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This is an archive of CharityVillage NewsWeek.
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NewsBytes: September, 2002
Articles are arranged in reverse chronological order.
Chagnon gift could prompt changes to Income Tax Act
September 30, 2002
A recommendation by federal officials may lead to a reduction in the amount of tax the family of Vidéotron founder André Chagnon will pay for the $1.8 billion sale of Groupe Vidéotron Ltée shares to Quebecor Inc. two years ago. The family made a $1.4 billion donation to the family's private foundation, Fondation Lucie et André Chagnon, from the $1.8 billion sale proceeds and hopes that an amendment to the Income Tax Act, previously requested by a public foundation in 2001, will be approved. If approved, it will mean a reduction of approximately $180 million in the tax paid on the Vidéotron sale. Federal Finance Department spokesman Jean-Michel Catta says the proposed amendment is being studied with the intent to eventually including it in a so-called technical bill amending the Income Tax Act. He also stressed that the recommended change should not be viewed as a move to accommodate the Chagnons, but as a broader effort to encourage such charitable donations.
The change would allow the private Chagnon foundation, which receives more than 50% of its capital from one person or group, to be treated as a charitable organization. Normally, charities are not allowed to derive more than 50% of their capital from one source. The 50% requirement would be replaced by a requirement that the donor maintain an arm's-length relationship with more than half of the directors, trustees, and officers of the organization. "From a tax policy perspective, we agree that the income tax provisions should not have the effect of prohibiting or limiting charitable giving," stated Len Farber, general director in the Finance Department's tax legislation division - tax policy branch, in a letter to the Chagnons. "Under the current definition of 'charitable organization', the capital restriction of not more than 50% could unintentionally have the effect of prohibiting large one-time donations."
Lucky lotto winner shares the wealth
September 30, 2002
After winning $10 million dollars most people don't think about sharing the money with their employer. That's not the case for Robert Hardie, a medical researcher at London Health Sciences Centre. The Lotto 6-49 winner is not only keeping his job, he is also donating $1 million to the centre. "It's a great workplace," said Hardie, "and they need the money." The interest from his donation will pay for research into prostate cancer, and the Robert Hardie Research Chair will be the cornerstone of a new prostate cancer centre. For more information about the London Health Sciences Centre, visit: www.lhsc.on.ca.
September 30, 2002
A change last year to the way the United Way of PEI allocates funding has translated into a major reduction in the amount of money the PEI division of the Canadian Red Cross receives from the organization. "This change in philosophy has left the Canadian Red Cross in PEI in a very vulnerable position," said Scott Ferris, a spokesperson for the organization. "Our funding from the United Way has decreased over 50% in the last five years and paired with their increased restrictions to our fundraising efforts, this has seriously jeopardized our ability to deliver programs." As a result, the Red Cross announced last week that it will no longer be affiliated with the United Way in that province.
After disappointing results during the 2000 campaign, the United Way decided to ask Islanders to identify their priorities. It now hands out funds based on what it calls priority-program funding. "Unfortunately, for Red Cross, the programs that they were submitting for this year were not considered a high-priority program from what the Island families have said," said Clair Smith, executive director of the United Way of PEI. The Red Cross has now launched a province-wide, door-to-door campaign along with other initiatives, and is confident that Islanders recognize the importance of Red Cross in their community.
Fast Fact: CSR a major factor in corporate reputation
September 30, 2002
A worldwide study conducted by Environics International found that when people form impressions of a company, the most important factors are those related to corporate social responsibility (CSR). CSR-related factors, such as environmental impacts (12%), labour practices/business ethics (16%), and a demonstrated responsibility to broader society (21%) made up 49% of the factors that individuals consider important. The non-CSR-related factors were brand quality/reputation (35%), and economic contribution/management (10%). Six percent of respondents said a combination of factors influenced their impressions. -- Conference Board of Canada
September 30, 2002
Last week, 100 people were evicted from a vacant Toronto waterfront property owned by Home Depot. The residents of what was called Tent City, were forced by Home Depot security officials to leave their makeshift lodgings after the company expressed concerns that the property was not a safe place for people to be. John Jagt, director of Toronto's hostel services, said several of the people evicted found space in hostels run by social-services agencies, including the Salvation Army. Woodgreen Community Centre set up 40 cots in three bedrooms to house people, and the city opened 70 shelter beds usually kept in reserve for weather emergencies. According to reports, only about 50 of the 100 people who were moved out of Tent City spent that first night in emergency shelter beds.
The eviction of the Tent City residents came just days after squatters were removed from the old Woodward's building, an empty department store in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. Advocates say the events call attention to the need for governments to address the issue of low-cost housing in urban centres.
September 30, 2002
The Federal Finance Department is proposing changes that will create stricter criteria for determining whether a disabled applicant is eligible for the disability tax credit. The amendment would prevent people from claiming they are disabled because they cannot prepare food, as long as they can feed themselves. It also narrowly defines the ability to dress as putting on and removing clothing, but not organizing a wardrobe, washing clothes, or buying them.
If approved, the proposal would reverse a Federal Court of Appeal ruling that found feeding oneself amounts to far more than getting food off a plate. "You're excluding people who might be able to get that spoon up, but can't get their dish to the table," said Traci Walters, national director of the Canadian Association for Independent Living. This issue may be among those included in a Throne Speech, to be delivered Monday, which is expected to focus on the social legacy that Prime Minister Jean Chrétien hopes to leave to the most vulnerable members of society. The details of that speech will be included in our news package next week.
September 30, 2002
Using a specially designed wheelchair, Jeff Adams climbed the 1,776 steps of the CN Tower last week to raise awareness about the barriers facing people with disabilities. The climb also raised funds to create a national school outreach program highlighting accessibility issues. "I took on this challenge to illustrate the barriers people with disabilities face every day of their lives and to show the world that people with disabilities can achieve extraordinary things," says Adams, a two-time Olympian, four-time Paralympian, and six-time World Champion. "We want everyone to focus on the abilities of people with disabilities and to be more aware of the need to make our society accessible to everyone." For more information about the climb, visit: www.stepuptochange.com.
September 30, 2002
A new government report is suggesting sweeping changes to charity law in the United Kingdom. Under the proposed changes, charities will have to prove that their existence is of benefit to the public. The report also suggests that the charity commission be given greater powers to strip organizations that fail the public benefit test of their charitable status. Entitled Private Action, Public Benefit: a review of charities and the wider not-for-profit sector, the full report contains 61 recommendations, some of which will need to be implemented by legislation. One major piece of good news in the report is the recommendation that more organizations be allowed to register as charities, with 10 new categories of charity in place of the four that presently exist. For more information or to view the report, visit: www.strategy-unit.gov.uk/2002/charity/report/index.htm.
September 30, 2002
According to the 2001 Survey of US Community Foundations, community foundation assets outperformed the stock market in 2001, resulting in an 18% increase in community foundation grantmaking in a year when many foundation portfolios suffered. The report also found that since 1996, the dollar value of grants paid out by community foundations hasn't been adversely affected by the boom-and-bust performance of the stock market. Although the median return on investments by community foundations was -3.9% for the year, the lowest annual return since 1991, they still faired better than the Dow, which was down 5.5%, and the S&P 500, which was down 11.9%. Together, US community foundations distributed more than $2.6 billion in grants and ended the year with total combined assets of $31.4 billion. -- Council on Foundations
September 30, 2002
Donors showed their community spirit as the North Bay General Hospital Foundation launched its Caring for Generations capital campaign last week. Already the foundation has raised $11.2 million of its $15 million goal toward the cost of a new hospital. Big contributors include Tembec Inc., which pledged $4 million, the Terry McKerrow CAT Scan Operating Fund Inc., which pledged $3 million, and Grant Forest Products, which added $2 million to the pot. In addition, the Kiwanis clubs of North Bay and Nipissing announced a donation of $750,000, $500,000 came from the hospital's volunteer association, and Joan King made a private donation of $100,000. For more information about the North Bay General Hospital, visit: www.nbgh.on.ca.
September 30, 2002
Organizers of the Say Hay fundraising concerts, slated for Edmonton on October 13, and Calgary on October 14, got some big news from the CBC recently. On Thanksgiving Monday, CBC Newsworld will help bring national attention to the plight of drought-stricken Western farmers as it broadcasts live for three hours from the Calgary concert. A pledge line will be up and running so Canadians can phone and offer financial support. "The whole idea and concept of this is Canadians helping Canadians," says Say Hay organizer Greg Thomas. For more information about Say Hay, visit: www.sayhay.ca
September 30, 2002
More than 400 hikers took part in the fourth annual East Coast Trail Tely Challenge, raising approximately $18,000 - almost four times more than last year. So far, 220km of the trail has been constructed but the East Coast Trail Association plans to eventually have 520km, transforming centuries-old Newfoundland cart paths from Trepassey to Topsail into world-class hiking trails. The association launched a new fundraising campaign last April in the hopes of raising $100,000 this year to create a program to protect and maintain the trail, which each spring attracts thousands of day trippers, weekend campers, and avid hikers, many who come in the hopes of catching a glimpse of cathedral-sized icebergs and whales. When completed, the trail will connect four provincial parks and three national historic sites. For more information about the East Coast Trail, visit: www.eastcoasttrail.com.
September 23, 2002
Acadia University has an impressive new addition thanks to a generous donation from James, Arthur, and John Irving and their families. The university recently received the keys to the K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre and the Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens, a landmark 65,000 square foot building with more than six acres of botanical gardens. Its purpose is for the study of the natural environment, concentrating on the ecology and native flora of the Acadia region. "This gift is the realization of our vision to create a special place in memory of our parents," said Arthur Irving. "Our parents would be very proud to have a facility like this in their name where academic, scientific, and personal growth are further enhanced in a natural setting. My father would have been especially pleased that the K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre is a place where students, academics, and members of the community come together." For more information about Acadia University, visit: www.acadiau.ca.
September 23, 2002
This fall, the Ontario government will recognize more than 7,000 volunteers from across the province. The Ontario Volunteer Service Awards and the Outstanding Achievement Awards for Voluntarism are part of the government's initiatives to support and strengthen the voluntary sector. The Volunteer Service Awards honour individual volunteers for continuous years of service to a single organization and community groups can nominate up to six recipients each year. Adults are honoured for five to 50 or more consecutive years of volunteer work, and youth volunteers for two or more years. The Outstanding Achievement Awards for Voluntarism, highlighting voluntarism of high calibre, are presented to individuals, groups, or businesses that have made outstanding contributions, or provided significant support to the voluntary sector. A committee, made up of nine individuals from across the province representing a variety of disciplines, selects 20 recipients each year. For more information, visit: www. gov.on.ca/citizenship/english/about/n160902.htm.
September 23, 2002
Although the final national tally isn't in yet, communities across Canada are talking about the success of the annual Terry Fox Run, which took place on September 15th. Between 700 and 800 participants turned out for the run in 15 communities across Cape Breton. In the Montreal area, 20 communities held the run for the first time, and 62 new area schools were added to the list. In Ottawa, 6,600 people took part, raising a record-breaking $352,500. Alberta estimates that donations were up by almost 8% this year, with participation up by about 16%. The story was much the same in BC, where organizers are optimistic that donations will exceed last year's total of $1.78 million. Last year, the run raised more than $23 million nationwide. Canadian banks will be accepting pledge sheets and donations until Saturday, October 12, 2002. For more information about the Terry Fox Run, visit: www.terryfoxrun.org.
September 23, 2002
A new study finds that charities in the UK posted approximately 266 million items of consumer direct mail in 2001, a 5% increase from the previous year. Charity mail-outs accounted for 7.2% of all consumer direct mail by volume, making them the fourth biggest users of consumer direct mail, behind the financial sector (35.3%), mail order firms (13.6%), and store card providers (9.9%). The study also found that direct mail volumes, in general, have increased by more than 110% in the past 11 years, with the average household receiving 13 items of direct mail each month. On the downside, the report revealed that only 43% of consumer direct mail is opened and read, a drop of 10% from the previous year. -- Direct Mail Information Service (DMIS)
September 23, 2002
Toyota Canada is donating $500,000 towards the construction of the Canadian Nikkei Heritage Hall at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (JCCC) in Toronto. The hall will be an open multi-purpose space devoted to the promotion and display of Japanese Canadian history, culture, and heritage. The JCCC provides programs, events, and facilities to promote the understanding and appreciation of Japanese heritage and culture for the enrichment of the lives of people in the community. Each year its activities attract more than 100,000 visitors, including more than 10,000 local schoolchildren. For more information about the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, visit: www.jccc.on.ca.
September 23, 2002
After sifting through more than 100 entries, Social Capital Partners (SCP) announced the winners of its business plan competition for social entrepreneurs. SCP will make its first investments in Canadian social enterprises to Pivotal Services of London, a full-service contract packaging company, and Inner City Renovations (ICR) of Winnipeg, a construction and renovations company. The competition was designed to encourage social entrepreneurship in Canada and to identify entrepreneurs with groundbreaking businesses that employ disadvantaged populations. SCP will provide long-term financial and intellectual capital to both Pivotal Services and ICR, helping them to acquire scale and succeed from both a financial and social mission standpoint.
"There has been relatively little written about social enterprise and social entrepreneurs in Canada but it became very clear that there are many of them out there, often working with little support and financing," said Bill Young, president of SCP. "If we can get these entrepreneurs the capital and assistance that they need, there is no telling what they can do for disadvantaged communities across the country." For more information about Social Capital Partners, visit: www.socialcapitalpartners.ca.
September 23, 2002
Youth across Canada are being asked to share their views on how to build strong and healthy communities. The second annual Miracle Generation Challenge, created by CIBC World Markets Children's Miracle Foundation, gives young people aged 18 years and under, a platform to share their ideas. This year's challenge celebrates the importance of working together to make Canada a better place to live. As many as ten awards will be presented and winners will be able to direct a $1,000 charitable donation from the CIBC World Markets Children's Miracle Foundation to the eligible children's charity of their choice. A $500 Canada Savings Bond will also be presented to each award winner. Entries must be received by November 8, 2002 and winners will be announced on December 17th. For more information, visit: www.childrensmiracle.com/canada_miraclechallengeform.html.
September 23, 2002
On September 26, the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) will honour ten organizations whose OTF-funded projects have made the most significant and lasting impact in their communities. The Great Grants Recognition Awards will include an Impact Award for significant and measurable impact on people and economic benefits to a community; an Innovation Award for inventiveness and creativity in finding solutions to challenges in the community; and a Partnership Award for unique collaborations with the private sector or other nonprofit groups. Among the ten finalists are the De-ba-jeh-mu-jig Theatre Group, Gibraltar Point Centre for the Arts, the Brant County Federation of Agriculture, Regent Park Community Health Centre, and the Hope Air volunteer pilot program. For more information about the Ontario Trillium Foundation, visit: www.trilliumfoundation.org.
September 23, 2002
As part of Avon Canada's Kiss Goodbye to Breast Cancer campaign, 200 Canadian celebrities donated their kisses to the cause. The kisses, from such people as recording artist Sarah McLachlan, actor Mike Myers and Olympian Catriona LeMay Doan were mounted on cards, signed, and displayed on a Wall of Kisses in downtown Montreal to help raise awareness for Avon's 10th Annual Crusade Against Breast Cancer. Since 1993, Avon Canada has raised more than $8 million for the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Initiative, Canada's primary funder of breast cancer research. This year, their goal is to raise $1 million. For more information about the campaign, visit: www.avoncrusade.ca/eng /index.html.
September 23, 2002
The Atkinson Charitable Foundation announced the inaugural recipient of its new Economic Justice Award. Economist Armine Yalnizyan will embark on a three-year research program, beginning with a special focus on Canada's medicare system. "The timing of this award couldn't be more perfect," Yalnizyan said. "At a time when the federal government is considering its place in preserving Canada's medicare system, this provides an important opportunity to examine the role that universally accessible federal programs play in shaping both Canadians' sense of country and individual well-being." The new award, which will be granted on an occasional basis to an outstanding Canadian researcher, includes a $75,000 annual research stipend and up to $25,000 per year for expenses. "The concept behind the Atkinson Award for Economic Justice is a first and could shape the way independent research is conducted in this country," said Yalnizyan. "It permits a remarkable opportunity to work with others to define a pragmatic and research based agenda that ties economic issues to issues of justice." For more information about the Atkinson Charitable Foundation, visit: www.atkinsonfdn.on.ca.
September 23, 2002
McGill University's Brain Tumour Research Centre at the Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) was officially unveiled last week. It is the centerpiece of a $26 million campaign, and part of a national effort to make Canada a world leader in the fight to beat tumours of the nervous system. To date, the MNI has received donations and grants totalling more than $24 million, with major gifts coming from private foundations and individuals, including a gift of more than $1 million from the Hélène and A. Jean de Grandpré Family. For more information, visit: www.mni.mcgill.ca/an nounce/btrc.htm
September 23, 2002
Breakfast for Learning - Canadian Living Foundation is teaming up with McDonald's Restaurants in Ontario for a year-long fundraising drive. Until September of 2003, the restaurants will donate 10 cents from every cup of coffee sold on Fridays to Breakfast for Learning, with proceeds being distributed to new and existing child nutrition programs in the province. McDonald's will also feature educational information during the month of September, Breakfast for Learning Month, to help raise awareness about such programs. The goal of the campaign is to raise $350,000, which will provide more than 400,000 breakfasts to children. For more information, visit: www.breakfastforlearning.ca.
September 16, 2002
Dr. Howard Justus, 99, surprised fundraisers at eastern Ontario's Winchester District Memorial Hospital recently when he presented them with a cheque for $1 million. Justus, who is regarded as one of the founding fathers of the hospital, which was built in the 1940s, donated the funds to the Renewing the Vision campaign. The hospital's redevelopment campaign now stands at $9.5 million toward its $12 million community goal. The retired doctor, who sits as honourary co-chair of the campaign, says he made the donation to help maintain his healthcare alma mater as an outstanding facility for years to come. For more information about the hospital's Renewing the Vision campaign, visit: www.wdmh.on.ca/capital.htm.
September 16, 2002
Ontario Public Safety Minister Bob Runciman announced last week that the government is establishing an emergency response system that will rely on a network of community volunteers. "We are working with the municipalities to develop a made-in-Ontario community volunteer emergency response that will be a vital component of the province's overall emergency and disaster management strategy," Mr. Runciman said. The newly formed Community Emergency Response Volunteers (CERV) Ontario program will receive $1 million annually in government funding to help municipalities develop a network of neighbourhood-based, multi-functional teams of volunteers trained in basic emergency management principles and skills. The government says all Ontario residents will be encouraged to join the program but that different team roles will require different types of skills and levels of fitness. However, it adds that there is a place for almost anyone on any team. The province's retirees are one group being targeted for recruitment, particularly retired police officers, firefighters and paramedics. For more information, visit: www.newswire.ca/government/ontario.
September 16, 2002
In a generous show of support for Vancouver's art and culture scene, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) chair Art Willms made a record $500,000 donation to the symphony. "Great cities need great cultural institutions," said Willms. "I think the VSO is one of our great cultural institutions, and I feel an investment in an organization like that is also an investment in the city. According to Symphony president Jeff Alexander, Willms' gift is the largest individual donation ever made to the VSO, and will help reduce its projected loss for this fiscal year. For more information about the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, visit: www.vancouversymphony.ca.
September 16, 2002
Eighty-one percent of Canadians who made charitable donations in 2000, for which they received a tax receipt, said they gave to five charities or less. Of those donors, 60% said they gave to three charities or less and 20% said they gave to only one charity. Only 13% of respondents said they gave to between six and ten different charities. Those who were most likely to say they donated to five charities or fewer include residents of Quebec (90%), those earning less than $30K (86%), respondents between 18 and 34 years of age (94%), and those with a post secondary education (86%). -- Canada Customs and Revenue Agency
September 16, 2002
Merkley Headgear, Canada's largest ski-hat manufacturer, spent this past year producing FDNY baseball hats instead of fleece toques, donating the proceeds to the families of firefighters killed in the World Trade Center. The company has so far sold 45,000 hats and raised more than $300,000 for the New York fire department. "We didn't come close to breaking even on this," said Tim McClure, Merkley vice president of sales. "In fact, it was quite costly for us to do, but sometimes the moral victory is more important." He says the project brought staff closer together as they worked long overtime hours to get the hats out to firefighters across Canada, who sold them at boot drives. The project has been so rewarding that Merkley marked this September 11 by creating a scholarship fund for the children of Canadian firefighters.
September 16, 2002
Doug Hall, founder of Eureka Ranch, a corporate consulting company, is investing in business growth on Prince Edward Island. The part-time resident of PEI presented a $285,000 business scholarship to PEI Development Minister Mike Currie. "This is a great place to develop business," said Hall, who has already worked with several local companies and charity organizations, including the Indian River Festival of Fine Music, the College of Piping and Celtic Arts and Cavendish Figurines. Hall says he is also in discussions to establish a Eureka Ranch of Canada at the Atlantic Technology Centre (ATC) in Charlottetown. For more information about Eureka Ranch, visit: www.eurekaranch.com.
September 16, 2002
The Foundation Center released a new report that examines the impact that September 11th had on foundations' and corporations' overall giving in 2001. The report, Assessing the Post-9/11 Funding Environment: Grantmakers' Perspectives, was based on a nationwide survey of 333 US foundations and corporate funders and is part of the Center's multi-year initiative to create a definitive record of institutional philanthropy's response in the aftermath of 9/11. According to the report, 56.7% of respondents who donated to 9/11 causes made at least part of their relief and recovery giving from their annual grants budgets, while nearly one-third (31.7%) tapped discretionary funds and 13% used existing or newly created employee matching-gift funds. The report also found that foundations and corporations supported a multi-purpose, long-term approach to crisis response, with most grantmakers opting not to shift their giving priorities or initiate new programs after 9/11. For more information, or to download the report, visit: fdncenter.org/about/news/pr_0209b.html.
September 16, 2002
Twenty-six brave employees of HSBC Bank and Trico Homes in Calgary went under the razor recently, shearing their locks for a good cause. The Shave Your Lid for a Kid event raised approximately $90,000 for the Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta. "It's a great day - that's big money," said Anita Perry, a spokeswoman for Trico Homes, one of the event sponsors. The funds will go toward clinical support, research, and community projects, with some money also being forwarded to the Alberta Children's Hospital. For more information about the Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta, visit: www.kidscancercare.ab.ca.
September 16, 2002
A new survey conducted by New York-based research group The Conference Board finds that company products accounted for 33% of donations to U.S. charities in 2000, up from 13% in 1992. While monetary donations still make up the bulk of corporate contributions to charity, analysts says this rising trend indicates that companies are increasingly using product donations as both a marketing tool and a way to help community organizations. The Conference Board also found that almost 90% of corporate managers report that their companies have a citizenship goal as part of a statement of core values or business principles. About 60% say that their citizenship activities have led to goodwill in local communities, and an enhanced reputation with consumers. -- The Conference Board
September 16, 2002
On September 18th, hockey legend Bobby Orr and Blue Rodeo's Jim Cuddy will host Stars for Skates, a celebrity hockey game, to kick off the third annual MasterCard Hockey Equipment Drive for Canadian Youth. The drive, which was founded by MasterCard Canada and operates in conjunction with the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada (BBBSC), collects used children's hockey equipment for donation to BBBSC. Last year's drive collected more than 1,000 pieces of equipment, which were redistributed in more than 30 communities. This year, McDonald's Restaurants of Canada has joined the program and will be accepting equipment donations at participating outlets across Canada from September 19 to October 3. For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada, visit: www.bbsc.ca/html/index.shtml.
September 16, 2002
A new report from an influential UK think tank proposes that payments or credits should be available for people on low incomes who volunteer with community groups. The Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) says volunteering is too often restricted to those who earn enough to be able to give up their time. IPPR suggests that a more innovative approach to rewarding volunteering would also help the government achieve its goal of wider civic renewal. "We are not saying that all volunteering should be paid," said IPPR research fellow Will Paxton. "However, it shouldn't always be seen as a financially unrewarded activity." The report, entitled Any Volunteers for the Good Society?, states that, "active involvement in community and civil life brings many benefits to the people who get involved, to those who benefit from their activities and to community life more generally. It helps to strengthen communities, building trust and confidence as well as promoting equality and cohesion. It is fundamental to a healthy democracy." For more information, visit: www.ippr.org.uk/press/index.php?release=142
September 16, 2002
The United Way of Great Victoria is currently accepting applications for its Youth Initiative Grant. The $8,000 fund exists to support community-based youth programs and projects in the Capital Regional District. Individual organizations can apply for a one-time grant of up to $1,000. Deadline for submissions is October 15. Applications are available online at www.unitedwayvictoria.bc.ca/grants.html or at the United Way office. For more information contact Joyce Clairmont at 385-6708.
September 9, 2002
According to its most recent newsletter for registered charities, the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) has broadened its acceptance of volunteer centres as registered charities. The decision was in response to an application for charitable status from the Grand Forks Volunteer Society. The society's original application was turned down because reviewers found that "beneficiaries of the organization's services could include organizations that were not registered charities or other qualified donees." The society began to appeal the decision but, before it hit the courts, CCRA looked at the file again and concluded that " in today's social and legal context, promoting volunteerism could be considered a charitable purpose in its own right."The Grand Forks application, CCRA has revised the policy so that an organization formed to promote volunteerism in the community at large through broad-based activities may be eligible for registration. CCRA officials say that they plan to provide additional details of the new policy on the Charities Directorate web site soon. Find the directorate's web site at: www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/tax/charities/
September 9, 2002
Last week, the Ontario government announced $21 million in new funding to support victims of domestic abuse and hold abusers accountable. The three-pronged approach to the problem will focus on prevention and education, protection and prosecution, and support for victims. Some of the funding includes: $5 million to enhance the safety, accessibility, and security of shelters for abused women and their children; $5 million for a public education and prevention campaign; $4.5 million for community-based grants; and $600,000 for a series of regional and provincial conferences to improve services to victims. Women's and social service agencies have responded positively to the announcement so far, saying that it offers hope to abused women and their children. For more information, visit www.gov.on.ca/mczcr/owd
September 9, 2002
University of Alberta researcher Sandy Cousins has found that bingo may deliver important recreational and social benefits to older women. The research, funded by the Alberta Gaming Research Institute, suggests that bingo can help get seniors out of the house and active in a social setting. Cousins found that most older bingo players see bingo as more of a social outing than gambling, and most give themselves strict budgets for playing. -- Alberta Gaming Research Institute
September 9, 2002
According to a new research letter published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, Toronto panhandlers don't spend most of their earnings on drugs or alcohol. Dr. Stephen Hwang, a member of the Inner City Health Research Unit at St. Michael's Hospital, interviewed 54 panhandlers on Toronto streets and found that "Their single largest reported expense was food, followed by tobacco, then alcohol and/or illicit drugs. "Panhandlers in Toronto reported a median monthly income of $300 from panhandling and $638 from all sources. Find more details of the research at: www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/167/5/477
September 9, 2002
The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation is seeking nominations for its annual humanitarian prize, worth $1,000,000. The global prize is given annually to an established charity or nonprofit. Previous recipients include St. Christopher's Hospice, African Medical and Research Foundation, Medecins Sans Frontieres, and Operation Smile. Interested organizations must have an established record of alleviating suffering, historic achievement and recent performance, innovative program implementation, organizational capacity, and sustainability and long-term impact. The deadline for nominations is November 1, 2002. For full nomination details, visit: www.hiltonfoundation.org.
September 9, 2002
The du Maurier Arts Council is inviting Canadian artistic organizations to submit applications for a du Maurier Arts grant. Arts organizations incorporated for two years or more as of January 1, 2000 are eligible to apply for funding. Support is provided for arts projects which will be held between June 1, 2003 and May 31, 2004. In its 32 year history the du Maurier Arts Council has awarded more than $58 million to 621 Canadian arts groups.The deadline for this round of grant applications is October 31, 2002. Find guidelines and application forms from: du Maurier Arts 3711 St. Antoine Street, Montreal, Quebec H4C 3P6; Telephone: 1-800-398-1141; or downloaded from the du Maurier website : www.dumaurierartscouncil.ca
September 9, 2002
Drawing 36 years of muscle car history to a close last week, automaker Chevrolet auctioned off one of the last new Camaros for charity. A 32-year-old man from Michigan paid US$71,500 for the second last vehicle off the line from the plant in St. Therese, Quebec. Proceeds will go to the National Association of Students Against Violence Everywhere. The final car off the line is heading to the company's museum. Unfortunately, the Quebec plant is shutting down, putting 1,200 people out of work.
September 9, 2002
Media company Corus Entertainment announced a $2 million gift last week to fund a new chair in communications strategy at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management. The chair will investigate trends toward media convergence in Canada, as well as how Canadian media companies can compete more globally.
September 9, 2002
ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation, Air Canada, Amazon.ca and HarperCollinsCanada celebrated International Literacy Day by launching a new in-flight audio channel featuring author interviews and audio-book excerpts from best-selling fiction, and popular children's literature. "We're excited to be part of this innovative project that reinforces the importance of reading in such a unique way," says ABC CANADA president, Christine Featherstone. Under the partnership, the foundation's promotional and PSA material will be featured in Air Canada's magazine and on its in-flight television programming. For more information, visit: www.abc-canada.org.
September 9, 2002
SaskTel became the Western Development Museum's largest corporate exhibit donor last week with a promise of $250,000 over five years to support the museum's "Winning the Prairie Gamble" exhibit. The exhibit will help commemorate Saskatchewan's centennial in 2005. For more information about the museum, visit: www.wdm.ca
September 9, 2002
At CharityVillage.com, we don't send file attachments to you -- ever. Over the past few weeks, we've received a few e-mails from our visitors about messages that look like they have come from us -- they haven't. There's an annoying new trend in e-mail viruses called "spoofing". Not only can some viruses send themselves out to everyone in your e-mail address book, but now they can change the name of the e-mail in the "from" field on the message.For instance, if Susie Smith has the virus on her computer, the virus will send itself out to her address book. If Maggie from CharityVillage and you are both in Susie's address book, you might get the virus and it will look like it's from Maggie. Unfortunately, we can't track the virus back to its original sender so we have no way of telling the person that there's a problem.
What can you do? Be sure that you have up-to-date antivirus software. Update your virus definitions regularly. Scan your computer regularly for viruses. Never open an e-mail file attachment from anyone, even if you know them, unless you know that they are sending it. For more information about viruses and virus hoaxes, visit: www.charityvillage.com/charityvillage/club.asp#hoax
September 3, 2002
On August 31st the Saskatchewan Lung Association shut down operations and is now allocating its assets to two new charities. The newly formed Lung Association of Saskatchewan will provide most of the services formerly provided by the Saskatchewan Lung Association and will also be a member of the Canadian Lung Association partnership. A second charity, the Lung Foundation of Saskatchewan, will manage an endowment fund, solicit capital gifts, and make disbursements to support lung health activities. "The restructuring is there to allow us to be in a better position to do our work as a charity," said Brian Graham, executive director of the Saskatchewan Lung Association, adding that the name of the 90-year-old Saskatchewan Lung Association was changed to the Lung Association of Saskatchewan for legal reasons. All employees of the Saskatchewan Lung Association were offered employment with the new Lung Association of Saskatchewan. For more information on the Saskatchewan Lung Association, visit: www.sk.lung.ca.
September 3, 2002
The recent United Nations World Summit in Johannesburg included an important Canadian component in the form of a web site for activists. Earthyouth.net links young people and provides access to key resources such as mentors and project funding. It was built by young Canadian entrepreneurs with a $100,000 grant from the UN and is being praised by global environmentalists. "It's a one-stop shop that really raises the profile of people who are doing innovative environmental projects and allows companies looking to donate to something, to interact with them directly," said Michael Furdyk, one of the site's creators. The site features summary explanations and news articles on environmental issues written by youth from around the world and includes lists of related projects. The format allows young people to e-mail organizers directly to get involved and share ideas. To view the site, visit: earthyouth.net.
September 3, 2002
A national survey conducted for Credit Union Central of Canada found that in 2001, credit unions surveyed contributed $16.7 million to community involvement through donations, sponsorships, and economic development contributions. Of that amount, $11.7 million was in the form of monetary support. In addition, 61% of survey respondents administered fundraising campaigns for community organizations and 42% said that their employees participate in community activities and/or organizations as part of their paid work. Employee unpaid volunteerism is also high, with 72% of credit unions surveyed indicating that employees volunteer for community activities/organizations representing the credit union during their unpaid time off. -- Ipsos-Reid
September 3, 2002
This year's Woodridge Charity Golf Tournament brought together 220 enthusiastic golfers, raising $167,000 for children with Down's Syndrome. "This was our best yet, it was fantastic," said Gerry Wood, owner of the Wood Automotive Group and an organizer of the fundraiser. "There are a great group of folks who come out for this and a lot of players have been with us since the beginning." The event has raised almost $1.7 million since the tournament first began 17 years ago and donations from this year's tournament will be divided between a Down's syndrome centre, various programs, and research. "We have got 20 people with Down's Syndrome who we are teaching to swim," Wood said about a Calgary pioneer project. "We are looking for new ways to help these folks become more self-sufficient."
September 3, 2002
The Children's Own Museum, a favorite destination for families in Toronto and surrounding area, closed its doors last week and may soon be without a home. Its current lease with the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) ends on September 30, 2002 and the Children's Own Museum has been unable to secure new space at an affordable rate. "At this stage, we simply cannot afford the staggering Toronto rental prices because we're a not-for-profit and we don't receive government funding," says Jennifer Lawrence, the museum's executive director. However, she says the board is committed to reopening when the museum can afford to buy its own space or when space is donated. In an effort to help raise funds, it is liquidating its inventory through a giant auction on ebay.ca from September 6-13th. Money raised will be used to lay the groundwork to build a permanent home. For more information about the museum, visit: www.childrensownmuseum.org.
September 3, 2002
If someone stops you on the street to do something nice, don't be too shocked. They may be part of the Extreme Kindness Tour that kicked off in Vancouver, BC on August 27 and which will sweep across the country, ending in St. John's, Newfoundland in late November. Val Litwin, one of the tour's four organizers says the goal is to show people that they can get as much out of giving as they do out of receiving. "An act of kindness needn't cost anything or take up much time, but it can make a huge difference in the way we interact with one another. It shows the value of caring and of humour and compassion. Our big picture goal is to create a better world by having every person on earth perform at least one kind act every day. But the more immediate objective is to raise awareness of the power people have within themselves to enrich their lives and uplift their communities through simple, spontaneous acts of kindness". For more information, or to follow the tour's progress, visit: www.extremekindness.com.
September 3, 2002
Forty-seven percent of Canadians are familiar with the term 'voluntary sector'. This is an increase of 10% since September of 2001. However 53% still report that they are not at all familiar with term. When survey respondents were asked what organizations they thought of when they heard the term 'voluntary sector', regardless of their level of familiarity, 18% were unable to think of any organizations that they would associate with this term. Organizations that were listed by the balance of respondents were voluntary sector organizations. The most frequently mentioned were health care/hospital auxiliaries (18%), followed by the Red Cross (14%), the Salvation Army (11%), and the Canadian Cancer Society (9%). -- Voluntary Sector Initiative
September 3, 2002
John Stoker, the United Kingdom's chief charity commissioner, is asking the 200 largest fundraising charities in the UK to increase the amount of information they release about their accounts, their objectives and activities, and their fundraising performance. He suggests that unless charities become more open and accountable, public confidence in the voluntary sector could dwindle. In a letter sent to the charities, he does admit that although many charities do hold themselves to high standards of accountability, there is no consistent standard. "Improvement in this area could in itself both help to meet public expectations and have a positive effect on confidence, and it is here that excellence on the part of leading charities can provide a valuable lead," said Stoker. The commission believes that many organizations provide only minimal financial information, rather than a more complete view of their operations and achievements. In his letter Stoker also states that, "In prompting you to consider these issues with your staff and colleagues, I am not seeking to underrate the enormous achievements and contribution that charities make to national life, or to undervalue the great personal contribution that trustees make, for the most part unpaid. I do, however, hope that you will agree with me that improving the way that the sector communicates about its activities and achievements is one area where charities themselves can take a timely lead."
September 3, 2002
The Canada Council for the Arts announced it will provide grants totalling $242,350 to the arts community in Nanaimo, BC and the surrounding area. By region, Gabriola Island artists and organizations received $27,730, Lantzville got $67,800, Nanaimo received $87,520, $19,300 went to Nanoose, and Qualicum Beach received $40,000. Along with several individual artists, the Crimson Coast Dance Society, Vancouver Island Symphony, TheatreOne, the Gabriola Island Community Arts Council, and the Vancouver Island Regional Library, Nanaimo Headquarters were among those organizations that received funding. For more information on the Canada Council for the Arts, visit: www.canadacouncil.ca.
September 3, 2002
A new report by the Conference Board of Canada reveals that Canadian women still receive fewer opportunities to build leadership skills and advance their careers. In the Pipeline or on the Sidelines: Is Your Leadership Development Working for Women?, the third in a series of information resources produced by the Conference Board's Centre of Excellence for Women's Advancement, reviews four key strategies for the development of leaders. These strategies include: developmental stretch assignments, such as a more challenging position or a cross-functional move to a different business area; mentoring and networking opportunities; management development programs; and support for continuing education. In addition, businesses must take into account the realities of women's competing work-life time demands and should design strategies for supporting women who face work-life balance issues. For more information, visit: www.conferenceboard.ca/press/2002/women_leadership.htm
September 3, 2002
The Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and the Alzheimer Society of Ontario are reminding their donors and the general public that they do not canvass for funds door to door in Ottawa. The organization recently received numerous calls from concerned individuals in Ottawa about canvassers in their neighbourhood. While charitable giving is important, it says donors should donate wisely and if they do decide to give at the door they should ask questions about Revenue Canada charitable registration number, official receipt for income tax purposes, the organization's purpose, how donations will directly benefit people, where to obtain additional information, etc. To view an online list of Canadian registered charities, visit the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency web site at www .ccra-adrc.gc.ca/tax/charities/list/chtysr-e.html. If you have any questions, please contact the Alzheimer Society of Ottawa at (613) 523-4004 or asoc@alzheimerott.org.
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