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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,
use your browser's "find" feature (CTRL-F or CMD-F). Please note: While we ensure that all links and e-mail addresses are accurate
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: March 2008
Articles are arranged in reverse chronological order.
CharityVillage.com announces Village Vibes survey winner
March 31, 2008
Thank you to everyone who participated in our 2008 Village Vibes Survey. The winner of our draw for the iPod Touch is Darlene Bastianelli, who works at the Memorial Hospital Foundation in Bowmanville, ON. Congratulations Darlene!We had an excellent response from our audience and you've given us lots of great ideas for how we can make Village Vibes an even better resource for the nonprofit sector. And remember that even though the survey is over, we're always happy to hear from you, so please don't hesitate to contact Nicole anytime with your feedback and suggestions.
March 31, 2008
The HR Council for the Voluntary & Non-profit Sector (HR Council) is currently conducting a comprehensive labour force study that will shape strategies to attract, develop and retain appropriately qualified people to work in the voluntary and nonprofit sector. The first report, Toward a Labour Force Strategy for Canada's Voluntary & Non-profit Sector, brings the sector’s paid labour force into focus and examines the key trends and demands that shape the sector’s needs for people and skills. In July, the HR Council will release results of surveys of sector employers and employees conducted by Ipsos Reid. These surveys will provide statistical information on a number of areas including the demographics of sector employees, the issues and challenges related to recruitment and retention of employees, and the skill requirements and other key HR challenges that organizations and individuals face. A final report, featuring recommendations for action, will be published in March 2009. To download the initial report, visit: http://www.hrcouncil.ca (PDF).
March 31, 2008
Philanthropist Dan Greenberg announced his family’s $11 million donation in support of cancer care in eastern Ontario. Nine million dollars will go to Queensway Carleton Hospital to expand several cancer care programs and to support construction of a new cancer centre scheduled to open in late 2009. Two million dollars will go to the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation in support of cancer programs throughout eastern Ontario. This donation is the largest individual donation ever received by either the Queensway Carleton Hospital or the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation. For more information, visit: www.qch.on.ca.
March 31, 2008
A recent study, Housing and Support for Adults with Severe Addictions and/or Mental Illness in British Columbia, published by Simon Fraser University's Centre For Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction, reports that BC's growing homelessness problem is costing taxpayers millions of dollars and is putting a severe strain on the public system. The study found that non-housing services cost, on average, $55,000 per person. By providing more affordable housing and other supports, this amount could be dropped to as low as $37,000 per person, saving more than $200 million per year. The study also provided proof of a direct link between homelessness and mental illness, finding that of the 130,000 people in BC suffering from mental illness or severe addiction, 12,000 are homeless, 39,000 are inadequately housed, and 19,000 are at risk for becoming homeless. The study concludes that more funding should be allocated to discovering the underlying causes of homelessness. To download the full study, visit: www.carmha.ca (PDF).
Fast Fact: Job seekers want nonprofits to change HR policies
March 31, 2008
A study of 1,750 American job seekers reports that 75% of respondents think nonprofit organizations must immediately change their HR policies in order to attract, retrain, and professionally develop next generation leaders. Additionally, the survey found that 84% reported organizational mission and cultural fit to be most important when accepting a job in the nonprofit sector, with salary following closely. Vacation policies and flexible work schedules topped the list of desired non-salary benefits, with traditional benefits such as medical and dental falling far behind. Respondents showed a desire to stay in the sector, with 63% planning on remaining in the sector for the next ten years, and 82% hoping to hold an executive position at some point. -- Commongood Careers
March 31, 2008
Robert Lee, a Vancouver area philanthropist, recently gave $2 million to the YMCA of Greater Vancouver toward its building fund. The YMCA building is currently under construction, and when finished will provide them with a 95,000 square foot centre in a downtown location. The new six-storey centre will also have a two-floor, 69-seat child care program. The building will be named after Lee, who has been a YMCA member for the past 45 years. For more information about the YMCA of Greater Vancouver, visit: www.vanymca.org.
March 31, 2008
A report commissioned by the Government of Canada finds that the country is sorely lacking when it comes to the health and wellness of our children and youth. Reaching for the Top: A Report by the Advisor on Healthy Children & Youth shows that, perhaps surprisingly, Canada, out of 29 OECD nations, ranks 22 for preventable childhood injury and death, 27 for obesity, and 21 for child well-being, including mental health. The report makes five specific recommendations, including developing a national injury prevention strategy, creating a centre of excellence on childhood obesity, improving mental health for children, undertaking more studies to determine environmental factors relating to children's health, and creating a permanent national advisor on these issues. The study and its recommendations have been backed by the YMCA of Canada. For more information, or to view the full study, visit: www.hc-sc.gc.ca.
March 31, 2008
Thanks to the generosity of its customers and employees, TD Bank Financial Group was able to donate $5.3 million to the Children's Miracle Network last year through the TD Children's Hospital Fund. Customers and employees can make automated donations through their TD bank account, which are then donated in full to the Children's Miracle Network hospital nearest them. The money will fund the purchase of equipment, development of educational and preventative programs, as well as further medical research. For more information about the Children's Miracle Network, visit: www.childrensmiraclenetwork.ca.
March 31, 2008
In 2006, heritage institutions in Canada generated operating revenues of just over $1 billion, up 1.3% from 2005. Not-for-profit institutions made up 88% of the total operating revenue, with British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec accounting for four-fifths of the total revenues. History and science museums, exhibition centres, planetariums, and observatories combined to generate 43% of operating revenue, followed by non-commercial art galleries and museums at 24%, and botanical gardens, aquariums and zoos also at 24%. Total industry operating expenses were up by 1.5%, with wages, salaries and benefits rising by 0.8%. The operating profit margin in this sector declined from 1.3% in 2005 to 1.0% in 2006. -- Statistics Canada
March 31, 2008
The federal government, through the Women's Community Fund of the Women's Program of Status of Women Canada is investing more than $1.5 million in women's programs in British Columbia. Eleven programs in total will receive funding for a variety of projects relating to such issues as homelessness, the elderly, sexual exploitation, and HIV/AIDS. The communities of Vancouver, Victoria, Courtenay and Hope will directly benefit from the funding. For more information, on the Women's Community Fund, as well as the eleven projects funded this year, visit: www.swc-cfc.gc.ca.
March 31, 2008
According to a study conducted by the University of British Columbia and the Harvard Business School, individuals report greater happiness when they spend on others - including through charitable donations - than when they spend on themselves. Researchers not only surveyed a group of 630 Americans with regard to income level, monthly spending, and perceived happiness, but also conducted several experiments. In one, participants were given either a $5 or $20 bill to spend by the end of the day. Half were told to spend the money on others, while half were told to spend it on themselves. Those who spent on others, regardless of how much they had to start with, consistently reported greater happiness than those who spent it on themselves. Researchers also studied a group of employees at a Boston firm both before and after their profit-sharing bonus. Here, they determined happiness was based on what the employees did with their windfall, rather than on how much they received. For more information on the study, visit: www.publicaffairs.ubc.ca.
March 31, 2008
As reported by the Windsor Star, the Windsor Family Credit Union Centre (WFCU) has raised $980,000 of its $1.6 million capital campaign goal. When completed, the 302,000 square foot facility will house a 6,500 seat spectator bowl, three community rinks, a community centre, and a senior centre. Recent funds raised include $350,000 from the Riverside Optimist Club to name the community centre, and $100,000 from Jamieson Laboratories to name the senior centre. For more information about the WFCU, visit: www.citywindsor.ca.
March 31, 2008
An American survey of more than 3,000 major donors reveals that 80% make both online and offline donations, 72% believe online donations are more efficient, and 51% prefer to give online. A further 46% indicated that within five years they will make a greater portion of their total donations online. Additionally, the survey found that charity websites are missing out on opportunities to reach donors, with only 40% of donors surveyed feeling inspired by charity websites. E-mail is another lost opportunity for many charities. Of the respondents, 74% felt it was appropriate to receive an e-mail reminding them to make their annual gift, and another 74% indicated that they would be more likely to give again if they received an e-mail from the charity indicating how their gift was used. -- Convio, Sea Change Strategies & Edge Research
March 31, 2008
The third annual Eva’s Initiatives Award for Innovation is recognizing three winners this year for their work with homeless youth. Eva’s Initiatives received 52 applications from organizations working with homeless youth in ten provinces and territories. A seven-member panel, knowledgeable about services for homeless youth across Canada, reviewed all applications and selected the winners. Organizations recognized this year are the Coming Home Society for the Young Wolves Lodge in Vancouver, BC; the YWCA of Greater Toronto for the Peel Youth Village Residential Democratic Living Program in Mississauga, ON; and SIDA/AIDS Moncton for the Youth Asset Program in Moncton, NB. Each organization will receive $5,000 at an awards ceremony held in their community. For more information about the awards, visit: www.evasinitiatives.com .
March 24, 2008
EnCana Corporation made a $7.5 million gift to the University of Alberta in honour of the school's centenary. The donation establishes the endowed EnCana Scholars Awards and EnCana Research Chairs, one in water resources and another in environmental engineering. Of the $7.5 million total, $6 million will go toward the research chairs, and $1.5 million endows the EnCana Scholars Awards. The EnCana chair in environmental engineering will focus on enhancing the understanding of best practices in a wide range of environmental, social and business arenas, and in communicating this knowledge broadly beyond the university. The EnCana chair in water resource sciences will serve as the catalyst for comprehensively documenting, analyzing and protecting groundwater systems in Alberta. For more information, visit: www.expressnews.ualberta.ca.
March 24, 2008
The Fraud Awareness for Commercial Targets (FACT) campaign, run by the Competition Bureau of Canada, aims to protect organizations from fraud by providing web-based tools to help them recognize fraud before they become victims. Among the most common scams targeting thousands of small businesses and nonprofits across the country are fake invoices and fraudulent telemarketing pitches for office supplies. According to the Honourable Diane Ablonczy, Secretary of State for Small Business and Tourism, "Criminal fraud schemes result in businesses and organizations losing millions of dollars each year." The campaign is being launched as part of Fraud Prevention Month. For more information, visit: www.competitionbureau.gc.ca.
March 24, 2008
A study of Canadian charities that issued tax receipts during the period of 2001 - 2005 finds that the average Canadian charity receives $9.45 for every dollar spent on fundraising. Religious organizations, because of their low-cost fundraising structure, average $56.58 per dollar spent, while health organizations, with their dependence on direct mail campaigns, average $5.03. The study also found that the greatest growth rate in fundraising revenues during this period was made by the arts and culture sector, while the religious and faith-based sector has seen the slowest growth. -- The Offord Group
March 24, 2008
SickKids Foundation and the University of Toronto announced a $2 million donation from BMO Financial Group that will establish the BMO Financial Group Chair in cardiology. SickKids clinician and researcher, and University of Toronto professor in paediatrics, Dr. Andrew Redington, has been named the inaugural chair holder. The gift will allow Dr. Redington to continue to pursue research and contribute to the understanding of congenital heart disease and heart function, including studying a technique developed at SickKids that has been shown to protect the heart and other organs from damage due to restricted blood flow during heart surgery. For more information, visit: www.sickkidsfoundation.com.
March 24, 2008
Every year the Canadian Living Me to We Awards recognize five outstanding Canadians that are making a difference in the lives of others. These are kind, compassionate and committed individuals who are creating meaningful change in their communities. Each winner receives $5,000 to donate to his or her favourite charity, a full-page article in Canadian Living magazine, and a trip to National Me to We Day 2008 in Toronto, where they will receive their award. There are five categories to choose from: Youth in Action (12 and under); Youth in Action (13 - 17); In the Community; Social Action; and Educator. The nomination deadline is April 25th. For more information, or to submit an online nomination, visit: www.metoweawards.com.
March 24, 2008
The BC-Alberta Research Alliance on the Social Economy (BALTA) is working to identify the size and scope of social economy organizations in British Columbia and Alberta through an online survey. The data collected will be used to promote and strengthen the sector, to establish support networks within it, and to provide information to policy makers, practitioners, academics, and the public. The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete, and groups that fill in the BALTA survey before April 15th will be eligible to win a free lunch. For more information and to take the survey, visit: www.socialeconomy-bcalberta.ca.
March 24, 2008
Diaspora Dialogues invites submissions to its annual publishing/mentoring program from emerging Toronto writers of short stories or creative nonfiction less than 3,000 words in length, plays of any length, or up to five poems, with each poem being no more than 75 lines. Applicants are welcome to enter more than one category, but no more than one submission per category is allowed. The setting of the works must be, at least in part, the greater Toronto region. Through an adjudicated process, a shortlist of approximately 15 writers will be chosen and each will be assigned (free of charge) to an established writer or dramaturge in a mentoring capacity to gain feedback on their work. The deadline for submissions is May 9th. For more information, visit: www.diasporadialogues.com.
March 24, 2008
Thanks to an anonymous donor, the rare Charitable Research Reserve, located in Cambridge, Ontario, recently received $1 million. In addition to supporting the research at the top of the organization's chain of learning, this gift will allow the charity to own outright the historic Lamb's Inn building in Blair, ensuring the survival of a well-known landmark. Built in 1837, Lamb's Inn has a provincial heritage designation. Founded in 2001, the rare Charitable Research Reserve exists to preserve, in perpetuity, 913 acres of environmentally significant land in one of the fastest growing areas of the country. The charity is in the middle of a $17-million campaign to preserve the land, renovate the historic buildings and offer programs to the public. Guided walks, tours and lectures are held at rare throughout the year and scientific research, along with companion education programs, is ongoing at a number of sites on the property. For more information on the rare Charitable Research Reserve, visit: www.raretome.ca.
March 24, 2008
The Rotary Club of Toronto is accepting nominations for its 2008 Youth-Civic Leadership Awards. Nominees must be under the age of 21 as of January 1st, 2008 and must be residents of the greater Toronto area. The Rotary Club seeks nominees who demonstrate community leadership, work to improve the quality of life of GTA residents through voluntary activities, are creative and committed, and are dedicated to service above self. For more information about the awards, visit: www.rotarytoronto.com or send an e-mail to office@rotarytoronto.on.ca.
March 17, 2008
The Canadian Opera Company (COC) completed its capital campaign to build the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, a new Canadian opera house, thanks in part to a recent donation of $5 million. Toronto philanthropists Isadore and Rosalie Sharp made the final gift. As the founder, chairman, and CEO of the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Mr. Sharp also initiated his company's $20 million contribution, which gave them naming rights to the new opera house. The campaign, which began in the summer of 2002, raised $186 million - with a final cash goal of $155 million and the gift of the land from the Province of Ontario, valued at $31 million. For more information, visit: www.coc.ca. (PDF format)
March 17, 2008
Paid staff within nonprofit organizations often share a concern that their jobs may be vulnerable to substitution by unpaid volunteers. A new article published by the University of Toronto and the University of Pennsylvania, entitled The Interchangeability of Paid Staff and Volunteers in Nonprofit Organizations, explores this human resource difficulty and indicates that substitution can actually occur both ways, with unpaid volunteers sometimes taking on the duties of paid staff, and vice versa, sometimes even in the same organization. The article also presents an interchangeability model showing how organizational culture and budget health combine with factors such as the strength of the volunteer labour supply to affect potential substitution in an organization. For more information or to download the full report, visit: repository.upenn.edu/spp_papers/100.
March 17, 2008
The University of Saskatchewan's Edwards School of Business is opening a new business centre at the school with the help of a $2 million donation from entrepreneur and alumnus Ted Hanlon. The Hanlon Centre will work to increase the number of international students in the college, grow the number of students who participate in international exchange, and expand international research and community outreach taking place within the school. For more information, visit: announcements.usask.ca.
March 17, 2008
According to a new American report, households headed by unmarried men give, on average, the same amount to charity as households headed by unmarried women ($743). However, single women are actually giving more generously than single men, as they are only earning about 71% of the income, and own only about 55% of the net worth of male-headed households. This finding was consistent in all income categories, with the gap widening at higher income levels. Overall, giving by single women amounted to $23 billion, compared with $12 billion by single men. This is because 31 million households were headed by unmarried women in the US in 2004, compared to just 17 million households headed by unmarried men. -- The Centre on Wealth and Philanthropy
March 17, 2008
A new study released by York University reveals that a large number of Canadians working in long-term care facilities suffer violence on the job. The study found that 43% of personal support workers endure physical violence at work on a daily basis, while another 25% face such violence every week. Most of the workers are women, and many are immigrants or from marginalized racial groups. Workers at 71 unionized long-term care facilities in Manitoba, Ontario and Nova Scotia were surveyed about their experiences of physical violence, unwanted sexual attention, and racial comments. They were nearly seven times more likely to experience such daily violence than workers in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. For more information, visit: www.yorku.ca.
March 17, 2008
The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)'s Greater Toronto Chapter will recognize an individual who is making an outstanding contribution to the fundraising profession and who provides a powerful inspiration to others early in their fundraising career with the New Fundraising Professional Award. The award was established in 2001 to recognize a chapter member who encompasses career achievements, long and short-term career objectives, personal volunteer service, and a commitment to the profession. Nominees for this award must be members of the AFP Greater Toronto Chapter and must have between two and five years of employment experience as a full-time fundraising professional. The deadline for submitting nominations is April 11, 2008. For more information, or to download a nomination form, visit: www.afptoronto.org.
March 17, 2008
Concordia University and the Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies (MIGS) received a gift of $1.3 million from James Stanford, a Concordia alumnus. The gift will directly fund MIGS's recently developed Will to Intervene (W2I) project that aims to mobilize key politicians to act and design practical tools for non-government organization directors, media leaders, business executives, and others so they can work with governments to prevent future genocides and other crimes against humanity. For more information about the Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies, visit: migs.concordia.ca.
March 17, 2008
A new report, entitled Ready to Lead? Next Generation Leaders Speak Out, found that 68% of young leaders surveyed are not interested in taking on a top staffing position in a nonprofit organization. Of this group, 41% indicated that the reason for their disinterest was due to potential fundraising responsibilities. Long hours and a compromised personal life were also key factors, with 40% of respondents indicating that they are not willing to sacrifice work-life balance for an executive position. Additionally, the survey also showed that 69% of those surveyed feel they are underpaid in their current position, and 64% have financial concerns about committing to a career in the nonprofit sector. To view the full study (PDF), visit: www.meyerfoundation.org.
March 17, 2008
Students at Mount Allison University in New Brunswick will benefit from a $500,000 combined donation from the Sobey Foundation and the David and Faye Sobey Foundation. The funds will create the Sobey Performance Scholarships, to be given to students who attain high academic achievement and are also successful at integrating extracurricular activities into their lives. The first scholarship will be awarded in September 2008. For more information, visit: www.mta.ca.
March 17, 2008
Through a partnership with TechSoup, a technology website for nonprofits, Flickr is offering 10,000 free membership accounts to registered charities in the United States and Canada. Flickr is a photo sharing community that also offers social networking and discussion forums. Organizations must assign these accounts to individuals over 18 years of age, and the accounts will remain assigned to those individuals even if they leave the organization. A small administrative fee is charged during registration. For more information, and to sign up for an account, visit: www.techsoup.org.
March 10, 2008
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has revoked the charitable status of the Francis Jude Wilson Foundation, a Montreal-area charity, effective February 23, 2008. As stated in a letter from the CRA to the foundation, "the Charity received in actual cash returns from the tax shelters a mere $23,716 in fiscal 2005 and $81,951 in fiscal 2006, yet issued receipts totaling $10,560,650." The CRA is reviewing all tax shelter-related donation arrangements (for example, schemes that typically promise donors tax receipts worth more than the actual amount of the donation), and it plans to audit every participating charity, promoter, and investor. A charity that has had its charitable status revoked can no longer issue donation receipts for income tax purposes, is no longer exempt from income tax unless it qualifies as a nonprofit organization, and may be subject to a tax equal to the full value of its remaining assets. For more information, visit: news.gc.ca.
March 10, 2008
The Roger's House Telethon in Ottawa and Kinsmen Telemiracle in Saskatchewan both met with success this past week, raising $1,019,000 and $3,648,310 respectively. The Roger's House telethon was presented by the OutCare Foundation, and was broadcast on television during an Ottawa Senators' hockey game. Roger's House, named for hockey coach Roger Neilson, provides both respite and palliative care to children. The 32nd annual Telemiracle, hosted by the Kinsmen Foundation of Saskatchewan, provides assistance to Saskatchewan residents with physical, mental, or other challenges. For more information, visit: www.rogershouse.ca and www.telemiracle.com.
March 10, 2008
Forbes recently released its annual list of billionaires. The following are the top five Canadians on the list:
- David Thompson
- Galen Weston Sr.
- James, John & Arthur Irving
- Edward (Ted) Rogers
- Jim Pattison
The top Canadian, David Thompson, reached number 31 on Forbes' list, and overall most of the top Canadian billionaires saw an increase in their wealth over the past year. -- Forbes
March 10, 2008
The RBC After-School Grants Program is now accepting applications from organizations offering after-school programs that provide structured, supervised activities in an environment that focuses on safety, social skills and self-esteem. Other activities that programs should offer include computer instruction, sports, literacy tutoring, music and art lessons, nutrition guidance, and homework help. Provided by the RBC Foundation, the grants range between $25,000 and $40,000. The deadline for funding applications is April 28, 2008 and grant recipients will be advised by July 2008. For more information, and to download an application form, visit: www.rbc.com.
March 10, 2008
St. Clair College announced a new capital campaign to build a 75,000 square foot fitness and recreation centre on the campus. To kick off the campaign, alumni Andy Faas signed a cheque for $1 million, given through his Faas Foundation. Faas graduated from the college's business administration program in 1972, and went on to become the executive vice president of Shoppers Drug Mart. The complex is slated to open in 2010 and will provide the Windsor campus with increased health and wellness facilities for students. For more information, visit: www.stclaircollege.ca.
March 10, 2008
The Canadian Policy Research Networks (CPRN) recently launched a new public policy research program called Connecting with Canadians. CPRN identified from its deliberative dialogues and research five challenges to address in public policy research: citizenship; diversity; productivity and skills; health and our aging population; and the environment. CPRN launched its new public policy research agenda at the Leadership Summit 2008, where more than 100 community, business, government and young leaders from across Canada held a series of dialogues on the five challenges identified by CPRN. For more information (PDF), visit: www.cprn.org.
March 10, 2008
CIBC is committing $1 million toward the training and support offered by the Canadian Women’s Foundation (CWF) to help low-income women become economically self-sufficient and break the cycle of violence against women. CIBC’s commitment will also support the CWF’s $10 million “Changing Lives for Good” endowment fund that will establish a permanent base of funding for the organization, increase the number of initiatives funded by the foundation, and fund research into the best approaches to breaking the cycle of violence, moving low-income women out of poverty, and instilling confidence and resiliency in girls. For more information (PDF), visit: www.cdnwomen.org.
March 10, 2008
A new survey reveals that job seekers are doing more research on potential employers than they were during the 1990s. Of the executives polled, 79% indicated that candidates display some knowledge about the company when interviewed, up 21% from 1997. Still, only about 44% of executives receive cover letters that display this knowledge, up only slightly from 37%. -- Accountemps
March 10, 2008
Scotiabank is donating $500,000 to establish The Scotiabank Mexico Corporate Social Responsibility Fund at the University of Alberta. Endowed awards will support and enhance the teaching and research experience of undergraduate and graduate students - both inbound from, and outbound to, Mexico - in the university's Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences. All four departments within the Faculty of ALES have an academic focus on economic, social, and environmental impacts: agricultural, food and nutritional science; renewable resources; the rural economy; and human ecology. For more information, visit: www.expressnews.ualberta.ca.
March 10, 2008
The three consultation reports from the specialists who facilitated the Ontario Arts Council (OAC)'s strategic planning sessions are now available on the OAC website. Feedback on the reports is welcome, however the deadline for comments is March 18, 2008. The 26 consultation sessions covered all art forms and arts practices and included some specifically for the Aboriginal, culturally-diverse, and francophone arts communities. In addition, OAC is conducting one-on-one interviews with representatives of other government agencies, funding bodies, and several individuals in the arts world. They will also talk to people working in new immigrant communities, social services, education, and health. OAC staff will produce a draft strategic plan that will be presented to the OAC board of directors in April 2008. For more information, and to submit your comments, visit: www.arts.on.ca.
March 3, 2008
CharityVillage.com is pleased to welcome Jane Barr as our new account manager for Southwestern Ontario. Based in Cambridge, Jane joins our team from Lutherwood, where she was a business trainer and program coordinator for the last 13 years. "Jane brings that great combination of nonprofit sector experience and deep client service that we're always looking for," said Maggie Leithead, president of CharityVillage.com. "With our growing number of users in Southwestern Ontario, we're excited to have her join our team." Meet Jane today at: www.charityvillage.com/cv/about/jane.html.
March 3, 2008
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty delivered his 2008 budget speech last week. Of particular interest to charities in all sub-sectors is the addition of exchangeable stock to the existing categories of stock and securities that Canadians can donate to qualify for capital gains exemption. The 2008 budget also modifies the excess business holding rules for private foundations introduced in the 2007 budget, and promises significant funding to the CRA Charities Directorate to combat terrorist financing.Numerous areas within the charitable sector were highlighted in the budget speech to receive funding. The sports community saw a $25 million commitment to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays, as well as $24 million over two years and $24 million per year ongoing to support athletes for the Summer Olympics. According to Imagine Canada, the cultural sector was not overly pleased with the $9 million re-allocation of funds to the renewal of national museums, with many in the sector referring to it as "modest at best."
Aboriginal communities will receive funding in a variety of areas, including child and family services, economic development, education, and health programs. With regard to the environment, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan will receive funding to pursue carbon capturing technology, and the Biofuels Opportunities for Producers Initiative will receive $20 million to assist farmers in developing business proposals and feasibility studies for biofuel facilities. For full budget information, visit: www.budget.gc.ca.
March 3, 2008
The Canadian Marketing Association (CMA) is offering roundtables in several cities across Canada to help businesses and charities understand more about the fall 2008 launch of the National Do Not Call List. Initiated by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), the program will limit the scope of telemarketing in Canada by allowing citizens to self-register their phone numbers on the list. Although charities will be exempt from having to respect the list, with possible penalties of $15,000 for each infraction it is important for organizations to fully understand how the program will affect them. For more information on the National Do Not Call List, visit: www.crtc.gc.ca. For more information on the CMA roundtables, visit: www.the-cma.org.
March 3, 2008
Volunteering in the United States is up by 10% according to a new survey. Of the 1,000 adults polled, 74% indicated that they participated in some form of voluntary service in 2007. However, 52% still feel that it is easier to give money than time, compared to 30% who feel that time is the easier commodity. Perhaps not surprisingly, age, income, and employment status affected attitudes toward giving. Young adults, part-time employees, and the unemployed all showed a tendency toward volunteering time, while seniors and full-time employees preferred to donate financially. The study also revealed a large gap between people who say they are willing to volunteer and those who actually do. -- Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
March 3, 2008
Launched in 2002, the University of Saskatchewan's Thinking the World of our Future capital campaign has raised $150 million for the school. Research-related initiatives will receive $40 million, while $53 million will be directed toward student awards and initiatives. Approximately 30,000 individuals and organizations contributed to the campaign, with 35% of these from Saskatchewan. The goal of the campaign was $100 million, which was reached in mid-2006; however, interest in the campaign has continued to add funds to the program. For more information, visit: www.usask.ca.
March 3, 2008
With the help of a $500,000 donation from the Royal Bank of Canada, the Tides Canada Foundation announced the completion of its $4-million commitment from Canadian donors to protect the Great Bear Rainforest in British Columbia. The total funding committed to this project is $120 million, coming from both Canadian and international donors, as well as the provincial and federal governments. The Great Bear Rainforest makes up 25% of the world's remaining ancient coastal temperate rainforest, and is an important economic and cultural resource for local First Nations communities. For more information, visit: www.tidescanadafoundation.org.
March 3, 2008
The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) distributed its 2007 State of Fundraising Survey to all Canadian members and to a random sampling of its U.S. members this week. If you receive the survey, which can be completed online in about 20 minutes, AFP strongly encourages you to participate, as the information is used both for benchmarking purposes for the profession and to ensure AFP is providing the appropriate resources and training for its members. Questions about the survey can be directed to paffairs@afpnet.org.
March 3, 2008
Blackbaud recently released its first ever UK State of the Not-for-profit Industry Survey, gathering responses from more than 200 organizations. Respondents expected overall increases in all aspects of income, expenditure, staffing and demands on the organizations. For example, more than half of organizations expect increases in staffing, and 80% expect greater demands on services. At the same time, 13% expect their income to decline. Major donor giving was cited as one of the largest growth areas, with 7% of respondents expecting increases of more than 30%. As well, a fifth of respondents now have a member of staff dedicated to managing high value gifts. -- Blackbaud
March 3, 2008
The Wild Rose Foundation is calling on Alberta's nonprofit organizations to recognize businesses for their outstanding contributions to community-building. The 2008 Corporate Volunteer Award of Excellence is open to any local, national or international business that promotes and encourages a culture of giving and volunteering among employees and is committed to corporate philanthropy and other forms of community support within Alberta. For more information, or to download a nomination form, visit: www.wildrosefoundation.ca.
March 3, 2008
As part of its climate change initiative, the City of Toronto introduced a new website that lets residents, businesses, neighbourhood and community groups measure, track and reduce their carbon footprint. The city is partnering with Canadian-based Zerofootprint.net, which operates software providing information and services that help residents take action to combat global warming. Zerofootprint Toronto combines a carbon footprint calculator with an interactive website designed to encourage partnerships and competition toward reaching Toronto greenhouse gas reduction goals. For more information, visit: www.toronto.zerofootprint.net.
March 3, 2008
When asked to name their chief career concern, 33% percent of Generation Y workers polled in a new survey cited compensation and benefits issues. The second most common response was finding and keeping a job, at 26% of those surveyed. Career satisfaction ranked third, named by 23% of respondents. The survey polled 1,000 adults aged 21 to 28, who are considered to be of the Generation Y or "Millennial" generation. Overall, survey respondents placed the most emphasis on money, benefits and professional growth.-- Robert Half International
March 3, 2008
Toronto Rehab announced it is now accepting applications for its $20,000 Scholarship in Rehabilitation-related Research for Graduate Students with Disabilities. Many fields of study may be eligible, including computer science, statistics, engineering, chemistry, medicine, health policy, and psychology. The scholarship is open to students planning to attend McMaster, Ryerson, University of Toronto, Waterloo, Wilfred Laurier, and York. The application deadline is May 1, 2008. For more information, and to download an application form, visit: www.torontorehab.com.
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