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| Path: Main Street : NewsWeek : Archive : NewsBytes : Article |
This is an archive of CharityVillage NewsWeek. To find a word on the page,
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at their publishing date, the quick-changing nature of the web means that some
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To view other articles in the archive, use our Chronological Index.
NewsBytes: February, 2006
Articles are arranged in reverse chronological order.
Donor loyalty not as strong as nonprofits believe, study finds
February 27, 2006
According to a new report by Cravers, Matthews, Smith & Company (CMS) and Prime Group, many donors possess attitudes that belie donor loyalty. Donor Loyalty: The Holy Grail of Fundraising looked at a cross-section of donors and found that 59% of respondents reported "high loyalty" to the causes and organizations they support. However, when researchers asked questions about how respondents gave and monitored their giving, the findings suggests that only one-third of donors "show a propensity toward loyalty." Less than 40% of respondents consider themselves "pretty familiar" with the groups doing the most effective work on the issues they care about, and less than 30% said they limited their giving to issues they follow closely.Only one-third of all donors agreed with the statement, "I like to feel that I'm a member of the groups I support, and not just a contributor." Perhaps surprisingly, the study revealed that online donors tend to be the most engaged and loyal. More than 50% of online donors said they are "pretty familiar" with the groups they support, and almost 60% report asking someone else to make a contribution to a specific charity. These facts lead researchers to conclude that, "online engagement is the most significant indication available to an organization that an individual is open to a relationship." To download the report, visit: cms.convio.net
February 27, 2006
The Canadian Conference of the Arts is seeking nominations for the 2006 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 April 30. For more information, visit: www.ccarts.ca.
Fast Fact: America's biggest donors less generous last year
February 27, 2006
America's 60 most-generous donors contributed a total of $4.3 billion to charity in 2005, down from $10 billion in 2004. These are the latest findings from the Chronicle of Philanthropy, which also reported that for the first time since 1998 no gifts of $1 billion or more were donated to charitable causes. The median amount donated by those on the most-generous list was $32.5 million, compared to 2004 when the median was $40.8 million. The largest donation in 2005 was a $404 million bequest from Cordelia Scaife May, who inherited her money from the Mellon banking fortune. Next on the list were Bill and Melinda Gates, who gave $320 million, followed by Eli and Edythe L. Broad ($300 million), George Soros ($240.1 million), Boone Pickens ($229.2 million), David Rockefeller ($225 million), Michael Bloomberg ($144 million), Pierre and Pam Omidyar ($133.7 million), Ira A. and Mary Lou Fulton ($122 million), and Lawrence J. Ellison ($115-million). -- Chronicle of Philanthropy
February 27, 2006
A new study examining the increasing importance of the Internet to nonprofits revealed a surge of online donations along with marketing and advocacy benefits from building an Internet constituency. The eNonprofit Benchmarks Study is the first of its kind to look at the overall effectiveness of nonprofits using the Internet to raise money, build e-mail lists, and influence political causes. The study provides an across-the-board look at how well leading American nonprofits are performing online. Some key findings:To download the full report, visit: www.e-benchmarksstudy.com
- Nonprofits raised 40% more money online in 2005 than the year before.
- The rates at which online constituents open their e-mails declined from 30% in 2003-2004 to 26% in 2004-2005.
- On average, the nonprofits studied more than doubled their existing e-mail lists over a 12-month period.
- For most nonprofits, over a quarter of e-mail addresses on their list go bad each year, posing a challenge for organizations trying to grow e-mail lists quickly.
February 27, 2006
Last week, the Ontario PC Party revisited the subject of funding faith-based schools. Party leader John Tory said it amounts to discrimination against other religions when Catholics have a fully funded public education system but others do not. Although Tory didn't say whether his party will recommend restoring the $3,500 tax credit for private school tuition fees, he did make it clear that he is more concerned with helping faith-based schools rather than expensive private schools. Mike Harris's Conservative government started phasing in the credit during 2001, but Premier Dalton McGuinty cancelled it after winning the 2003 election.
Ontario faith groups praised the PC Party's announcement that it will develop a policy addressing the fairness issue for independent faith-based schools. "Mr. Tory is doing the right thing," said Archbishop Sotirios Athanassoulas, head of the Greek Orthodox Church in Canada and chair of the Multi-Faith Coalition for Equal Funding of Religious Schools. "It is beyond reasonable debate that fully funding Catholic schools while providing nothing to non-Catholic faith-based schools is discrimination, and in fact the UN has ruled that this discrimination violates international law."
February 27, 2006
The Heritage Canada Foundation (HCF) recently released its 2005 Heritage Report Card on the state of heritage conservation in Canada. The report card includes the worst losses of the past year and the top ten most endangered places. The report card takes stock of Canada's heritage performance in four categories: sustainable use of existing buildings; investment in the heritage sector; federal stewardship of historic places; and protecting the unique identity of Canadian communities. Although the report card acknowledges the work of the federal government through such programs as Parks Canada's Historic Places Initiative, Canada received a failing grade in its overall commitment to heritage conservation."[This] is a wake-up call that brings national attention to destroyed or threatened places in Canada," stated executive director Natalie Bull. "We can keep our historic downtowns alive by shopping on Main Street instead of encouraging more big-box retail, and we can support groups who are working to protect landscapes and landmarks in our communities." For more information, visit: www.heritagecanada.org
February 27, 2006
According to the latest statistics, companies provide just 1% of the voluntary sector's income in the UK. This is a sharp drop from 2001 and 2002, when corporate giving accounted for 4% of all donations. The amount of money donated to charities by the private sector has fallen from £1.24 billion in 2000 and 2001 to £380 million in 2003 and 2004. At the same time, the total amount received by charities from all sources has risen from £22.2 billion to £26.3 billion. -- National Council of Voluntary Organisations
February 27, 2006
A local Bank of Montreal employee fundraising campaign recently raised $100,000 for the proposed Simcoe-Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre at Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH). Employees joined with clients and the surrounding community to launch the 'I Believe' blue wristband campaign to raise the funds. Orders came from all over Simcoe County and from BMO branches across Canada. "We are extremely proud that our employees have been instrumental in helping promote the development of a top cancer treatment centre in Barrie," said Rob Crema, Simcoe area manager for BMO Bank of Montreal. "These collective efforts have brought us one step closer to bringing cancer-care options for this community closer to home." For more information about the Simcoe-Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre, visit: www.rvh.on.ca.
February 27, 2006
The United Way of Greater Toronto is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year by calling on the city's creative community to design a special anniversary logo to complement its well-recognized "hand" logo. During the next year, the winning 50th anniversary design will be used with the United Way logo on print and web materials as well as in advertising campaigns and major events. All entries should be submitted electronically by March 9. For more information and contest guidelines, visit: www.unitedwaytoronto.com
February 27, 2006
Are you being pushy if you contact an employer after submitting a resume? A new survey suggests the opposite may be true. Eighty-six per cent of executives polled said job seekers should contact hiring managers within two weeks of submitting application materials. Only 4% said professionals should refrain from communicating once a resume has been sent. Executives were also asked, "In your opinion, what is the best way for a job seeker to follow up with a hiring manager after submitting a resume?" The top three responses were telephone (46%), via e-mail (34%), and a handwritten note (8%). -- Robert Half International Inc.
February 20, 2006
Credit Valley Hospital's ambulatory care centre will be named for Vijay and Neena Kanwar after the couple came forward with a $5 million donation during the hospital's annual Valentine Day's gala. The Kanwars own the KMH Cardiology and Diagnostic Centres, which have eight locations in Ontario, including the head office in Mississauga. "All blessings come to those who can open their hearts to give," said Vijay Kanwar. "My family believes in health and healthy people make a healthy and safe community." This is the third gift of $5 million or more toward a $50-million capital campaign spearheaded by the Credit Valley Hospital Foundation. Aside from the Kanwars, Carlo Fidani donated $6 million and the WB Family Foundation donated $5 million. To date, a total of $47 million has been raised. For more information about the Credit Valley Hospital Foundation, visit: www.cvh.on.ca
February 20, 2006
A special report published by TD Economics estimates that charitable giving in Canada will "soar" if the new federal government carries through on its pledge to eliminate the capital gains tax on gifts of securities to charity. The report suggests that contributions of stock could rise by 50% or more once donors realize "how attractive it will be to donate publicly traded shares." The Conservatives are expected to include the proposal, which is also supported by the other political parties, in the upcoming federal budget. "With the total elimination of capital gains, I think it will open the floodgates for charitable donations to all charities," said Jo-Anne Ryan, executive director of TD's Private Giving Foundation. "We see a lot of people sitting on securities that may not be going anywhere and this could be the encouragement for them to start donating." To download the report in PDF format, visit: www.td.com
February 20, 2006
According to a 33-country poll commissioned by the BBC, only 13% of the 39,000 people surveyed have a negative view of Canada. The poll asked people whether they thought the influence of each of the 33 countries was positive or negative. Canada ranked close to the top of the positive scale, behind only Europe as a whole and Japan. South Koreans gave Canada an 85% approval rating, followed by Filipinos, Australians, Chinese, Americans, and the Finnish, who all gave Canada an approval rating of at least 70%. People in Turkey and Saudi Arabia had a less favorable view of Canada, where only 16% offered their approval. Iranians have the most negative views of Canada, with some 45% declaring our influence a bad one. -- GlobeScan
February 20, 2006
The second report published by the Commission of Inquiry into the Sponsorship Program and Advertising Activities reflects concerns raised by the nonprofit sector. In this second phase of the Gomery Report, Restoring Accountability, it states that, "the Commission was cautioned by the not-for-profit and voluntary sector, which represents millions of Canadians, not to make accounting processes too sophisticated and costly. Affected as they were by the reintroduction of more detailed reporting requirements after the 'Human Resources Development Canada scandal', they fear an overreaction by government to the events of the Sponsorship scandal." Justice Gomery also stated that no more "rules" were needed, describing the issue as one of creating a culture of integrity. For more information see page 45 of the "What Canadians Said" section: www.gomery.ca/en/phase2report/recommendations
February 20, 2006
The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care recently introduced an $11-million funding package that it hopes will help fill 100 vacant nurse-practitioner jobs across the province. Through the "Grow Your Own Nurse Practitioner" initiative, registered nurses living within 100 kilometres of communities where there has been a vacancy for a year or more will be paid up to $110,000 to cover their lost salary and any fees or other education costs incurred while they leave work to train to be a nurse practitioner. Following their training, the nurses will be required to work at least two years in the community that sponsors them.
Mary Ferguson-Pare, president-elect of the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, said this will be the incentive some nurses need because it allows them a new freedom to consider a skills upgrade without the threat of lost income. "I think it will be enormously successful," Ferguson-Pare said. "There are nurses in those communities who I think would very much value this kind of opportunity." For more information or application guidelines, visit: www.health.gov.on.ca
February 20, 2006
Last week, SickKids Foundation became the first hospital foundation in Canada to offer donor-advised funds. With a minimum contribution of $50,000, the new SickKids Charitable Giving Fund will disburse investment income annually to SickKids Foundation and to any other registered Canadian charities as advised by the donor. "Donor-advised funds are a practical and cost-effective alternative to creating a private foundation, recognizing that people have many charitable interests," said Michael O'Mahoney, president of the SickKids Foundation. "We believe that donor-advised funds are the right vehicle for people who are beginning to think strategically about their giving and interested in improving the health of children in Canada and around the world." For more information, visit: www.sickkidsfoundation.com
February 20, 2006
The University of Winnipeg received a donation of $1 million for its Global College from Sir Gordon Wu, chairman of Hopewell Holdings Ltd. The funds, which were donated through the Hopewell Charitable Foundation of Hong Kong, will be used to establish the Wu Chung Scholarship Fund. The scholarship fund recognizes the academic achievements and leadership potential of outstanding students from Huadu, in the region of Guangzhou, China. It is the largest international scholarship in the university's 135-year history.
Sir Wu said the gift was made as a tribute to his father, Wu Chung, who believed in the value of education. "My wish is for the students of Huadu to dedicate themselves to their studies in Canada so they might return with both a university degree and a wealth of knowledge of a larger world," said Sir Wu, who spent a year studying in Winnipeg in the early fifties. For more information about the University of Winnipeg, visit: www.uwinnipeg.ca
February 20, 2006
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) recently published a policy commentary on the subject of charitable purposes and whether publishing a magazine can be considered a charitable activity under the advancement of education. The Income Tax Act requires that a charity devote its resources to exclusively charitable activities. The CRA accepts that registered charities can achieve the recognized charitable purpose of advancing education through the use, creation, publication and distribution of magazines. However, to be considered an acceptable charitable activity, the contents of the publication must be predominantly educational in the sense understood by charity law. The commentary further notes that each organization is judged on the merits of its own application. For more information, visit: www.cra-arc.gc.ca.
February 20, 2006
The Toronto Community Foundation (TCF) has received $1 million from the Budd Sugarman Foundation for TCF's "Arts on Track" initiative to revitalize three Toronto subway stations - Museum, Osgoode and St. Patrick. The goal of the project is to boost cultural tourism and public transit in Toronto. "[This] donation shows that our city's leaders share our vision of a stronger Toronto with a unique and world-class transit system linked to its outstanding cultural institutions," said Mayor David Miller. "I encourage others to support this project, which represents an important partnership in the City of Toronto." The donation brings the early commitments raised by TCF for the project to $1.75 million. An estimated $4.5 million is required to complete renovations at Museum Station, where work will begin later this year and be completed in 2007. For more information, visit: www.tcf.ca
February 20, 2006
A new report from Hill Strategies Research, entitled Artists in Small and Rural Municipalities in Canada, finds significant concentrations of artists in small and rural municipalities across Canada. According to the report, the findings "demonstrate that the arts contribute to the quality of life and the social and economic vitality of many small and rural communities in Canada." Cape Dorset, Nunavut, is the most artistic municipality in Canada. It has 110 artists among a total labour force of 485, for an artistic concentration of 23%. As well, six small or rural Ontario municipalities have a concentration of artists that is at least double the national average of 0.8%. The study is based on a custom data request from Statistics Canada's 2001 census, conceived of and commissioned by Hill Strategies Research. The full report and regional summaries are available at: www.arts.on.ca
February 20, 2006
The Asian Canadian Culture Online Project is currently seeking creative writing about or by Asian Canadian youth that highlights their diverse experiences and perspectives on being Asian Canadian. As part of the Asian Canadian Culture Online Project, selected writings will be featured online in an anthology that will be shared with other young Asian Canadians. This national project aims to showcase the history, experiences, contributions, and talents of Vietnamese, Filipino and Chinese Canadians and will be launched in the spring. The deadline for submissions is February 28th. For more information about the project, visit: www.ccnc.ca/cccop/index.php. For application guidelines, contact Lily Cheung at: lily@ccnc.ca
February 13, 2006
Nonprofits reacted with tempered optimism last week to the appointment of the new federal Conservative cabinet.Arts groups were optimistic about the appointment of Bev Oda as minister of heritage and status of women. Canadian Museum Association (CMA) Executive Director, John McAvity said in a release, “We are thrilled that her hard work and dedication to heritage, culture, and arts issues has been recognized by the new Prime Minister. Ms. Oda is uniquely qualified to take on this portfolio at this time.” Oda had previously acted as heritage critic when the Conservatives were in opposition.
Environmental groups were somewhat more cautious in their reaction to Rona Ambrose as new minister of the environment. Bruce Cox, executive director of Greenpeace Canada noted that, in opposition, the Conservatives expressed opposition to the Kyoto Protocol. “Now they are the government, they have a responsibility to all Canadians as well as a responsibility to the world since Canada has ratified the Kyoto Protocol and must honour its agreement.”
Health organizations may have some idea what they're getting with the appointment of Tony Clement as the new minister of health. Clement was a former minister of health in Ontario. "Canada's new health minister brings a wealth of experience to the post," said Canadian Medical Association President Ruth Collins-Nakai. Collins-Nakai also noted that Clement will face challenges in his role of overseeing the implementation of the first ministers' accord.
For a full list of the new cabinet and biographies, visit: www.pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?id=686
February 13, 2006
America Online (AOL) and Yahoo announced recently that companies and organizations may have to pay if they want to make sure that their e-mail messages are delivered to Yahoo and AOL users. The companies are introducing a service that will allow senders to bypass spam filters and have their messages land directly in users' mailboxes if they pay from one quarter of a cent to one cent per message. Organizations that don't pay can still send messages to Yahoo and AOL users, but they will have to first pass through their junk mail folders.AOL softened its position at the end of last week, offering to keep its free Enhanced Whitelist service for bulk e-mailers who maintain low complaint rates. For more information, visit: www.clickz.com/news/article.php/3583201
February 13, 2006
After ten years of lobbying, ForestEthics, Greenpeace and the Sierra Club of Canada, BC Chapter celebrated the announcement of new protections for a two million hectare area of British Columbia wilderness known as the Great Bear Rainforest. Under the announcement, one-third of the temperate rainforest region will be protected from any logging and the remainder will require companies to use more sustainable logging practices. “Today, British Columbians are showing that it is possible to protect the environment and provide the economic foundation for healthy communities," said Lisa Matthaus, coast campaign coordinator for the Sierra Club of Canada, BC Chapter. "This innovative rainforest agreement provides a real world example of how people and wilderness can prosper together.” For more details of the announcement, visit: www.mediaroom.gov.bc.ca
February 13, 2006
Of the 1.2 million community sport coaches in Canada, more than 95 percent are men. The Coaching Association of Canada hopes to change that number with a three-year campaign to increase the number of women coaches at the community level. Hockey Canada, the Canadian Soccer Association, and Softball Canada have all signed on to help promote the recruitment campaign in the first year. Organizers plan to expand the program to include at least 15 additional sports in the coming years. -- Coaching Association of Canada
February 13, 2006
The University of British Columbia (UBC) will establish North America’s first Buddhism and Contemporary Society program thanks to a $4 million gift from the Tung Lin Kok Yuen Canada Foundation. The foundation was established by Robert Hung Ngai Ho, a West Vancouver investor whose family-run business is based in Hong Kong. The program will offer teaching, research, public lectures and symposia that will further knowledge among students, educators, business leaders, policy makers and non-government organizations. For more information, visit: www.publicaffairs.ubc.ca/media/releases/2006/mr-06-013.html
February 13, 2006
The Ontario government announced changes to the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) last week. In the coming months, the 18,000 ODSP recipients who also work will see the government replace the current set of complicated earnings exemption rules with an 50 per cent flat rate exemption combined with a new $100 monthly work-related benefit. For recipients this means that only half of their income will be deducted from their ODSP payment, plus they will receive an extra $100 per month. Community and Social Services Minister Sandra Pupatello also announced improvements to job placement and support services as part of the program changes. For more information, visit: ogov.newswire.ca/ontario/GPOE/2006/02/08/c0295.html?lmatch=&lang=_e.htmlIn a somewhat similar move last week, the BC government announced that it is raising the earnings exemption from $400 to $500 per month for clients receiving Persons with Disabilities or Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers support. The higher earnings exemption means persons with disabilities on income assistance now have the opportunity to have a monthly income of $1,356 when the earnings exemption is combined with the disability assistance rate. For more information, visit: www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2005-2009/2006EIA0001-000052.htm
February 13, 2006
Nominations for the second annual Green Toronto Awards close on February 24 at 5 p.m. The Green Toronto Awards are an opportunity for committed individuals and community groups in the City of Toronto to be recognized for their contributions to the greening of Toronto. Groups can apply to any of nine categories, including: community projects, energy conservation, environmental awareness, green design, health, leadership, market transformation, water efficiency, and youth. For more information, visit: www.toronto.ca/greentorontoawards/
February 13, 2006
According to the latest Philanthropic Giving Index (PGI) survey, most American fundraising aren't too concerned about the long-term impact of disaster-related giving on their organizations. While the majority of respondents (58.1 percent) agreed or strongly agreed that disaster-related giving came at the expense of other charities in the short term, 23.6 percent disagreed or strongly disagreed. The most common view of survey respondents was that the effect on other charities is likely to be short-lived. Over 45 percent (45.7) of the respondents felt that giving related to the Gulf Coast hurricanes will not be at the expense of other causes six months from now. -- Philanthropic Giving Index (PGI)
February 13, 2006
Police have arrested a Toronto woman in connection with fraud committed against the Cardiovascular Surgical Association at the Toronto General Hospital. Lynn Koven (Woodside), a former bookkeeper and finance manager, is alleged to have embezzled more than $400,000 from the association between 1997 and 2005. The surgical association pools fees and helps pay the salaries of cardiovascular doctors. Hospital representatives said that they are confident that none of the money was taken from either the hospital or the hospital's foundations.
February 13, 2006
The Ontario government announced a new $50,000 arts prize last week. The Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Arts recognizes outstanding achievement and contribution to arts and culture in Ontario by an individual or group. Nominees must be engaged in a professional arts practice including arts, crafts, dance, music, opera, theatre, visual and media arts, writing or cultural industries such as book and magazine publishing, digital media, film, television and sound recording. The recipient of the award will receive $35,000. An additional $15,000 will be given to a promising newcomer in the same field who will be chosen by the recipient. For more information, visit: www.culture.gov.on.ca/english/about/n020306_1.htm
February 6, 2006
Ming Wa, a former employee of The Salvation Army, was arrested last week and charged with fraud over $5,000 and falsification of books and documents. He worked in the finance department at the charity's national headquarters in Toronto from January 20, 2003 to December 16, 2005 as a property accountant. An investigation was launched after an internal audit revealed that money was missing, and the charity claims it was defrauded of more than $2.3 million. Wa, 25, was released on bail and has consented to judicial orders requiring him to hand over all of his possessions, including a $450,000 house, to the Salvation Army. He also gave the remaining hundreds of thousands in his bank accounts to the charity. For more information, visit: www.salvationarmy.ca.
February 6, 2006
RONA recently announced a five-year funding program, worth a minimum of $4 million, to help 100 prospective Olympians achieve their dream. Through the "Growing with Our Athletes" program, RONA will be sponsoring 100 young athletes chosen by the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) as strong prospects for the 2008 or 2010 Olympic Games. These athletes, from across the country, will receive financial support from RONA to help them offset living, training, and competition expenses. The program also has an in-store fundraising component that RONA projects could provide an additional $2 million in incremental funds for the athletes over the five-year span. For more information, visit: www.rona.ca.
February 6, 2006
The eleventh annual survey ranking Canada's most respected corporations once again puts RBC Financial Group at the top of the list. Aside from being the overall winner, RBC also scored top marks for corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate governance. Research in Motion ranked second overall, followed by EnCana Corp., WestJet, Scotiabank, Manulife Financial, TD Bank Financial Group, BCE, BMO Financial Group, and Loblaw Companies Ltd. In terms of CSR, EnCana, CIBC, BCE, Dofasco, BMO, Shell Canada, TD Bank, Suncor Energy Inc., and Petro-Canada rounded out the top ten after RBC. -- Ipsos-Reid
February 6, 2006
The Ontario Heritage Trust's Young Heritage Leaders program is now accepting nominations of youth under 18 who have made valuable contributions to local heritage preservation in their communities. Through the program, municipal councils, regional councils, First Nation councils, Métis community councils, and schools can acknowledge local youth for significant voluntary contributions to cultural, natural, or built heritage preservation. This year, the Ontario Heritage Trust and program sponsors will award a $2,000 scholarship to the young person whose leadership in preserving, protecting and promoting heritage is deemed to be the most exceptional. The deadline for nominations is March 10th. For more information, visit: www.heritagefdn.on.ca.
February 6, 2006
In 2005, Sympatico.MSN.ca designed an online contest to tap into the creativity of Canadians. Employees at advertising agencies across Canada were invited to submit media campaigns on behalf of a charity of their choice. The Design a Better World Contest is on again and this year the winner will receive a trip to Cannes, France in June 2006 (approx. $8,000 value) and a $50,000 campaign to run on Sympatico.MSN.ca for their charity. The second and third place winners will receive a $30,000 campaign and $20,000 campaign, respectively, for their charity. The deadline for submissions is March 15th. For more information and contest details, visit: www.designabetterworld.com.
February 6, 2006
A new partnership between the BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC) and the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will produce an estimated $20 million for amateur sport in the province. Funds generated through the SportsFunder suite of lottery games will be targeted at four areas: Sport BC's KidSport program providing sport registration grants to financially disadvantaged children; Game Plan/Team BC, providing support for high-performance BC athletes; financial assistance for coaching development; and travel assistance for BC athletes to attend sporting competitions. "This initiative represents a great step forward for amateur sport," said Sandra Stevenson, president and CEO of Sport BC. "Congratulations to BCLC, the Government of British Columbia and Vancouver 2010 for addressing a need to provide extra opportunities for kids to participate in sport and recreation activities." For more information, visit: www.bclc.com.
February 6, 2006
A survey by the US-based Conference Board finds that corporate giving increased by 22% from 2003 to 2004. Total giving among the 189 corporations and foundations included in the survey amounted to $7.8 billion in 2004, ranging from a low of $12,000 to a high of $887.6 million. Median contributions equaled $7.6 million, compared to $4.6 million in 2003, an increase of 65.2%. Corporate giving to US charities totaled $6.29 billion in 2004, while $1.45 billion went to international causes. Health and human service organizations received more than half of all corporate contributions (54%), while education charities came in a distant second at 17%. -- The Conference Board
February 6, 2006
The University of Toronto's Joseph L. Rotman School of Management recently established two new annual scholarships for doctoral candidates studying and conducting research work in accounting. The scholarships were made possible thanks to a gift of $540,000 from the Ernst & Young Foundation and the Clarkson Gordon Capital Foundation. The funds will be matched by the Ontario government's Ontario Student Opportunity Trust Fund to create the $1.08 million Ernst & Young Graduate Fund. This new scholarship will annually award approximately $20,000 each to two, first-year PhD students pursuing research and studies in accounting at the Rotman School of Management. For more information, visit: www.rotman.utoronto.ca.
February 6, 2006
The Ontario-based Provincial Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health is currently accepting submissions for its province-wide Dare to Dream Program. The program awards up to $1,000 to youth 18 years of age or under who want to promote mental health in their community by starting up a project. The project can be anything that is mental health-related. The goal of the program is to help young people become more aware of mental health and to support them in promoting mental health awareness activities to their peers and their community. The deadline for applications is March 31st. For more information and application guidelines, visit: www.onthepoint.ca/funding/dream.htm.
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