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This is an archive of CharityVillage NewsWeek. To find a word on the page,
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To view other articles in the archive, use our Chronological Index.
NewsBytes: July, 2004
Articles are arranged in reverse chronological order.
AFP releases final report on state of fundraising
July 19, 2004
The Association of Fundraising Professionals' (AFP) final report of the AFP State of Fundraising 2003 is now available online. The report shows that charitable fundraising in the United States and Canada rebounded in 2003. It also provides findings on the challenges faced by fundraisers, both in Canada and the United States, as well as fundraisers' predictions for 2004. To download the full report in PDF format, visit: www.afpnet.org.
July 19, 2004
The Canadian Cancer Society announced that Relay For Life 2004 raised more than $4 million in 38 communities across BC and the Yukon. Almost half a million of the total amount came from online donations. "We'd like to thank all of our supporters, volunteers, participants and staff for their dedication and enthusiasm for the cause. We're particularly excited about our online performance," said Relay For Life manager Christy Sampson. "This is the first year we've offered web-based registration. It's great to see people embracing new technology and supporting their community at the same time." Funds raised from the event help support research, provide information and support programs in the community, and advocate for healthy public policy. For more information, visit: www.cancer.ca.
July 19, 2004
The Canada Revenue Agency's (CRA) Charities Directorate recently created a new position at the agency to assist charities with issues or questions that cannot be dealt with through normal channels. The new Charities Representative will help charities deal with issues such as: complaints about the level or quality of service; standards of service that were not met; charities and individuals who do not feel they were treated in a fair and transparent manner; and information requests from charities that need help to voluntarily comply.
The representative cannot reverse application decisions or other technical determinations and can be consulted only after a charity has first tried to resolve its issues through the regular process. This pilot program was introduced on May 3, 2004 and will be available for one year. At the end of the period, the Charities Directorate will assess the results to see if the program should be continued or enhanced. Organizations can contact the charities representative by calling toll-free 1-866-303-3016 or via e-mail at charities-bienfaisance-resource@ccra-adrc.gc.ca.
Fast Fact: International aid most popular cause in UK
July 19, 2004
The Charities Aid Foundation's Charity Trends 2004 survey reveals that international aid is the UK's most popular charitable cause. In 2002-03, international aid attracted 18% of donations to the ten most popular causes, accounting for £654 million in donations last year. Cancer charities, the second most popular cause, brought in £417 million - with more than half of this raised by Cancer Research UK, the UK's largest charity, with a voluntary income of £244 million. Other causes in the top ten include religious charities, arts and culture charities, hospices, heritage organizations, environment charities, and animal protection and rescue organizations. -- Charities Aid Foundation
July 19, 2004
The National Learning Initiative for the Voluntary Sector (NLI) and the Centre for Voluntary Sector Research and Development (CVSRD) are conducting a short online survey about voluntary sector education and training. The objective of the survey is to find out more about barriers that exist within the voluntary sector to participation in various learning opportunities. The survey takes less than five minutes to complete and results will be reported only in aggregate. To participate in the survey, visit: www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=78901541072.
July 19, 2004
The Canadian Conference of the Arts is now accepting nominations for the Diplôme d'honneur. The award is presented annually to a Canadian who has made a sustained contribution to the cultural life of the country, whether through individual arts practice, volunteer activity, mentoring, patronage, or other recognized support. The deadline for submissions is September 30. For more information or to download a nomination form, visit: www.ccarts.ca.
July 19, 2004
The Fraser Institute announced 26 finalists from across Canada for the 7th Annual Donner Canadian Foundation Awards for Excellence in the Delivery of Social Services. More than 200 nonprofit organizations applied for nine $5,000 category awards and a $20,000 overall Award for Excellence. Finalists were selected based on a ranking of their performance in ten key areas, including management and governance, the use of staff and volunteers, innovation, program cost, and outcome monitoring. Award recipients will be announced at a special ceremony to be held in Toronto in November. For more information or to view the complete list of finalists, visit: www.fraserinstitute.ca.
July 19, 2004
The Shell Environmental Fund (SEF) recently granted almost $400,000 to help community and environmental groups begin action-oriented projects that improve or protect the Canadian environment. Since it was launched in 1990, the program has awarded a total of $10 million in grants. "Shell Environmental Fund grants are intended for smaller, community-driven, action-oriented environmental projects," said Tim Bancroft, vice president of Sustainable Development for Shell. "It's clear that there is still a need for the financial resources to turn good ideas into action, and the Shell Environmental Fund is helping meet that need." The next deadline for applications is October 1, 2004. For more information or an application form, visit: www.shell.ca/sef.
July 19, 2004
An analysis of the finances of Britain's largest charities reinforces the perception of low income potential for charitable work. The figures reveal that in the top 500 fundraising charities, only 2% of staff are paid more than £30,000 a year. Within this group, 51% are paid between £30,000 and £40,000. Only 2% earn more than £100,000. The highest reported salary of any of the 500 organizations that participated in the study was £165,000, while the average top salary was measured at £77,000. -- Charities Aid Foundation
July 19, 2004
More donors than ever contributed to a 71% increase in donations to York University over the past two years. In the 2004 fiscal year, a total of $18.3 million was raised from alumni, faculty, staff, benefactors, and the local community. "It is particularly encouraging to see the broadening of our donor base," says Paul Marcus, president and CEO of the York University Foundation. "Our supporters are helping to build an outstanding future for the university, and their generosity is highly valued." The foundation was created two years ago as a separate fundraising entity to raise funds for student support, teaching, research, and infrastructure. Plans for the coming year include continued major gift development and new initiatives in the area of deferred giving. For more information about the York University Foundation, visit: www.yorku.ca/foundation.
July 12, 2004
The University of Toronto will establish the country's first chair in Canadian business history at the Joseph L. Rotman School of Management, thanks to a donation from several prominent business leaders. The L.R. Wilson/R.J. Currie Chair in Canadian Business History was funded by Lynton (Red) Wilson, chair of the boards at CAE Inc. and Nortel Networks Corporation; Richard Currie, chair of BCE Inc.; Anthony Fell, chair of RBC Capital Markets and University Health Network board of trustees; James Fleck, professor emeritus of business government relations at the Rotman School and president of Fleck Management Services Limited; Henry N.R. (Hal) Jackman, former chancellor and alumnus of U of T; and John McArthur, dean emeritus of Harvard University's Graduate School of Business Administration. The $3-million chair will fund courses and research that will explore the evolution of the commerce industry in Canada and examine the legal, economic and political events that shaped the course of its history. For more information, visit: www.news.utoronto.ca.
July 12, 2004
Shriners were set to begin negotiations last week with the Ontario government to build a pediatric orthopedic hospital in London. However, last-minute lobbying by a Quebec team made up of local politicians and health officials has put Montreal in the running for the children's facility, which will be a magnet for research. "We really needed to get back into the ballgame," said Arthur Porter, chief executive officer of the McGill University Health Centre in Montreal.
The Shriners have operated a hospital in Montreal since 1925, but space is becoming limited so they originally planned to tear down that hospital and build a new one next to the children's wing of the McGill University Health Centre after it is redeveloped. Repeated delays by the Quebec government over the construction of the new facility made the Shriners turn their attention toward London. Tony Dagnone, CEO of the London Health Sciences Centre, told the London Free Press that the city wouldn't be drawn into a bidding war. Dr. Porter also reiterated that this shouldn't be a battle. "This is something where we should say, 'Let's see if we can get the best out of this for Canada.'" The Shriners will conduct another review before a final decision is made at their 2005 annual convention in Baltimore.
July 12, 2004
A total of 413 individuals were granted initial certification as a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) last year, according to the 2003 Annual Exam Report. There was a 44% increase in candidates from Canada, compared to only a 4% increase in the United States. The passing rate for all first-time test takers was 73%, while the passing rate of all test takers in 2003, including those rewriting the exam, was 66%. The overall recertification rate was 80% for CFREs whose certification reached its expiration date. -- CFRE International
July 12, 2004
Dell announced an additional $220,000 in grant money to support computer recycling events in the fall of 2004, and for the first time, Canadian communities are eligible for these grants. The company will award a series of $10,000 grants to select state, provincial and local governments, universities, and other nonprofit groups. "This grant program has demonstrated success in keeping reusable and recyclable equipment out of landfills while raising awareness of responsible product end-of-life options," said Pat Nathan, Dell's sustainable business director. "By working with our grant recipients and the National Recycling Coalition, and by expanding the program, Dell continues to spread the message that no computer should go to waste." Details about the Canadian application process are being developed and will be available by September. For more information, visit: www.dell.com/environment.
July 12, 2004
Does dealing with conflict in your organization eat up a lot of your time? Are you wondering about where to find good resources for nonprofits about managing and resolving conflict? You're not alone. Developing Human Resources in the Voluntary Sector (HRVS) hears from many organizations that say dealing with conflict is time consuming and frustrating. In response, they are teaming up with Nora Sobolov, a former nonprofit manager who helps groups successfully collaborate and resolve conflict, to create conflict resolution tools for nonprofit organizations. In order to ensure that the resources developed will respond to the needs of theİvoluntary sector, HRVS is asking organizations to fill out a confidential online survey about conflict and conflict resolution. Once complete, the conflict resolution resources will be available for free on the HRVS web site. To participate in the survey, visit: www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=83369521116. For more information about HRVS, visit: www.hrvs.ca.
July 12, 2004
On September 17th some of Canada's top musicians will arrive in Duncan, BC for a fundraising concert in support of a citizen's group dedicated to fighting pollution. The Clean Air Concert is being hosted by the Crofton Airshed Citizens Group and will feature Randy Bachman, his son Tal Bachman, Neil Young, and the Barenaked Ladies. Other possible performers include Nelly Furtado and Nickelback. According to spokesperson Michael Ableman, the aim is to raise at least $50,000 for an independent study, by an international team of environmental experts, into the health and environmental impacts of a Norske Canada pulp mill in Crofton, BC. For more information, visit: www.croftonair.org.
July 12, 2004
A survey by Statistics Canada reveals that Canada is rich in social capital. The majority (61%) of Canadians belong to at least one group or organization. Sports and recreational organizations were reported most often, followed by unions and professional associations; cultural, education or hobby groups; religious-affiliated groups; and school, neighbourhood or community-associated groups. About 8% of Canadians belonged to a service club or fraternal organization. In terms of political activities, 28% of Canadians report that they have signed a petition in the past year. About one-fifth have attended a public meeting, 13% expressed their views on an issue by contacting a newspaper or a politician, and 6% have participated in a march or demonstration. -- Statistics Canada
July 12, 2004
An investigation by Auditor General Jon Singleton reveals that the owner and executives of a Winnipeg agency that helps disabled adults and children used public money to furnish a Florida vacation home, buy Cadillacs, and pad their salaries. Salaries paid out to executives at Hydra House Ltd. - a private, provincially funded, for-profit agency - from April 1997 to December 2002 were $1.4 million, or 58% higher than their not-for-profit counterparts. The province gives $5.8 million annually to the organization, which cares for about 100 people with mental or physical disabilities at a handful of group homes around the city. Singleton says the "questionable expenditures" spanned at least five years but he couldn't pin down exactly how much of taxpayers' money was misspent since so much paperwork was missing. The Department of Justice will now review the case to see if criminal charges can be laid. For more information about Hydra House, visit: www.hydrahouse.com.
July 12, 2004
Classroom Connections has created a free educational resource that encourages students to examine their personal beliefs about the need for change in our world and their individual responsibility to take action. Cultivating Peace - Taking Action explores the preconditions necessary for a culture of peace, including the examination of global issues in sustainable development, economic disparity, fair trade, human rights, and consumerism. Students are given opportunities to explore the range of actions possible, ways in which change occurs, barriers to participation, and the factors that support youth involvement.
The resource includes a teacher's guide as well as a video, poster series, and a student guide to taking action. It is designed for use in grades 10-12. To download the 68-page teacher's guide along with copies of the first resource in the series, Cultivating Peace in the 21st Century, visit: www.cultivatingpeace.ca. All materials are available in English and French. To order the complete modules (with videos) free of charge, e-mail info@classroomconnections.ca or call 1-888-882-8865.
July 12, 2004
A recent study commissioned by PowerPact and The Cause Marketing Forum finds that US corporations are strongly committed to cause-related marketing. The 2004 Manufacturer and Retailer Cause Marketing Attitudes and Practices Study polled leading Fortune 500 consumer product manufacturers and national and regional retailers engaged in cause-related marketing. All of the survey respondents indicated that they plan to maintain or increase their involvement in cause-related programs and 81% stated that sales impact is a top factor when deciding whether to adopt a cause-related marketing program. Corporations increasingly expect these types of programs to deliver profits as well as social benefits. One of the challenges in developing effective programs is the ability to localize the causes and customize programs. For more information, visit: www.causemarketingforum.com.
July 12, 2004
According to a recent study by ParadyszMatera's MarketTrends, nonprofit organizations increased their use of donor incentives during the first quarter of 2004. Premiums, or back-end incentives, were used by 37% of mailers, while "freemiums" or front-end incentives, were used by 41% of organizations. Last year, the use of premiums was at 32%, while the use of freemiums was at 36%. Within the freemium category, address labels were the most popular incentive overall, used in 26% of nonprofit mailings. Other freemiums include: stickers (13%), greeting cards (4%), calendars (2%), and other types of freemiums, such as notepads (10%). -- ParadyszMatera
July 12, 2004
Thanks to the generosity of Calgary Flames fans, the Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank recently received the largest single cash donation in its history. A cheque for $155,615 was presented to the food bank from the sale of $5 tickets to view playoff away games inside the Saddledome. "We made a little mistake, we said if you bring food you'll have entry -- more people came than we could accommodate," said Flames president Ken King. "This was unprecedented - the league is knocked out about it." For more information about the Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank Society, visit: www.calgaryfoodbank.com.
July 5, 2004
The Canadian Cancer Society's Relay For Life surpassed fundraisers' expectations, raising $9 million in 53 communities across Ontario. "Congratulations and thank you to everyone who supported Relay For Life this year," said Peter Vaudry, president of the Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division. "All of you - the volunteers who organized and worked at the events, the teams, the survivors, the sponsors and everyone who bought a luminary or pledged a participant - deserves a big pat on the back." So far this year, Relay for Life events have raised more than $20 million nationwide. Proceeds are used to fund cancer research, provide information, and offer community services to people living with cancer and their families. For more information, visit: www.cancer.ca.
July 5, 2004
The Voluntary Sector Initiative (VSI) has published a background paper that identifies ways for non-government funders to work with each other and with the voluntary sector to make technology funding more effective. Thinking Beyond the Box aims to help funders share best practices so they can become models for the voluntary sector in the strategic use of technology. To view the full report, visit: www.vsi-isbc.ca.
July 5, 2004
According to the latest AFP Compensation and Benefits Study, Canadian fundraising salaries increased more than 1.5% from 2002 to 2003 and the average salary was C$64,316, compared to C$63,334 in 2002. US salaries rose more than 9% during the same period, with an average salary of US$71,470, compared to US$65,751 in 2002. The study also found that a significant gap still exists between the salaries of male and female fundraisers across both the United States and Canada. In Canada, men reported an average salary of C$78,093, while women averaged C$59,613. In the US, men averaged US$86,459, while women earned US$65,361. -- AFP
July 5, 2004
The Canadian Conference of the Arts is now accepting nominations for the Keith Kelly Award for Cultural Leadership. The award recognizes a Canadian who has made a significant contribution to the arts through advocacy work or by playing a leading role in the development of public policy. The deadline for nominations is September 30. For more information, visit: www.ccarts.ca.
July 5, 2004
The Ontario Arts Council recently released a report that looks at the structure, impacts, challenges, and needs of theatre for young people. The State of Theatre for Young People in Ontario: Voices from the Field examines the artistic and business practice in the sector, as well as its financial realities. The report concludes by outlining possible actions that might help stakeholders strengthen the sector's impact, growth, and evolution, including possibilities for further research. For more information, visit: www.arts.on.ca.
July 5, 2004
According to statistics compiled by the Canadian Centre for Philanthropy, between 1984 and 1990 donations claimed by Canadian taxfilers grew by almost 30%. Then, between 1991 and 1995 donations stagnated, with growth of less than 5%. An upward trend started in 1996 that continued until 2000. By 2002, one in four Canadian taxfilers reported charitable donations totaling $5.85 billion, a 6% increase in total donations claimed from 2001. -- CCP
July 5, 2004
The UK's Charity Commission recently examined reports and accounts from the top 200 charities in England and Wales and found that many are failing to provide proper information in their annual reports. The study, entitled Transparency and Accountability, revealed that one third "sold themselves short" when detailing their achievements, while charities that rely mainly on government funding were classified as "among the least transparent". According to the report, most of the underperforming charities operate in culture, sport, recreation, health, and housing. International aid charities were the best performers, followed by organizations working in social services and relief. To view the full report, visit: www.charity-commission.gov.uk.
July 5, 2004
A recent survey of nonprofits found that 61% of respondents are either on target or ahead of expectations for 2004 contributions. Of those surveyed, 30% said that contributions to their organization are greater than expected, while 31% reported that they are the same as expected. Despite the good news, 39% revealed that contributions to their organization are less than expected so far this year. -- Kintera
July 5, 2004
In honour of Canada's birthday last week, the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) announced ten new Gifts to Canadians, part of the organization's ongoing efforts to celebrate and conserve Canada's biodiversity from coast to coast and leave a lasting natural legacy for Canadians. This year's gifts total just over 120 square kilometres and include properties that contain habitat for many species at risk or of concern at a provincial, national, or global level. For more information, visit: www.natureconservancy.ca.
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