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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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To view other articles in the archive, use our Chronological Index.
NewsBytes: April, 2006
Articles are arranged in reverse chronological order.
Delay in mail out of CRA information returns
April 24, 2006
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is advising charities that, because of technology issues, there will be a delay in the mail out of information return packages to registered charities with fiscal periods that ended in December of 2005 or January, February or March of 2006. CRA expects the mail outs to be completed by the end of April. Affected organizations that do not receive their Registered Charities Information Return package by the middle of May should call 1-800-267-2384. For more information, visit: www.cra-arc.gc.ca.
April 24, 2006
Craig Kielburger, international child rights activist and founder of Free The Children, was awarded the 2006 World Children's Prize, commonly referred to as the "Children's Nobel Prize". Kielburger received the award in recognition of his leadership and development efforts through his youth-driven charity. "It is my great privilege to accept this award on behalf of all of the young people of Free The Children who are committed to creating a better world for their peers," said Kielburger. For more information, visit: www.freethechildren.com.
April 24, 2006
The Jewish General Hospital (JGH) announced a gift of $1.35 million from BMO Financial Group that will go toward medical and health sciences education at the JGH. The donation will facilitate the amalgamation of teaching programs offered by the hospital's Departments of Medicine, Nursing and Surgery. The BMO Financial Group Initiative in Medical and Health Sciences Education will fund the initial phase of the creation of the Jewish General Hospital Teaching Centre, which will merge teaching areas and equipment into one facility. The teaching centre will offer shared teaching resources, a more unified curriculum, and will be accessible to all hospital staff. For more information, visit: www.jgh.ca.
Fast Fact: Certified fundraisers earn significantly more
April 24, 2006
Salaries for charitable fundraisers decreased by 16.7% in the United States last year, according to the latest Association of Fundraising Professionals' (AFP) Compensation and Benefits Study. The average salary for U.S. respondents fell to US$67,181 in 2005. By comparison, average salaries for Canadian fundraisers increased by 2.3%, to C$65,768. Fundraisers in both countries who have the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential earned more than their uncertified counterparts. In the U.S., certified individuals earned, on average, US$22,000 more, while individuals in Canada holding the credential earned C$20,000 more than those who did not. Those individuals possessing the Advanced Certified Fund Raising Executive (ACFRE) credential earned US$57,000 more in the U.S. and C$44,000 more in Canada. -- AFP
April 24, 2006
A new study was released last week that represents the opinions of 53,749 citizens from 68 countries and five continents - the largest worldwide survey ever conducted. Voice of the People 2006: What the World Thinks on Today's Global Issues presents people's opinions and feelings about the most significant issues in the world today. According to the findings, Canada ranks second in the world behind Norway when it comes to volunteering, with 57% of its citizens involved in volunteer work. As well, Canadians consider immigration to be a good thing for their country (74%), while the world average is less welcoming (43%). And 26% of Canadians consider reducing the gap between the rich and poor to be the top problem facing the world today, the same as citizens worldwide. For more information, visit: www.legermarketing.com.
April 24, 2006
Volunteer Alberta is surveying Alberta's voluntary sector organizations to determine the costs and challenges relating to risk management and volunteer recruitment. In particular, they are looking at the costs and other implications of police information checks for voluntary organization. For more information about how your organization can participate in the survey, visit: www.volunteeralberta.ab.ca.
April 24, 2006
Canada's foreign aid policy can be more effective, according to a study published by the C.D. Howe Institute. In Can Aid Work? Thinking about Development Strategy, author John Richards of Simon Fraser University makes four recommendations: design programs to promote good governance; concentrate aid on a few countries only; target aid on primary/secondary education and basic health services; and lower Canadian barriers that hamper efficient developing-country policies. The new study also provides an overview of recent policy ideas on what makes aid effective, why it fails, and what limitations confront donor countries. To download the full report in PDF format, visit: www.cdhowe.org/pdf/commentary_231.pdf.
April 24, 2006
The Center for Global Prosperity launched its inaugural issue of the Index of Global Philanthropy last week. It reveals that private aid by American citizens in 2004 - in the form of money, volunteer time, goods, and expertise to the developing world - was at least $71 billion, more than three and a half times U.S. government foreign aid. The index is the first comprehensive guide to the sources and magnitude of American charity abroad. "The private aid presented in the Index of Global Philanthropy - from foundations, corporations, individuals, churches, voluntary organizations and universities - can be more effective because it goes directly to people in need, costs less through the use of volunteers, and creates jobs and lasting institutions in poor countries," said Dr. Carol Adelman, director of the Center for Global Prosperity. To download the full report, visit: gpr.hudson.org.
April 24, 2006
A study of 60 large charities in the U.S. found that they received donations from 35 million donors and raised more than $1.7 billion last year, primarily from direct mail. Donations increased by a median of 5.8% in 2005, and the median increase in the number of new donors attracted by the organizations was 4.4%. The total number of donors to the organizations also increased slightly, by a median of 1.6%. -- Target Analysis Group
April 24, 2006
The Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA), in collaboration with PhoneBack and The Wireless Source, has unveiled a new program to promote the recovery, recycling, and reuse of mobile, wireless and cell phone handsets. Phones collected through Project Redial will be refurbished or remanufactured and sent to developing and emerging countries. Individuals can donate their used cell phones by dropping them off at any Canadian Diabetes Association office, participating Value Village stores, or through the Association's Clothesline program. All proceeds from the collected phones will be used by the CDA to fund diabetes research, education, service and advocacy. For more information, visit: www.diabetes.ca/projectredial.
April 24, 2006
CinéUrbana, the video theatre at World Urban Forum 3 (WUF 3), is looking for recent films and videos that will provide an opportunity for delegates to see "ideas into action" through the use of video. The World Urban Forum was established by the United Nations to examine one of the most pressing issues facing the world today: rapid urbanisation and its impact on communities, cities, economies and policies. Films will be chosen based on their relevance to delegates and their deliberations at WUF 3.
This year's theme, Our Future: Sustainable Cities - Turning Ideas into Action, is supported by three sub-themes: urban growth and the environment, partnership and finance, and social inclusion and cohesion. Organized by UN-HABITAT, the UN agency responsible for human settlements, WUF 3 will be hosted by the Government of Canada and will take place in Vancouver, BC, from June 19-23. The deadline for submissions is May 5th. For submission guidelines and entry forms, visit: creativecity.ca/cineurbana/index.html. For more information about WUF 3, visit: www.unhabitat.org.
April 24, 2006
The Sluggett family recently donated Sluggett Memorial Church in Central Saanich and a half-acre of land that surrounds it to Beacon Community Services. The community service organization and the Vancouver Island Health Authority are partnering to build 14 units of affordable assisted living for seniors on the land. "The $300,000 donation is the largest ever received by Beacon Community Services. It's simply phenomenal," said Isobel Mackenzie, executive director of Beacon Community Services. "Our goal will be to create a cozy, home-like environment for seniors who are in need of some support, but are mostly independent." For more information about Beacon Community Services, visit: www.communityprograms.ca.
April 17, 2006
Federal Health Minister Tony Clement announced last week that the Government of Canada will provide a $10 million grant to the Terry Fox Foundation. "Terry Fox was a remarkable individual and a true Canadian hero. His memory continues to give hope to people suffering from cancer and their families," said Minister Clement. "The grant will contribute to the Terry Fox Foundation's valuable work in cancer research across Canada." The foundation directs all funds raised to cancer research. To date, more than $400 million has been raised worldwide through such events as the annual Terry Fox Run. For more information about the Terry Fox Foundation, visit: www.terryfoxrun.org.
April 17, 2006
The May 1st deadline for the 9th Annual Donner Canadian Foundation Awards For Excellence in the Delivery of Social Services is fast approaching. A total of $70,000 in awards is presented annually to Canada's highest performing nonprofit organizations in each of nine categories of social service delivery. The top nonprofit organization is recognized with the prestigious $20,000 William H. Donner Award for Excellence. The Peter F. Drucker Award for Non-Profit Management is also presented to a nonprofit organization with a consistent record of excellence and innovation in management and service delivery. For more information and application guidelines, visit: www.donnerawards.org.
April 17, 2006
According to the latest AFP salary survey, average salaries for Canadian fundraisers increased by 2.3% last year, to $65,768. Fundraisers working for religion-related organizations received the highest average salary at $98,333, followed by those employed by public broadcasting organizations ($81,500) and educational organizations ($75,070). The survey also revealed that there is still a significant gender gap, with male fundraisers reporting an average salary of $75,254 in 2005, while women earned an average of $63,055. Seventy percent of all survey respondents were women. -- AFP
April 17, 2006
Donors once again showed their support for the Hospital for Sick Children by donating a record amount of almost $3.5 million during the 20th Annual SickKids Radiothon. The event surpassed last year's record of $3,218,656. "We would like to truly thank the listeners of Standard Radio for their generosity - their private donations are what make SickKids a world leader in children's health research and care," said Michael O'Mahoney, president of the SickKids Foundation. "They have once again demonstrated that they believe, as we do, every child deserves to be healthy." The money raised through this year's radiothon will go to the hospital's cancer centre. For more information, visit: www.sickkids.ca.
April 17, 2006
Last week, the Canadian Red Cross unveiled a $10.9-million vocational training program for tsunami-affected women and youth in Sri Lanka. The three-year program is in partnership with World University Service of Canada (WUSC). At the beginning of the course, trainees learn about gender awareness, nutrition, personal finances, health and safety, as well as the rights and responsibilities of workers. Students are then given training in fields where there is a demonstrated labour shortage in their community, in trades such as: carpentry, masonry, plumbing, electronics, or engine repair. "Thanks to the generosity of Canadians, this program is going to make a tremendous impact by providing income-generating opportunities to those who need it most," said Dr. Pierre Duplessis, secretary-general of the Canadian Red Cross. For more information, visit: www.redcross.ca.
April 17, 2006
The Association of Fundraising Professionals' (AFP) State of Fundraising Survey found that the biggest challenge for Canadian fundraisers in 2005 was too many nonprofits and increased competition for charitable dollars, cited by 18.6% of respondents. This is the second consecutive year that Canadian fundraisers selected increased competition as their most serious challenge. Other challenges for Canadian nonprofits included: staffing issues in the development office (15.4%); brand awareness of charity and mission (10.5%); and problems with overall organization leadership, including the board, volunteers, etc. (10.5%). -- AFP
April 17, 2006
St. Joseph's Healthcare Foundation announced that the Chedoke Health Corporation donated $4 million for the benefit of St. Joseph's Mental Health and Addictions Program. "Mental illness is, arguably, the most pressing issue facing our healthcare system. This gift will have a huge impact for us, and will directly help those individuals suffering with mental illness, their families and their community," said Kevin Smith, president of St. Joseph's Healthcare. The donation is the largest organizational gift the hospital has ever received. For more information about St. Joseph's Healthcare Foundation, visit: www.stjoesfoundation.ca.
April 17, 2006
Ginsler & Associates Inc. has released a new report that offers a 40-year, community-based plan to reduce violence. Reducing Violence by Enhancing Human and Social Development is based on the Waterloo Region in Ontario; however, the principles and research can be applied to any community. The objective of this plan is to create a community in which all residents can live in an environment of safety and security. It focuses on the healthy development of children, youth, and adults; the integration of residents from many cultures, maximizing their skills and knowledge; securing sufficient income to live safe and healthy lives; building individual, neighbourhood, and community capacity; and the enhancement of quality of life. For more information or to download the full report, visit: www.ginsler.com.
April 17, 2006
A new study projects that by 2016, a decade from now, American nonprofits will require 78,000 new senior managers each year. Of these, 33,000 will fill jobs at new organizations, 18,000 will replace executives who are retiring, 16,000 will replace people who no longer want to be top managers, 9,000 will replace people who leave the nonprofit world, and 2,000 will fill vacancies created as charities expand the size of their management staff. -- Bridgespan Group
April 17, 2006
Corporate rivalry took on a new meaning as 500 individuals, representing 50 of the most well-known companies in Canada, tested their wits in Battle of the Brains 2006. The event raised $500,000 for Invest in Kids, a national charity whose aim is to strengthen parenting knowledge, skills and confidence to ensure the healthy development of children from birth to age five. After eleven rounds of skill-testing questions, Capital One Services (Canada) Inc. triumphed over such event rivals as Canaccord Adams (second place), defending champs RBC Capital Markets, Unilever Canada, Scotia Capital, BMO Nesbitt Burns, CIBC World Markets Children's Miracle Foundation, TD Bank Financial Group, Fidelity Investments Canada, and Ernst & Young. For more information about Invest in Kids, visit: www.investinkids.ca.
April 10, 2006
The University of Toronto Scarborough received $4 million last week from Tung Lin Kok Yuen, a Hong Kong-based nonprofit Buddhist organization focused on inspiring public interest in Buddhism. The gift, the largest in the history of U of T Scarborough, will raise the profile of Buddhist studies in Canada by establishing an endowed visiting professorship and creating a series of ongoing conferences and public lectures. "Their generosity is putting Canada on the map internationally, in terms of Buddhist studies," said U of T president David Naylor. "They have made an extraordinary investment in Canada's understanding of Buddhism and are committed to raising the profile of Buddhism in the western world." For more information, visit: www.news.utoronto.ca.
April 10, 2006
An extensive study of the leadership requirements of US-based nonprofits found that, over the next decade, organizations will need to attract and develop approximately 640,000 new senior managers, and by 2016, they will need almost 80,000 new senior managers per year. The study was conducted by the Bridgespan Group, a Boston nonprofit organization that provides strategic planning advice to charities. The Nonprofit Sector's Leadership Deficit report says that the projected deficit results from both constrained supply and increasing demand. The key factors include the growing number of nonprofit organizations, the retirement of managers from the vast baby boomer generation, movement of existing nonprofit managers into different roles within or outside the sector, and the growth in the size of nonprofits.
The study asserts that all participants in the nonprofit sector need to recognize the enormity of the problem and make it a top priority. It outlines three critical imperatives that must be addressed: investment in leadership capacity; refining management rewards to retain and attract top talent; and expanding recruiting horizons and fostering individual career mobility. For more information or to download the full report, visit: www.bridgespangroup.org.
April 10, 2006
According to the latest AFP State of Fundraising Survey, more than 64% of Canadian respondents raised more money in 2005 than in 2004, while 10% raised about the same, and 26% raised less. Charities saw substantial increases (11%) in direct mail success, as well as smaller increases in telefundraising and planned giving. However, there were decreases in major gifts (5%), online fundraising (10%), and special events (5%). Despite small declines in some types of fundraising, fundraisers are optimistic for 2006. Seventy-one percent of respondents believe their organizations will raise more funds in 2006 than in 2005, while 18.7% think they will raise about the same, and 10% percent believe they will raise less funds. -- AFP
April 10, 2006
CBC News reported last week that a Regina safe house that helps abused women used part of its donation fund to pay a Christmas bonus to staff and its board of directors. Since 1997, the Wichihik Iskewak Safe House (WISH) has received annual donations from the Leader-Post newspaper's Christmas Cheer Fund. Last year it accepted $29,552, $13,000 of which went to a Christmas bonus. According to the CBC, full time staff and board members received $500 and part-time staff received $100. In the past, donations were used for furniture, upgrades, supplies and similar expenses. However, last December the WISH board voted to change its rules so the money could be used for bonuses.
The rationale was that people are donating to improve the shelter and a Christmas bonus is an investment in people, a WISH spokesperson told CBC. Nevertheless, individual donors to the Christmas Cheer Fund told CBC they are disappointed and disillusioned at the way the money was spent. "It's like stealing from Santa Claus, it just isn't right," said Blaine Haubrich, who lives in Glenbain and donated $100 to the charity. "They should have been more up front if they were going to do this, right from day one, and then the Leader-Post could have determined if they were a fit candidate to receive this money."
April 10, 2006
The BC Cancer Foundation received $1 million last week for a unique, collaborative, multi-institute research initiative. The project's end goal is to create a simple blood test to screen women for ovarian cancer early enough to boost survival and cure rates. The donation comes from Canary Foundation, a US nonprofit organization dedicated to funding early detection of cancer. It was founded by Canadian-born Don Listwin, a 25-year technology veteran. "My motivation is my family. We have been deeply affected by cancer," said Listwin, whose father is a colon cancer survivor. The death of his mother from ovarian cancer prompted him to form Canary Foundation in 2004. "The mission of Canary Foundation is to advance early detection of cancer, when it is most treatable and chances for a full recovery are greatest. We are very excited about partnering with the BC Cancer Foundation and BC Cancer Agency." For more information, visit: www.bccancer.bc.ca.
April 10, 2006
A survey of Canadian business leaders and consumers found that 68% of the Canadian public is paying attention to issues related to corporate social responsibility (CSR). At the same time, 76% of business leaders say their firms have "made an explicit commitment to CSR". The majority also report that their companies have "developed formalized policies for CSR activities" (72%) or "created and implemented programs related to CSR" (75%). Despite these claims, most Canadian consumers remain unaware of corporate Canada's CSR practices and initiatives. Only a third are aware of any companies engaged in making an explicit commitment to CSR, having formal CSR policies in place, or having implemented CSR initiatives. The survey also reveals that less than half of companies (45%) involve their stakeholders in the development and evaluation of CSR activities, yet 71% of Canadians would have a favorable impression of companies that did so. -- Ipsos Reid
April 10, 2006
The United Way of Greater Toronto is calling for nominations of young community leaders for its annual Get in the Way Awards, presented to youth for their outstanding contributions to the community. "Toronto youth are doing extraordinary things to improve their communities," said Frances Lankin, president and CEO, United Way of Greater Toronto. "These awards will recognize some of the city's dynamic young leaders who are dedicated to strengthening neighbourhoods and building a better city." Four awards will be presented - two for elementary school students, and two for secondary school students. Candidates must reside in Toronto, and will be judged on: amount of time given to a charitable organization; type of activities engaged in or initiated; demonstrated leadership skills; and the impact they have had in their community. The deadline for nominations is May 12, 2006. For more information, including guidelines and nomination forms, visit: www.unitedwaytoronto.com.
April 10, 2006
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Canada (RMHC) announced that more than $1.5 million was awarded to children's charities across Canada during its most recent round of grant allocations in March. Through these grants, RMHC is helping various hospitals, educational institutions, community groups, and other charities to better serve children in their communities. This was the first of three grant allocations scheduled for this year, with the remaining two occurring in June and November 2006. For more information on applying for a grant, visit: www.rmhc.ca.
April 10, 2006
A national poll reveals that more and more Americans prefer to donate money instead of volunteering. About half of those surveyed said it was easier to give money than time, an increase of 13% from 2004. The number of people who said it was easier to volunteer than to give money dropped 10%, to one in three, and 14% said the two options were equally easy. Despite shifting views, people reported volunteering at the same rate in 2005 as they did in 2004. In both years, 57% of Americans said they volunteered at some point. -- Thrivent Financial
April 10, 2006
The Ottawa Easter Seals Telethon wrapped up last weekend, raising $181,000 for kids with special needs in Ottawa and surrounding areas. "This is just phenomenal for us," said Corrine Rawana, Easter Seals district manager for Ottawa and the Valley. Proceeds from the telethon will go toward essential and costly equipment for children, such as wheelchairs, walkers and communication devices. For more information about the Easter Seal Society, visit: www.easterseals.org.
April 3, 2006
The Conference Board of Canada, in collaboration with Accenture, released a report that looks at how the public sector uses shared services as a way to cut costs and improve organizational business processes. The Conference Board studied the experiences of 15 public sector organizations - ten Canadian and five international - that implemented shared services. The report, Implementing Shared Services in the Public Sector: The Pillars of Success, identified eight principles for success:For more information, visit: www.conferenceboard.ca.
- Ensure that there is effective governance.
- Allocate sufficient resources to manage change over the long haul.
- Choose the right kind of leader for the shared services organization.
- Engage key stakeholders in the initiative.
- Ease the transition of staff into new roles.
- Build trust through relationship management.
- Leverage process improvement through technology.
- Measure for improvement.
April 3, 2006
The first phase of a new project was recently launched that hopes to inventory and understand the infrastructure, scope, and nature of local government involvement and investment in cultural development across Canada. The Intermunicipal Comparative Framework will address a wide range of topics, including arts, heritage, facilities, civic art collections, public art, funding, non-monetary support, and more. Phase one is about designing the framework for storing and retrieving this body of information. The first report summarizes, in tables and commentary, what was learned about municipal involvement in arts, heritage, and culture in 30 municipalities across Canada through a survey initially distributed in 2003.
The long-term goal of the three-part Intermunicipal Comparative Framework is to have an accessible source of baseline information about municipalities across Canada. Phase two, under development in 2006-2007, will record the monetary value of direct and indirect municipal support for cultural development, while phase three will explore selected topic areas in more detail. For more information or to download the Phase One Pilot Report, visit: www.creativecity.ca/framework.
April 3, 2006
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) released two casebooks last week that tell the stories of Canadians who are putting research results to practical use. The two casebooks, Moving Population and Public Health Knowledge into Action and Evidence in Action, Acting on Evidence, were published to help researchers, policy-makers and community members learn from the experiences of others. The hope is that this information will ensure that new knowledge shapes health policy, program delivery and, ultimately, improves the health of Canadians. For more information, visit: www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca.
April 3, 2006
A recent report finds that 41% of Canadian artists have a university degree, diploma or certificate, double the rate in the overall labour force (20%). However, they earn an average of just $23,500, placing artists in the lowest quarter of average earnings of all occupation groups. Artists living in Toronto earned almost $11,000 more than the national average ($34,100), but this is still 11% less than the average earnings for Toronto's labour force. Despite higher pay in Toronto, Vancouver has the highest percentage of artists - 7,250 artists, or 2.4% of its labour force. Victoria was second highest at 2%, and Montreal came in third with an artistic concentration of 1.9%. Nationwide, artists represent only 0.8% of the working population. -- Hill Strategies
April 3, 2006
The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation - Ontario Chapter announced that applications are now available for the Spring 2006 Community Health Promotion Grant Program. There are three types of grants available: Community Project, Assessment & Planning, and Community-Based Research. The application deadline is Monday, May 8, 2006. To download application forms and guidelines, visit: www.cbcf.org/ontario/fund/community.html. For questions about the Community Health Promotion Grant Program, including eligibility criteria and the application itself, please contact Joanne Kviring at jkviring@cbcf.org.
April 3, 2006
A recent survey found that Saskatchewan credit unions donated $4.8 million to charitable causes in 2005. This includes $3.2 million in direct sponsorships and donations and an additional $1.6 million contributed through in-kind gifts, scholarships, paid volunteer time, reduced service fees and fundraising initiatives. Education, sports, economic development, and health care causes were the top sponsorship and donation priorities in 2005. More than 6,000 community organizations also benefited by receiving financial services at reduced rates. "These survey results demonstrate that credit unions believe in building, as well as serving, their communities," says Keith Nixon, vice president of democratic support for SaskCentral. "They provide monetary support to a wide range of projects, but they also roll up their sleeves and get involved." For more information and a breakdown of funding, visit: www.saskcu.com.
April 3, 2006
The Louisiana attorney general recently launched inquiries into the American Red Cross and the Humane Society of the United States after receiving complaints that they misused funds raised to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. Attorney General Charles C. Foti Jr. will look into allegations that Red Cross volunteers diverted money and supplies meant for hurricane victims in New Orleans. The attorney general's office is also inquiring into whether the Humane Society spent the money it raised after Hurricane Katrina appropriately. The Red Cross has already dismissed three of its volunteers after it was determined that "allegations involving waste and abuse were substantial enough to warrant their immediate removal," said a senior Red Cross official. Humane Society officials said they are cooperating with the inquiry, but believe they have done nothing wrong.
April 3, 2006
Municipalities and registered nonprofit community groups and organizations in Alberta are eligible to apply for a grant (maximum of $25,000) for community enhancement projects that incorporate recycled tire products. The Alberta Recycling Management Authority's 2006 Municipal Community Grant Program provides an opportunity for communities to use a wide range of recycled tire products in projects such as playgrounds, parks, buildings and walkways. The deadline for applications is April 28. For more information or application guidelines, visit: www.trma.com/default.cfm.
April 3, 2006
Research finds that UK charities invested £691.23 million in direct mail activity in the last quarter of 2005, an increase of 2.4% from the same period in 2004. The average response rate was 13% when using direct mail as a fundraising tool, making it one of the highest response rates across all business sectors that use mail in consumer campaigns. -- DMIS
April 3, 2006
Last week, the Donner Canadian Foundation revealed the five finalists for the 2005/2006 Donner Prize, the award for best book on Canadian public policy. This year's five shortlisted books were chosen from a field of 55 submissions. They tackle issues ranging from social welfare policy to children's education, from the Charter of Rights to the future of Canada, to the search for a clean fuel supply. The winner of the $35,000 Donner Prize will be announced on April 27, 2006. For more information about this year's shortlisted books, visit: www.donnerbookprize.com.
April 3, 2006
Vancouver's Science World announced a gift of $500,000 from TD Bank Financial Group to support the creation of a new outdoor science experience. TD's contribution will go toward the "Environmental Trail" - a public section of the area, themed to the concept of environmental sustainability. "Environmental sustainability is one of the most relevant topics in science today, especially in our part of the world. But the confines of our facility make it difficult for us to fully engage the community with this issue," said Bryan Tisdall, Science World's president & CEO. "We are excited that TD Bank Financial Group is offering the community the opportunity to learn about the environment directly in the elements, rather than in an enclosed space." For more information, visit: www.scienceworld.bc.ca.
April 3, 2006
Free The Children, the Toronto Star, and Nipissing University have introduced the Global Voices initiative. This joint project will educate and encourage students to voice their opinions about significant social justice issues facing youth around the world. The program features a regular column in the Toronto Star and a new website hosted at thestar.com with lesson plans for educators and a special citizen journalism component for 'junior journalists'. Craig and Marc Kielburger, founders of Free The Children, will write the regular column in the Toronto Star. To further engage youth, accompanying lesson plans will tie into the topic of each column. These resources hope to help educators create relevant discussions and learning within the classroom. For more information, visit: www.thestar.com.
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