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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: June 2007
Articles are arranged in reverse chronological order.
Couple donates $15 million to school of social work
June 25, 2007
Bay Street financier Sheldon Inwentash and his wife, Lynn Factor donated $15 million last week to the University of Toronto's School of Social Work. It is the largest single donation ever made to a social work faculty anywhere in North America. The gift will fund five new research chairs in the faculty and provide scholarships to 50 students in the school's masters program. “This is not a well-paying industry,” Mr. Inwentash said. “We wanted to help those who are not at the top of the pecking order in terms of money and profile. We wanted to help attract the best and the brightest students and faculty.” For more information, visit: www.news.utoronto.ca.
June 25, 2007
According to new research sponsored by the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy, fundraisers might be more committed to the causes their organizations serve than the organizations themselves. The Revolving Door: A Study on the Voluntary Turnover (Intent to Stay) of Fundraisers in the Nonprofit Sector examined how long fundraisers are staying at their current position and their primary reasons for leaving. The average length of service for the participants in the study was 3.6 years. Females averaged 3.5 years, while males averaged 4.17 years.While a fundraiser’s commitment to the mission of his or her current organization was very important, organizational commitment was not found to be a significant factor. The research was conducted by Aleah Horstman, Ph.D. She calls for additional research in this area, but conjectures that organizational commitment may be different in nonprofits than in for-profits, or simply that a fundraiser’s loyalty to a cause displaces the typical loyalty a worker might have for his or her organization. To download the report in PDF format, visit: www.afpnet.org.
June 25, 2007
Philanthropist and businessman Ron Joyce pledged $10 million to help launch McMaster University's Burlington campus. Joyce's donation is the first for the project, which will house graduate and executive leadership programs from the DeGroote School of Business, and a community family practice teaching unit of the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine. Joyce, who chairs the Campaign for McMaster University, said his donation was a leadership gift to create momentum for the project. Classes at the McMaster University campus in Burlington are expected to begin September 2009. For more information, visit: dailynews.mcmaster.ca.
Fast Fact: Most people proactive in finding volunteer positions
June 25, 2007
When it comes to finding volunteer work, most people secure a position by approaching an organization themselves. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2006 this is how 40% of volunteers became involved with their current organization. The second most popular method was to be asked by someone within that organization (26.5%). Fourteen percent were asked by a friend, relative or co-worker, and 1.4% report being asked by their boss/employer. -- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
June 25, 2007
MDS Inc., a global life sciences company, and Dr. Donald Rix announced that they will give $4 million to the BC Cancer Foundation and the BC Children's Hospital Foundation. The organizations will each receive $2 million to support innovative research. The gifts are being made in recognition of Dr. Rix's role in establishing and growing the diagnostics business in British Columbia during a long and successful partnership with MDS over the past two decades.The gifts will be used to create an Early Lung Cancer Detection and Translational Research Program at the BC Cancer Agency and support research into Huntington disease at the Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at the Child & Family Research Institute - the research partner of the BC Children's Hospital. For more information, visit: newsreleases.mdsinc.com.
June 25, 2007
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is encouraging organizations to report any concerns or dissatisfaction with the service they've received from Client Services, General Enquiries or other areas within the Charities Directorate. If the responsible manager is unable to resolve the service issue to your satisfaction, you have the right to file a formal complaint with CRA. In general, service refers to the quality and timeliness of the work performed by the CRA. Service-related complaints include: mistakes, which could refer to misunderstandings, omissions or oversights; undue delays; poor or misleading information; or staff behaviour. For more information, visit: www.cra-arc.gc.ca.
June 25, 2007
The 5th Annual Rick Hansen Wheels In Motion event raised more than $2 million to help improve the quality of life of people with spinal cord injury. "Twenty years ago, my dream was to make communities more accessible and inclusive," said Rick Hansen, president and CEO of the Rick Hansen Foundation. "By raising awareness of the need to make our communities more welcoming, accepting and supportive of people with spinal cord injury, we are making a real difference in the quality of life for thousands of Canadians from Victoria to St. John's." Funds raised support quality of life projects in the areas of education, skill development, sports and leisure activities, equipment, awareness, peer support programs and integration into the community following a spinal cord injury. Canadians can still donate at Scotiabank branches across Canada or online until June 30, 2007. For more information, visit: www.rickhansen.com.
June 25, 2007
Here is an opportunity for you to easily collect a donation for your organization, while helping to potentially improve the understanding of how to best run a charity. David Vuong, a graduate student at Queen’s University, invites you and your charity to participate in a 15-minute online survey that looks at how people share their expertise and knowledge in charities. Participants and their charities will also receive a report that summarizes the findings of the study. The survey closes soon. For more details, contact David at dvuong@business.queensu.ca.
June 25, 2007
The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation recently awarded fifteen Trudeau Scholar prizes, worth up to $150,000 each, to a new group of outstanding Canadian doctoral students. Aside from the prize money, Trudeau Foundation Scholars receive individual mentoring from highly accomplished professionals in their field of study and become part of a strong network of policy researchers and practitioners. With research topics ranging from the environmental health risks for waste collectors to the relationships between parents who adopt foster children, to ways to create and encourage female leaders in the community, the Trudeau Scholars will develop their ideas into deep scholarly work with the goal of enhancing society's understanding, practices and policies. For more information, visit: www.fondationtrudeau.ca.
June 25, 2007
More than 80 teams took part in Prince Edward Island's Relay For Life event this year, raising more than $157,000 so far, with donations still coming in. The Canadian Cancer Society event is held in communities across Canada and this year there were relays hosted in Summerside, Kensington and Westisle. Money from the fundraising goes to programs in the province that support and provide information to Islanders living with cancer, fund research, and help with healthy-lifestyle promotion. For more information about Relay for Life, visit: www.cancer.ca.
June 18, 2007
On June 6th, more than 3,000 Tim Hortons stores in North America donated their entire coffee sales and funds raised through Camp Day events and activities to the Tim Horton Children's Foundation. Together they raised $8.3 million, exceeding last year's total of $7.2 million. The money will give kids the opportunity to experience a camping adventure this year. "We are truly amazed at the outpouring of generosity from Tim Hortons customers and each year this event continues to surpass everyone's expectations," said Don Schroeder, president of the Tim Horton Children's Foundation. For more information, visit: www.timhortons.com/en/news/news_releases.html.
June 18, 2007
Metcalf Innovation Fellow Lynn Eakin recently released an update to her 2006 report, Advancing the Nonprofit Sector. In Rethinking NonProfit Ontario, Eakin discusses further recommendations and observations based on her consultations within the sector. She believes there is a need to proactively build a cross-sector network that will reach all those in the nonprofit sector working for the public good. The network will guide the mapping of sector communication channels, identify current and emerging issues within sectors, and assist with the cross-sector translation and communication of promising change strategies. To download the paper in PDF format, visit: www.metcalffoundation.com.
June 18, 2007
The ePhilanthropy Foundation estimates that total online giving in the United States reached approximately $6.87 billion (USD) last year, a 51% increase over 2005 estimates. The growth is driven by significant increases in online giving for both small and large organizations and the unprecedented use of the Internet by individuals for non-disaster and disaster support efforts. The United States represents slightly more than 50% of worldwide giving online. Global giving is estimated to have surpassed $13.2 billion (USD). -- ePhilanthropy Foundation
June 18, 2007
Last week, the Alberta government announced that it will provide $12 million to the Rick Hansen Foundation to support spinal cord injury research, treatment and services. The $12-million investment, provided over three years, will assist Alberta-based organizations to better meet the needs of Albertans with spinal cord injury and other mobility impairments and help them integrate back into the workforce and improve their quality of life. For more information, visit: www.rickhansen.com.
June 18, 2007
Through the 2007 Pillar Community Innovation Awards, London's Pillar Nonprofit Network is celebrating the ways in which innovation, leadership and contributions to the nonprofit and charitable sector make a difference in the community. The four award categories include: community innovation, community leadership, community impact, and community collaboration. Potential nominees may include nonprofit organizations in London and area, the people at the heart of these organizations, and/or the individuals and corporations who provide ongoing support to the sector. The deadline for nominations is September 21st, 2007. For more information or to download a nomination package, visit: www.pillarv.com.
June 18, 2007
According to the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), the main umbrella body for charities in England, policies that treat faith-based organizations as separate from the rest of civil society may be detrimental. In a new report, Faith and Voluntary Action, NCVO states that while faith-based organizations (such as religious congregations, local community groups and charities) are distinctive, by treating them as separate from secular charities or community groups, there is a danger that policymakers will alienate civil society.The report aims to address some of the questions and misunderstandings surrounding faith-based organizations, addresses some of the more commonly used concepts associated with their work, and reviews current evidence regarding their scope, coverage and activities. The goal is to enable wider civil society to more effectively engage with faith communities. For more information or to download the full report, visit: www.ncvo-vol.org.uk.
June 18, 2007
IssueLab, a new online publishing forum for nonprofit research, has commissioned an independent international survey. The goal is to better understand the current scope and reach of research activity in the nonprofit sector and how the impact of research activity might be broadened and enhanced. IssueLab is seeking input from nonprofits, funding organizations, academics, and other individuals who support the sector. To participate in the survey, visit: www.issuelab.com/survey
June 18, 2007
The earnings gap between young women and men only declined moderately during the 1990s, despite a dramatic increase in the proportion of young women holding a university degree, according to a new study. From 1991 to 2001, the proportion of 25- to 29-year-old women holding a university degree went from 21% to 34%. In contrast, the proportion of 25- to 29-year-old men holding a university degree only rose moderately over the period, from 16% in 1991 to 21% in 2001. Despite the sharp increase in the number of women with a university degree, those aged 25 to 29 earned 20% less than men in 1991. By 2001, the gap had narrowed only slightly, to 18%. The study also found that the earnings gap between young women and men declined more rapidly in the 1980s, going from 26% in 1981 to 20% in 1991. -- Statistics Canada
June 18, 2007
The Toyota Environmental Activities Grant Program is still accepting applications for its 2007 grant cycle. The program provides support to practical projects conducted by NPOs and other private nonprofit groups throughout the world, under the theme of "Environmental Technology and Human Resource Development Contributing to Environmental Revitalization and Conservation". The deadline for submissions is June 29th. For more information and application guidelines, visit: www.toyota.co.jp/en/environment/ecogrant.
June 11, 2007
Weekend telethons across the country raised record amounts for local children's hospitals. In Quebec, the 20th annual telethon for Opération Enfant Soleil finished with a total of more than $16 million. The funds will be distributed to a number of hospitals and organizations throughout Quebec that help sick children. Across the border in Ottawa, the 24th annual CHEO Telethon wrapped up with a record tally of $5.3 million in donations. And in British Columbia, the BC Children's Hospital Foundation raised $14.6 million during the 20th annual Miracle Weekend.
June 11, 2007
Linda L. Graff, noted author and voluntary sector specialist, and Paul B. Reed, Carleton University Professor and Senior Social Scientist, Statistics Canada, have started a national conversation about the future of our communities - the Who Cares? project. Drawing from the most comprehensive data ever assembled on volunteerism and Canada's declining volunteer rates, Graff and Reed have produced a series of engaging audio conversations to enlighten and inspire Canadians with a way-of-life wake-up call based on compelling but troubling research findings. Local elected politicians, chambers of commerce, and other leaders in business, industry and the nonprofit sector are being urged to take action immediately. For more information or to listen to the audio conversations, visit: www.canadawhocares.ca.
June 11, 2007
The Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations (CCVO) has made available a research project that looks at the equitable treatment of immigrant/visible minority women as employees and volunteers in the Alberta voluntary sector. Originally published by the Alberta Network of Immigrant Women, the study examines workplace issues experienced by immigrant/visible minority women working and volunteering in the human services sub-sector of the nonprofit sector in Alberta. Recommended strategies for optimizing the workplace experiences of immigrant/visible minority women fell into four main categories:To download the report in PDF format, visit: www.calgarycvo.org.
- Address racism and discrimination.
- Recognize foreign credentials.
- Rectify funding shortfalls.
- Create equitable and well functioning workplaces.
June 11, 2007
New research out of the United Kingdom reveals that government funding for the voluntary sector has increased by only 1.5% since 2001. Grants represented 52% of government funding for charities in 2001/02, but only 38% in 2004/05. During the same period, contracts increased from 48% to 62%. However, the practice of awarding charities contracts for delivering public services instead of grants benefits larger organizations most, with 37% of government funding going to organizations with incomes of more than £10 million, compared to 0.4% given to those with incomes of up to £10,000. -- National Council for Voluntary Organisations
June 11, 2007
Last week, the Canadian Conference of the Arts (CCA) announced the publication of its annual in-depth analysis of the federal budget related to arts and culture issues. The CCA examined federal funding to the Department of Canadian Heritage (DCH), its agencies and crown corporations, from 2005-2006 to 2007-2008. The analysis also looks at organizational and funding changes within the DCH, federal funding of key programs across the arts, heritage and cultural industries, and other noteworthy developments affecting the sector. For more information or to request a copy of the report, visit: www.ccarts.ca.
June 11, 2007
Alcan Inc. will commit more than $6 million over four years to the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, confirming the company's role as co-presenter of the festival through the year 2010. "Alcan's renewed enthusiasm is very promising...and gives us the opportunity to offer festival goers many more free activities and shows, such as the fantastic closing party, which will undoubtedly contribute to the festival's fame and to Montreal's cultural reputation throughout the world," said festival president Alain Simard. For more information about the festival, visit: www.montrealjazzfest.com.
June 11, 2007
The Philanthropy Awareness Initiative released its second major report, entitled Making Foundations Relevant: Conversations with 21st Century Leaders in Philanthropy. The paper looks at what US-based foundation leaders think about the sector and how it is perceived by those external to it. Researchers found almost universal agreement that the role and importance of the sector does not register with critical audiences to the extent that it should. The report concludes that: the foundation sector has not defined a clear role that firmly establishes its relevance and importance in American society; foundations are not connecting with their audiences; and there does not appear to be clear and compelling motivation to change public perception. To download a copy of the report in PDF format, visit: philanthropyawareness.org.
June 11, 2007
Ottawa was in the pink last weekend as more than 1,000 men and women came together to raise $2.6 million during the city's second annual Weekend to End Breast Cancer, a two-day 60-kilometre walk benefiting the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation. "This is a great moment of pride," said Linda Eagen, president and CEO of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation. "We will find a way to beat this together." For more information, visit: www.endcancer.ca
June 11, 2007
According to a new survey, 73% of executives believe they can perform their boss's job better than their current manager. And nearly two-thirds (65%) of executives indicated that they aspire to attain their boss's job. Nevertheless, when asked to rate their boss's performance, the largest percentage of executives (42%) marked it as either "excellent" or "above average", while another 23% cited it as "average". Only 14% of executives ranked their boss's performance as "below average" and 11% deemed it "poor". When asked if they trust their boss, almost two-thirds of executives (65%) indicated that they did, while the other 35% said they did not. -- Korn/Ferry International
June 11, 2007
More than 1,200 cyclists, walkers and volunteers took part in the 15th annual Manulife Bike and Hike for Heart, helping raise $200,000 for St. Mary's Regional Cardiac Care Centre in Kitchener. In its 15-year history, the event has raised more than $2 million for heart health in Waterloo Region. "We greatly appreciate the community's overwhelming support for heart health and the cardiac centre," said Moira Taylor, president of St. Mary's General Hospital. "This event has yet again set a high standard in helping our cardiac care centre continue to provide world-class care." For more information, visit: www.manulife.ca/bikeandhike.
June 4, 2007
Toronto philanthropists, Ted and Loretta Rogers, pledged $15 million to Ryerson University. The donation will be directed toward the Faculty of Business, which will be renamed the Ted Rogers School of Management. The majority of the gift will be used to establish 52 new undergraduate and graduate student awards and scholarships, as well as establish a new Research Chair. "Ted and Loretta Rogers are community leaders second to none, with a deep commitment to education and to students," said Sheldon Levy, president of Ryerson University. "We are honoured to name our school of management after one of Canada's most accomplished businessmen and entrepreneurs." For more information, visit: www.ryerson.ca.
June 4, 2007
The 2007 Showcase Ontario Voluntary Sector IT Awards are now accepting submissions from organizations that are using information technology to improve accessibility, effectiveness, and outreach. The awards recognize and acknowledge the excellent work many community-based organizations are doing with information technology (IT), whether to develop creative and innovative ways to fundraise, work with volunteers, or develop partnerships. The deadline for nominations is June 15th. For more information or to apply, visit: www.partnershipplatform.ca.
June 4, 2007
Last week, the Cambridge & North Dumfries Community Foundation received $4.5 million from Gord and Maggi Renwick to establish an endowment fund. The couple asked that their gift be used to support such areas as health care, animal care, strengthening neighbourhoods, and providing opportunities for physical activity within the community. For more information about the foundation, visit: www.cambridgefoundation.org.
June 4, 2007
According to a new study by Johns Hopkins University, fundraising continues to be a top concern among nonprofits, despite improvements to the financial situation of many organizations. More than three-quarters (76%) of organizations surveyed rated their financial performance as either “somewhat” or “very” successful during the 12-month period preceding August 2006. Despite this reported success, charitable fundraising was identified as the most significant challenge facing organizations, with 68% of respondents citing it as a "very significant challenge". When asked to identify their single biggest challenge, 24% respondents again cited fundraising, followed by government budget cuts (18%), generating fee income (11%), staff recruitment (10%), and access to investment capital (5%). -- Johns Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies
June 4, 2007
The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) announced more than $12 million in recent major gifts to the Renaissance ROM Campaign, bringing the total amount raised so far to $262 million. The new gifts include $2 million from Peter and Melanie Munk, and a gift of $2.5 million from Alfred G. Wirth. As well, two members of the ROM board agreed to match Mr. Wirth’s gift with an additional $2.5 million each, and ROM Governor Robert Farquharson announced his third gift to the campaign, bringing his total support to more than $1 million. For more information, visit: www.rom.on.ca.
June 4, 2007
The US-based Philanthropy Awareness Initiative has released a new report on philanthropy in the news. It offers a historical media analysis that reveals the following findings:To download the full report in PDF format, visit: philanthropyawareness.org/media_book.pdf.
- Media coverage increased during the period studied, January 1, 1990 to December 31, 2004;
- Only 1% of 38,000 stories analyzed discuss the benefit or impact of philanthropic activity;
- Contrary to common perception of coverage about the sector, only 1% of stories analyzed were negative; and
- Coverage was mostly "transactional", focusing on individual giving transactions, philanthropic events, and passing references to philanthropy.
June 4, 2007
A Brockville couple donated $2 million to provide long-term care for South African orphans. SOS Children’s Villages Canada announced last week that Donald and Shirley Green will contribute $2 million, making them the first Canadians to build an SOS Children’s Village. "We have been very blessed in our lives and our family feels so fortunate to be able to share these blessings with the children of Namibia," said Don Green. "These children are suffering. This new village will allow these children to have a home and a newfound family. They will now be surrounded by the love, attention and care that they so rightly deserve." Construction of the Green Family - SOS Children’s Village, Ondangwa is scheduled to begin in July 2007 and be completed by late spring 2008. For more information, visit: www.soschildrensvillages.ca.
June 4, 2007
The Alzheimer Society of BC recently held its "Forget Me Not" Golf Tournament, raising more than $485,000 for the cause. Over the past 13 years, the tournament has raised more than $4 million dollars for research, programs and services for the Alzheimer Society. An estimated 450,000 people in Canada have Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. More than 24 million people worldwide suffer from some form of dementia and the number is expected to rise to 81 million by the year 2040. For more information, visit: www.alzheimerbc.org
June 4, 2007
Michael Gilbert, of Nonprofit Online News, recently published the results and lessons of the 2007 LifeWork Survey. Entitled Making the Most of Our Time: How People In Civil Society Face the Tough Questions of Meaningful Work, the report looks at the results to six questions, divided into three areas of interest: Would people stick with their jobs if they knew that they didn't have long to live? How aware are they of how they are spending their time and (therefore) their life? And how widespread are personal practices of reflection or personal mission statements as tools for managing work and life choices? For more information and to view the results of the survey, visit: news.gilbert.org/MakingTheMostOfOurTime.
June 4, 2007
Peter Vegso, publisher of the popular Chicken Soup for the Soul series, made a million-dollar gift to the Coady International Institute at St. Francis Xavier University. The funds will support the construction of a new home for the institute in the heart of the StFX campus. "Through its graduates, the Coady International Institute makes a direct impact in the lives of people in many developing nations," said Mr. Vegso. "It promotes the principles of self-reliance and social justice that are fundamental to social and economic progress. I am pleased to support this unique and important Canadian institution." For more information, visit: www.stfx.ca.
June 4, 2007
Project Water is once again accepting requests for donations of bottled water to help organizations combat the dehydration crisis that people on the streets face during the summer months. For the past six years, the volunteer organization has located and distributed more than one million bottles of donated water to over 100 frontline agencies annually in the Greater Toronto Area. Because of the high demand for water and the limited supply, frontline service providers with no access to running water (i.e. outreach programs) will be given first priority. Submit one request form for each of your programs and include a brief (2-3 lines maximum) description of each of your programs that will be using the water. Project Water will compile all requests and contact recipients directly for pickup information - delivery is not available. The deadline for submissions is June 15th. Pickup and distribution will be on Wednesday, June 27th, from 12 - 5 p.m. For more information or to fill out a request form, visit: www.bargainsgroup.com/signuppw.aspx.
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