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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: November, 2005
Articles are arranged in reverse chronological order.
St. Michael's Hospital receives $13 million for expansion project
November 28, 2005
Last week, St. Michael's Hospital received a $13 million donation from Toronto businessman Patrick Keenan and his wife Barbara, the largest single donation in its 113-year history. The funding will enable a major expansion to the hospital's research facilities and create the Keenan Research Centre. "Today's research leads to tomorrow's health care breakthroughs. That is why Barbara and I are so gratified to invest in the outstanding people and programs at St. Michael's," said Mr. Keenan. "Our hope is that this gift will act as a catalyst for new investments in medical research, solidifying our hospital's and this city's reputation as a global centre for innovative health care research that directly impacts patients." For more information, visit: www.stmichaelshospital.com.
November 28, 2005
Canada's top performing nonprofit agencies were recognized at the eighth annual Donner Canadian Foundation Awards for Excellence in the Delivery of Social Services (Donner Awards), which presented a total of $70,000 in awards. Community Living Campbellford/Brighton (Campbellford, ON) and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada-Calgary Chapter (Calgary, AB) shared the prestigious $20,000 William H. Donner Award for Excellence, which is awarded to the highest performer overall. The Calgary chapter of the MS Society also received the second annual Peter F. Drucker Award for Non-Profit Management, a $5,000 award that is presented to a nonprofit organization with a consistent record of excellence and innovation in management and service delivery. In addition, ten organizations shared $45,000 in category awards. For more information and a complete list of recipients, visit: www.fraserinstitute.ca/donner.
November 28, 2005
Canada's arts and culture sector received a significant cash boost from the federal Liberals last week. As part of their pre-election spending, the government announced that the Canada Council for the Arts will receive a budget increase of $306.5 million over the next three years. "This is thrilling news, not just for the Canada Council and the arts community, but for all Canadians," said Canada Council chair Karen Kain. "It is a clear indication that the government recognizes the enormous contribution the arts make to the quality of life of Canadians and the communities they live in." This new funding will double the Canada Council's current budget of $151 million and the council expects to hand out the additional funds, once received, throughout its arts programs. For more information, visit: www.canadacouncil.ca.
Fast Fact: Compensation on the rise for Canada's nonprofit executives
November 28, 2005
According to the latest Association Executive Benefits and Compensation Report, conducted by the Canadian Society of Association Executives (CSAE), executives employed in Canada's not-for-profit sector experienced an increase in average compensation and benefits this year, up 4% to 5% from 2004. The most senior executives received an average increase of almost 6% over the previous year, and an average annual increase of 3% for the past ten years. Trade and professional organizations pay, on average, 20% more at the CEO level than registered charities and special interest/issue-specific organizations. That disparity ranges from 13% to 18% at other executive levels. -- CSAE
November 28, 2005
In a joint submission to the Gomery Inquiry, Imagine Canada, Canadian Policy Research Networks, and the Canadian Council on Social Development, warn that the federal government's new emphasis on administrative controls in reaction to the sponsorship scandal will lead to an increased burden for already strapped charitable and nonprofit organizations. "Federal government funding plays an important role for Canada's charities and nonprofits," said Georgina Steinsky-Schwartz, president and CEO of Imagine Canada. "The challenge is that many organizations are spending more time filling out reports and less time meeting community needs." The submission, which was also endorsed by the Voluntary Sector Forum, argues that excessive concerns about financial accountability have shifted the focus of voluntary sector service providers from delivering their critical programs and services to tracking minor expenditures. The submission urges the federal government to:For more information, or to download a copy of the submission, visit: www.imaginecanada.ca.
- refocus accountability practices to better balance the need for financial controls and risk-management with the need for measurement of results;
- improve the processes by which the Government of Canada is accountable to Canadians; and
- entrench the Accord Between the Government of Canada and the Voluntary Sector and the Codes of Good Practice on Funding and Policy Dialogue in all relationships with the voluntary sector.
November 28, 2005
Last week, the Atlantic Task Force on Insurance Availability and Affordability released its final report, which makes a number of recommendations intended to help businesses and voluntary organizations in the Atlantic provinces. It calls for action from the insurance industry and government, as well as the businesses and voluntary sector organizations that depend on commercial insurance. Several recommendations centre on risk management - one urging insurers to make information available on how consumers can reduce their risk of having to make a claim, and another urging insurance consumers to put this information into practice, using a risk management education tool developed by the task force. The report also called for government to work with insurers and the voluntary sector to help nonprofit organizations find the right insurance at the best possible price. For more information, visit: www.ibc.ca.
November 28, 2005
The final tallies are in and this year's RONA MS Bike Tour raised a record $6.5 million to support Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada research and services. The bike tour is the country's largest nonprofit cycling series, with 21 events in Canada. In 2004, the program raised $5.1 million. The $1.4 million increase for 2005 is the largest one-year increase in program history. "Without a doubt, 2005 was an exceptional year for the RONA MS Bike Tour," said Alistair M. Fraser, president and chief executive of the MS Society of Canada. "Record results were reported in numerous locations and participants showed great heart in cycling for the cause." For more information, visit: www.mssociety.ca.
November 28, 2005
According to HungerCount 2005, the latest Canadian Association of Food Banks (CAFB) study, food bank use in Canada continues to hit all-time highs despite the lowest unemployment levels in decades. Nearly 40% of the 630 food banks that took part in the study reported having difficulty meeting the continued high demand for food. Individuals with jobs continue to comprise the second largest group of food bank clients (13.1%) after social assistance recipients (51.6%), and more than 300,000 children make use of food banks. In light of these findings, the CAFB is urging governments to take immediate action to end hunger and food insecurity in Canada. "We are concerned this situation will only worsen this winter, given the rise in the cost of living and especially the cost of energy," said Charles Seiden, CAFB executive director. For more information, visit: www.cafb-acba.ca.
November 28, 2005
The federal government recently received a final report and recommendations from the joint Service Canada/Voluntary Sector Working Group. Entitled Developing New Approaches to Funding Results, the report outlines concrete ways of streamlining the administration of funding agreements with service delivery partners, particularly those that provide employment services to Canadians. With the acceptance of the Joint Working Group report, Belinda Stronach, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister responsible for Democratic Renewal, has asked Service Canada officials to continue to work with the voluntary sector to implement the recommendations. One of the key recommendations of the report is the establishment of a permanent Voluntary Sector Advisory Committee to facilitate ongoing communications and consultation between the voluntary sector and Service Canada. For more information, visit: news.gc.ca.
November 28, 2005
There is new evidence that adult HIV infection rates have decreased in certain countries, however, a new UN report also indicates that overall trends in HIV transmission are still increasing, and that far greater HIV prevention efforts are needed to slow the epidemic. AIDS Epidemic Update 2005, the annual report by the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organization (WHO), finds that there were an additional five million new HIV infections in 2005. The number of people living with HIV globally has reached its highest level - an estimated 40.3 million people, up from an estimated 37.5 million in 2003. More than three million people died of AIDS-related illnesses in 2005; of these, more than 500,000 were children. According to the report, the steepest increases in HIV infections occurred in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (25% increase to 1.6 million) and East Asia, but sub-Saharan Africa continues to be the most affected globally - with 64% of new infections occurring here (more than three million people). For more information, visit: www.unaids.org.
November 28, 2005
The Foundation for Rural Living (FRL) will receive $900,000 from the federal government through the Models for Rural Development and Community Capacity Building Program. The funding will help establish the Rural Philanthropy Resource Network, which aims to improve the quality of life in rural communities by creating stronger and better equipped nonprofit and voluntary sectors across Canada. The network, to be managed by the FRL, will develop a virtually accessible resource/learning centre and also provide assistance to community groups through the placement of rural development officers with local agencies, so that skills and strategies can be passed along. For more information, visit: www.frl.on.ca.
November 28, 2005
Last week, Ryerson University announced a $5 million gift from the Honourable George W. and Helen Vari. The funds will go toward the university's new, state-of-the-art engineering and computing facility. To honour the gift, Ryerson has named the building the George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre. The building provides a quality learning environment, will allow for the continued expansion of graduate programs, and facilitates the school's goal to deliver the best engineering education in Canada. For more information, visit: www.ryerson.ca.
November 28, 2005
The Voluntary Sector Awareness Project is seeking thoughts and feedback from people engaged in the sector. An online form is currently available to answer some questions about the voluntary sector put forth in the project's discussion paper, Greater Than the Sum of Our Parts. Anyone working in or contributing to the voluntary sector is asked to provide input in English at: www.imaginecanada.ca/vsap_survey, or in French at: www.imaginecanada.ca/pssbc_enquete. For more information on the project, or to download the discussion paper, visit: www.imaginecanada.ca/page.asp?awareness_project.
November 21, 2005
Last week, McGill University announced that its management faculty received a $22 million donation from the Canadian Credit Management Foundation (CCMF), headed by Marcel Desautels, its president and CEO. The gift is the largest single donation ever made to a Canadian business or management faculty, and McGill has named its faculty in Dr. Desautels' honour. The gift will be used to fund several specific projects and initiatives, including endowments, awards, scholarships, fellowships, an annual symposium, and enhancements to teaching, learning and research facilities. For more information, visit: www.mcgill.ca/management/.
November 21, 2005
Social Development Canada is accepting submissions for the Thérèse Casgrain Volunteer Award. Each year, the award is presented to two Canadians - one man and one woman - who have contributed significantly to the advancement of a social cause and to the well-being of their fellow citizens. The award was established to commemorate the work of Thérèse, the force behind various social reforms promoting justice and equality. It consists of a bronze medallion, a lapel pin, a certificate of appreciation, and a $5,000 donation to the registered voluntary organization designated by each recipient. The deadline for nominations is February 1st. For more information, visit: www.sdc.gc.ca or call 1-866-468-4377.
November 21, 2005
The Canada Revenue Agency's (CRA) Charities Directorate invites members of the charitable sector to submit an application for membership on its Charities Advisory Committee. The committee is composed of twelve members from the sector who meet three times a year with senior members of the Charities Directorate and representatives from other government departments. Established in 2004, the Charities Advisory Committee is a permanent consultative body through which charities and charity experts provide advice, assistance, and feedback to the CRA on matters related to the regulation of registered charities. Applications must be submitted on or before December 16, 2005. For more information, visit: www.cra-arc.gc.ca.
November 21, 2005
Federal culture spending increased by just 2.2% in 2003/04, compared with an 8.9% increase two years earlier. Most of the federal cultural budget is devoted to key culture industries, which include broadcasting, the film and video industry, book and periodical publishing and the sound recording industry. Spending on this group of industries declined 1.0% in 2003/04 to $2.2 billion. Federal spending on the performing arts also fell 11.2% to $184.5 million. Performing arts organizations in Quebec and Alberta were hit hardest. On the other hand, federal funding to the heritage sector, including museums, archives, nature parks and historic sites, rose 19.2% to $937.2 million. Heritage institutions in Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia were the major recipients. -- Statistics Canada
November 21, 2005
A directory of Canadian nonprofits that engage in public policy is now available free online. The information about organizations in the directory was gathered through a web-based survey that was conducted in the spring of 2005. A significant number of organizations responded and described their policy work. However, it is not an exhaustive list and many groups engaged in public policy are not yet included. The researchers are proposing to turn the directory into an ongoing resource by converting it to a searchable database for easy updating and additions. In the meantime, the first edition can be downloaded in PDF format at: www.havidave.com/pubpol/directoryfinal.pdf.
November 21, 2005
A new report is now available that reviews twenty-seven different vendors offering lower-priced online donation tools that can be used with an existing web site. Donate Now: Selecting an Online Donation Tool was published by Idealware, which provides candid Consumer-Reports-style reviews and articles about software of interest to nonprofits. The report is intended for small- to medium-sized nonprofits that already have a web site and are hoping to add online donation functionality. It looks at features and functions, how to choose, recommended tools, and complete reviews of individual tools. To view a copy of the report, visit: www.idealware.org/donations/intro.php.
November 21, 2005
TELUS is committing $2 million to eligible charities across Canada in lieu of TELUS' Employee Charitable Giving Campaign (ECGC) for 2005. Funding is normally provided through the annual campaign, which encourages employees and retirees to make charitable contributions that are matched by TELUS dollar for dollar. Because of a long labour dispute, TELUS will provide 100% of the funding this year, ensuring that charities that benefit from the campaign every year are not negatively impacted. The ECGC supports more than 250 charities across Canada and TELUS' charitable contributions are focused around its three pillars of community investment: arts and culture, health and wellness, and sports and education. For more information, visit: about.telus.com.
November 21, 2005
Last week, Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Microsoft, and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) announced the launch of telecentre.org, a $21 million collaborative initiative that will strengthen the capacity of tens of thousands of community-based telecentres around the world. "Telecentres provide communities with the opportunity to participate in the knowledge economy on their terms," said Maureen O'Neil, IDRC's president. "There are examples of telecentres helping people to overcome isolation and poverty, access medical and government services, and create new economic opportunities. All telecentres want to have this kind of community impact. telecentre.org will give people working in local telecentres the tools they need to make this happen." Based at IDRC's offices in Ottawa, the telecentre.org program will invest in grassroots telecentre networks. Operating at the national or regional level, these networks will provide people managing telecentres with training, support, marketing, and technology. For more information, visit: www.telecentre.org.
November 21, 2005
An annual survey of cash and product donations by large US companies reveals that giving increased by an average of 5% last year and is expected to increase this year as well. In terms of cash giving in 2004, Wal-Mart tops the list at $197.7 million, followed by Bank of America ($129.4 million), Johnson & Johnson ($121.8 million), Altria ($113.6 million), Citigroup ($111.3 million), and Exxon Mobil ($106.5 million). When in-kind donations are taken into account the rankings shift significantly, with Pfizer topping the list at $1.2 billion. It is the first time a company has surpassed the $1 billion mark for charitable giving. Second and third place are also occupied by pharmaceutical companies - Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck. They are followed by Safeway, Walt Disney, Johnson & Johnson, Kroger, Microsoft, Target, and Boeing. -- Chronicle of Philanthropy
November 21, 2005
Shell Canada is donating $750,000 from the Athabasca Oil Sands Project (AOSP) to the Northern Lights Regional Health Foundation in support of Fort McMurray health care services. The funds will assist the foundation in purchasing a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine to provide improved diagnostic services to Fort McMurray and other communities in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. "Our community continues to grow and we need to grow along with it," said MRI Campaign Chair Marty Giles. "Securing an MRI is absolutely essential to providing better health services for the people of our region. We need to move forward with this campaign immediately, and it is heartening to see a strong level of support already." For more information about the foundation, visit: www.nlhr.ca.
November 21, 2005
Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation (ORMF) is currently accepting 2006 funding applications to protect habitat and wildlife on the Moraine, one of Ontario's most important landforms. "We have just passed a significant landmark - $17 million in funding for new conservation and protection projects on the Moraine," said executive director Michael Scott. "To date, the foundation has provided $5.5 million for 65 projects and leveraged an additional $11.5 million in matching private, public and in-kind donations." The ORMF seeks proposals for projects that preserve and protect the environmental integrity of the Moraine. For more information about the foundation's grant criteria, visit: www.ormf.com.
November 14, 2005
Senate Banking Committee Chair Jerahmiel S. Grafstein (Liberal-Metro Toronto) recently introduced legislation to have the Canadian government recognize November 15th as National Philanthropy Day throughout the country. The action was seconded by AFP Foundation for Philanthropy-Canada chair, Senator Terry Mercer (Liberal Nova Scotia-Halifax). The bill was presented in response to the efforts of many organizations and all Canadian AFP members. Initial indications are that the measure will move quickly to final passage in both the House of Commons and Senate. If the bill is passed, Canada will become the first country in the world to provide permanent formal government recognition of National Philanthropy Day. For more information, visit: www.afpnet.org.
November 14, 2005
Last week, Imagine Canada recognized three of the most innovative partnerships between Canadian corporations and charitable and nonprofit organizations through its Community Partnership Awards. This year's awards were presented to:For more information, visit: www.imagine.ca.
- Children's Miracle Network and Microsoft Canada, for the development and support of the Child Life Interactive Computers for Kids (CLICK) technology centre at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa.
- The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), for the annual CIBC Run for the Cure - the largest one-day, volunteer-led fundraising event in Canada.
- Dare to Care Incorporated and EnCana Corporation, for the delivery of anti-bullying seminars in schools throughout Western Canada.
November 14, 2005
A new survey reveals that the vast majority (95%) of British Columbians consider the province's charitable organizations to be trustworthy. This trust is reflected in the number of people who regularly donate to charity. Fifty-one percent of respondents say they make a financial donation to a charitable or nonprofit organization regularly, that is, at least a few times a year. Another 43% do so occasionally (i.e. once or twice a year). In terms of donating their time, 28% say they volunteer regularly for a charitable or nonprofit organization, and 42% are occasionally involved in volunteering (i.e. once or twice a year). At the other end of the spectrum, 31% of people in the province say they never volunteer. -- Ipsos Reid
November 14, 2005
Last week, Hudson's Bay Company (Hbc) unveiled a seven-year, $20 million fundraising drive that will raise nearly $3 million annually until 2012. "The road to an Olympic medal starts in communities across Canada, many of which have an Hbc store," said Hbc president and CEO George Heller. "It's our hope that our fundraising initiatives - with the help of our customers and associates - will send more Canadian athletes to the podium." Proceeds from all fundraising activities will go to individual athletes, elite training facilities, and national organizations. Specifically, there are five designated recipients of the Hbc Foundation funding: individual Canadian athletes; Commonwealth Games Canada; Paralympics; seven Canadian sport centres; and the Own The Podium fund. For more information, visit: www.hbc.com.
November 14, 2005
A Calgary community association embroiled in a charitable funding controversy has failed to meet a 30-day government deadline to repay a $20,000 provincial grant. The head of the Applewood Park Community Association says his group shouldn't have to refund the grant and won't do so until he receives sufficient justification from the provincial agency looking to recoup the dollars. "From what I've seen and what I've reviewed, I see no reason why we should be paying anything back," said Applewood president Brent Harder. The association requested a meeting with officials from the Wild Rose Foundation regarding the $20,000 matching grant that was to be allocated for drinking water projects and health care in Vietnam. Wild Rose agreed to a meeting but provincial officials warned that legal proceedings could be on the horizon if the money isn't repaid. "The next step is legal action, so we want to exhaust all the possibilities before we take that next step," said Cheryl Robb, spokesperson for Alberta Community Development.
November 14, 2005
BMO Financial Group announced a $750,000 donation to the University of New Brunswick's International Business and Entrepreneurship Centre (IBEC). The gift will provide UNB business students with real-world experience, while at the same time giving small businesses access to planning and export expertise. In addition, BMO is donating $250,000 to the University of Lethbridge for its planned Management & Health Sciences Building, which will enable the university to meet its growing needs for research and student classroom space. For more information, visit: www2.bmo.com.
November 14, 2005
A new study reveals that pay of chief executives at US nonprofit organizations is growing twice as fast as the wages of other workers at such groups. The median increase in pay for chief executive officers rose by 16% from 1998 to 2003, while wages of other workers rose 8%. By 2003, nonprofit leaders were paid an average of nearly five times what other employees received. The biggest gaps were found at organizations that serve young people, followed by environmental and animal-protection groups. The pay of executives at youth charities increased by 17%, while compensation for workers decreased by 8%. At environmental groups, the pay of chief executives grew about three times as fast as the pay of other employees. -- Chronicle of Philanthropy
November 14, 2005
The Donner Canadian Foundation is now accepting submissions for the eighth annual Donner Prize. The foundation created the prize to encourage increased research into public policy in Canada and to promote the discussion of policy issues in the public arena. The winner of the Donner Prize, the award for best book on Canadian public policy, will receive $35,000, with $5,000 being awarded to the other shortlisted titles. Books submitted for the prize should focus on Canadian public policy issues, for example: regulatory and legal reform, public finance, the environment, urban affairs, health care, education reform and social policy. The deadline for submissions is November 30. For more information or application guidelines, visit: www.donnerbookprize.com.
November 14, 2005
The Vancouver Symphony Society announced that it has received a $1 million gift for its endowment fund from Martha Lou Henley, a prominent supporter of arts and culture in the Lower Mainland. It is the largest single contribution ever received by the society, and will be invested in perpetuity to contribute to the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra's long-term growth and stability. "I am happy beyond belief to give this gift of support to the orchestra," said Henley. "It gives me great pleasure to know that my gift will be a lasting legacy, and I hope others will join me." For more information, visit: www.vancouversymphony.ca.
November 14, 2005
A recent poll shows that 54% of working Canadians feel they are paid fairly, 40% say they're underpaid, and just 4% admit to being overpaid. The poll also reveals that nearly 75% of adult Canadians are spending more (34%) or the same (40%) on products and services than they did last year, and almost one-third (30%) report that their paycheque has grown in the past year. Despite an increase in spending, it seems most are still concerned about debt and saving for the future. When asked, "If you received an unexpected bonus of $1,000, what would you do with it?" 43% said they would use the money to pay down debts, 32% would save or invest it, 20% would treat themselves or someone else, and only 3% would give it away to charity. -- Environics Research
November 14, 2005
The Private Giving Foundation, an independent foundation launched by TD Waterhouse in 2004, is celebrating its first year of operations. To date, the foundation has accumulated $17 million in donations and is making grants of $850,000 throughout 2005 to charitable organizations across Canada recommended by its donors. "This first year's disbursement by the foundation is an important step forward for the Canadian charitable sector," said Jo-Anne Ryan, executive director of the Private Giving Foundation and vice president, Philanthropic Advisory Services at TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. "It signals the beginning of a new era of private giving that we believe will help Canada's charities, which are a mainstay of healthy communities, achieve more stable, long-term funding so that they can continue to meet their clients' needs." For more information about the foundation, visit: www.tdwaterhouse.ca/privategiving/index.jsp.
November 14, 2005
Foster Parents Plan received a $400,000 grant from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) last week to help children and their families in Pakistan as they continue to deal with the aftermath of last month's earthquake. "We are very pleased with CIDA's ongoing support for children and families affected by this disaster," said Dr. Tanjina Mirza, director of international programs for Foster Parents Plan. The CIDA funds will help provide 100,000 people in the Siran Valley, Mansehra District with clean water, shelter, improved sanitation facilities and health promotion, protection of children through establishing child-friendly spaces, and psychosocial support and protection for children. For more information, visit: www.fosterparentsplan.ca.
November 7, 2005
Two new reports on sectoral involvement in policy development are now available on the Voluntary Sector Initiative (VSI) web site. Trends in Collaboration: Lessons Learned from Sectoral Involvement in Departmental Policy Development (SIDPD) and Beyond provides an analysis of what was learned from the SIDPD projects, particularly about partnerships and collaboration. The hope is that this report will further the development of collaborative working relationships within and between the federal government and the voluntary sector. Trends in Collaboration provided the basis for discussion during a workshop in March 2005, convened by the Non-Profit and Voluntary Sector Affairs Division (Social Development Canada) and the Voluntary Sector Forum. The workshop report, Moving Policy Forward through Collaborative Practice, records the discussions about lessons learned from SIDPD. To download Trends in Collaboration, visit: www.vsi-isbc.ca/eng/policy/sidpd_final_report/index.cfm. Find the workshop report at: www.vsi-isbc.ca/eng/policy/sidpd_workshop_report.cfm.
November 7, 2005
The British Columbia Supreme Court recently ruled that a BC charity does not have to repay a donation it received in 2003, despite a complaint from the donor. The case involves the Stewards' Charitable Foundation, a Vancouver charity, and Harry Richert, a retired businessman. In the fall of 2003, Richert paid for a ticket to a luncheon put on by the defendant. The invitation said there would be a lunch and two guest speakers. For the $1,000 payment each guest also received a coffee table book. When the foundation issued a receipt in February 2004, it was for a charitable donation of $855, following the CRA guidelines. In his affidavit, Richert took the position that he had donated $1,000 to the charity and was not interested in the speakers or the book.
"I have never gone to charitable luncheons thinking that they are part charity and part business deal. To me, meals, books, speakers, these are nice things that charities do to cater to people, to express appreciation, to make them comfortable, and to provide information to them. I made a cheque out to Stewards' intending the entire amount of $1,000 to be a gift to a charity... But then, later, I found out that Stewards' had accepted a gift of only $855 and had regarded the balance of my contribution as a business transaction. That is not the gift I intended. That was not my agreement with Stewards'."
Richert sued to get his money back on the basis that the foundation viewed the transaction as a contract and that there was a fundamental misunderstanding between the parties that voided the deal. Justice T.M. McEwan of the British Columbia Supreme Court ruled in favour of the charity, stating that, "the plaintiff made a complete gift to the defendant effective upon presentation of the money, and that gift cannot now be undone."
November 7, 2005
Income tax declarations filed for the 2004 tax year show that Canadian taxfilers claimed more than $6.9 billion in donations, the highest amount ever, up 6.3% from 2003. The amount of donations increased in all provinces and territories. The highest increases were in the Yukon (+17.5%), Alberta (+13.7%), Northwest Territories (+12.7%) and British Columbia (+12.5%). Just under 5.8 million taxfilers made a donation, a 3.5% increase. Again, the number rose in all provinces and territories, with the Yukon showing the biggest gain (+16.2%). In 2004, the median donation was $230, up from $220 in 2003. Nunavut once again led the provinces and territories in terms of median donation, however, it was the only jurisdiction in which the median donation declined from 2003, falling from $410 to $390. Nunavut's median was followed by $340 for Prince Edward Island, and $310 for Newfoundland and Labrador. -- Statistics Canada
November 7, 2005
The Fraser Institute announced that 31 nonprofit organizations from across Canada have been selected as finalists for the 8th annual Donner Canadian Foundation Awards for Excellence in the Delivery of Social Services (Donner Awards). This year, 842 organizations applied for awards totalling $70,000. Award recipients will be recognized in nine categories of social service delivery, and the prestigious William H. Donner Award for Excellence will be awarded from among the category winners. 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. For more information and a complete list of finalists, visit: www.fraserinstitute.ca/donner.
November 7, 2005
The Mentoring Partnership, a program that matches skilled immigrants with established professionals who share the same occupation, announced a $540,000 commitment from TD Bank Financial Group (TDBFG). TDBFG's financial support will allow the Mentoring Partnership to strengthen its program and continue building relationships with corporate partners, ensuring a vibrant pool of mentors. "TD Bank Financial Group is pleased to be involved in a program that offers a proactive solution by bridging a gap for new Canadians trying to enter the workforce," said Ken Pustai, senior vice president of TDBFG. "Like many businesses, we recognize that in order to compete and grow, we need to be able to access the best talent pool. It's a win-win situation for everyone when skilled immigrants are able to use their skills appropriately." For more information about the Mentoring Partnership, visit: www.thementoringpartnership.com.
November 7, 2005
All three levels of government spent more on culture in 2003/04 than in the previous year, although the rate of growth slowed in federal government spending and federal spending actually fell for the film and video industry, book publishing, and the performing arts. In total, the three levels of government spent $7.3 billion on culture, up 4.1% from the previous year. This was slower than the pace of growth of 5.2% and 6.6% in preceding years. The federal government spent $3.5 billion on culture in 2003/04, up 2.2% from the year before. The provinces and territories spent $2.2 billion, up 4.3%, while municipal allocations amounted to just over $2 billion, up 7.1%. The federal government accounted for 45% of total spending, the provinces and territories 29%, and municipalities 26%. During the past five years, only the municipal share has increased. -- Statistics Canada
November 7, 2005
The City of Toronto and CIBC issued a call for nominations for the Michael "Pinball" Clemons Community Leadership Awards to recognize the contributions by African-Canadians to community leadership in Toronto. The purpose of the awards, named after the Toronto Argonauts' head coach, Michael "Pinball" Clemons, is to promote visionary leadership in Toronto communities and to recognize the contributions made by individuals of African heritage to the communities in which they live and work. A total of four awards in two different categories will be presented to a man and woman of African descent who have enriched Toronto's diversity through community leadership. The deadline for nominations is December 1st. For more information, or to obtain a nomination form, visit: www.toronto.ca/parks/Community_Leadership_Awards.htm.
November 7, 2005
The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) is calling on its Canadian members to write to the Department of Finance regarding proposed new provisions affecting charities. The proposal would require that for any contribution of $5,000 or more, charities make "reasonable" inquiries regarding advantages received by the donor, tax shelters, intended use of the gift, and other matters. However, the term "reasonable" is not defined in the proposal, and charities could face financial penalties if they fail to fulfill the requirement. In a submission to the Department of Finance, the AFP argued that charities should not be required to perform these duties, and that this responsibility should go to charity regulators. The AFP is asking Canadian members to write to the department requesting that it modify the proposal to place less of a burden on the charitable sector. For more information, visit: www.afpnet.org.
November 7, 2005
A survey conducted by the Canadian Internet Project (CIP) finds that 72% of Canadians use the Internet, the highest percentage of any country except the US. However, only 36% believe that most of its content is reliable and accurate. E-mail is the principal activity of all Internet users, with 91% of online Canadians using e-mail. The survey also reveals that Canadians are heavy Internet users, averaging 13.5 hour per week online, accessing it more from home and work than other public places. A majority of Canadian Internet users have made purchases on the Internet, although a high proportion of both users and non-users express concern about releasing personal information online. -- Canadian Internet Project
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