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February 18, 2015
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Government & Policy
Nonprofit Readings and Resources
Nonprofit Workshops & Member Events
CCVO Member Profile: Talent Pool
Funding and Awards
 
The 2015 Alberta Nonprofit Survey is now open!


 

The Alberta Nonprofit Survey is the only source of province-wide "state of the sector" research that documents the ongoing experience, evolution, and health of the nonprofit sector. 
 

Please add your voice.


 

Your responses contribute to a collective voice of the nonprofit and charitable sector. This survey requires a critical mass of data and information to best provide background and context for stakeholders. The completed report is frequently used to help inform the decision-making of nonprofit leaders and boards, the Government of Alberta, foundations, and community stakeholders. 
  

This year along with our questions about your organization's financial, operational, and programmatic circumstances we will also be exploring workforce issues and capacity building needs within the sector.


 

Start the Survey


 

Government and Policy

Provincial budget survey 

In light of the current fiscal challenges, the Government of Alberta has released an online survey that provides Albertans the opportunity to indicate their preferences for revenue types, areas for spending reductions, and ideas as to how to stabilize the economy long term. The survey will be open until the end of February. 

Secondary suite saga
After Council rejected one set of recommendations from Administration in December, they directed Administration to prepare Bylaw amendments allowing Secondary Suites in all residential land use districts in Ward 7, 8, 9 and 11. The amendments would make an additional 35,395 single family homes eligible for secondary suites. Information sessions are now taking place in those Wards. 

FCSS funding decisions and recommendations

On February 4th, at a SPC on Community and Protective Services meeting, administration presented a report outlining FCSS  funding recommendations for 2015-2017. Committee approved the recommendations for the report including: $18M in FCSS funding for 2015-2017, authorization to access up to $500,000 from the FCSS Stabilization Fund for one-time emerging issues and capacity building, and added a 4th recommendation that Mayor Nenshi correspond directly with the Minister of Human Services and the Premier to request continued FCSS funding support, and consider an increase, in light of current economic circumstances. 


 

Stats please...
Click on the links below for updated Statistics Canada information in the following categories:
Charitable Donations (21.9% of all tax filers claimed charitable donations in 2013. Alberta had the second highest median donation at $420).
Nonprofit Readings and Resources

How smart language helped end Seattle's paralyzing bikelash

Establishing Seattle as a multi-modal city seems to have been even more wrought with disagreement than Calgary has seen, with the sense that encouraging more bike and pedestrian infrastructure was in fact a 'war on cars.' This blog post shows how nonprofit organization Seattle Neighbourhood Greenways chose to change the language used to talk about 'alternative transportation' and in doing so, changed the perception of the issue. In yesterday's Metro, Kimberly Jones takes a similar approach reminding Calgarians that we are not just pedestrians, we are human beings.

 

A nonprofit with an expiration date

Another juicy piece from NP Quarterly's Winter Issue about the life cycle of nonprofits is this study of the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, which developed a report card of the state of higher learning in the US, and intentionally closed its doors after 10 years. 

 

Quite Damaging Dollars & The Baker's Dilemma
Two interesting pieces challenging restricted funding this week: Stanford Social Innovation Review's Reconstructing Philanthropy provides anecdotes that show how restricted funding, or Quite Damaging Dollars are not only limiting to organizations, but can be in some cases corrosive to the ethics of the organization. 

The always funny, and often spot-on blog Nonprofit with Balls uses a simple logic problem to shine the light on how frustrating restricted funding can be. Thanks for sharing this on twitter Momentum, and cheers to Bob McInnis's response!



Public Consultation: Enough for All Implementation Plan
You are invited to attend a public consultation with Vibrant Communities Calgary (VCC) and Framework Partners on the creation of the four-year implementation plan for the Enough for All strategy, on Thursday February 26 8:30 am - Noon at Headspace (1817 10 Ave SW). This is an opportunity to learn about the work done to date on the plan, to provide your feedback on the process and content, and to learn more about VCC's role as the backbone organization of the strategy. Register online if you plan to attend. More details and pre-reading materials will follow. 
Upcoming CCVO Events

Nonprofit Legal Series #3: Contract Law

March 11 9:00 am - Noon
Kahanoff Centre (105 12 Ave Se)
$35 CCVO Members | $55 Non-Members

 

This practical session will cover the essentials of contracts including when you need a contract, types of contracts, and how to read, understand and draft contracts. A portion of the session will focus on the key components and standard provisions of government contracts.

Of interest to: Executive Directors, Board Members, Human Resources personnel. 


 

Nonprofit Legal Series #4: Charity and Nonprofit Law
April 8 9:00 am - Noon

Kahanoff Centre (105 12 Ave SE)
$35 CCVO Members | $55 Non-Members

 

This session covers the basics of nonprofit and charity law and will be applicable to both types of organizations. For charities it will examine the legal obligations of being a registered charity and CRA guidelines. For nonprofits the session will focus on incorporating as a society or non-profit company within Alberta. The session will also briefly touch on Alberta's Charitable Fund-raising Act.

Of interest to: Executive Directors, Board Members.

 

 

Nonprofit Workshops and Member Events

 

Maximizing Partnerships

March 3, Calgary AB
$949 | $549 Conference Board of Canada Members 
 

Presented by JS Daw & Associates
Partnership has the potential to unlock creativity and innovation through diverse knowledge, skills, networks and resources. But partnerships cannot be taken for granted. Building successful partnerships takes hard work, a unique skill set and a deep understanding of the art
and science of partnering. 
This one-day course provides an overview of partnering principles, frameworks and practices. Participants gain an understanding of the key principles of successful partnership and learn how to prepare and build meaningful and sustainable partnerships. 

 

 

Banff Compass 2015
May 24-27
Banff AB
$595 Register online

 

AFP Calgary & Area invites you to join them to connect with mentors and establish new contacts with a variety of service providers to help further your business development plans. It's a Western Canadian conference that offers a world class line-up of opportunities, including listening and learning from top international industry experts like Simone Joyaux, June Bradham and Paul Shoemaker. 

 

Full participation in Banff Compass 2015 is applicable for up to 16 continuing education points in Category 1.B - Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification. 

CCVO Member Profile:  The Talent Pool

The Talent Pool believes that all the existing pools of talent should participate in the Calgary workforce. An inclusive workforce is a healthy and strong workforce! Our goal for the past 11 years has been to close the gap between companies that are having difficulty finding employees and individuals who are often overlooked in the workforce: Aboriginal People, Immigrants, Mature Workers, People with Disabilities and Youth. 


We provide Calgary businesses with information, resources and links to access these pools of talent. One of these resources is our Community Outreach Report (CORe) with which we support business to help optimize their search and access to the talent they need. In so doing we also support our community partners access new employment opportunities for their clients.

 

Learn more at www.talentpoolhub.com
 

Want your organization profiled in an upcoming
e-bulletin?
 
We want to share CCVO member stories! Please send us a brief (150 word max) description and an engaging photo!
Funding and Awards 

  

Soul of the City Neighbour Grants

Calgary Foundation, in partnership with Calgary Economic Development, will award five groups with $5,000 Soul of the City Neighbour Grants.  Apply for a 2015 Soul of the City Neighbour Grant here. The application deadline is March 17, 2015 at 4:00pm
 

For inspiration from last year's projects, watch the award-winning documentary film Our City, Our Soul: Five Neighbourhood Stories at Grassroots Grants.  

 

Devon Investing in People Grant

Devon Canada's Investing in People grant is intended to reflect strong commitment to the development of people and support for programs that create healthy and respectful workplaces. The grant encourages innovative projects and activities that help to build organizational, rather than individual capacity. The grant, of up to $5000, may be used for organizational improvement projects for either employees and/or volunteers. Deadline for applications is February 20.


 

ConocoPhillips Youth of Distinction Awards
Presented by Youth Central, the ConocoPhillips Youth of Distinction Awards (YODA) recognize deserving youth, 12-18 years of age or still in high school, for the remarkable ways in which they have chosen to live. The awards are not academic, rather, they focus on leadership, friendship, overcoming personal challenge and community service.
Deadline to apply is March 2.


ATB Financial's
Time to Think Grant

Across Alberta, ATB Financial is known for playing an active role in the community. Last year, they contributed $2.9 million in donations to over 545 Alberta charities, $5.5 in sponsorships and $1.5 in fundraising.

ATB knows that time to learn, reflect, plan and strategize is very important if nonprofit organizations are to develop innovative strategies in tandem with the very busy day-to-day work of meeting their missions. The goal of ATB Financial's Time to Think grant is to give the staff, board and members of nonprofits in Alberta time to build new skills or develop new strategies to strengthen their impact in Albertan communities. 
 

ATB's Time to Think Grants will be given in three areas where ATB Financial can add value to the work non-profits are doing in Alberta; 1) Social Innovation 2) Business Development 3) People & Culture.

This one-time only grant is open to eligible non-profit organizations, charitable organizations (including social enterprises operated by a charity or a non-profit organization) or collectives. 
 

ATB will give up to five grants a year to a maximum of $20, 000 per applicant. Applications will be due March 11 at noon.


 

Bhayana Foundation Awards

The Bhayana Family Foundation Awards recognize the dedicated contributions of front-line agency staff at United Way funded agencies. There are three $1000 cash award categories that celebrate the creativity, leadership and collaboration that allow our sector to thrive: Leadership, Innovation & Creativity, and Collaboration. 

Deadline for nominations is March 10.
 
 




 Connections 2015

 April 13-14 @
Mount Royal University


New sessions announced!
 


 

Reach Hire is
the go-to site for careers in Alberta's nonprofit sector. 
 
Find your next team member at
reachire.ca 
Become a member
of CCVO

There is strength in numbers!
 

CCVO membership comes with many benefits, including:

 

Join now to stay connected, add your voice to policy discussions, and demonstrate the importance of a strong nonprofit sector.

Have CCVO
Come to You!

The staff of CCVO are available to speak to your organization, board of directors or other shareholders about our recent work, including our recent Alberta Nonprofit Survey, our Emergency Preparedness and Flood Reports and our leadership research.

For more information, please contact Johanna Schwartz at jschwartz@calgarycvo.org or 403-261-6655 ext 230.
Recent CCVO Publications
 
Rising Above
Have a story for our
next e-bulletin?
 
Please send us your upcoming workshop, conference or awards nomination deadlines, and we will include them in an upcoming e-bulletin.

 

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