For more information, visit: www.ccp.ca/information/documents/Access_bursary_2001.htm
January 8, 2001
The first week of the new year brought some strange and unfortunate news for several nonprofits across the country, as thieves made off with money, gems, and wildlife at three nonprofit agencies.On New Year's Day, a hawk and a falcon went missing from a netted aviary at the Calgary Zoo. At the University of Waterloo's Earth Sciences Museum, a collection of 36 cut gemstones, valued at approximately $4,000, were stolen on January 2nd. On January 3rd, someone broke into the administrative offices at the Montreal SPCA and made off with the contents of two safes. The safes contained cash, donation cheques and pet adoption records. If you have any leads on these thefts, please contact the organization or your local police.
January 8, 2001
The 2000 update of the Frank Minton and Lorna Somers book Planned Giving for Canadians is now available for free. This update was completed before the October, 2000 mini-budget further reduced the capital gains inclusion rate. The publishers plan to prepare the 2001 update and incorporate the changes in the mini-budget plus any other changes resulting from the 2001 federal budget. To download a copy, go to www.PlanGiv.com and follow the download instructions or contact Somersmith at (905) 689-2538 or dsomers14@home.com.
January 8, 2001
The Youth Emergency Shelter Society (YESS) in Edmonton is closing in on a $265,000 fundraising target to help support its two residences. Last week, a local radio station presented the society with a $25,000 cheque. That brought the group to within $86,000 of its goal, with just over a week left in the campaign. Organizers are concerned that rising utility rates in the area will force it to cut services or programs. For more information about YESS, visit: www.yess.org.
January 8, 2001
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) launched a new campaign last week to help refurbish 100 playgrounds across the city. The TDSB has committed $3 million to this campaign, representing approximately one third of the cost of building the first 100 projects. Organizers expect the total cost of the first year project to come in at $9 million. They are seeking support from the corporate sector and have also partnered with several other organizations, including Evergreen and the Directors Guild of Canada. For more information, visit www.tdsb.on.ca.
January 8, 2001
The Fellowship of Associates of Medical Evangelism (FAME Canada) and the Hillsborough Rotary Club of Prince Edward Island have teamed up to ship a 20-foot freight container filled with medical supplies to Cameroon, Africa. The Canadian Christian medical mission, based in Charlottetown, collected the medical equipment from hospitals, but the local Rotarians are paying to ship the huge cargo container to Yaounde, Cameroon. On the other end, the local Rotary Club will help distribute the materials to hospitals and health centres in Bafoussam and Yaounde. For more information about FAME, visit: www.fameworld.org.
January 8, 2001
Winnipeg's Fort Whyte Centre saw its bison herd more than double last week as 17 of the creatures made their way onto the centre's 70-acre field. The new bison were donated by Riding Mountain National Park and join eight others that were given to the group last spring by Manitoba's Bison Association. Organizers hope to have a heard of 40 by this spring. Following future calving, the group plans to sell off excess members of the herd to help fund its environmental education programs. For more information about the centre, visit: www.fortwhyte.org.
January 8, 2001
CIBC invested more than $33 million worldwide in corporate donations and sponsorships last year through the CIBC Charitable Foundation, the CIBC World Markets Children's Miracle Foundation and its corporate sponsorship program. The most recent Miracle Day raised a whopping $25.1 million and its lead sponsorship of the CIBC Run for the Cure brought in a record $8.5 million for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. This year's contribution, according to the company, represents an approximate 18% increase in support over the $28 million contributed in 1999. For more information, visit www.cibc.com.
January 8, 2001
A new poll conducted by the California Community Foundation finds that Internet users are likely to be more generous and informed donors to charities and nonprofit groups than their non-web enabled counterparts. However, while Internet users may click around for information about charities, few of them actually donate online. According to the findings, there is scarcely any public awareness of leading e-philanthropy portals such as America Online's Helping.org web site.Researchers found that 23% of Internet users learn about charities online, but only 8% use the Internet to donate. On the bright side, Internet users donate to more types of charities (an average of 2.8) than non-users (an average of 1.5), and are nearly three times more likely to have donated to a new cause this year. Find out more at: www.calfund.org/html/page10340.html.
January 2, 2001
A new report from the Conference Board of Canada finds that Canadians' views about the role of government have shifted over the past 20 years. According to the report "Changing Values Challenge the Canadian Way," fiscal responsibility and government accountability are now priorities for many more Canadians. By contrast, the study found that "with the exception of Medicare, Canadians' support for a universal approach to social programs has weakened."Respondents to the survey were deeply divided on the responsibility of governments to reduce income differences and showed a shift away from a collective approach to social policy towards more support for individual responsibility and self-reliance. Researchers found that these shifts parallel similar changes in the United States and European countries. For more information about the Conference Board, visit: www.conferenceboard.ca.
January 2, 2001
Calgary's Institute of Modern and Contemporary Art (IMCA) will receive an $8 million gift as long as it agrees to change its name and hire a specific architect to restore its new home. According to a recently-published report, John Lecky, the majority owner of Canada 3000 airlines, plans to make the gift as long as IMCA changes its name to the Calgary Institute of Modern Art, and hires the architectural firm Culham Pedersen Valentine to complete the building project. The offer has raised several eyebrows in the local arts community, as two other architects had been given the contract for the $16 million project last spring.
January 2, 2001
According to a new study from the Social Investment Organization (SIO), Canadians are investing more in socially responsible investment products. The first Canadian Social Investment Review 2000 found that social investment assets in Canada total about $49.9 billion. This figure is comprised of:The study was funded by Ethical Funds Inc. and VanCity, in conjunction with the MBA program at Wilfrid Laurier University. Find more details and a copy of the study at SIO's web site at: www.socialinvestment.ca.
- $10.35 billion in socially responsible mutual funds and labour- sponsored funds.
- $11.3 billion managed by investment management firms on behalf of institutional clients asking for social or environmental screening.
- $27.2 billion by institutional investors managing funds primarily or wholly in-house with regard to social or environmental screens.
- $1 billion in shareholder advocacy initiatives on social and environmental issues.
- $85 million in investments by locally-based community investment organizations.
January 2, 2001
Today's university students are planning for a future that balances work, play, and community involvement. A recent survey of 3,006 students at 20 universities found that tomorrow's young employees want time to enjoy dream homes (45%), travel extensively (45%) and volunteer in the community (43%). As well, many are interested in a career in the voluntary sector -- 20% plan to have a career as a director of a not-for-profit agency. -- Royal Bank and Ipsos Reid
January 2, 2001
The poorest countries in the world received a welcome announcement of debt relief late last month from Finance Minister Paul Martin. Martin announced that Canada will immediately stop collecting debt repayments on about $700 million in loans to 11 countries, including: Benin, Bolivia, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guyana, Honduras, Madagascar, Senegal, Tanzania and Zambia. There are six other countries on Canada's list of poor debtors, but federal officials won't forgive their debts unless they begin to work on human rights issues. The Canadian Council for International Co-operation applauded the move in a release and called on Martin "to work on persuading other bilateral creditors, the IMF and the World Bank to stop taking money from the world's poorest."
January 2, 2001
In an effort to fill in gaps in ownership during the Nazi area, the National Gallery of Canada listed information about 110 works of art on its web site last week. Gallery officials hope that by listing the works on the site, people around the world will more easily be able to view and make claims on the paintings. The effort is part of a global move to help return looted artwork to its rightful owners. Between 1933 and 1945, Nazis looted individual collections throughout Europe. Recently, several high-profile pieces have been returned and most galleries in North America have committed to digging up World War II-era provenance on their collections. Find the site at national.gallery.ca.
January 2, 2001
The Ontario government announced last week that it will spend $26 million on shelter beds and street patrols to help address the province's homeless problem. Under the announcement, the government will spend as much as $20 million to fund up to 80% of the cost of new shelter beds in municipalities across the province. As well, it plans to put another $4.1 million into patrols that will help get homeless people off the streets and into shelters on cold nights. In the Toronto area, the province is giving a $2 million parcel of land in the Black Creek and Eglinton area of Toronto to be used to build 100 units of affordable housing.
January 2, 2001
When organizers of the Our Millennium project closed the book on the program last week, they had logged nearly 5,000 special projects across the country, involving 4.7 million volunteers. The 18-month-long program, coordinated by Community Foundations of Canada, set out to encourage Canadians to give "gifts" to their communities. These gifts ranged from giving a collection of books to a local school, to the construction of new parks and community spaces. A web site tracked each gift, and is still online at: www.ourmillennium.ca. Later this year, the registry will become part of the National Archives.
January 2, 2001
An Edmonton concert hall is becoming the first in Canada to have its own artist-in-residence. The Francis Winspear Centre for Music, which houses the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, is also known for its visual art collection, which covers the walls of the concert hall. Twenty-five-year-old Ryan Hough has been named the first artist-in-residence at the centre. In addition to cataloguing the existing collection and acquiring more for the collection, Hough will be creating new works, some of which cover the orchestra's programs. For more information about the centre, visit: www.winspearcentre.com.
January 2, 2001
The third edition of Canadian culture in perspective: A statistical overview, is now available from Statistics Canada. The report provides a statistical portrait of the health and vitality of cultural activities and industries in Canada. This edition contains sections on: the economic impact of the culture sector, culture activities by tourists and the international trade position of the culture sector; on social dimensions of culture, including characteristics of the cultural labour force, philanthropic behaviour, and the consumers of cultural goods and services; and on various sectors such as heritage, the performing arts and festivals, visual arts and libraries. The publication costs $31. For more information, contact Mary Cromie at (613) 951-6864.
January 2, 2001
A new coalition of corporate, environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs), and municipal organizations was launched last week to accelerate development of Canada's renewable energy industry. Led by founding partners, Suncor Energy Inc. and the Pembina Institute for Appropriate Development, the Clean Air Renewable Energy (CARE) coalition is initially urging the federal government to implement two short-term mechanisms to help energy diversification, clean the air, improve people's health, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) that lead to climate change. For more information, visit: www.pembina.org.
January 2, 2001
A new five-part television series starting this week explores why Canadians commit their lives to the cause of international development. The series "Global Villagers" begins airing on Wednesday January 3rd, on Vision TV. The program looks at the activities of Canadian NGOs working in countries such as Uganda, Nigeria, Jordan, Bangaldesh, and Ecuador. Consult your local listings for time and channel. For more information, visit: www.visiontv.ca/visiontv/prime_time/pt_swv_Villagers.htm.
January 2, 2001
Last month's Children's Miracle Day, held by CIBC World Markets raised a record-breaking $25,153,292. On December 6th, the company's sales and trading staff from around the world donate their fees and commissions to children's charities. About 10% of the total was raised in Canada. The money raised will support over 700 children's charities and programs across Canada and around the world. For more information, visit: www.childrensmiracle.com
January 2, 2001
St. Michael's Hospital and the Hospital for Sick Children, both received $5 million gifts late last week. The gift to St. Mike's came from Toronto businessman Pat Keenan and will help to fund research into inner city health issues, such as homelessness, chronic mental illness, and violence. The Roy C. Hill Charitable Foundation gave the other gift to Sick Kids to help fund cancer research.
January 2, 2001
Late last month, Ford Canada announced the biggest donation in its corporate history: a $3 million gift to Windsor, Ontario's St. Clair College. The donation will help fund a new centre for excellence in manufacturing at the college. Earlier last month, DaimlerChrylser Canada announced a new research centre that it will develop in conjunction with the University of Windsor. Both gifts aim to help build the talent pool for automotive employees.
January 2, 2001
In what seems like a curious duplication of efforts, General Motors recently launched a new giving portal called webhands.org. The site was created by GM's Internet business unit e-GM as a way to help community-building. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear to offer any new angles to draw users in and you can't actually make a donation on the site. Find it at: www.webhands.org
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