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| Path: Main Street : NewsWeek : Archive : NewsBytes : Article |
This is an archive of CharityVillage NewsWeek.
To find a word on the page, use your browser's "find" feature (CTRL-F or CMD-F).
Please note: While we ensure that all links and e-mail addresses are
accurate at their publishing date, the quick-changing nature of the
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no longer be accurate.
To view other articles in the archive, use our Chronological Index.
NewsBytes: November, 2001
Articles are arranged in reverse chronological order.
Provincial government presents new bill to protect volunteers
November 26, 2001
Nova Scotian charities requesting laws to protect their volunteers may get exactly what they asked for. The Volunteer Protection Act, introduced last week, aims to shield people who do volunteer work from being personally sued when working with nonprofit organizations. Justice Minister Michael Baker says volunteers will not be held personally responsible, as long as the harm they've caused was not intentional or criminal. "Volunteers provide a valuable service to all Nova Scotians, and we want to ensure that nonprofit organizations have the ability to recruit those willing to serve their communities." The lawsuit shield won't apply to a person who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol when an incident occurs, nor will it affect the liability of the organization itself. The government does not expect to pass the bill during this session of the house but Baker is interested in receiving feedback from the public. For more information, visit: www.gov.ns .ca/news/details.asp?id=20011119009.
November 26, 2001
Plans to build a new high-tech campus will soon be a reality for Centennial College. A strategic technology alliance between the college, Compaq Canada and Avaya Canada has yielded $10.25 million toward the project. "Forward-thinking companies such as Compaq and Avaya are collaborating and investing in education not only for the sake of the betterment of education. They are looking to seed innovation," says Richard Johnston, president of Centennial College. Students will have access to advanced technologies and the college will introduce new programs in eBusiness, eHealth and wireless technology, all of which will be housed at the college's planned Science and Technology Centre at the University of Toronto at Scarborough, scheduled to open in 2004. To learn more about Centennial College, visit: www.centennialcolle ge.ca/default.htm.
Fast Fact: Americans may give more but more Canadians give
November 26, 2001
The Canadian Centre for Philanthropy made available the results of its research challenging the notion that Americans are more generous than Canadians. Entitled Are Americans more generous?, the report finds that 88% of individual Canadians made charitable donations in 1997, compared with 70% of American households that contributed to charities in 1998. Americans tend to donate larger amounts but fewer individuals donate in the US than in Canada. The findings also reveal that 52% of financial contributions go to religious organizations in Canada versus 60% in the States. Canadians also direct proportionately more to health and social services (28%), while American donations to these services account for only 16% of the total value of money and property donated to charitable organizations. -- Canadian Centre for Philanthropy
November 26, 2001
A recent report from the Canada West Foundation finds that legalized Internet gambling may have serious social policy implications. The study, entitled Gambling @ Home: Internet Gambling in Canada, outlines the current state of Internet gambling in Canada and details unique policy aspects of online gambling. It doesn't specifically discuss the effects of legalized online gambling on the nonprofit sector but nonprofit organizations may still be interested in the possibility. The 2000 National Survey of Giving, Participating and Volunteering found that 43% of Canadians purchased charity-sponsored raffle or lottery tickets during that year, raising $440 million. Charity-sponsored bingos and casinos raised an additional $330 million for the nonprofit sector. For more information on the report and its recommendations, visit: www.cwf.ca/pubs /200111.cfm?pub_id=200111.
November 26, 2001
Clarica and the Waterloo Region Hospitals Foundation signed an agreement which will direct $1.75 million to improve emergency care in the region. The six-year pledge is the largest commitment ever made by Clarica and the largest single corporate donation to the "One Voice, One Vision" campaign, a joint initiative of Cambridge Memorial Hospital, Grand River Hospital and St. Mary's General Hospital. Aside from Clarica's corporate gift, the company will match its members' donations to the campaign dollar for dollar. The "One Voice, One Vision" campaign hopes to raise $42 million in the next few months as part of a planned $291 million investment in health care in the Waterloo Region in the next five years.
November 26, 2001
A coalition of American corporations and nonprofit agencies wants to help consumers engage in one-stop e-philanthropy. The newly launched Network for Good is an online portal aimed at assisting charities in strengthening their connections with people seeking to donate, volunteer or speak out on issues. Users will be able to investigate and donate to nearly 850,000 charities in the Guidestar database, and peruse tens of thousands of volunteer opportunities provided by VolunteerMatch. "By combining the passion, expertise and grass-roots affiliations of our nonprofit partners and the reach, resources and Internet capabilities of our corporate founders, we will be able to make giving, volunteering and speaking out on issues as central a part of the Internet as shopping or getting email," said Steve Case, chair of AOL Time Warner. For more information about Network for Good, visit: www.networkforgood.com.
November 26, 2001
On December 8th runners in 20 Canadian cities will take to the streets in support of the Salvation Army's first national charity fun run. The Santa Shuffle will support the organization's Christmas Appeal for needy families and money raised will be used to provide food, toys and clothing during the holiday season. In partnership with the Running Room, 5km runs have been organized in cities from coast to coast and more than 5,000 participants are expected to take part, including Santa himself. For pledge forms or for more information on the Santa Shuffle, visit: www.santashuffle.salvationarmy.ca.
November 26, 2001
A new survey suggests that two-thirds of Canadian Internet users were moved to take action since the events of September 11th. Thirty percent donated to rescue and relief organizations, 25% reported praying or attending a religious ceremony and 20% contacted a friend or relative they had not spoken with in a long time. Although the survey finds that most Canadians have not made sweeping changes in their lives, 10%
stopped opening mail from companies or people they do not know and an equal number say they send more information by email rather than postal mail since the terrorist attacks. Ten percent of Internet users report spending less money than normal because of fears of a faltering economy but 7% say they have consciously spent more in an effort to support the economy. -- NFO CFgroup
November 26, 2001
A cooperative building project finds construction workers labouring alongside people who use mental health services in Middlesex. The unique team is working together to build a $1.2-million, 6,500-square-foot building for SEARCH Community Mental Health Services. "It'll be our building," says Eddie Hastilow, a SEARCH client with experience in woodworking and furniture refinishing. "It feels good accomplishing something." Eight men and three women are working under the supervision of Ken Jarvis, who says the experience demonstrates that people needing mental health support are employable and reliable. For the trained tradespeople working on the project, the teamwork is building friendships and strong working relationships, said Patrick Schulert, site supervisor with general contractor CGC Enterprises of London. "It's knocking down a lot of barriers."
November 26, 2001
Twenty state-of-the-art mobile entertainment units will soon be placed in hospitals across Canada thanks to a $150,000 donation from Pfizer Canada. These units are designed to roll to hospitalized children's bedsides, providing them with a positive distraction during their hospital stay. Each unit includes a colour television, VCR and Nintendo 64 game system. The Fun Centre program is operated by the Starlight Children's Foundation, a nonprofit organization working to brighten the lives of seriously ill children and their families. "We are very pleased to say that the Starlight Fun Centre program has resulted in a significant reduction in pain medication required by children while under treatment. One unit alone is able to serve up to 180 patients per month," said Laura Hogg, executive director of Starlight. There are currently more than 1,200 Fun Centres located in 540 hospitals around the world. For more information about the Starlight Children's Foundation Canada, visit: www.starlightcanada.org/.
November 26, 2001
iWave, a well-known provider in the fundraising information market, announced a new partnership with the Gale Group which is part of the Thomson Learning division of the Thomson Corporation. The company says that the integration of Gale's Prospector's Choice databases brings added strength to iWave's PRO (Prospect Research Online) product. "This is a clear competitive advantage for us and the best of worlds for our professional fundraising clients. Now more than ever in the fluid, post-September 11 environment, our clients need timely information they can rely on," said Jamie Hill, iWave CEO. For more information about iWave and Prospect Research Online, visit: www.rpbooks.com.
November 26, 2001
OneWorld, the online network for human rights and sustainable development, announced a daily news syndication to the World News section of Yahoo! News. The agreement marks the first daily nonprofit world news syndication to a major corporate web portal. "Our agreement with Yahoo! ensures that a wider audience worldwide will be able read news stories from OneWorld, with our distinctive agenda - issues that matter most to people in this era of globalization," says Peter Armstrong, director of OneWorld International. News stories focus on events relating to human rights, world poverty, social justice, the environment and sustainable development. For more information visit: www.oneworld.net/yahoo/front.shtml.
November 19, 2001
Organizations from coast to coast use Canada's leading online recruiting service to advertise more than 5,000 ads annually. This week, many new features are being introduced to help them manage their recruitment advertising programs, while also giving job-seekers exciting new service enhancements. "Our goal is to continue providing the best online Career Centre for the Canadian non-profit sector, and to keep it affordable for even the smallest community group," said founder and CEO Doug Jamieson. "The fact that 3,000 organizations have advertised more than 15,000 positions with us proves that we're delivering a cost-effective service."
The upgraded system has been almost 2 years in development, and incorporates many suggestions made by users. It allows recruitment advertisers to perform many functions directly, without intervention by CharityVillage.com staff. These include posting, editing, extending, suspending, reactivating and deleting ads, as well as reviewing and managing their recruitment advertising programs.
Job-seekers will now enjoy more selective browsing and searching of job ads by location, language, date, position type, job category, organization type, and keywords. They can also send job ads to a friend, and register for Search Alerts that will send e-mails to them about new positions matching their personal job search criteria.
Consultants and other suppliers can now browse or search Requests for Proposals from organizations in the sector, and be alerted automatically when an RFP is posted within their service category. To experience the "new" Career Centre for yourself, please go to: www.charityvillage.com/applicant/jobs.asp.
November 19, 2001
Just in time for the launch of the new Career Centre, we are pleased to introduce the latest member of the CharityVillage.com team: Mary Gomer. Mary has taken on the role of recruitment advertising manager for the Toronto region, replacing Wilf Grignon, who was killed in a flying accident in September. Mary has a long history of community involvement in the Toronto area and has worked with women's, youth, and multicultural organizations to name just a few. Get to know a bit more about Mary in this profile: www.charityvillage.com/charityvillage/mary.html.
November 19, 2001
Mount Royal College is creating a new applied degree program in response to the growing demand for skilled and knowledgeable employees in the nonprofit sector. The nonprofit sector is currently the fastest growing sector in the Canadian economy but until now students wishing to pursue nonprofit studies could only do so at the postgraduate level. "The Bachelor of Applied Nonprofit Studies Program fills an absolute need in Canada and North America for a four-year undergraduate degree that provides graduates with the skills and experience to become leaders in the nonprofit sector," says Keith Seel, Director of the Institute for Nonprofit Studies at Mount Royal. Students of the program will develop not only theoretical knowledge but practical "hands on" experience through directed field studies in the sector. The college will launch the new program in the fall of 2002. For more information visit: www.MtRoyal.AB.CA/news/media/2001/26.html.
November 19, 2001
The Canadian Society of Association Executives (CSAE) recently released their annual survey of nonprofit salaries. This year, the Association Executive Benefits and Compensation Report finds that the average salary of chief staff is $89,000, although charities pay an average of 33% less than other nonprofit organizations. Male CEOs are paid 41% more than their female counterparts and, overall, men are paid 27% more than women in associations. The report also indicated that salaries are expected to climb between 2% and 3% next year. -- Canadian Society of Association Executives
November 19, 2001
A 25-kilometre leisure path linking cities in the BC Lower Mainland is one step closer to reality, thanks to a new $1 million award. B.E.S.T. (Better Environmentally Sound Transportation), an environmental advocacy group, is the first-ever winner of the VanCity Award. The award money will pay for the initial construction of the path, to be called the VanCity Greenway. Overall, the project is expected to cost $8-$12 million. The VanCity Credit Union created the award to support projects that improve the social, environmental, or economic well being of the communities VanCity serves. Applications for the next VanCity Award will be accepted beginning in February 2002. For more information, visit: www.vancity.com/link?m enuId=53023. To learn more about B.E.S.T's Greenway project, visit: www.best.bc.ca.
November 19, 2001
The Donner Canadian Foundation presented awards last week to a host of outstanding nonprofit organizations. The annual Awards for Excellence in the Delivery of Social Services recognize efficiency and effectiveness among nonprofit agencies at the community level. This year's recipient of the $20,000 top prize was the Alzheimer Society of Thunder Bay. It was among 266 organizations that applied for the awards, which totalled $65,000 and were presented to agencies in nine categories. "The Donner Awards program serves to encourage the pursuit of excellence and in the years since it was founded, has become an important tool in the development of an objective, quantifiable measure of performance for nonprofit organizations," says Allan Gotlieb, chair of the Donner Canadian Foundation. For more information, visit: www.fraserinstitute.ca/media/media_releases/2001/20011116.html.
November 19, 2001
Following sharp criticism regarding a decision to withhold $200 million in donations for possible future terrorist attacks, the American Red Cross now says it will use all the money donated to the Liberty Fund for victims of the September 11 attacks. Donors contributed $543 million (US) to the fund, $121 million of which has already been distributed to victims and their families. The Red Cross says the amount collected is sufficient and has stopped accepting donations to that fund. Because of the controversy, the charity also stated last week that it would return donations to any contributor who requests a refund. For more information, visit: www.crossnet.org/news/ds/0109wtc/011114liberty.html.
November 19, 2001
Eli Lilly Canada has partnered with Mount Sinai Hospital in a program to assist diabetes research for the next five years. The Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute at Mount Sinai will receive $1 million to operate the Eli Lilly Canada Research Program in Diabetes. The program will evaluate the incidence and other aspects of diabetes in native Canadians and other minority populations as well as potential new therapies for the treatment and management of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. More than two million Canadians have diabetes and it is estimated that at least $9 billion is spent annually treating people living with the disease and its complications. For more information about the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, visit: www.mshri.on.ca.
November 19, 2001
The Nonprofit Sector Strategy Group, a project of the Nonprofit Sector and Philanthropy Program of the Aspen Institute, has produced two new resources that tackle the issue of business-nonprofit engagement. The Nonprofit Sector and Business: New Visions, New Opportunities, New Challenges and The Nonprofit Sector and the Market: Opportunities and Challenges are the result of extensive discussion among leading nonprofit, corporate and government officials. The pamphlets contain information on how nonprofit/business relationships can inject new energy and resources into needy communities, the challenges inherent in such partnerships and ways these challenges can be overcome. For free copies of both publications, contact Giulia Campanaro of the Nonprofit Sector Strategy Group at (202) 736-2298, or giulia.campanaro@aspeninstitute.org.
November 19, 2001
Bell Canada announced it will contribute $500,000 to the fundraising campaign of the Fondation Universitaire de l'Université du Québec. The announcement was made during an inauguration ceremony for the new Bell Chair in Technology and Work Organization at the Ecole Nationale d'Administration Publique (ENAP) and Télé-Université (TELUQ). "As a leader in communications and technology, Bell believes that investing in innovation and technological progress is also investing in growth and in the future," said Pierre Shedleur, senior vice president, Business and Public Sector Markets, Bell Québec, and member of the board of directors of the Fondation Universitaire de l'Université du Québec. "That is why we are so delighted to be a partner in this project, the first university chair in technology and work organization to be established in Québec." Michel Leclerc, chair of the foundation, hopes that Bell's generosity and that of other corporations will serve as a model and catalyst for organizations that recognize the importance of higher education in social development.
November 19, 2001
In surveys conducted in the Peel, Halton, Dufferin, Ontario area, 38% of employers indicated that employee turnover was a major concern for their organization. The report by the Centre for
Education and Training(CET) also found that a lack of interpersonal skills, insufficient work experience and lack of technical skills were also of primary concern among employers. Unemployed people in the same region were asked to identify job search and support services they would like to see provided. Responses included: providing tips on achieving volunteer placement opportunities in specific career fields; job shadowing, networking and mentoring opportunities; and placement opportunities for foreign trained professionals. To view the full report in PDF format, visit: www.identifyingtheskillsgaps.com.
November 19, 2001
The BC Institute of Technology received a donation of $34,000 to supplement the hardware and software needs of students in their digital animation program. Mercury Filmworks, which has digital animation studios in Vancouver and Toronto, contributed the funds to help train the next generation of digital animators. "Studios are not made up of hardware, software or savvy marketing plans," says founder and CEO Clint Eland. "Without the dedicated artists and support staff, there really is no studio – only empty office space." Program manager Laura Davie says the donation is important industry recognition for the one-year program, which has turned out graduates who are working across Canada. "This is a great example of a company that's committed to building the future of the animation industry." For more information, visit: www.newsreleases.bcit.ca/200111/foundation-mercury.shtml.
November 19, 2001
Christiane Pilon is looking to set a record for the most plastic bags saved at the source. "The Record is in the Bag" contest will award thousands of dollars in prizes to Montreal consumers and merchants who participate by saying "no thanks" to plastic. The short-term goal is to save 22 million plastic bags in 11 weeks this spring, but the real target is to change consumer habits. "It's a symbolic gesture that we can make," says Pilon. "It's not going to solve the problem of greenhouse gases, but it will hopefully make people aware of overconsumption in our society, and maybe they will change their habits." Merchants will ask customers if they are participating in the "record" and those who say yes will receive a coupon instead of a plastic bag for their purchases. The coupons will be numbered and prize draws will be held every week during the contest period.
November 12, 2001
The Information Management (IM)/Information Technology (IT) Joint Table of the Voluntary Sector Initiative (VSI) wants to hear about your information management and information technology needs. Organizers want to hear from nonprofits across the country in a survey that will help set funding directions. Areas of interest include: types of technology-related resources needed; ways in which technology helps the sector meet goals; and ways to prevent technology from creating more barriers for people in the community.
Once completed, this needs analysis will form the starting point of future programs. The survey will remain online throughout November and into early December. To complete it online, visit: www.technologydiscussion.org. For more information about the IM/IT Joint Table of the VSI, visit: www.vsi -isbc.ca/eng/joint_tables/im_it/index.cfm.
November 12, 2001
The former chair and CEO of Anderson Exploration Ltd. donated $11 million to the Calgary Foundation in the form of shares of the publicly traded oil and gas company. "I made my money here and I want it to stay here to benefit this community," said J.C. Anderson. He says he was impressed by David Bissett's gift of $8.2 million to the foundation last year and he wants to inspire others to work in their own ways and within their own means to help strengthen the Calgary community.
The permanent endowment should produce more than $500,000 annually that will be given as grants to the charitable community with an emphasis in the areas of education, health and social services as well as projects of lasting value to the community. For more information about the Calgary Foundation visit: www.thecalgaryfoundation.or g.
November 12, 2001
A study by the Pew Research Center concludes that the Internet connects people more deeply to the places where they live. The Pew Internet & American Life Project found that 84% of Internet users, approximately 90 million Americans, have contacted an online group. Fifty percent of users reported meeting new people because of participation in online groups and 27% say the Internet helped them connect with people of a different race, ethnicity or economic status. The report also found that 26% of respondents used the Internet to deepen ties to their local community, and 56% belong to an online spiritual or belief group. -- Pew Research Center
November 12, 2001
An Ontario, community-based program reports a significant drop in emotional problems, anxiety and the need for special education among participating children. The provincially sponsored, Better Beginnings, Better Futures pilot project produced declines in problems associated with young children coming from impoverished backgrounds. Underway since 1994 , the study found a 27% decline in emotional problems of younger children (up to four years old), and a 7% decline in anxiety of older children (between four and eight years old), compared to a 45% increase in anxiety for children in the non-project sites. The study also revealed a drop in adult smoking rates from 45% to 35% in homes of younger children and a drop in adult smoking rates in the projects involving older children from 46% to 26%. To view the full report, visit: bbbf.queensu.ca/conferen ce.html.
November 12, 2001
The RBC Foundation has pledged $750,000 to further scholarship, research and teaching about disability at Ryerson's School of Disability Studies. The funds will be used to establish the Ryerson RBC Financial Group Institute for Disability Studies Research and Education. "We are extremely pleased to join with the Royal Bank to enhance research and education around disability issues," says Ryerson president Claude Lajeunesse. Launched in 1999, the Disability Studies program prepares students for leadership roles in direct care, management, community development, policy, planning, and advocacy. To learn more about Ryerson's School of Disability Studies, visit: www.ryerson.ca/p rograms/disability.html.
November 12, 2001
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) reports that world population has doubled since 1960 and is projected to reach 9.3 billion by 2050. By then, 4.2 billion people will be living in countries that cannot meet people's daily basic needs. The State of World Population 2001; Footprints and Milestones examines the close links between environmental conditions, population trends, and prospects for eradicating poverty in developing countries.
The report finds that expanding women's opportunities and ensuring their reproductive health and rights are critically important, both to improve the well being of growing human populations and to protect the natural world. It also stresses that global poverty cannot be alleviated unless environmental damage caused by rising affluence, consumption, and by growing populations is reversed. To view the full report, visit: www.unfpa.org/ swp/2001/english/index.html.
November 12, 2001
Last week, the government of Ontario introduced Canada's most far-reaching legislation for people with disabilities. The Ontarians with Disabilities Act is aimed at increasing accessibility, opportunity and independence for people with disabilities.
The proposed legislation coincides with a new program to include volunteers with disabilities. Ready & Able is a partnership project between the Ministry of Citizenship, the Volunteer Centre of Toronto, and the Ontario Network of Independent Living Centres. The project developed tools and resources to assist community organizations in attracting and accommodating volunteers with disabilities. The Ready & Able toolkit and video will assist organizations when recruiting, integrating and working with volunteers with disabilities. For more information, contact Audrey Jamal, Project Coordinator, Ready & Able, Volunteer Centre of Toronto at:
ajamal@volunteertoronto.on .ca.
November 12, 2001
According to a survey by the Directory of Social Change, the UK's largest 100 companies give less than 0.5% of their pre-tax profits to charity, less than half the average donated by US firms. The general public contributes £5.3 billion to charities annually, while companies donate only £680m, less than 5% of total donations to the charitable sector. "Without any commitment to maintain community involvement, companies have carte blanche to close their community affairs departments and slash their community contributions at any whiff of financial trouble," said Alison Benjamin, editor of the Directory of Social Change's magazine Corporate Citizen. To learn more about the Directory of Social Change, visit: www.dsc.org.uk.
November 12, 2001
There were many happy faces last week, as the newest Safehaven Respite Home for children with multiple disabilities opened its doors on Bloor Street West. The celebration was also marked by a donation of $500,000 by Randy Lennox, president of Universal Records. The funds were raised from the proceeds of the Oh What a Feeling! compilation CD, which features numerous Canadian recording artists. The facility will provide professional 24-hour care for some of the most severely disabled children in the province, while also providing their families with a much-needed break. To learn more about Safehaven, visit: www.safehavenproj.org.
New homelessness resources on the web
November 12, 2001
Ginsler & Associates Inc., a consulting firm focusing on organizational development and community planning, has just updated the free resources available on its web site. The new additions include more than eighty documents relating to homelessness, such as: research studies; strategies for preventing homelessness; strategies for providing services to homeless people; and many items on creating affordable housing. The site also offers a donor's guide to Canadian charities, an orientation manual for board members, a self-evaluation checklist for nonprofits, and more. To view the available resources, visit: www.ginsler.com/html/free.htp.
November 12, 2001
A new study by the United Way of Greater Toronto reveals that seniors are being financially squeezed and losing access to critical home-based support services. They are often challenged by a lack of affordable housing, increasing user fees for drugs and support services, and a lack of knowledge about available benefits. At the same time, the community-based sector that provides a spectrum of support at a low cost -- through donor dollars and volunteer hours -- is at risk.
The report entitled, A Commitment to Care: Community Support Services for Seniors, offers twelve recommendations to address these issues. These recommendations include: raising awareness of the issues affecting seniors' health and well-being; ensuring that adequate levels of service are available erm needs to stabilize the community-based sector. To view the full report, visit: www.uwgt.org /who_we_help/social_issues.html.
November 12, 2001
A new type of search engine is getting set to launch in 2002. tosearch.canada will put Canadians in contact with local goods and services, while allowing local fire departments, police, schools, charities, and other community services to make contacts and update local information in all areas of Canada. By using a radius search based on a Canadian postal code or city name, users of the search engine will be able to find information, products and services available within a 50km radius of their location. Still in the development stages, the company is inviting all Canadian services to register for free and take advantage of the exposure this search engine will offer them in their own communities. For more information or to register visit: www.tosearch.ca.
November 5, 2001
According to a report in The Toronto Star, the Ontario Arts Council and the Canada Council are each contributing $227,000 to keep the Toronto Symphony Orchestra afloat for the next 10 days. Last week the TSO Foundation rejected the orchestra's request for $10 million in emergency funding to stave off bankruptcy. "After long consideration we've concluded that we don't have the right or the authority to distribute this money," said Douglas Derry, chair of the foundation. Currently without an executive director, the 79-year-old TSO is close to $7 million in debt and has been operating on a day-to-day basis for several months. For more information about the TSO, visit: www.tso.on.ca/2001_2002 /home.cfm.
November 5, 2001
A donation of $1 million from Vancouver-based Phillips, Hager & North Investment Management Ltd., along with matching funds from the University of British Columbia, will be used to establish a centre for financial market research at the university. The Phillips, Hager & North Centre for Financial Market Research will focus on commerce faculty research but will also offer enhanced learning opportunities for both graduate and undergraduate finance students. PH&N president Tom Bradley says his firm and others in the industry have benefited from programs currently run by the commerce faculty and he is optimistic that the new centre will serve as a link between the university and the finance industry. For more information visit: www.commerce.ubc.ca/news/releases/2001/oct/20011015.cfm.
November 5, 2001
A report released by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) indicates that the income inequality between high-income earners and the rest of the population is at a 25-year high. In the first four years of the recent boom (1994-1998), the poorest Canadian families took home only $584 more compared to $17,158 for the wealthiest families. During the last recession (1989-1993), the poorest 10% of families lost 86% of their market incomes. The working poor, the second poorest category of Canadians, lost 45% of their market incomes. In fact, 50% of all Canadian families lost at least 14% of their incomes during the last recession, while the wealthiest 40% of families lost less than 10% of their incomes. Figures reveal that the last generation has created greater income inequality and deeper poverty. -- Centre for Social Justice
November 5, 2001
Poppy donation boxes have only been up for about a week across Canada but branches of the Royal Canadian Legion reported increased interest and larger donations just days into their annual Poppy Campaign. "We are out of stock in Ottawa and we've been receiving calls from specific branches asking for more," said Mick Steers, a spokesperson for the legion's headquarters in Ottawa. Fourteen million poppies were ordered and distributed through 1,600 legion branches this year. "The September 11 incident certainly has brought the whole thing to people's attention," said Joan Williams, chair of the poppy campaign for Branch 66 in Toronto's north end. Exact sales figures won't be available until well after Remembrance Day on November 11th. To learn more about the Royal Canadian Legion, visit: www.legion.ca.
November 5, 2001
To help sick kids at the Alberta Children's Hospital celebrate Halloween, Calgary's Precision Drilling brought pumpkins, treats and a $500,000 donation which will go toward building creative play spaces in the new children's hospital. "We chatted with our staff and asked them where we should send the money within the Alberta Children's Hospital. They came up with the idea," said Hank Swartout, Precision Drilling's president, CEO and chair. "None of our children ever want to go to the hospital so if you can humanize the environment, it's something we'd be happy to contribute to." The creative spaces will include playgrounds, both indoors and out, as well as quiet spaces for families and staff. The new hospital is scheduled to open in 2006. To learn more about the hospital's fundraising campaign, visit: www.childrenshospital.ab.ca/newACH/nonflash/about/default.asp.
November 5, 2001
Volunteer Vancouver has received a $145,000 grant from Telus to launch a province-wide e-knowledge database. Over the next three years the grant will enable Volunteer Vancouver to provide an expanded collection of their on-line resource material while improving access to information and knowledge about the not-for-profit sector. Volunteer Vancouver's current on-line collection features a specialized and searchable collection of more than 8,000 books, periodicals and other items on the nonprofit sector. For more information or to view the resource library, visit: www.vancouver.volunteer.ca.
November 5, 2001
Research in the UK finds that fundraisers often fail to use interactions with potential and existing donors to build long-term relationships and commitment. A survey of 10,000 donors and non-donors revealed that 69% of respondents said satisfaction, familiarity with the cause and personal attitudes about philanthropy were major factors in their decision to give to charity. Unfortunately, many donors are unsatisfied with the relationship they have with their chosen charity and feel excluded from their work. Researchers from Henley Management College's Centre for Voluntary Sector Management hope that by identifying the factors contributing to donor commitment, charities will be better equipped to predict donor behaviour and improve donor development.
November 5, 2001
The Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario has raised almost $78 million in its capital campaign. The endowment is believed to one of the largest ever raised for an individual faculty at a Canadian university. Launched in 1995, the Ivey campaign raised funds for building projects, faculty and student support, among other things, according to a university spokesperson. The school's MBA program was recently ranked 15th in the world by the Financial Times. To learn more about the Richard Ivey School of Business, visit: www.ivey.uwo.ca.
November 5, 2001
The American Red Cross announced last week that it will cease its call for donations to the Liberty Fund, which currently holds approximately $547 million in pledges. Future donations will be deposited in the charity's Disaster Relief Fund, a general account servicing all types of emergencies, unless donors specify the money is for the Liberty Fund. The decision to close the Liberty Fund comes only days after the resignation of Bernadine Healy, head of the American Red Cross. Healy alluded to differences with the board over management of the hundreds of millions raised for disaster relief after September's terrorist strikes.
In the wake of several controversies related to funds raised for September 11 relief, US congressman Amo Houghton announced that the Subcommittee on Oversight of the Committee on Ways and Means will hold a hearing on the response by charitable organizations to the recent terrorist attacks. For more information about this hearing, visit: waysandmeans.house.gov/oversite/107cong/ov-7.htm.
November 5, 2001
A group of volunteers working to establish a marine conservation area at Basin Head have received a prestigious award for ecology. The Canadian Council on Ecological Areas (CCEA) presented the Basin Head Lagoon Ecosystem Conservation Committee with one of five Gold Leaf Awards, granted annually to honour individuals or organizations which have made a significant contribution to the work of the CCEA. Formed in 1999, the Basin Head lagoon committee is comprised of local community members and landowners in the Basin Head watershed.
November 5, 2001
After the terrorist attacks in the US, 39% of Americans donating funds were responding to workplace appeals, 32% responded to appeals from religious organizations, and 23% to in-person solicitations. The mail was used by 23% of donors to channel funds, making it the most common means. Nine percent donated by phone while 5% used the Internet to make a donation. Of those donors who did use the Internet, eight out of ten were making an online donation for the first time. The survey, conducted by Wirthlin Worldwide for Independent Sector, included responses from 1,009 Americans. -- Independent Sector
November 5, 2001
This fall at ceremonies in Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Saskatoon and Montreal, Petro-Canada and the Canadian Olympic Association (COA) will present scholarships to elite athletes and coaches to help them prepare for future competition and pursue their post-secondary studies. Through the Petro-Canada Olympic Torch Scholarship Fund scholarships totaling $590,000 will be awarded to 133 student athletes and 25 coaches. Since 1988, the scholarship program has awarded more than $5.1 million to over 1,750 coaches and athletes and has helped athletes such as Myriam Bédard, Sylvie Fréchette, Mark Tewksbury and Susan Auch attain their goals. To learn more about the scholarship fund, visit: www. petro-canada.ca/eng/canada/olympic/oly-ovr.html.
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