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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: August, 2004
Articles are arranged in reverse chronological order.
Hbc launches nationwide community-based fundraising program
August 30, 2004
Hudson's Bay Company (Hbc) is introducing one of the largest community-based fundraising programs in the country. The Hbc Rewards Community Program will allow community and charity groups to register with Hbc so that their supporters can donate Hbc Rewards points directly to help their community. Customers can allocate the percentage of points they wish to donate and community groups receiving these donations can use the points to select merchandise or gift cards to use in support of fundraising activities. "For anyone who has ever wanted to help their local little league team, school, hospital, shelter or other community group, the Hbc Rewards Community Program will make it easier than ever," said George Heller, president and CEO of Hudson's Bay Company. "We're proud to offer this community-based initiative across Canada, in addition to donating over $11 million each year to charities across Canada." Community groups who sign up for the Hbc Rewards Community Program will receive up to 80,000 Bonus Hbc Rewards points to kick-start their community account. For more information, visit: www.hbcrewards.com/community.
August 30, 2004
The Voluntary Sector Forum and the Department of Social Development, on behalf of the Government of Canada, are collecting information on the implementation of the Accord and Codes of Good Practice. This is in preparation for the second report on the Accord implementation, which will be released in December 2004. Federal government employees should consult with the Accord champion in their department or agency before answering their questionnaire. Sector organizations that have a relationship with the federal government are encouraged to complete the Sector questionnaire. The deadline for sector organizations is September 3rd. Surveys for federal government departments and sector organizations can be viewed at: www.vsi-isbc.ca/eng/relationship/accord_questionnaire.cfm.
August 30, 2004
The Ontario Cancer Research Network (OCRN) recently awarded grants to seven cancer research projects designed to speed the development of new cancer treatments. Doctors at Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre, the University Health Network, and Mount Sinai Hospital together received funding totalling $3.1 million. "These projects have good potential to lead to new agents and better treatments for cancer," said Bob Phillips, president and CEO of OCRN. Including this latest round of funding, OCRN is providing a total of $19 million in direct support for 43 cancer research projects at 12 sites across Ontario. For more information, visit: www.ocrn.on.ca/aboutOcrn_News.htm.
Fast Fact: Less than half of Canadians have confidence in Parliament
August 30, 2004
When asked about their level of confidence in public institutions, Canadians ranked the police highest, and the federal Parliament and the welfare system lowest. Four out of every five Canadians (82%) had a "great deal" or "quite a lot" of confidence in the police. Only 43% had the same level of confidence in the federal Parliament, and only 41% in the welfare system. About two-thirds of Canadians said they had strong confidence in banks (68%), the healthcare system (67%), and the school system (65%), while about 57% said they had confidence in the justice system. -- Statistics Canada
August 30, 2004
Frank Palmer, chair and CEO of DDB Canada, announced the short-list of charities invited to compete for the Good Cause Award. "After careful deliberation we have selected five outstanding national charities, from over 200 entrants, to compete for the Good Cause Award," said Palmer. "These organizations best meet the entry criteria - their applications were well crafted, engaging, and full of promise. Any of these five charities could win the Good Cause Award." The finalists are: The Canadian Mental Health Association; Environmental Defence; FM-CFS Canada (Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome); The Sierra Club of Canada Foundation; and Volunteer Canada. The winning organization will receive a creative television and newspaper PSA campaign worth more than $2 million in donated creative development, production, and media placement. A winner will be announced on September 17th. For more information, visit: www.goodcauseaward.ca.
August 30, 2004
The UK-based Institute for Philanthropy has made available a study it conducted last year on how charities manage their relationships with major donors. Managing Major Donors highlights the importance for charities to develop a more relationship-based model for managing their major donors. It recommends that they regard major donors as individual clients and give more back to them. The report also outlines the seven stages of solicitation and the seven key questions that charities should be asking their major donors. To download the report in PDF format, visit: www.instituteforphilanthropy.org.uk.
August 30, 2004
Nonprofit Times (NPT) has released its list of "movers and shakers" in the US nonprofit sector. The 2004 Power and Influence Top 50 were selected by NPT and members of the nonprofit community, who narrowed the list down from more than 200 nominees. The list includes: Carla Dearing, president and CEO, Community Foundations of America; Sara L. Engelhardt, president, The Foundation Center; Bill Gates, chair, Microsoft Corporation; Brian Gallagher, president and CEO, United Way of America; William Lockyer, Attorney General, State of California; and Paulette V. Maehara, president and CEO, Association of Fundraising Professionals, to name a few. To download the complete list in PDF format, visit: www.nptimes.com.
August 30, 2004
The federal government devoted 1.8% of its total budget to culture in 2001/02, virtually unchanged from 2000/01. By comparison, it allocated about 6.2% of its direct spending (excluding transfers) to national defence, and 1.0% to health. On a per capita basis, total federal government spending on culture in 2001/02 amounted to $217 for each Canadian, compared to $204 the previous year. Per capita provincial and territorial spending was higher than the national average everywhere except in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Alberta. Per capita municipal spending exceeded the national average only in Ontario and British Columbia. --Statistics Canada
August 30, 2004
VolunteersOnline.ca recently announced the finalists for the fourth annual 2004 Showcase Ontario Voluntary Sector IT Awards. This year's finalists are: United Way of Windsor Essex; Toronto Developmental Services Respite Cluster; ShelterNet; and The Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work. One organization will receive the Diamond Award of Excellence and three will receive Awards of Merit. The awards, celebrating IT excellence in Ontario's nonprofit and charitable organizations, will be presented on September 14th. For more information, visit: www.volunteersonline.ca.
August 23, 2004
Xerox Canada is celebrating 30 years of innovation in Canada with a $1 million gift to McMaster University. "This endowment is dedicated to two causes at the heart of Xerox: innovation and entrepreneurship - a source of Xerox's continued success in the marketplace," said Doug Lord, chair, president and CEO, Xerox Canada Ltd. The funding, which is a joint gift from Xerox Canada and The Xerox Foundation, will establish the Xerox Centre for Engineering Entrepreneurship and Innovation, a first of its kind in Ontario. For more information, visit: dailynews.mcmaster.ca.
August 23, 2004
The Canadian Centre for Philanthropy (CCP) recently published five detailed reports about how and where Canadians donate to charity and volunteer their time. The reports offer information such as where Canadians volunteer and donate based on type of organization, motivations and barriers to giving and volunteering, and the role that religion plays in these activities. For more information or to download the reports, visit: www.givingandvolunteering.ca/reports.asp.
August 23, 2004
Sun Media newspapers reported last week that Sport Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) are developing a new funding plan that will target athletes with the best chances of winning medals in future Olympics. A new sports review panel is currently being assembled. "Their job will eventually be...to make recommendations to the government, and to the COC and other funding partners, as to where we should be making investments to see the best results," said Alastair Mullin, spokesperson for Sports Minister Stephen Owen. "We're not going to delay on this...but we're also going...to ensure we've got something that works." The norm has been to spread funding out equitably, rather than targeting key sports. However, with several disappointing results at this year's Olympics in Athens, many within Canada's sporting community say the status quo is unacceptable.
August 23, 2004
According to a new study from Statistics Canada, the number of Canadians receiving social assistance cheques fell sharply in the second half of the 1990s. The number of recipients dropped from a peak of 3.1 million in 1994 to fewer than 2 million by 2000. The reasons for the decline were related mostly to welfare reforms that made many more people ineligible for the money. The most dramatic change was among single mothers. In 1995, the peak year, one half of all single mothers were receiving social assistance nationally. By 2000, this rate had declined to only one-third. In 2000, Quebec had the highest overall welfare rate at 21%, but Newfoundland and Labrador had the highest welfare rate for couples with children (11%). -- Statistics Canada
August 23, 2004
Last week, VanCity Credit Union unveiled its latest social and environmental accountability report. The findings indicate that the credit union continues to make strides in fighting climate change by reducing energy use, promoting employee commuting alternatives, and launching Canada's first clean air auto loan. However, there are still issues to address concerning paper consumption and waste recycling. "We're not sugarcoating our results. By taking a hard look at ourselves, warts and all, we are able to take steps to improve. That makes us a stronger organization - one our members know they can trust," says VanCity board chair Elain Duvall. VanCity is one of the few companies in Canada to have its reports verified by an external auditor. For more information or to download the full report, visit: www.vancity.com/accountability03.
VanCity also announced finalists last week for its annual $1-million award - the largest corporate gift of its kind in Canada. Finalists for this year's award are PLEA (Pacific Legal Education Association), the Phoenix Drug and Alcohol Recovery and Education Society, and the Queen Alexandra Foundation for Children and its partner, the Organizations Regionally Collaborating for Action Society (ORCA). For more information, visit: www.vancity.com/Community.
August 23, 2004
The Easter Seal Society of Manitoba issued a warning last week alerting residents to a phone scam. An unknown man identifying himself as an Easter Seal representative is attempting to collect donations by telephone. However, the society does not solicit donations by phone and only learned of the scam when residents complained. The society is asking anyone who receives a similar call to report it by calling (204) 975-3111.
August 23, 2004
Calgary recently kicked off an initiative to establish a Performers Arts Lodge (PAL). PAL Canada is a national organization dedicated to supporting performers in their retirement years. Members raise funds to help build retirement lodging for performers who are an integral part of the city's arts community. Calgary is the fifth city in Canada to get a PAL. There are also lodges in Toronto, Vancouver, Halifax, and Stratford, Ontario. For more information about Calgary's PAL, visit: www.palcalgary.ca.
August 23, 2004
The latest data from Statistics Canada finds that almost all immigrants who arrived in Canada during the 1990s - approximately 1.8 million people - settled in one of Canada's 27 metropolitan areas, with 73% of new arrivals settling in the three largest centres: Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. That number is up sharply from 1981, when only 58% of new immigrants settled in these three areas. In most urban centres, recent immigrants are at least twice as likely as Canadian-born workers to earn less than $20,000 a year. They are also much less likely to have high earnings - more than $100,000 a year. However, immigrants generally have higher levels of educational attainment than people born in Canada. --Statistics Canada
August 23, 2004
Designers from around the world are invited to submit their work to the First Annual Idealist Nonprofit Design Contest. The competition seeks to promote excellence in design in the nonprofit sector and to reward and acknowledge those designers who move beyond limitations to create works that are functional and aesthetically powerful, while also promoting social impact. Eligible submissions include any work implemented for a nonprofit that fits in the categories of web, print, or multimedia and was completed between January 1, 2003 and August 31, 2004. The deadline for submissions is August 31. For more information or to apply, visit: www.idealist.org/competitions/design.html.
August 23, 2004
The Kemptville District Hospital Foundation announced a $500,000 donation from Gerald Tallman, president of the Kemptville Truck Centre Limited, which will support the expansion of the Kemptville District Hospital. The gift, pledged over five years, is a combined donation from Kemptville Truck Centre Limited, Tallman Idealease Limited, and Gerald K.Tallman Holdings. It is the single largest gift to the campaign to date, and in Kemptville District Hospital fundraising history. "Every one of my employees and their families will likely make use of the hospital at some time," said Mr. Tallman. "We all have a responsibility to ensure the best quality of health care for our community." The hospital will name the expanded emergency department in honour of the donation. For more information about the expansion campaign, visit: www.kdh.on.ca/kdhfound.html.
August 16, 2004
The Winnipeg Sun reported last week that Manitoba's Auditor General will be conducting a review of cultural grants given out by the province. Auditor General Jon Singleton said his department is doing a value-for-money audit of hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of grant money given to four groups. "We're not doing this because we received complaints," Singleton said. It is a routine audit that should be completed by the spring. To contact the Manitoba Auditor General, visit: www.oag.mb.ca.
August 16, 2004
A&P Canada is creating a new charitable program dedicated to the development and well being of children. Growing Great Kids will raise awareness and funds for the nourishment, care, and support of children through customer promotions, employee fundraising campaigns, vendor partnerships, and corporate donations. "Our vision is to be the best community food retailer and part of that promise is to be involved in our communities and give back," said president and CEO Eric Claus. The program will support three Canadian organizations dedicated to the care and positive development of children: BREAKFAST FOR LEARNING, Safe Kids Canada, and Kids Help Phone. The company hopes to raise close to $1 million in the first year for the three charities. For more information about A&P Canada, visit: www.freshobsessed.com.
August 16, 2004
Four new papers from the Canadian Policy Research Network (CPRN) underline the key role of arts and culture in fostering economic innovation, social inclusion, democratic engagement and environmental sustainability in cities. As research fellow Neil Bradford states, "the lifeblood of the arts is creativity, imagination, experimentation, and appreciation of difference. These are precisely the habits of mind and modes of expression required of all sectors, from business and government to communities, in building creative cities in Canada today."
The papers summarize the current knowledge about creative cities, review current examples of approaches to creative cities in Canada and abroad and lessons to be drawn from them, and identify public policy challenges and future research needs. For more information or to download the reports, visit: www.cprn.org/en/doc.cfm?doc=1081.
August 16, 2004
A new poll conducted by Scotia Private Client Group and Ipsos-Reid finds that 73% of affluent Canadians believe there is a vital need for more private philanthropy. Only 17% feel that public sources of funding are sufficient. As well, 18% of affluent Canadian households (or 62,000 households) have considered establishing private foundations. Those surveyed feel that private philanthropy has the strongest role to play in arts and culture. Yet, when asked which social priority they would support, healthcare (26%) and education (22%) were favoured over arts and culture (18%). -- Ipsos-Reid/Scotiabank
August 16, 2004
As a result of declining membership and revenues, Scouts Canada plans to sell 20 of its Ontario campgrounds in an effort to streamline operations. Jennifer Austin, director of communications for Scouts Canada, says increasing liability, insurance, and maintenance costs, along with a declining membership and volunteer base, have forced the move. Many Scout members are upset by the decision, saying it will be a great loss for children who attend the camps. While the organization acknowledges that the decision has been difficult, Austin says the "business case for keeping these camps is simply not there." A review of Scouts campgrounds outside of Ontario is also underway. For more information about Scouts Canada, visit: www.scouts.ca.
August 16, 2004
The Institute for Politics, Democracy and the Internet at George Washington University has published a free 87-page handbook on how to recruit donors and raise money online. The guide, intended for political consultants and nonprofit organizations, shows fundraisers how to take strategies from presidential online fundraising campaigns and apply them in their own organizations. The Political Consultant's Online Fundraising Primer offers information on privacy, online events, web videos, viral marketing, and hardware/software needs. Its recommendations include:To download the handbook in PDF format, visit: www.ipdi.org/UploadedFiles/of.pdf.
- The best days of the week, and times of the day, to send out online solicitations.
- How to make sure your fundraising appeal gets opened.
- How to write an e-mail solicitation, and how it differs from direct mail; and
- How to integrate your online fundraising with your offline efforts.
August 16, 2004
The West Coast Legal Education and Action Fund (West Coast LEAF) and the National Association of Women and the Law (NAWL) are hosting a national conference in Vancouver from April 28 to May 1, 2005. The focus of the conference will be the 20th anniversary of the equality requirements ("section 15") of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The conference is expected to provide information on the law and discrimination, as well as a unique opportunity to meet, strategize, and share information with activists, community workers, lawyers, and others from across the country about what actions can be taken to advance women's rights.
If you are working on issues that are relevant to women's rights and are interested in setting up a display, running a workshop, making a presentation, or communicating through another medium, please submit a brief description of your proposal by September 15, 2004. For more information on submission guidelines, contact West Coast LEAF at 604-684-8772 or conference@westcoastleaf.org.
August 16, 2004
According to a survey of black and ethnic minorities in London, England, 60% said they would volunteer their time to help change and improve facilities in their local area. However, more than 50% didn't know how to get involved or who to approach. The survey also found that 72% of respondents felt that mainstream charities would benefit from a more diverse volunteer base, which would enable them to develop a better understanding of the needs and cultures within London's ethnic communities. --TimeBank/Ethnic Media Group
August 16, 2004
The Charitable Gift Funds Canada Foundation (CGFCF) was recently established to help philanthropically-minded investors establish and build donor-advised funds. What makes the foundation's investment policies different from those of other foundations is that they allow the donated funds to be reinvested back with the financial advisor who brings the donor to the foundation. A fund can be set up with the foundation and a charity can be designated to receive grants each year resulting from the fund's growth. CGFCF handles all the charitable administration, donor and investment reporting with regard to the donor-advised fund, while financial advisors of donors can still be involved in the management and services to their clients. For more information about the foundation, contact Ralph Smith at ralph@cgfcf.ca or 1-888-419-4999.
August 16, 2004
The Canadian Landmine Foundation announced last week that it has entered into an agreement to operate as part of the global Adopt-A- Minefield Campaign. Because of this change, 100% of all campaign donations will now be used for landmine action projects. "One of my first recommendations to the foundation, as a volunteer in 1999, was to find a way to dedicate 100% of donations to projects," said Scott Fairweather, president and CEO of the organization. "I am extremely pleased that we have achieved this very significant goal." To date, the global Adopt-A-Minefield campaign has raised more than $14.5 million for mine clearance and survivor assistance, and has cleared almost 18 million square metres of land. For more information, visit: www.canadianlandmine.org/news_Aug112004.cfm.
August 9, 2004
The Voluntary Sector HR Council is asking people who manage paid staff in nonprofit organizations to participate in a feasibility study. By taking 10-15 minutes to answer a short online survey, participants will help to refine and improve the emerging vision of a national Human Resources Council. The council would be a hub for action, strategies, and practical tools to address cross-cutting HR issues related to paid work in the voluntary sector. The survey will be available online until September 10. To participate, visit: www.e-penso.com/survey/s?s=HRCouncilsurvey. For more information about the feasibility study, visit: www.hrvs.ca/hr_council.
August 9, 2004
A study released earlier this year by Stanford University reveals that a significant number of MBA graduates are willing to give up some financial benefits to work for an ethical, socially-responsible organization. More than 800 MBAs from eleven leading schools in North America and Europe participated in the survey. They ranked "intellectual challenge" as the most important attribute in their job choice decision, followed by "financial package". "Reputation for ethics" and "caring about employees" both rose to the top third of the list of 14 attributes, making it about 77% as important as the top criterion of intellectual challenge. Significantly, more than 97% of the MBAs in the sample said they were willing to forgo financial benefits to work for an organization with a better reputation for corporate social responsibility and ethics. On average, they were willing to forgo 14% of their expected income. For more information, visit: www.gsb.stanford.edu.
August 9, 2004
In a recent online survey of US consumers, more than half of the respondents indicated that "personal request from a friend or family" (58.4%) is the most motivating factor for making a financial donation, followed by "message via broadcast media" (12.7%) and "mail solicitation" (9.8%). Overall, 87.4% of survey participants ranked "personal request from a friend or family" in their top three motivators for giving. -- Kintera/Luth Research
August 9, 2004
A jointly published report by Venture Philanthropy Partners and Community Wealth Ventures examines the link between greater effectiveness by nonprofits and their access to capital to grow their organizations. High-Engagement Philanthropy: A Bridge to a More Effective Social Sector includes a lead essay and six dialogues between high-engagement philanthropists and their investment partners (grantees). The dialogues highlight the benefits and pitfalls of high-engagement philanthropy, and depict the ongoing give and take nature essential to authentic partnership. For more information or to download the report, visit: www.vppartners.org/report2004.html.
August 9, 2004
One year after the famous 'SARStock' benefit concert in Toronto, Molson Inc. and the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care are providing $75,000 to Centennial College for an online course in infection control. The course teaches basic infection prevention and control principles to newly appointed Infection Control Practitioners in health care facilities, as well as other professionals working in community health, long-term care facilities, homes for the aged, paramedics, and support services. The curriculum will be delivered on the Internet to health care professionals learning at home or in the workplace, and will take 12 to 14 weeks to complete. For more information, visit: www.centennialcollege.ca.
August 9, 2004
A new report from the UK-based National Council of Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) suggests that the charitable sector should voluntarily become more accountable and transparent in order to avoid becoming even more highly regulated. Accountability and Transparency found that although the sector is good at what it does, it doesn't always do a good job of explaining how it does it. "As the voluntary sector has modernized and grown over the last decade it has often failed to communicate effectively to the media and wider public the nature of its modernization," said Stuart Etherington, chief executive of NCVO. "Some of our largest and most successful fundraising organizations have now agreed that it is time to act." One suggested option is to introduce a generic statement within all publicity material explaining how charities aim to be effective and efficient. For more information or to download the report, visit: www.ncvo-vol.org.uk.
August 9, 2004
According to a survey of 93 of the 150 largest corporations in the United States, cash donations at 86 of them dropped by a median of 11% in 2003. Of the 72 companies that provided data about their 2004 giving budget, 56% said they would give the same amount as in 2003, while 36% said they expected an increase of 3% or more. Topping the list of the largest corporate donors in the US is Merck & Company ($843 million), followed by Pfizer ($686.2 million), the Bristol-Myers Squibb Company ($615.7 million), Johnson & Johnson ($384.5 million), and the Microsoft Corporation ($264 million). --Chronicle of Philanthropy
August 9, 2004
Despite the fact that almost 80% of American donors on the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) Do-Not-Call (DNC) Registry would sign up for a do-not-email list, the FTC says it won't be developing one. A survey of donors on the DNC registry found that email solicitation is considered universally unacceptable, even more so than phone solicitations. More than 25% said it would never be appropriate for a nonprofit to send unsolicited email to its donors. Nevertheless, the FTC feels that a do-not-email list would be ineffective and will defer to the private sector on which e-mail authentication standard should be employed.
August 9, 2004
J. K. Rowling, the renowned author of the Harry Potter series, announced plans to write an eighth book in the series. So far she has published five Harry Potter books and always said she would write just seven, one for every school year at the fictional Hogwarts school for wizards. The eighth book would include plots and background about the characters she has had to leave out of the other books. "I've got enough story for seven books and I never meant to carry the story beyond the end of book seven," said Rowling. "I might do an eighth book for charity, a kind of encyclopaedia for the world so I could use all the extra material that's not in the books...we'll see." Three years ago, Rowling published two mini books for charity, released as Hogwarts textbooks.
August 3, 2004
As part of the voluntary sector's efforts to address the issue of rising insurance premiums among nonprofits, the Easter Seals/March of Dimes National Council is conducting a nationwide survey - funded by the CCP - to quantify the extent of this problem. Results from the survey will provide hard data on the effects of increased insurance rates on charities and nonprofit organizations. This will in turn help to form possible solutions to this problem. All responses will be completely anonymous and confidential. To participate in the survey, visit: www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=14223501995.
As well, the Voluntary Sector Forum (VSF) is inviting expressions of interest from individuals interested in serving on one of four liability insurance working groups being established in collaboration with the Insurance Bureau of Canada. To submit an expression of interest in serving on a Liability Working Group, visit: www.vsf-fsbc.ca/eng/liability/wkg.cfm. For additional information on the VSF's liability work, visit: www.vsf-fsbc.ca/eng/liability/index.cfm.
August 3, 2004
Canada's National Ballet School (NBS) recently announced a lead gift of $15 million for Project Grand Jeté, the school's $90 million capital expansion project. The anonymous gift is the single largest donation made by an individual in Canada to a performing arts organization. The donor requested that a dance training facility on Jarvis Street in Toronto be named the Celia Franca Centre, after one of the school's founders. The NBS has now reached 80% of its $90 million goal. For more information, visit: www.nbs-enb.on.ca.
August 3, 2004
Last week, Frank Palmer, chair and CEO of DDB Canada, announced the launch of a new award that will honour one outstanding not-for-profit or charitable organization with a national public service announcement campaign. The Good Cause Award is worth more than $2 million in donated creative development, production and media placement. "[It] allows us and the other sponsors to reach out into our community in the best way we know how: by mobilizing our creative talents to provide a bigger voice and a national stage for an admirable cause," says Palmer. "It costs the winner nothing, other than the willingness to work closely with DDB Canada to create for them a dynamic, effective message." The competition is open to any national not-for-profit or registered charitable organization in Canada with a good cause to promote. The deadline for submissions is August 13th. For more information, visit: www.goodcauseaward.ca.
August 3, 2004
The world's most highly developed voluntary sector is in the Netherlands, according to an index that ranks 34 countries based on the scope and influence of their nonprofit institutions and organizations. Norway came second on the Hopkins Global Civil Society Index, followed by the United States in third place. Rounding out the top ten were Sweden, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Ireland, Israel, Australia, and France. The bottom five in the rankings were Poland, Mexico, Slovakia, Romania, and Pakistan. Canada was not included in the index. -- Hopkins Global Civil Society Index
August 3, 2004
As part of their ongoing amalgamation, the Canadian Centre for Philanthropy (CCP) and the Coalition of National Voluntary Organizations (NVO) are currently seeking candidates for the new yet-to-be-named organization's first board of directors. They hope to attract a range of candidates of different backgrounds and ages from charities, nonprofit organizations, and the business community to form a diverse pan-Canadian board. For more information or a list of qualifications, visit: www.ccp.ca/display.asp?id=103#directors.
August 3, 2004
With only five more walk events to go, the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada recently announced that this year's Super Cities WALK has already raised $9 million. More than 60,000 participants in 144 communities across Canada took part in this year's walks. "This has been a banner year for us," said Ken Mayhew, vice president of fund raising for the MS Society of Canada. "We expanded the program in 2004 and every location - new and old - has shown great enthusiasm in walking for MS. The excitement for this program continues to grow and we look forward to seeing even more people out next year." Money raised funds client services and research into MS. For more information, visit: www.mssociety.ca.
August 3, 2004
According to a new study, charities should not limit their bequest solicitations to the traditional group of wealthy donors, but should approach all individuals who have benefited from the charity's work or programs. Determinants of U.S. Donor Behavior: The Case of Bequests, sponsored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and Mal Warwick & Associates, says that it may be difficult to identify potential bequest donors from other donors, but that legacy pledgers are more concerned with performance, professionalism, responsiveness, and communication.
The study also found that the best way to solicit bequests is through mailed solicitations, advertisements in a charity's literature, and presentations to groups of supporters. The telephone was considered very inappropriate. The authors of the study recommend that charities approach all supporters for bequests on a regular but infrequent basis. To download the complete report in PDF format, click here: Part One and Part Two.
August 3, 2004
VanCity Credit Union is now accepting applications for this year's EnviroFund program. Nonprofit groups with environmental initiatives in the Lower Mainland, the Fraser Valley, and Victoria are invited to apply for grants of up to $40,000. This is a 60% increase over the maximum $25,000 per grant traditionally offered by the program. This year, VanCity is looking for projects in the areas of wildlife preservation and habitat restoration, water quality and consumption, and sustainable agriculture - food and farmland issues. Since the program was established in 1990, more than $1 million has been donated to support environmental projects. The deadline for submissions is September 1, 2004. For more information or an application form, visit: www.vancity.com.
August 3, 2004
A study of media consumption habits among women finds that the Internet is their leading media choice, trailing only work, sleep, and spending time with family across overall activities. One-third of working women who participated in the survey say they are working more hours than in previous years, and 47% use their personal Internet connection to conduct work during non-working hours. While at work, women spend an average of 40 minutes online each day for non-work activities, including banking, e-mail, instant messaging, planning travel and events, coordinating their personal lives, and playing games. -- Yahoo! and Starcom MediaVest Group
August 3, 2004
Imagine, an initiative of the Canadian Centre for Philanthropy, released a new report that provides policy recommendations for the federal government on measures that could strengthen private and voluntary sector contributions to community building in Canada. Towards a new partnership for community building: A report from the Private/Voluntary Sector Forum recommends that public policy be developed to achieve four main objectives:For more information or to download the report, visit: www.imagine.ca.
- encourage and support research to understand each sector's potential to contribute to community building;
- stimulate and support dialogue, knowledge sharing, and cross-sectoral collaboration;
- build the capacity of the private and voluntary sectors to work in partnership; and
- create a more enabling legal and regulatory environment.
August 3, 2004
Nobel Prize-winning relief agency Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) announced last week that it is withdrawing aid workers from Afghanistan because of the slayings of five of its staff in June. The group said that American-led forces were using humanitarian aid "for political and military motives," though it didn't elaborate. It also cited its dissatisfaction with the Afghan government's investigation into the June 2 shootings - claimed by Taliban militants. "Today's context is rendering independent humanitarian aid for the Afghan people all but impossible," the group said in a statement. MSF had about 80 international volunteers and 1,400 Afghan staff working in the country before the attack. In the coming weeks, the organization will complete the hand over of its programs to the Ministry of Health and other organizations. For more information, visit: www.msf.org.
August 3, 2004
A recent study by Algoma University College's Community Economic and Social Development program reveals that the nonprofit sector is a major player in the economy of Sault Ste. Marie, injecting well over $300 million annually and creating more than 5,000 jobs in direct employment. "When you look at the spin-off jobs and the spill-over effects of this sector, you find a very significant player in Sault Ste. Marie's economy" says assistant professor Dr. Gayle Broad. "But perhaps the most interesting part of the study, is the fact that small nonprofits - those community-based organizations which most people consider charities or service organizations - inject $77 million and 1420 direct jobs."
While injecting dollars and jobs into the economy are important ways to assess the impact of nonprofit organizations, the researchers also point out that these community groups play a vital role in developing the community's capacity through leadership development, networking, and providing vital services to people. To request a copy of the report, contact Dr. Gayle Broad at broad@auc.ca.
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