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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: May, 2006
Articles are arranged in reverse chronological order.
Tanenbaum family donates $50 million in stock
May 29, 2006
Sports and construction magnate Larry Tanenbaum and his family have donated stock worth $50 million to the endowment arm of the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, a major Jewish community group and charitable organization. The elimination of the capital gains tax on gifts of securities helped make the donation possible. "I am hopeful that my gift will inspire others to consider donating to public charities. The time is right, the needs in the community are great, and these desperately needed philanthropic dollars will have a meaningful impact in our community," said Tanenbaum. The donation will help finance medical research and social services for both the Jewish community and the community at large, such as housing subsidies, cash assistance and language training for immigrants, and camp scholarships for children. For more information about the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, visit: www.jewishtoronto.com.
May 29, 2006
The Canadian Red Cross is warning businesses to beware of overpayment for goods and services from people pretending to be with the International Red Cross. Small businesses, such as bed and breakfasts, seem to be specifically targeted by these unscrupulous individuals. Criminals from overseas will send an overpayment to a business, usually in the form of a cheque or money order. The sender will then request that they are sent the surplus funds from Canada. Only after the money is returned does it become evident that the original cheque was fraudulent. While this fraud is not currently widespread, it can have serious financial consequences for its victims and seriously misrepresents the International Red Cross movement and its national societies. For more information, or if you think you are a victim of this scam, visit: www.redcross.ca.
May 29, 2006
According to a report published by The Conference Board, more and more companies are aligning their philanthropy programs to meet overall business objectives and corporate reputation and branding needs. Philanthropy and Business - The Changing Agenda found that nearly half of the survey participants also cited aligning the giving program with business objectives and corporate reputation/branding as the biggest change in their function during the last five years. More than a third of the 77 multinational companies participating in the study said that the biggest challenge they will face in managing their corporate contributions programs in 2006 is the measurement of results and outcomes.
Commenting on the report, Paulette V. Maehara, president and CEO of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, said, "fundraisers need to understand that many companies are now assessing their overall philanthropic programs in light of their overall business objectives and purposes. We may have to modify our fundraising tactics in part to account for this change." For more information, visit: www.conference-board.org.
Fast Fact: Benefit to the bottom line top concern for corporate grantmakers
May 29, 2006
A survey of large corporations in Canada and the United States found that the most important concern among corporate grantmakers is how best to align their giving with their business needs. The desire for donations to benefit their bottom line was cited as a top priority by 66% of respondents. Aside from supporting business objectives, 42% of companies also reported that diversity - supporting civil rights organizations and groups that focus on racial equality - is a growing priority. At the other end of the spectrum, only 3% of corporate grantmakers said that contributing to religious charities was important, and 22% said it was a decreasing priority. Almost 70% of respondents said promoting volunteerism by their employees was of increasing importance. -- Conference Board
May 29, 2006
The Writers' Trust of Canada announced that it has received a gift of $1.87 million from the estate of George and Ingeborg Woodcock. The funds will enable the Writers' Trust's Woodcock Fund to provide more than $100,000 annually to Canadian writers facing financial crises. Most of the funding available to Canadian writers is in the form of literary prizes, however, the Woodcock Fund offers help to both struggling and established authors. "Writers are one of Canada's greatest exports," said Don Oravec, executive director of the Writers' Trust of Canada, "yet many endure near poverty. This increased support of the Woodcock Fund will encourage and preserve our literary heritage by rescuing those works that might otherwise be abandoned." For more information, visit: www.writerstrust.com/press.html.
May 29, 2006
The United Way of Calgary and Area has released a short paper investigating the perception that the number of charities is growing. The paper, entitled Proliferation of Charities, discusses where this concern comes from, whether it has any basis in fact, some of the factors behind the growth in the number of charities, the problems that proliferation can create, and the extent of the public's concern. It is available as a free download from the Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations (CCVO). Visit: www.calgarycvo.org.
May 29, 2006
The Calgary chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) invites individuals and organizations to submit nominations for philanthropists who demonstrate generosity of spirit. This is an opportunity to publicly recognize and celebrate the individuals, families, groups and businesses who make outstanding contributions of time, leadership, and financial support to your organization and to the nonprofit community. The deadline for nominations is June 2. For more information or to apply, visit: www.afpcalgary.com.
May 29, 2006
The 14th Annual Canadian Awards for International Cooperation are now accepting applications from organizations involved in supporting sustainable economic growth and social progress to reduce poverty in developing countries of Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Awards will be given in the following categories:The Minister for International Cooperation will present the awards in the fall of 2006. The deadline for applications is September 25, 2006. For more information, visit: www.cme-mec.ca/caic.
- improvement of physical infrastructure
- improvement of social infrastructure
- sustainable development of natural resources or protection of the environment
- capacity building of the private sector in developing countries
- demonstration of excellence in corporate social and ethical responsibility
- measures taken to incorporate women's opportunities and gender equality
- excellence in youth programming
- excellence in communicating international cooperation issues
- long-term commitment to international cooperation
May 29, 2006
Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty delivered on a Conservative campaign promise last week, pledging $5 million per year over the next five years to support the operational requirements of Toronto's Harbourfront Centre. "We are thrilled at how rapidly the Government of Canada has delivered on its promise of long-term funding for Harbourfront Centre," said William J. S. Boyle, Harbourfront's CEO. "This essential financial stability allows us to proceed with confidence in serving Toronto and Canada and in finalizing our exciting plans for the future." For more information, visit: www.harbourfrontcentre.com.
May 29, 2006
RBC Dominion Securities launched a new program last week that provides a tax efficient way for individuals to create a lasting legacy through contributions to a personal charitable gift fund. The RBC Dominion Securities Charitable Gift Program enables clients to make ongoing contributions to a fund administered by the Charitable Gift Funds Canada Foundation (CGFCF), thereby avoiding the administration and costs associated with establishing a private foundation. Donors receive an official charitable donation receipt for the full market value of their contributions. For more information, visit: www.rbc.com.
May 29, 2006
The ePhilanthropy Foundation is now accepting nominations for this year's International ePhilanthropy Awards. The awards were established in 2005 to honour individuals, organizations, and companies working in the e-philanthropy field who have "demonstrated extraordinary talent, creativity and insight in drawing the public's attention to the important use of the Internet for philanthropic purposes and/or have created services or strategies that support this effort." This awards program is open to anyone engaged in the use of the Internet for philanthropic purposes. The deadline for nominations is July 15th. For more information, visit: www.ephilanthropy.org/awards.
May 29, 2006
Bell Canada is making a commitment to the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) that includes a $1.5 million corporate gift to be distributed over five years. In addition, through a partnership with the Ottawa Senators, a further $1 million in fundraising proceeds will be collected from the annual Bell/Senators Charity Golf Tournament and the Bell/Senators Ice and Dice Gala. The funds will be used to support the implementation of a highly sophisticated computer-based clinical decision support system at CHEO. For more information, visit: www.cheofoundation.com.
May 23, 2006
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) announced that the revised revocation tax return (form T2046) is now available online. CRA has also issued a new guide to completing the return (RC4424). For more information, visit: www.cra-arc.gc.ca.
May 23, 2006
A recent report reveals that, despite a need for more resources, the vast majority of nonprofit organizations are not capitalizing on the valuable professional skills of their volunteers. The 2006 Deloitte/Points of Light Volunteers IMPACT Study, released by Deloitte & Touche USA LLP and the Points of Light Foundation, found that 77% of nonprofit leaders believe that skilled volunteers could significantly improve their organization's business practices. However, just 12% of nonprofits actually put volunteers to work on such assignments.
This issue is compounded by the fact that 40% of volunteers say they actively look for opportunities to use their workplace skills when they volunteer. "Professional skills of volunteers are extremely valuable to nonprofits, but to a great extent, are being underutilized," said James H. Quigley, CEO of Deloitte & Touche. "This insight uncovers an untapped resource that could significantly increase the effectiveness of nonprofits and their contribution to the community." For more information or to download the full report, visit: www.pointsoflight.org.
May 23, 2006
Nanaimo resident, Sidney R. Sharman, recently donated $1 million to the St. John BC Foundation. In recognition of Sharman's gift, the Nanaimo Branch of St. John Ambulance will name their new building in his honour. A long-time resident of Nanaimo, Sharman chose to support St. John Ambulance youth volunteers throughout the province. The interest accrued from his donation to the foundation will provide bursaries for St. John youth pursuing education in health professions, and encourage and support Medical First Responder training in all St. John locations throughout British Columbia on an annual basis. For more information about St. John Ambulance Canada: www.sja.ca.
May 23, 2006
A new survey finds that 42% of Americans gave money or time to benefit social causes in 2005, up from the 35% in 2004. Donors named disaster relief most often, with 52% supporting rebuilding efforts. Education was the second most popular cause, attracting gifts from 31% of donors. Medical-research organizations and those combating hunger came in third, with support from 27% of donors. When asked what they thought corporations should support, 30% of survey respondents said education, followed by medical research (28%), hunger charities (25%). and disaster-relief groups (23%). -- Roper Reports Public Pulse
May 23, 2006
A new study from the Johns Hopkins Nonprofit Listening Post Project reveals that charities face substantial challenges in accessing the capital to support their technology, program development, and strategic planning needs. Investment Capital: The New Challenge for American Nonprofits reports that 98% of charities indicated at least one capital need during the past three years. Of those, 91% cited technology needs, but only 37% indicated they were successful in raising the capital they needed. Program development (80% indicated a need, but only 25% raised the appropriate capital) and acquisition and renovation of buildings/land needs (77% reported a need; 39% obtained the capital) saw equally difficult challenges. To download a copy of the report in PDF format, click here.
May 23, 2006
The Alberta Cancer Board received a $1-million donation from the family of a woman who died of melanoma. Mary Johnston died two years ago after living with a persistent and relatively untreatable form of skin cancer for 22 years. As president of the Alberta Society for Melanoma, Johnston pushed for more funding, which is why her family and friends felt the best tribute to their loved one would be the $1-million gift. The funding will create the Mary Johnston Professorship in Melanoma Research, with the University of Alberta and the provincial government matching the funds to create a new melanoma research department in Edmonton. For more information, visit: www.cancerboard.ab.ca.
May 23, 2006
The Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) is announcing the launch of the fifth annual CAJ-CIDA Fellowship. The purpose of the fellowship is to encourage in-depth and informed reporting on international development issues. Recipients will be offered a unique, first-person experience through visits to development projects and interaction with the people of developing countries within Africa. Recipients will be chosen by a panel of judges based on their research proposals and interests. The deadline for applications is August 30th. For more information or to apply, visit: www.caj.ca.
May 23, 2006
The 2006 Variety Games Festival raised $610,650 this year for kids with special needs. Designed as a fundraiser and awareness builder for Variety Village, a sports facility in Toronto's east end, the festival was a success thanks to contributions from both corporate sponsors and community supporters. "The Variety Games Festival was really quite unique," said Lynne Wallace, president and CEO of Variety - The Children's Charity. "For eight days, hundreds of participants from all walks of life and ability levels had a chance to actively compete with Paralympic and Olympic champions. We're very proud that the festival allowed us to showcase our world-class expertise in integrated sports and recreational development." For more information, visit: www.varietyontario.ca.
May 23, 2006
A new study conducted by five US-based economists suggests that charities raise more money going door to door when they get attractive young women to do the asking, particularly if they are blonde. The researchers employed 44 undergraduates to raise money for a new nonprofit research centre at their university. They approached nearly 5,000 homes and spoke with 1,755 residents, 522 of whom made a donation. Women whose beauty was ranked highest by an independent panel received more donations than other women and more than any of the men, raising more than double the hourly amount of the other solicitors. However, this advantage disappeared with potential donors of their own sex. Their results, the researchers wrote, "are entirely driven by households where a male answers the door." -- East Carolina University
May 23, 2006
Last week, the Canadian Council on Learning (CCL) released an innovative and powerful tool to inform Canadians about their progress in learning. The Composite Learning Index examines factors that contribute to learning, from youth through to adults, both in and out of the workplace. The index points to the fact that Canadians are strong learners when they are in school but don't fare as well once they graduate. Overall, Canadians get a passing grade - 73 on a scale of 100 - but in some areas they lag behind. For example, 42% of Canadian adults are considered not to have the literacy skills needed to succeed in a knowledge-based economy, and only 35% of Canadians are offered on-the-job training.
The index is both a research tool and a catalyst for change, said CCL's president and CEO Paul Cappon. "By connecting the dots between different facets of learning, we have a much better sense of our strengths and weaknesses," he said. "The Composite Learning Index will help get to the root of why we are falling short in some of the most critical areas of learning. It will promote a long overdue, national dialogue on the importance of lifelong learning in Canada." For complete information and results from the Composite Learning Index, visit: www.ccl-cca.ca.
May 23, 2006
The City of Toronto has launched the 2006 Neighbourhood Beautification Project for community groups to apply for up to $1,500 funding toward beautifying underused spaces in each ward. The project is designed to engage communities to "adopt" orphan spaces in their area. These spaces might include various sites such as city boulevards, overgrown gardens, or graffiti covered walls. Community groups are asked to maintain the project over time and are encouraged to source incremental funds or in-kind donations from within their local communities. The deadline for applications is June 16th. For more information about the criteria and the application process, contact your local Councillor or visit: www.toronto.ca/cleanandbeautiful.
May 23, 2006
The Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital campus redevelopment campaign received an anonymous $300,000 donation last week. It's been three years since the effort to raise the $6-million community portion of a planned $23-million redevelopment of the town's hospital site was launched. "It's certainly the shot in the arm the campaign needs," said Tara Gesner, coordinator of the Your Health...Our Promise campaign. With this latest donation, the campaign's community portion has reached the $3.85 million mark, for a total of more than $20 million overall. For more information about the hospital campaign, visit: www.yourhealthourpromise.com.
May 15, 2006
The University of Saskatchewan announced a private donation of $4.78 million toward its capital fundraising campaign. It is the single largest private donation in the university's history. The gift comes from University of Saskatchewan alumni Ron and Jane Graham, who donated $3 million for technical and professional communication studies in the College of Engineering, $1.2 million to build a new clubhouse at Griffiths stadium, $300,000 for student scholarships, and $10,000 for the Huskies basketball teams. "Athletic programs enhance the all-round development and life experience of the student and excellent communication programs provide the valuable tools or interpersonal skills for success in the business world," said Ron Graham. The donation brings the university above its fundraising target of $100 million to $102 million for the Thinking the World of Our Future campaign. For more information, visit: www.usask.ca.
May 15, 2006
Last week, the Alberta Voluntary Sector Insurance Council (AVSIC) unveiled a new guide that offers practical tips, tools, and checklists to help charities and nonprofits understand their insurance needs and navigate the complex process of finding the appropriate insurance coverage. The Insurance Toolkit for the Voluntary Sector: A Guide for Nonprofits and Charities was developed for AVSIC by the Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations (COVO). "The programs and activities offered by nonprofits and charities are critical to the health and vitality of our community," says Katherine van Kooy, president and CEO of the COVO and a member of AVSIC. "This toolkit will help voluntary sector organizations make informed decisions about their insurance needs so as to reduce their liability and be positioned to offer their community-based programs for years to come." Visit CCVO's web site to download an electronic version of the toolkit: www.calgarycvo.org.
May 15, 2006
Donors gave $245 million to community foundations across Canada last year, making 2005 the movement's second consecutive year of record-breaking donations. New gifts rose 17% over last year's record $210 million. Community foundations also distributed a record number of grants, contributing a total of $115 million to thousands of community organizations. The total assets of Canada's community foundations now stand at $2.3 billion - a $300-million increase from last year. -- Community Foundations of Canada
May 15, 2006
The Showcase Ontario Voluntary Sector IT Awards are currently seeking award nominations from community-based organizations that are using information technology to improve accessibility, effectiveness, and/or outreach, as well as those that are employing technology in creative and innovative ways to fundraise, work with volunteers, or develop partnerships. The awards are part of the Partnership Platform initiative, a project of the Information Technology Association of Canada for Ontario (ITAC Ontario), the Coalition of Ontario Voluntary Organizations, and OnTarget. Awards will be given out in September 2006. The deadline for submissions is June 1st. For more information about nomination guidelines, visit: www.partnershipplatform.ca. [Editor's Note: To learn more about the Partnership Platform, check out this week's Cover Story.]
May 15, 2006
Richard Currie, chair of the board of BCE, and his wife Elizabeth are donating $2 million to the Art Gallery of Ontario's (AGO) education program. The funds will endow the position of director of education and public programming, and the endowment will be renamed after the couple. "For Beth and me, one of the most exciting things about art is the way it can spark excitement and inspiration in people of all ages," said Currie. "We want to make more of those moments happen." For more information about the Art Gallery of Ontario, visit: www.ago.net.
May 15, 2006
The annual Ethics in Action Awards honours businesses and individuals in British Columbia who practice corporate social responsibility (CSR). Each year, the awards celebrate BC-based businesses and business leaders who are building new corporate models. Companies and individuals who work with a business model that balances principles and profits for a better world are encouraged to apply. The deadline for submissions is July 24th. For more information or to apply, visit: www.ethicsinaction.com.
May 15, 2006
Canadians are exhibiting increased confidence about the job market, a new survey finds. Five hundred full-time workers were surveyed and 80% predict little or no likelihood of losing their job in the coming year. However, many still believe the overall job market remains tight: 70% said it would be somewhat or very difficult for an out-of-work employee to find a comparably paying job. Among that group, 27.5% said it would be "very difficult" for a laid-off worker to find a new job. In comparison, 84.3% of employees in Germany believe their own jobs are at risk, and 93.5% say a laid-off worker would have a somewhat or very difficult time finding new work. Of the 18 countries included in the survey, workers in Norway showed the greatest level of confidence in their job security, followed by Japan, Denmark, Hong Kong, and Sweden. Canada ranked eighth, while the US ranked 14th, and Germany came in last. -- Right Management
May 15, 2006
Last weekend, thousands of walkers in more than 45 communities across the country raised a record-breaking $2.7 million for Kids Help Phone during the fifth annual Bell Walk for Kids Help Phone. The one-day walk is the largest national fundraising activity for the organization. This year's total represents a 30% increase over last year's event, and exceeds the 2006 national fundraising goal. Funds raised through the Bell Walk for Kids Help Phone will help the organization enhance its web site and hire additional counsellors needed to meet the ever-increasing demand from kids. For more information, visit: www.bellwalkforkidshelpphone.ca.
May 15, 2006
Last week, War Child Canada released the first-ever national youth opinion poll on Canadian youth attitudes about global issues and Canada's role in the world. Conducted by Environics Research Group, the War Child Canada Youth Opinion Poll is the first comprehensive, national public opinion survey of young Canadians' attitudes towards human rights and international issues. In total, 750 Canadian youth from all parts of the country, and between the ages of 15-24, were surveyed. Some key survey findings include:For more information and complete poll results, visit: www.warchild.ca.
- Peacekeeping and foreign aid are seen as Canada's most positive contributions to the world. Youth give Canada highest ratings for peacekeeping and the response to the Asian tsunami, and lowest ratings on its response to HIV/AIDS in Africa and the crisis in Sudan's Darfur region.
- By a six-to-one margin, youth prefer that Canada work more closely with the United Nations than with the United States in working to resolve global problems. Half of youth think that Canada should be doing more to develop a separate cultural identity from Americans.
- Almost all Canadian youth believe that youth can make a difference in making the world a better place to live; however, most also believe that decision-makers do not take young people's views on world issues seriously.
May 8, 2006
Charities across the country applauded the federal government last week when it announced that, effective immediately, donations of publicly listed securities to registered charities will be exempt from capital gains tax. According to the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), the elimination of the capital gains tax on gifts of appreciated securities is expected to increase giving by hundreds of millions and possibly billions of dollars annually.
"This is a huge victory for Canada's charities," said Susan Mullin, director of development at the York University Foundation and chair of AFP's Government Relations Committee. "This policy change will dramatically enhance charitable giving in Canada. There are major donors across the country who have been waiting for this type of incentive so they can make their gift. The opportunities for charities to build their capacity and expand programs have now multiplied with this provision." For more information, visit: www.afpnet.org.
May 8, 2006
Stephen Harper's government delivered its first budget last week. It was a good news budget for registered charities, with the government announcing the elimination of the capital gains tax on donated securities. The arts community will benefit as well, with $50 million for the Canada Council for the Arts over two years to enhance and support the arts in Canada. The budget also included $1 billion for the Post-Secondary Education Infrastructure Trust for universities, colleges and related services. However, this funding is contingent upon the government having sufficient funds from the 2005-06 surplus in excess of $2 billion. Parents will receive subsidies for enrolling their children in fitness programs, as well as $1,200 a year for each child under the age of six. However, the national daycare plan developed by the Liberals has been scrapped. Canada's participation in the Kyoto Protocol is in question, with the announcement of a 'made in Canada' environmental plan. For reaction to how the budget addresses environmental issues, visit: www.greenbudget.ca. For complete budget coverage, visit: www.fin.gc.ca.
May 8, 2006
A new survey finds that only one in ten Americans believe that charities use donations honestly and ethically, and 32% believe that the nonprofit world is moving in the wrong direction. Nevertheless, more than 90% of adults made a financial contribution to a charity in the last year. Older people, are the most skeptical of charities - only 21% of respondents over age 65 feel that nonprofit organizations are on the right track, compared with 36% of those ages 18 to 24 and 38% of those ages 25 to 29. Despite their views about the nonprofit sector, 95% of those 50 and older have made a financial contribution in the past year, compared with 75% of those ages 18 to 29. Older adults are also more likely to volunteer their time. Sixty-four percent of those ages 50 to 64 and 72% of those 65 and older said they volunteer at least monthly, compared with 52% of those ages 18 to 24 and 59% of those 25 to 29. -- Harris Interactive
May 8, 2006
British Columbia's only mining engineering program received $7.5 million last week from Teck Cominco Limited - one of Canada's largest mining companies - and its partners. The gift will create the Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering, at the University of British Columbia (UBC), in honour of the company's former president and CEO. The funding will provide support for infrastructure upgrades, faculty recruitment, and an enriched student experience for an expanded number of students. For more information, visit: www.publicaffairs.ubc.ca.
May 8, 2006
The Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations (CCVO) released research that offers new insights into how nonprofit organizations in Calgary are financed. Taking Stock: Examining the Financing of Nonprofit Community Organizations in Calgary examines how costs related to programs are financed and the implications when a program's full costs are not met. Six key themes emerged from the research:For more information, visit: www.calgarycvo.org.
- Organizations face a complex and fragmented funding environment that is poorly serving both nonprofit organizations and funders.
- There are broad-based and systemic funding challenges.
- Core funding is linked to organizational capacity.
- Fees and fundraising are not the solution.
- There is a visible impact of the revenue/expense funding gap on human resources.
- There are limitations to the silo approach to funding.
May 8, 2006
The Canadian Council on Social Development (CCSD) released a new report last week that examines the state of child well-being in North America. Growing Up in North America: Child Well-Being in Canada, the United States & Mexico reveals that gains in human development across the continent have not kept pace with the last decade's dramatic advances in technology, trade, and investment. The three project partners - CCSD, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, and Red por los Derechos de la Infancia en México - call for attention to child well-being against a backdrop of economic and social change in North America. For more information, visit: www.ccsd.ca.
At the same time, UNICEF has issued an international report underlining the need for foreign investment to combat a global epidemic of child undernutrition that now contributes to about 5.6 million child deaths a year. Progress for Children: A Report Card on Nutrition, says that more than one quarter of all children under the age of five in developing countries are underweight, many to a life-threatening degree. For more information, or to download the report, visit: www.unicef.ca.
May 8, 2006
According to a Statistics Canada study, about 32% of adults attend a religious service every month, but another 21% of the people who were surveyed said they carried out some religious practice, such as praying or meditating in private, at least on a monthly basis. Of those who infrequently attended religious services over the year prior to the survey, 37% said they engaged in religious practices on their own on a weekly basis. And of those who had not attended any religious services over the previous year, 27% said they engaged in weekly religious practices on their own. Overall, 40% of Canadians have a low degree of religiosity, 31% are moderately religious, and 29% are highly religious. -- Statistics Canada
May 8, 2006
Ontario's Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman announced that the province will invest $117.8 million to improve home care and community support services. The government also unveiled a comprehensive plan to address the recommendations from Elinor Caplan's review of Community Care Access Centres (CCACs). "Elinor Caplan's report has given us a road map to improve the CCAC system and we are making a $30-million investment to implement her recommendations," said Smitherman. The funding announcement also includes:For more information, visit: www.health.gov.on.ca.
- $35 million increase to CCACs for acute home care services
- $26.7 million for Ontario's end-of-life care strategy
- $12.75 million in funding for in-home rehabilitation services for people who have had hip and knee replacements
- $13.1 million for community services
May 8, 2006
The Toronto International Film Festival Group (TIFFG) will create a children's international film collection thanks to a $500,000 donation from the Toronto-based Harbinger Foundation. In recognition of the gift, and in memory of the Harbinger Foundation president Joan VanDuzer's late husband, the collection will be named the John VanDuzer Children's Film Collection. This first-of-its-kind collection will be a comprehensive, active, international collection dedicated to children's and family film, made up of classic and contemporary works from countries and cultures around the world. For more information, visit: www.tiffg.ca.
May 8, 2006
Assets of the largest donor-advised funds in the US grew by a median of more than 20% from 2004 to 2005, the largest gain since 2001. The funds distributed $3.3 billion to charity last year, a 20.8% increase from the $2.7 billion awarded in 2004. The median payout rate for all funds was about 17.5% of assets. -- Chronicle of Philanthropy
May 8, 2006
Last week, a group of First Nations women and their supporters embarked on a walk around two Great Lakes. During the 2006 Mother Earth Water Walk, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario will be circled simultaneously by two groups of Anishinabe women and men. "It's important to bring awareness to people of the state of our water and that we have to do something about it," said Irene Peters, 67, lead Grandmother on the Lake Erie walk. "Water is precious and sacred. It is one of the basic elements needed for all life to exist," said Grandmother Josephine Mandamin, 63, who will lead the Lake Ontario walk. Both Grandmothers hope the Mother Earth Water Walk will instill a positive dialogue among grassroots citizens as well as government and policy makers. The Water Walkers are also raising funds to support the endeavour. For more information, visit: www.motherearthwaterwalk.com.
May 1, 2006
An elderly gift shop volunteer at the Campbell River and District General Hospital was beaten to death late last week at the Vancouver Island hospital. Seventy-eight-year-old Phyllis Hards had volunteered with the hospital auxiliary for more than 20 years and was recently recognized for spending more than 10,000 hours running the hospital's gift shop. Her good works had also been highlighted in the CharityVillage Spotlight during National Volunteer Week in 2001.Police have charged 26-year-old Dale Olvai Huttunen with second degree murder in the attack. Witnesses say that Huttunen had been at the hospital earlier last week and returned on Friday morning. He began smashing property before attacking Hards. Hards was rushed to the emergency room for treatment but later died from her injuries. The Vancouver Island Health Authority is offering counselling services to its employees and volunteers.
May 1, 2006
The findings of the first national study of nonprofit board governance practices in Canada were announced last week. The landmark study, conducted by Strategic Leverage Partners, in partnership with the Centre for Voluntary Sector Research and Development, identifies the key issues facing nonprofit boards. The study finds that while many nonprofit boards are making an effort to improve their governance and are achieving some success, many are experiencing challenges in trying to keep up with new standards and trends.
Study participants shared a number of successful practices so that other nonprofit organizations facing similar challenges would benefit. A wide variety of successful practices are included as part of the study, ranging from persuading the board to support improved governance, to identifying the appropriate board structure, and finding and retaining qualified board members. To download the full report, visit: www.strategicleveragepartners.com. [Editor's Note: For more information and results from the study, check out next week's Cover Story.]
May 1, 2006
Volunteer Canada has established Canada's first Corporate Council on Volunteering. The newly formed council is comprised of Canadian corporate leaders who recognize and support employee volunteer initiatives, and plan to inspire other business leaders to do the same. One of the council's first tasks will be to lay the groundwork for the Corporate Challenge on Volunteering. The venture calls on Canadian businesses of all sizes to support and encourage volunteer initiatives, and aims to encourage business to donate 150,000 volunteer hours by September 2006. "Employer-supported volunteering is becoming a global phenomenon and Canada needs corporate leaders to champion this cause," said Volunteer Canada president Marlene Deboisbriand. "This council marks a new era for volunteerism in Canada and I am very confident that with our combined talents, skills and resources, we can put Canada on the map with the leading countries in the world that excel at this kind of important contribution." For more information, visit: www.volunteer.ca.
May 1, 2006
The Canadian Council on Social Development (CCSD) has released a comprehensive new report about immigrants and the contributions they make to Canadian society. Making Connections: Social and civic engagement among Canadian immigrants is a 45-page report that examines trends in volunteer work, donations, and membership in community organizations. For more information about Making Connections, visit: www.ccsd.ca/pubs/2006/makingconnections/.
The CCSD has also made available Progress of Canada's Children and Youth 2006, the seventh edition of this longstanding CCSD information product. It now has its own website with sections covering everything from demographics to economic security to health. For more information, visit: www.ccsd.ca/pccy/2006.
May 1, 2006
According to a new study by the Canadian Council on Social Development, immigrants give larger donations, on average, than the Canadian-born population, and their level of giving rises in direct proportion to their length of time in Canada. However, immigrants are slightly less likely to volunteer their time than people born in Canada. The study found the highest rate of volunteering among immigrants in Atlantic Canada (35%), followed by those in the Prairies (34%) and British Columbia (30%). Just over one-quarter of Ontario immigrants (28%) and 24% of immigrants in Quebec volunteered their time in 2003. -- CCSD
May 1, 2006
A CBC News investigation suggests that healthcare and social assistance workers are much more likely to file compensation claims over violence in the workplace than employees in other Canadian sectors. In some provinces, the rate of violence-related claims is 12 times higher than for all other industries, according to databases from provincial workplace safety insurance boards that the CBC recently gained access to. A union representing 14,000 healthcare and social service workers in BC says workers are being punched, grabbed, pushed and threatened verbally by their patients and clients. Healthcare workers say the trend to de-institutionalize people with mental illnesses, bringing them into emergency rooms, is one reason for the increase in violence. And with an aging population, more people with dementia are in long-term care facilities. For more information and statistics, visit: www.cbc.ca/news/background/workplace-safety.
May 1, 2006
The HR Council for the Voluntary/Non-profit Sector is seeking recent research on paid employment in the sector. This could include research that provides information about organizations with paid staff, or about employee demographics. It could be about organizations' compensation practices, about skills needs and gaps, strategies for on-the-job learning, or about a particular HR issue facing your organization. The information provided will help the HR Council to take into account what has already been done, and to avoid duplication. For more information, visit: www.hrcouncil.ca.
May 1, 2006
Diana Krall, Tony Bennett, Elton John, Elvis Costello and former US President Bill Clinton joined forces in Vancouver recently for a gala charity event to raise funds for the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation. An audience of 550 gathered for the concert, raising more than $2.5 million for research at Vancouver General Hospital. "The funds raised from the event will benefit the recently established Hematology Clinical Trials Unit at VGH to provide quicker access to new treatments for blood-related cancers, while establishing our hospital as a recognized world leader in hematology," said Ron Dumouchelle, president and CEO, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation. For more information, visit: www.supportvgh.ca.
May 1, 2006
Canada's community foundations are launching a new national project aimed at measuring the vitality of their communities on an annual basis. The yearly report cards will track and grade each community's quality of life in key areas such as the economy, health, housing, learning, and the environment. The pilot phase of the national Vital Signs project will begin this year, with community foundations in Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Medicine Hat, Red Deer, Kitchener-Waterloo, Ottawa, and Montreal participating. A national summary report will also be issued annually by Community Foundations of Canada (CFC), starting next year. CFC's national project is based on Toronto's Vital Signs, a successful indicator report developed by Toronto Community Foundation and first published in 2001. For more information, visit: www.cfc-fcc.ca.
May 1, 2006
A new report from the US-based Foundation Center reveals slow but steady growth for the foundation sector in 2005. The report found that foundation giving grew to $33.6 billion in 2005, a 5.5% increase from the previous year. Nearly 32% of foundations increased the number of grants they made in 2005, and 28% reported an increase in the number of nonprofits they supported. Just over half of survey respondents expect to increase their giving in 2006, while 32% expect to reduce their giving. Despite the overall increase in grantmaking, assets of US foundations only rose by an estimated 2 to 4% in 2005, compared with a 7.1% gain in 2004, and an almost 10% rise in 2003. -- Foundation Center
May 1, 2006
Last week, IBM awarded a grant of more than $1 million to Ste-Justine Research Centre in Montreal to accelerate cancer research in personalized treatment for childhood leukemia and other complex pediatric diseases. The information provided by the research will be used to provide clinicians with tools to better evaluate a patient's condition and which treatment best suits his or her genetic profile. For more information, visit: www.chu-sainte-justine.org.
May 1, 2006
According to a new report published by the C.D. Howe Institute, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) is less open to feedback, less focused, more bureaucratic, and has a much greater share of staff and decision-making authority at headquarters than in the field, compared to aid agencies in other countries. The authors of How Canada Can Improve Its Development Aid: Lessons from Other Aid Agencies say this makes Canadian aid less effective than it could be. They recommend that the federal government remedy this with strong leadership and a more open policy environment. To download the paper in PDF format, visit: www.cdhowe.org.
May 1, 2006
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Canadian Evaluation Society (CES), the Ontario Chapter of CES (CES-ON) is asking organizations across Ontario to recount how an evaluator contributed to their cause. All types of organizations that have benefited from evaluation are encouraged to enter. Two prizes will be awarded - one for an Ontario evaluator (or an evaluation unit/firm) and another for an Ontario student (or a class) of evaluation. Winners will be invited to the 25th Anniversary Award Ceremony in June. Additionally, the award ceremony will serve as a fundraising event, and CES-ON will match the proceeds from this event and donate them to the two entry organizations. The deadline for entries is May 26th. For more information, visit: www.evaluationontario.ca.
May 1, 2006
Students in rural and northern studies at the University of Regina got a significant boost last week with a $225,000 donation from BMO Financial Group. The bank's gift to the university's Building Dreams and Futures campaign will establish the BMO Financial Group Fellowship Program for Rural and Northern Studies. The fellowship program will provide funding over a five-year period to attract and retain exceptional graduate student researchers in the field of rural and northern studies. Some current research projects in rural and northern studies at the University of Regina include: integrated mental health service delivery in First Nation communities; improving HIV/AIDS support structures in northern Saskatchewan aboriginal communities; and community collaboration to improve health care access of northern residents. For more information, visit: www.uregina.ca.
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