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| Path: Main Street : NewsWeek : Archive : NewsBytes : Article |
This is an archive of CharityVillage NewsWeek. To find a word on the page,
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at their publishing date, the quick-changing nature of the web means that some
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To view other articles in the archive, use our Chronological Index.
NewsBytes: December 2007
Articles are arranged in reverse chronological order.
Memorial U receives major boost for engineering department
December 17, 2007
Memorial University of Newfoundland has received the largest single donation from living individuals in its history. Drs. Angus and Jean Bruneau have donated $1,030,643 to create the Angus Bruneau Student Leadership and Innovation Fund in Engineering (aka Angus Bruneau Student LIFE Program). The program will recognize student leadership and innovation in three categories: community service, research, and engineering education and enhancement of the education experience. For more information, visit: today.mun.ca.
December 17, 2007
The London Free Press reported last week that more than 130 people who attended a fundraising event for the Stephen Lewis Foundation are asking for their money back after keynote speaker Stephen Lewis failed to appear. Lewis, a well-known orator and former United Nations special envoy on AIDS, fell ill and couldn't attend, but he said he doesn't read anything into refund requests. "I was part of the evening and I guess people felt they had paid for that and were disappointed in it. I don't know to what extent they might have understood it as a contribution and maybe they made an independent contribution," he added. The demand for refunds has raised the question about the propriety of seeking refunds from a charitable event if the main attraction is a no-show.
Fast Fact: Canada's nonprofit sector accounted for 2.5% of GDP in 2004
December 17, 2007
The latest figures from the satellite account of nonprofit institutions and volunteering reveals that Canada's core nonprofit sector accounted for an estimated 2.5% of the nation's economic activity in 2004, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP). This was almost three times the contribution of the motor vehicle manufacturing industry, 50% more than the agriculture industry, and about the same as the accommodation and food services industry. GDP in the core nonprofit sector reached $29.6 billion in 2004, up 6.5% from 2003. This was a marginally faster gain than the 6.4% increase for the economy as a whole. The social services group accounted for 24.2% of core nonprofit GDP in 2004, still the highest share of any group in the sector. Development and housing consistently held second place, followed by culture and recreation, religion, business and professional associations, and health other than hospitals. -- Statistics Canada
December 17, 2007
Social Venture Partners Calgary is now accepting applications from registered charitable agency serving Calgary. SVP's 2008 grant will be awarded to a nonprofit organization whose services or programs engage at-risk children and/or youth through community based programs involving recreation, arts, education or mentoring. Agencies whose mandate fulfills this focus and who are interested in a long-term relationship with SVP are invited to submit a short online application form. Agencies that work with immigrant children, ESL learners and/or aboriginal children and youth are encouraged to apply. The application deadline is January 11th, 2008. For more information, visit: www.svpcalgary.org.
December 17, 2007
A survey conducted by the US-based Organizers' Collaborative (OC) reveals that organizations face a number of challenges related to technology and collaboration. When asked about the most pressing issues facing their organizations, respondents indicated that general communication issues were at the top of the list, with 98% indicating this as a high interest area. Within this, effective e-mail (93%) and web (86%) communications were the priority. Respondents were also concerned with engaging donors and volunteers, as well as managing the data related to these constituents. Data management was indicated as an important concern for 83% of respondents. Donor (74%), volunteer management (73%) and fundraising (71%) were next in line. Other challenges included lack of funds for technology and lack of IT knowledge, data integration, and social networking, to name a few. For more information about the survey results, visit: organizerscollaborative.org/survey
December 17, 2007
The Western Christian College and High School is celebrating the largest gift in the school's history. An alumnus, who asked to remain anonymous, donated $1 million to the school as an unrestricted gift. "It's a huge encouragement of the school and to the administration and board," said college president Kevin Vance. "It means that people believe in what we're doing; they believe in the leadership of the school, in the strategic plan that we have and the vision for the future and the service that we're providing to the community, which is a safe and secure environment for students to be in," Part of the donation has already been earmarked for the Reach program, which sponsors students to come to the school and finish their high school education. The funding will also help with some of the capital upgrades needed at the school. For more information about Western Christian College and High School, visit: www.westernchristian.ca.
December 17, 2007
The Center on Philanthropy Panel Study (COPPS) found that between 67% and 69% of US families made charitable gifts in 2000, 2002 and 2004. However, the survey showed that some families give some years, but not others. Overall, 56% of households included in the survey give to charity every year, while 29% switch between giving and not giving. Just 14% of households did not give in any of the three years. The COPPS study also revealed that religion was by far the most popular choice for charitable donations, with 45% of households giving to religious organizations and donating an average of $1,858. Other popular causes included: meeting others' basic needs (28%); combined purposes such as United Way or Jewish federations (27%); and health causes (23%). -- Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University
December 17, 2007
The NonProfit Times released its annual list of the top 100 nonprofits in the United States. Total revenue for the NPT 100 organizations was $64.24 billion - an increase of almost 9% compared to last year’s $58.99 billion. The American Red Cross (ARC) took the number one spot this year, knocking the YMCA of the USA into second place. Rounding out the top five were United Jewish Communities, Catholic Charities USA and The Salvation Army. For more information and to view the complete list, visit: www.nptimes.com. (PDF format)
December 17, 2007
Last week, Newfoundland Power announced that The Power of Life Project has increased its gift to $350,000 for PRIORITY: The Campaign for Cancer Care. The donation will be designated for the purchase of a new four-dimensional CT Simulator that will enable the cancer care teams at the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Centre to enhance the accuracy of radiation treatment planning. “Our priority is enhancing radiation treatment services at the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Centre in St. John’s - the only facility in the province where cancer patients can receive radiation treatment,” said Eric Jerrett, chair of the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation. For more information about the foundation, visit: www.cancercarefoundation.nl.ca.
December 17, 2007
Grant Thornton’s fifth annual National Governance Survey for Not-for-Profit Organizations found that 87% of US charities have put in place new governance policies since the implementation of the Sarbanes-Oxley accountability law. In the 2003 survey, just 20% of nonprofit organizations said they had implemented such policies. Ninety-two percent of respondents indicated they had implemented new accounting policies and procedures in this year’s survey, compared to just 50% in the 2006 survey. As well, 87% have now adopted a written investment policy, 89% have adopted a conflict-of-interest policy, 82% have established an audit committee, 75% have established a code-of-ethics policy, and 68% have updated their gift-acceptance policy. -- Grant Thornton LLP
December 10, 2007
Chip Wilson, founder and chair of Lululemon Athletica Inc., and his wife Shannon are donating $10 million to the new charitable organization imagine1day. The charity funds education projects benefiting children in Ethiopia, and allows donors to see where their money is going, offering project updates and online viewing of the projects through all phases. Donors can support any of the elements of an education venture, such as the roof of a classroom, the water system, or student desks and supplies. "After learning about the global need for primary education, we felt we could make the greatest difference in Africa," said Shannon Wilson. "Our passion and motivation also comes from being parents. Our personal mission for our children is that they witness and participate in making a difference in other people’s lives." Both Wilsons will serve as board members at the charity. For more information about imagine1day, visit: www.imagine1day.org.
December 10, 2007
The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) reported that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has indicated it will be cracking down on registered charities that either file their Forms T3010A late or not at all. At the same time, the CRA is also providing increased guidance on how organizations can comply with these requirements. Last week, in conjunction with the Centre for Voluntary Sector Research and Development (CVSRD) and the Canadian Federation of Voluntary Sector Networks, it launched a new program called The Charities File. The goal is to increase awareness and capacity of registered charities to file complete and accurate Forms T3010A, the annual registered charities information return. The CRA reports that more than 2,500 of the more than 80,000 registered charities in Canada had their charitable status revoked in 2006 as a result of not filing their Forms T3010A. For more information, visit: www.afpnet.org.
December 10, 2007
According to GuideStar’s Sixth Annual Nonprofit Survey, 52% of US charities surveyed report increased contributions during the first nine months of 2007 compared to the same period in 2006. Twenty-five percent experienced no change, and 19% report a decrease in contributions. But many are hoping the best is yet to come. Nearly half (45%) of survey participants receive the majority of donations during the last quarter of the year, and 60% of those organizations expect fourth quarter donations to exceed amounts received in the same quarter last year. Among grantmaking organizations, 52% report that they increased the amounts they granted during the first nine months of 2007 compared to the same period in 2006. A third (33%) said their grant amounts had remained about the same, while 12% reported a decrease. -- GuideStar
December 10, 2007
The 31st Annual Telethon of Stars took place in Quebec recently, raising $5.1 million to support children's health research in the province's key pediatric research centres. The Telethon of Stars, formerly the Foundation for Research into Children's Diseases, has become the largest source of non-governmental funding for children's health research in Quebec. For more information about the telethon, visit: www.telethon.ca.Meanwhile, a telethon broadcast throughout the Maritimes brought in almost $900,000 for needy families. The 44th Annual Christmas Daddies Telethon raises money for toys, gifts, and necessities such as clothing. Organizers say an estimated 16,000 children will benefit from this year's event. For more information, visit: www.christmasdaddies.org.
December 10, 2007
Affiliates of the Canadian Health Network (CHN) announced last month that the network is slated for closure by the Harper government, with funding to end in March 2008. The CHN is a national, bilingual web portal that aims to help Canadians find information on how to stay healthy and prevent disease. It achieves this through collaboration with the Public Health Agency of Canada, 26 major health organizations, universities, hospitals, and libraries. Approximately 40% of CHN visitors are health professionals who use CHN resources both personally and with clients. The Ontario Prevention Clearinghouse and the Centre for Health Promotion, which represent the network's Health Promotion Affiliate, are dismayed by this move. It is anticipated that CHN affiliates will mount arguments to oppose the government cut, though nothing formal has been launched yet. For more information, visit: www.ohpe.ca.
December 10, 2007
A new national survey finds that 87% of Canadians believe charitable giving is an important value to instill in their children, and a further 86% say they talk to their children about charity or "giving back" to society. The research also found that nearly two-thirds (63%) of those who had a discussion about charitable giving with their children, had that talk when the child was five years of age or younger. Atlantic Canadians (93%) are most likely to believe charitable giving is an important value to instill in children. The value was least pervasive in BC, where 80% agreed with the same statement. Quebeckers are most likely to report they have talked to their kids about giving back (94% versus a low of 78% in the prairie provinces). -- Mackenzie Investments
December 10, 2007
Concordia University and the John Molson School of Business (JMSB) announced a gift of $2.5 million from BMO Financial Group. The funds will go toward the construction of the BMO Amphitheatre, a 300-seat space to be built over two levels. "In addition to supporting the BMO Amphitheatre that will further enhance the student experience at the John Molson School of Business, we are proud to contribute to the BMO Lecture Series that will explore subjects in business and finance, but also governance and social responsibility that are defining features of leading corporations such as BMO," said L. Jacques Ménard, president of BMO Financial Group, Quebec, and chair of BMO Nesbitt Burns. For more information, visit: mediarelations.concordia.ca.
December 10, 2007
The National Adult Literacy Database (NALD) expanded its services last week with the launch of NALD@Work, a website dedicated to workplace literacy in Canada. The site is an Internet database of information and resources, offering program models and approaches, teaching, learning and research materials, news, events, contacts, websites, tools and support. "As the workforce becomes more knowledge-based, people need higher literacy levels," said CEO Katherine d'Entremont. "If people don't continue to learn or to read or to study, their literacy levels are not going to remain constant; they are going to decline. At the same time, the workplace requires higher literacy levels, so the gap is widening." For more information, visit: www.naldatwork.ca.
December 10, 2007
A new report from Statistics Canada finds that an estimated 4.4 million Canadians - one out of every seven in the population - reported having a disability in 2006, an increase of 21.2% from 3.6 million in 2001, the last time the survey was conducted. In 2001, 12.4% of the population reported a disability. By 2006, this rate had increased to 14.3%. The report suggests that one factor in the increase is the aging of the population, but that this plays only a partial role. Another factor may be increased social acceptance of the reporting of disabilities. The increase was especially marked for learning disabilities. The number of Canadians aged 15 and over with learning disabilities rose by almost 40% to an estimated 631,000 in 2006. For working-age Canadians (i.e. those aged 15 to 64), pain was the most common form of disability, followed closely by mobility and agility limitations. For seniors aged 65 and over, mobility limitations were the most common. -- Statistics Canada
December 3, 2007
The Centre de formation populaire (CFP) and Relais-femmes are working with nonprofits in Quebec to implement a viable and sustainable pension plan for the sector. With research completed and the plan developed, the CFP and Relais-femmes are currently conducting presentations across the province for managers, employees and boards of community and social economy organizations to share information about retirement planning options and to encourage organizations and individuals to join the plan. The initiative must secure the participation of 800 individuals before December 17, 2007. If that number is reached, employees in community organizations across Quebec will start to contribute to Canada’s first nonprofit sector pension plan in April of next year. For more information about the project, visit: www.relais-femmes.qc.ca or www.lecfp.qc.ca (available in French only).
December 3, 2007
One of Canada's leading supporters of business education has donated $10 million to the University of Toronto’s Joseph L. Rotman School of Management. The gift from Marcel Desautels, president and CEO of the Canadian Credit Management Foundation, will support the ongoing initiatives of the Desautels Centre for Integrative Thinking, bringing his total gifts to the Rotman School to $31 million. “We are honoured that Marcel has continued to support the vision we have for the future of business education,” said Roger Martin, dean of the Rotman School. “From our first meeting, he understood the ideas and concepts of integrative thinking and, as an astute entrepreneur, he also understands how integrative thinking can benefit business.” For more information, visit: www.rotman.utoronto.ca.
December 3, 2007
The Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad will showcase contemporary imagination through a series of three festivals of pop culture and fine arts, beginning in March 2008 and continuing in 2009 and 2010. As part of the programming process for the Cultural Olympiad 2009 and 2010 programs, the Vancouver Organizing Committee announced an open call for proposals by not-for-profit arts organizations and educational institutions. For both programs, proposals will be accepted beginning on February 1, 2008. For more information, visit: www.vancouver2010.com.
December 3, 2007
A typical paid employee in Quebec's voluntary sector earns $15.47 per hour and works approximately 30 hours per week. Forty percent of employees are between the ages of 35 and 49, and women hold 80% of the paid positions in the community and social economy sector in Quebec. The majority (62.4%) of employees earn less than $25,000, with a full 25% earning less than $15,000 per year. -- Université de Sherbrooke
December 3, 2007
Thousands of Winnipeg kids will have more access to healthy food at local schools and community centres, thanks to a substantial grant from the Moffat Family Fund at The Winnipeg Foundation. The grant, which supports the Manitoba Council on Childhood Nutrition/Breakfast for Learning programs, totals $675,000 over five years. “When kids go to school hungry, they’re severely limited in their potential to succeed,” said Richard Frost, CEO of The Winnipeg Foundation. “It’s critical that we help children when their nutritional needs are not being met at home. Adequate diet can have a remarkable impact on a student’s performance at school and mental health.” The Moffat Family Fund was established at The Winnipeg Foundation in 2001 with a gift of $100 million. The fund supports programs and opportunities for at-risk youth and families in inner-city neighbourhoods. For more information, visit: www.wpgfdn.org.
December 3, 2007
The 2007 National Report Card on Child and Family Poverty in Canada, published by Campaign2000, shows that 788,000 children live in poverty in Canada. And 41% of low-income children live in families with at least one parent working full-time all year, yet do not earn enough to lift their families out of poverty. The report provides evidence that federal programs already in place can reduce poverty, and calls for more to be done. “We’re calling on the federal government to support poverty reduction by increasing the Canada Child Tax Benefit, increasing federal work tax credits, investing broadly in child care and affordable housing and supporting a targeted plan to address Aboriginal poverty,” said Dr. Adje Van de Sande of Carleton University. For more information or to download the full report, visit: www.campaign2000.ca.
December 3, 2007
Roche Canada has established an endowed Roche Fellowship in Translational Research with a $1 million gift to the Alberta Cancer Foundation. “Translational research transforms lab discoveries into solutions at the bedside,” said vice president of oncology Ciro Caravaggio. “At times, discovery outpaces our ability to put the knowledge gained to practical use. This fellowship will allow concentrated effort on ensuring implementation keeps pace, and patients benefit as soon as possible from what is learned.” The fellowship will be awarded annually through competition and is open to researchers throughout the province of Alberta. For more information, visit: www.cancerboard.ab.ca. (PDF format)
December 3, 2007
The team behind Canadian FundRaiser recently launched a new publishing division. Jim Hilborn, president of the Hilborn Group and publisher of Civil Sector Press says, “Civil Sector Press continues our history of 40 years of innovation. This publishing division will feature the type of service you’ve come to expect from us: practical, interesting, timely information relevant to your nonprofit organization.” Four titles are currently published by Civil Sector Press:For more information, visit: www.civilsectorpress.com.
- Face Time - Relationship Philanthropy: A Resource for Canadian Major Gift Fundraising by Rob Peacock
- The Complete Handbook for Planning, Implementing and Sustaining a Successful Fundraising Golf Tournament by Frank McGrath
- Innovate, Collaborate or Die: How to Create An Alliance or Merger for a Stronger, More Effective Non-Profit by Elaine Forbes and the late Cynthia Manson
- Well Advised: A Planned Giving Reference Source For Professional Advisors by Sherry Clodman, CFRE and the late Dr. Edward H. Pearce
December 3, 2007
Canadian Business magazine recently unveiled its 9th annual Rich 100 list. Not surprisingly, the Thomson family once again took the top spot with $25.35 billion, followed by Ted Rogers with $7.6 billion, up from the fourth spot last year. Galen Weston was third on the list ($7.27 billion), with Paul Desmarais Sr. ($5.64 billion) and the Irving family ($5.3 billion) rounding out the top five. All those on the Rich 100 list had a net worth of more than $445 million. -- Canadian Business magazine
December 3, 2007
Last week, Festival of Trees officials announced that the project raised a record $225,000 this year for the Moose Jaw Health Foundation. More than 400 guests attended the premier gala event, which included dinner, dance and auction. Proceeds from the auction will go toward the purchase of new state-of-the-art Critical Care Monitors to be used in the Moose Jaw Union Hospital's Intensive Care Unit, Surgery and the Emergency Department. For more information, visit: www.mjhf.org
December 3, 2007
CanadaHelps is working in partnership with Project Agape, the creators of the Causes Application on Facebook, to provide users the ability to support Canadian causes and charities. The Causes Application on Facebook is a tool that allows users to leverage their social networks to raise awareness and funds for their causes/charities of choice. Until now, users of the popular social networking site have only been able to donate to charities registered in the United States. "The power of social networking and peer-to-peer marketing has a great influence on awareness building, giving and volunteering," said Owen Charters, executive director of CanadaHelps. "Facebook users are looking for opportunities to market their cause and for easy, efficient and secure ways to do so - CanadaHelps is a part of that solution." For more information about CanadaHelps, visit: www.canadahelps.org.
December 3, 2007
Metasoft Systems is still accepting submissions for the 2007 World Proposal Championships, which aim to recognize and promote proposal writing excellence and help grant writers learn, by example, what it takes to create a winning proposal. Any proposal that has secured a grant for a nonprofit or charitable organization from a foundation, corporation or government body within the last two years is eligible. This year, $5,000 will be awarded to the winning organization, and the top 100 proposals will be showcased online. The deadline for proposals is December 15, 2007. For more information, visit: www.bigdatabase.com/wpc.
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