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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
links to other web sites and e-mail addresses may no longer be accurate.
To view other articles in the archive, use our Chronological Index.
NewsBytes: July 2008
Articles are arranged in reverse chronological order.
Saskatchewan First Nations agencies receive $105 million
July 28, 2008
The Government of Canada is investing $104.8 million in new funding to the Saskatchewan child and family services framework over five years. This investment provides First Nations agencies with new resources that identify a family's need before a child is removed from the family home. "This new approach will help to ensure First Nations families in Saskatchewan receive the support and services they need before they reach crisis," said the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians. For more information, visit: www.ainc-inac.gc.ca.
July 28, 2008
The Mustard Seed, an organization in Calgary that works to end homelessness, lost its historic campus, the Mountain Aire Lodge, last Monday to fire. At this location, Seed guests oversee the day-to-day operations at the lodge’s restaurant, convenience store, motel, campgrounds, and gas station, while working through their rehabilitation. The lodge also served tourists and campers. The organization is working hard to resume services, with trailers and a portable kitchen serving as a temporary restaurant. The motel and campgrounds are open for business and the lodge intends to be fully operational again by the end of this week. For more information, visit: www.theseed.ca.Grand & Toy is providing temporary refuge to The Salvation Army Railside Food & Toy Distribution Centre in Toronto, donating 34,000 sq. ft of its Home Office warehouse until the recently burned down distribution centre can be rebuilt. The Railside location was rendered unfit for use in the spring when a fire and associated smoke and water damage destroyed the building and most of what it housed, including 268 skids of food and approximately 100,000 toys bound for children in need in Eastern Ontario. The Salvation Army's Railside location is expected to be ready for use again in early 2009. For more information about the Toronto Salvation Army, visit: www.torontosalvationarmy.ca.
July 28, 2008
According to the Ottawa Citizen, the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation has voluntarily removed a group of yellow steel daffodils from a planned garden because of a logo dispute with the Canadian Cancer Society. The daffodils were supposed to be a part of the Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Survivors Park, which the foundation is currently building. The Canadian Cancer Society asked the foundation to remove the daffodils since their organization was not participating in the project. To avoid trademark infringement, the foundation voluntarily offered to replace the daffodils with other flowers. For more information, visit: www.canada.com.
Fast Fact: More donors looking to the Internet when solicited by a charity
July 28, 2008
According to a recent study, twice as many people are heading to the Internet when they receive a direct mail solicitation from a charity than did in 2005. In 2005, 25% of respondents said they looked up the organization on the Internet before donating, while in 2008 this figured jumped to 44%. Of those who went online, 37% went directly to the organization's website. In the over-65 age range, the percentage of donors who went online jumped from 8% to 21%. -- The Nonprofit Times
July 28, 2008
As reported by cbc.ca, Charles and Marilyn Baillie gave $1 million to the Soulpepper Theatre Company. The endowment will be used to create teacher residencies that will bring leading artists from Canada and across the world to the theatre for teaching opportunities. Previous gifts by the Baillie's have established offices, rehearsal halls, and a production centre at the theatre. For more information about the Soulpepper Theatre Company, visit: www.soulpepper.ca.
July 28, 2008
A newly released UK government report provides useful recommendations for both government and community activists. Communities in Control: Real People, Real Power, attempts to give power back to communities by suggesting, for instance, that there should be an "obligation to respond" to public petitions. Many of the recommendations are useful to community builders in any country. For more information, and to download the paper, visit: www.communities.gov.uk. (PDF)
July 28, 2008
As reported by the Nova Scotia Business Journal, the Canadian Red Cross has announced the recipients of the 2008 Humanitarian Award in Nova Scotia. Colin and Michael MacDonald will both receive the award, making this the first time there have been multiple recipients since its inception in 2001. Both men are successful entrepreneurs who are committed to several local causes. Brendan Yorke will receive the young humanitarian award to honour his work in various projects, including with the Red Cross and Canadian Cancer Society. For more information about the Canadian Red Cross, visit: www.redcross.ca.
July 28, 2008
In a new survey, almost 80% of participants reported that mental health issues have increased in importance compared to three to five years ago. Respondents, about 85% of whom were human resources representatives, reported that only 13% of senior executives have a strong awareness of the impact of mental health on the organization. Two-thirds of the survey respondents also appear to be underestimating the prevalence of mental illness in the workplace. A recent study by the Public Health Agency of Canada estimated that 13% of the adult population in Canada have either been diagnosed with a mental illness or are undiagnosed. However, 46% of respondents reported that they have 5% or fewer employees who experience mental illness in a year, and another 22% estimated the prevalence to be between 5% and 10%. -- Mercer
July 28, 2008
RBC and the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) announced that the RBC Canadian Open is committed to a goal of raising $5 million over the next five years to fund programs and initiatives that improve children's health and wellness across Canada. The fundraising goal will be pursued through a variety of activities led by the RCGA, RBC, and other tournament sponsors, as well as community initiatives, such as those led by host city organizing committees. The RBC Foundation announced it intends to provide a $250,000 grant to the Mike Weir Foundation in connection with the RBC Children's Mental Health Project. For more information on the RBC Children's Mental Health Project, visit: www.rbc.com.
July 28, 2008
Accourding to the Vancouver Sun, a Vancouver crisis shelter for youth will receive a one-time grant of $800,000 from the provincial and federal governments. The Crisis Shelter Program at Covenant House supports homeless youth ages 16 - 24, giving them a safe place to rest and helping them to move into an independent living situation. The funding will allow the organization to expand one shelter, creating 32 more beds, and to renovate another shelter to provide more space for outreach work. For more information about Covenant House, visit: www.covenanthousebc.org.
July 21, 2008
As reported by the Winnipeg Free Press, the Health Sciences Centre Foundation in Winnipeg raised $1.7 million in their 2008 home lottery. The funds will be used in the Kleysen Centre for Surgical Innovation, a floor in the foundation's new 80,000-square-foot Siemens Institute for Advanced Medicine, where surgical equipment can be tested prior to introduction into operating rooms. The rest of the funding will be used for equipment, capital improvements, and endowments. Prize winners were notified in May and won $2.1 million in prizes, including a million-dollar home. For more information on the Health Sciences Centre Foundation, visit: www.hscfoundation.mb.ca.
July 21, 2008
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is calling for proposals under the Charities Partnership and Outreach Program, a contribution funding program that supports the development and delivery of innovative compliance-related education and training projects designed specifically for the charitable sector. Under the program, contribution funding is available to registered charities and nonprofit organizations serving the charitable sector in Canada to support projects designed to increase charitable sector compliance. Organizations are able to receive funding of up to $500,000 per year, to a maximum of two years per multi-year project. The funding theme this year revolves around small and rural charities. Applications must be postmarked on or before August 29, 2008. For more information, visit: www.car-arc.gc.ca.
July 21, 2008
Arts Partners in Creative Development (APCD) just announced their investment in 16 creative works for a total of $1.5 million this year. APCD supports B.C. organizations in creating and developing original works in the performing and studio (visual, media and literary) arts. These projects represent the many cultures of B.C., with some reaching audiences locally while others will be presented across Canada and abroad. Eligible arts and cultural organizations can apply for up to 90% of a proposed project’s development and/or commissioning costs, to a maximum of $300,000. The next letter of intent deadline for the APCD program is April 2, 2009. For more information, and to read the full list of 2008 recipients, visit: www.artspartners.ca. (PDF)
July 21, 2008
According to a recent global survey of volunteer managers, 89.5% were paid employees, 7.5% were volunteers, and 3% shared volunteer management duties with another role in the organization. Of those who worked part-time, the typical work week was 20.5 hours, while 10% of part-time employees worked one day a week or less. The average yearly income for full-time volunteer managers was $45,296 USD. And 31% of respondents felt that they were paid less than someone else in the organization doing the same job. -- People First –Total Solutions
July 21, 2008
The Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) has expanded a number of its grant programs and added a new Aboriginal program using the additional funding received through Alberta’s cultural policy - The Spirit of Alberta. The additional grants will support communities, increase access for Albertans to art in their community, and will showcase Albertan art to the rest of the world. The Aboriginal Traditional Arts Projects grant will support the creation of traditional art that is passed from one generation to the next. For more information, including grant deadlines, visit: alberta.ca.
July 21, 2008
The Caledon Institute released a new report entitled Improving Education on Reserves: A First Nations Education Authority Act, written by Michael Mendelson. The report indicates that, according to Canadian census data, 60% of First Nations on-reserve residents aged 20 to 24 have not completed their high school diploma or an alternative program. Mendelson provides a number of recommendations to address the large high school dropout rates among the First Nation on-reserve population. For more information, and to download the paper, visit: www.caledoninst.org. (PDF)
July 21, 2008
Canwest announced the Canwest Internships for Students with Disabilities, a new initiative to address the under-representation of persons with disabilities in the media. The annual internships, valued at approximately $10,000 each, will be awarded to five Canadian students with permanent disabilities each year for the next seven years. Recipients in pursuit of a career in broadcasting will receive an opportunity to work in private television with three- or four-month paid internships at one of Canwest's broadcast properties. The internships are open to Canadian citizens with a permanent disability who are currently enrolled in, or have been accepted to and will be attending full-time studies at an accredited Canadian post-secondary institution in the field of broadcasting or journalism. Fully completed application packages and all accompanying documents must be submitted by midnight August 31st, 2008. For more information, or to download an application, visit: www.canwest.com.
July 21, 2008
Findings from a recent survey on Age Associated Memory Impairment (AAMI) showed that six in ten (58%) aging Canadian boomers have experienced short-term memory loss over the past year, with seven in ten (68%) noting that they are very or somewhat concerned about this complaint. The survey was conducted in June among 1,390 adults between the ages of 40 and 60 and 349 Alzheimer’s disease caregivers. AAMI is an age-related memory complaint, versus Alzheimer’s disease, which is a neurodegenerative disease. -- IPSOS
July 21, 2008
Metropolis at Metrotown, a shopping centre in British Columbia, has found a unique way to give back to their community. Registered nonprofit organizations can now apply for cash donations made possible by the Metropolis Express, a trackless train that runs through the corridors of Metropolis. The Metropolis Express is funded by Metropolis at Metrotown and rides are offered by donation to charity. To be eligible, organizations must be located in the Burnaby, New Westminster, or the East Vancouver area, and should be a grassroots program. For more information, and to submit an application, visit: metropolis.shopping.ca.
July 21, 2008
As reported by the Stratford Gazette, the Children's Health Foundation in London, Ontario, is warning the public about a fraudulent fundraising drive taking place in the area. A company selling the Healing Hands Busy Book has contacted businesses asking them to make a $5 donation to purchase the colouring book, which they claim will then be donated to children at the London Health Sciences Centre. The Children's Health Foundation states that they do not receive any of the donated funds and they do not accept colouring books from this for-profit company, and they haven't in the past. For more information on the Children's Health Foundation, visit: www.childhealth.ca.
July 21, 2008
According to the Calgary Herald, the Calgary Stampede donated a large batch of midway toys to local children with special needs at this year's Giddy Up Breakfast, hosted by the Stampede Queen's Alumni. Midway manager James Radke came up with the idea after reading the responses of guest surveys, where many guests wondered if the toys could be recycled or given away. This year, he set up a used clothing donation bin, freshly painted with images of plush toys, just to see what would happen. To his surprise, over 15 bags of toys were collected. Radke plans to expand the program next year. For more information, visit: www.canada.com.
July 21, 2008
Where would you go? Who would you take? How would you help? These are three questions that Signature Vacations is asking Canadians to answer for the chance to win a $25,000 Signature travel voucher and a $25,000 donation to their charity of choice. The Refresh Yourself campaign gives travellers the chance to put their creativity to the test by logging onto the contest website and creating a profile to tell the public exactly what they would do with the prize. When the contest closes on July 31st, 2008, the submission with the highest number of votes will win. For more information, visit: www.refreshyourself.ca.
July 7, 2008
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) released the report Small and Rural Charities: Making a Difference for Canadians, which was developed jointly by a panel of representatives from the Canadian charitable sector and by the CRA. The report is aimed at helping small and rural charities meet their legislative and regulatory obligations more simply and easily. It follows a series of consultation sessions and panel discussions held across Canada in the fall of 2007 as part of the CRA's Small and Rural Charities Initiative. Sixty-six action items aimed at improving services and reducing the administrative burden for small and rural charities were identified in the joint action plan. For more information, and to view the full report, visit: www.cra-arc.gc.ca. (PDF)
July 7, 2008
Two cyclists who were part of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Ride of a Lifetime charity cycling event were killed during their cross-country ride. Daniel Hurtubise, the event's founder, and Robert Carrier were struck by a Honda Civic about 300 kilometers west of Winnipeg. Hurtubise's two teenage children were also struck by the vehicle and sustained non-life threatening injuries. Hurtubise was diagnosed with diabetes at age 15 and had been planning both a book and a documentary to further awareness of the disease prior to his death. Police have stated that alcohol was not a factor in the accident. To read the family's statement or to make a memorial donation, please visit: www.jdrf.ca.
July 7, 2008
According to an ongoing UK survey, 56% of respondents agree that stewardship in the fundraising community requires a commonly accepted definition, however they differ on what that definition should actually be. While 64% believe that thanking a donor promptly and politely is an essential part of stewardship, 13% consider it only a small part of the whole, and 16% consider it to be a "self-contained definition". There appears to be further confusion about the role of stewardship within the fundraising department, as 29% responded that stewardship was not about getting all donors to give more money for longer periods of time, while 26% felt that ensuring the sustainability of public donations was an essential part of stewardship. -- Relationship Marketing
July 7, 2008
On July 2, 2008, the new federal Lobbying Act became law. The Act creates a new registration process for lobbyists and establishes a new category of senior public officials called designated public office holders (DPOH). The Lobbying Act broadly defines lobbying as any communication (written or oral) by an individual who is paid to communicate with the federal government about federal laws, policies, programs and possibly obtaining government contracts. Even public policy advocacy and government consultations may be considered lobbying. If your nonprofit spends 20% of paid staff time on lobbying efforts you must register as a federal lobbyist and comply with the conditions of the Act. Those who hire government relations consultants or professional lobbyists should also be aware of their requirements under the new Act. For more information, visit: www.faa-lfi.gc.ca.
July 7, 2008
The Canada West Foundation released Drawing Lines: Defining the Roles of Municipal, Provincial and Federal Governments in Addressing Urban Social Issues in Canada, a discussion paper outlining two different approaches to street level urban social challenges. One response views issues such as homelessness as a problem in the system that needs to be fixed. This approach often focuses on the root cause of the problem. A second approach is to see the issue as a sign of disorder, and is an indication that the cause of the problem is less important than the fact that people find it to be offensive or even threatening. The paper argues that both approaches can be used effectively together as long as the roles of federal, provincial, and municipal governments are clearly defined. For more information, and to download the paper, visit: www.cwf.ca.
July 7, 2008
A Gathering Storm: The price of food, gasoline, and energy and changing economic conditions in Ontario, a new report released by the Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB), reveals that the recent rise in food, gasoline, and energy prices is beginning to affect low-income families and food banks across the province. Seventy-two per cent of food banks in Ontario are worried that the increasing price of food will impact their ability to meet the needs of their clients. Two-thirds of Ontario's food banks are spending more money for the same amount of food in 2008. The vast majority of food banks, 89%, are also reporting an increase in the number of persons requiring support because of rising prices. The OAFB will be releasing its recommendations to the Ontario government's Cabinet Committee on Poverty Reduction at the end of July. For more information and to download the full report, visit: oafb.ca. (PDF)
July 7, 2008
The Wild Rose Foundation honors individuals who are nominated by community organizations and fellow community members for their extraordinary volunteer contributions through the Stars of Alberta Volunteer Awards (formerly known as Stars of the Millennium Volunteer Awards). Any current resident of Alberta whose volunteer efforts have played a significant role during the person's lifetime is eligible to receive an award. Six awards are presented annually, two in each of three categories of youth, adult and senior. As part of a ten-year initiative, recipients of the Stars of Alberta Volunteer Awards will be inducted into Alberta's Volunteer Wall of Fame. The deadline for nominations is September 26, 2008. For more information, or to submit a nomination, visit: www.wildrosefoundation.ca.
July 7, 2008
A new survey reports that 32% of Canadians give out their e-mail address as their primary source of information when meeting someone for the first time, as opposed to 18% who give out their home phone number, and 12% who give out their cell number. When it comes to personal life, 77% of Canadians feel that having a personal e-mail address is important, while 66% indicate that their choice of e-mail name indicates something about their personality. Canadians also change their personal e-mail address 4.3 times over the course of their life, citing switching e-mail providers and avoiding spam as the biggest reasons for the change. -- Yahoo!
July 7, 2008
The Humanitarian Media Foundation (HMF) announced a call for entries for the 2008 HMF International Film/Media Festival. Via independent judging by the HMF and its appointed selectors, the 2008 competition will determine films, PSAs, and television journalism segments that are best representative of humanitarian subject matter. In line with the mission of the HMF, the entries may depict, be influenced, or be inspired by current issues and/or histories of humanitarian importance. This includes, without limitation, current or historical issues surrounding: refugee crises, medical relief, human rights, war, genocide, debt relief, cross-cultural and political conflict, other war crimes and international criminal tribunals, indigenous populations and conflicts within and without their communities, and humanitarian needs during natural disasters. The deadline for entries is August 1, 2008. For more information, visit: humanitarianmedia.ning.com.
July 7, 2008
The First Peoples' Heritage, Language and Culture Council (First Peoples’ Council) will facilitate the commission up to four original works of art from Aboriginal artists associated with BC First Nations to commemorate BC's 150th birthday. The project will honour Aboriginal histories and cultures in British Columbia, while also recognizing Lieutenant Governor Steven Point of the Sto’lo Nation. The artworks will be unveiled and exhibited at Government House. The First Peoples' Council is looking for one monumental sculptural work from a Coast Salish artist, as well as three other works of art in any medium by artists associated with any BC First Nation. Awards will vary from $43,000 for the Coast Salish sculpture to $8,000 for the other works of art. Funds will also be available for shipping and installation. The deadline for proposals is August 15, 2008. For more information, visit: www.fphlcc.ca.
July 7, 2008
Employees who take regular and relaxing vacations may actually be living longer and feeling healthier than those who don't. Studies have found that women who vacation once every six years or less were over seven times more likely to develop heart disease than those who vacationed at least twice a year. Another study of 700 women showed that regular vacations cut the risk of death in half. A study in 2000 of 12,000 men showed that regular vacations reduced the death rate by 20% and the risk of death by heart disease by almost 30%. It is as yet unclear whether these findings can be attributed to the better rest and increased exercise that many people enjoy on their vacations, or whether those who make regular vacations a priority tend to live an overall healthier lifestyle than those who don't. -- Dr. Kay Judge and Dr. Maxine Barish-Wreden
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