New Logo - Header

November 6, 2013
Join Our Mailing List
Jump to a section
Government & Policy
Research & Resources
Nonprofit News & Recommended Reading
Funding & Awards
Workshops & Conferences
Talking About Charities


The Muttart Foundation released its 5th edition of the Talking About Charities survey on November 4, exploring the current state of public opinion about charities and issues that affect charities. This important, statistically reliable report, based on a telephone survey of almost 4,000 Canadian adults, is the only one of its kind in Canada, providing a better understanding of provincial as well as national views.  It updates information last collected in 2008, asking Canadians to share their opinions on topics such as overall trustworthiness of charities and charity leaders, perceptions of overhead and fundraising costs, the importance of social enterprise, and how charities meet the needs of citizens.

 

Some noteworthy results:

 

Charities still considered trustworthy
In general, the results of the 2013 survey indicate that Canadians' opinions and attitudes about charities are both stable and positive, with a significant majority (79%) of Canadians believing that charities are important and trustworthy.  Among other societal institutions, only small business (81%) has a higher level of trust, while governments are trusted by fewer than half of Canadians, and major corporations by only 41% of Canadians. However, compared to previous surveys, the trust in certain types of charities - including environmental organizations, churches and other places of worship and international charities - has declined.

 

Charities need to tell their story better

The percentage of Canadians who believe that charities are generally honest about how they use donations is still high at 70%, but has decreased from the 84% who felt that way in 2000. Similarly, only about one-third of Canadians (34%) believe charities only ask for money when they really need it, compared to 47% of Canadians who felt that way in 2000.  Canadians continue to give charities low ratings for the degree to which they report on how donations are used, the necessity of administrative overhead, and charities' fundraising costs.

 

Support for Social Enterprise
Canadians remain supportive of charities engaging in business activities. Almost nine in 10 (86%) think running a business is a good way for a charity to raise money it can't obtain from other sources, while eight in 10 (79%) think charities should be able to earn money through any type of business activity as long as the proceeds go to the cause. Almost two-thirds of Canadians (64%) say that charities should not be taxed on business earnings as long as those earnings are used to support the cause, although that number represents a decrease from 71% who felt that way in 2006.

 

Charities are vital

Charities are considered important by 93% of the population and 88% of Canadians believe charities generally improve our quality of life.  While about two-thirds of Canadians believe charities understand their needs better than government, and are better at meeting those needs, the percentage of Canadians holding those views has declined about seven percentage points over the last five years.

 

Read the full report

Government and Policy

 

Proposed Legislation Brings
Social Policy Framework to Life
Human Services Minister Dave Hancock has proposed new legislation that would establish Family and Community Engagement Councils, and conclude the work of the Child and Family Services Authorities and Persons with Developmental Disabilities Boards (PDD) by the end of 2013. Bill 30, Building Families and Community Act follows the direction of the Province's new Social Policy Framework. The Province is also seeking feedback on their plan to transform PDD.

 

National Campaign Aimed at Increasing Charitable Giving

On November 4, Canada's Governor General launched "My Giving Moment," a four year national marketing campaign aimed at increasing charitable giving by Canadians.  Media coverage of the campaign included stories in the Globe and Mail and Maclean's magazine online.

 

National Charities Week Bill Withdrawn

In late October, MP's voted to withdraw MP Peter Braid's private member's bill that proposed a National Charities Week, and an extension of charitable giving deadlines to match the RRSP season.  CCVO and many other organizations had a number of concerns with this bill.

 

First Federal Lobbying Conviction Involved a Charity

An article from Miller Thomson LLP details how the first person convicted under Federal Lobbying Act rules was hired by a charity as a consultant. The consultant was a former Conservative staffer who told the charity's director that he had registered as a lobbyist. But, he never did and the charity did not verify this themselves.

 

Transitioning to New Federal Corporations Act

Organizations who are registered federally have until October 17, 2014 to transition to the new Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act. Dentons law firm has released 5 steps to transition: the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, an article that provides an overview of what organizations need to do to meet the deadline.

Research & Resources

 

Federal Census Calgary Data Now Available  

2011 Federal Census Calgary data is now available including statistics about language, immigration, citizenship, education, employment, commuting, home ownership, and income (including low income).

 

2013 Hunger Count Released 

Food Banks Canada's Hunger Count 2013 provides national statistics about hunger and food bank usage. This year's report indicates food bank use has increased 23% over the past 5 years.

 

Ontario Releases Nonprofit Leadership Study 

The Ontario Nonprofit Network (ONN) has released Shaping the Future: Leadership in Ontario's Nonprofit Labour Force that explores 5 themes: competing to find/ keep talent, rethinking models of leadership, leadership skills and competencies, where future leaders will come from, and diversity in the sector.

 

State of US Nonprofit Sector and Giving 

A new Urban Institute report about the US nonprofit sector reveals that the number organizations increased 21.5% from 2001-2013, and giving increased 4% since 2011. Their analysis of the impact of the recession indicates that only 5% of nonprofits with revenues under $50,000 shut their doors by 2012. Their 2013 Fundraising Effectiveness Survey shows positive gains in giving. 

 

Large Charities & Social Innovation

A new report from the Clore Social Leadership Programme in the UK, When Bees meet Trees, argues that large charities should rethink their approach to social innovation and seek to "scale up" the innovations of smaller organizations. An article by the authors also provides an overview of their findings and case studies. 

Nonprofit News & Recommended Reading

Kahanoff Two: The new building expansion of The Kahanoff Centre

Adjacent to the current building at 105 12th Avenue SE, Kahanoff Two will serve tenants with vibrant office space at below-market rates available only to charitable organizations. Organizations are encouraged to communicate their interest by November 30th to take advantage of this great opportunity.

 

Social Venture Partners' Fast Pitch

Social Venture Partners are looking for innovative/exciting non-profits and social enterprises who would like to take advantage of a coaching program to develop their pitch.  These sessions are geared to help you distill the key elements of your social impact, business approach, and business model into a crisp, three-minute pitch. Up to 10 organizations will then be invited to the Fast Pitch Social Innovation Showcase event to make their three-minute pitch to a panel of experts. Participating non-profits will compete for the chance of up to $25,000 in prizes.

 

Local Collective Impact Case Study 

A new case study about collective impact profiles the work of Vibrant Communities. It is one in a series of eight cases  by US-based FSG Social Impact Consultants that shows that working collaboratively can lead to measurable results.

 

US Charity Watchdog Plans to Evaluate Effectiveness 

Starting in 2016, US-based charity watchdog Charity Navigator will shift their rating system from comparing how much money a charity spends on programs versus overhead to assessing its results and effectiveness. The move is already raising concerns.

Funding and Awards
  

Immigrant of Distinction Awards

Nominations for the 18th Annual Immigrants of Distinction Awards (IDA) are now open. The theme for this year's gala is "Reaching New Heights Together: Accomplished Immigrants. Stronger Communities. Brighter Futures."  The gala, which will be held on March 7, 2014, recognizes the outstanding contributions of immigrants and refugees to Calgary and their communities. Nominations close Friday, November 29 at 1:30 p.m.
 

Heroes of the Flood Award

While the floods of June 2013 were devastating, relief and recovery efforts show the resilience and community spirit of Albertans. During and following the floods, thousands of groups and individuals went above and beyond to help our communities. The 'Heroes of the Flood' campaign is your chance to recognize those exceptional individuals. Your hero may be anyone - a first responder, a neighbour, a government official, a construction worker, a charity representative. Your hero may be a group or an individual. Alberta's Heroes of the Flood will be formally recognized starting in January 2014. Nomination Deadline December 20.

 

Cultural Leaders Legacy Artist Awards

Nominations for the Calgary Arts Development Cultural Leaders Legacy Artist Awards are open until December 9. The awards will be presented as part of the Mayor's Lunch for Arts Champions in February 2014.

 

Great Kids Awards
Alberta is home to thousands of kids who do great things every day for themselves and others - at home, at school, and in the community. Great Kids are a diverse group of children and youth between the ages of five and 18 who are recognized by their determination, generosity, compassion, courage, and strong spirit. Nomination Deadline is December 9.

 

Newest Publications from CCVO

Turning Point
Turning Point: Creating Sustainable Nonprofit Leadership



2013 Alberta Nonprofit Survey: Social Servcies Edition
 
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.

 



   
Reach Hire to find new employees!
 
CCVO members receive one free posting per year and discounts on all other posts!


CCVO Events

The Agony & the Equity: It's Not All About Money with Peter Boland

December 3
Kahanoff Centre
$25 CCVO Members / $35 

At a time when every dollar matters and retaining quality staff becomes even more critical, understanding your total compensation system and sector trends is vital for every organization. Join us for an engaging presentation with Peter Boland, one of Calgary's leading experts on compensation in the nonprofit sector.

 

Nonprofit Comings & Goings

The Board of Directors of Immigrant Services Calgary (ISC) has announced that effective October 21, 2013, Ms. Krystyna Biel, Director of the Immigrant Language and Vocational Assessment - Referral Centre, has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of Immigrant Services Calgary.
   
Workshops, Training and Conferences

Innoweave Webinars

Nov 19, 12:00pm EST

Introduction to Scaling Impact with SiG@Waterloo

 

Nov 26 12:00 pm EST
 Introduction to Cloud Computing with Peter Deitz of Grantbook


Explore new tools and approaches to enhance your organization's impact with Innoweave webinars. Each session will provide a basic overview of the topic and examples of how it being used. 
 
Innoweave Workshops
After attending an Innoweave webinar, develop a plan to implement with Cloud Computing Workshops (April) and Scaling Impact Workshops (February and April).  Teams that attend a workshop will be eligible to apply for an Innoweave Implementation Grant to hire a coach and implement their project plan.  Email Innoweave for more information. 
 

Management & Leadership Lessons from Jamie's Kitchen

Nov 28 / Dec 15
Assembly Co-Working Space
#400 119 14 St NW
$585 - 12 spots only

Email to register

 

Get you team cooking! Every accomplished organization relates its success to
effective management and leadership. The more complex the company, the
more important it is for the leadership team to be both talented and skilled.


This program covers five key learning points supported by real examples from
Jamie Oliver's journey and Stand and Command's time proven processes.Call it a new way of training - mixing practical skills and process in a two-day management and leadership program based on Jamie Oliver's kitchen, tying key learning points backed by examples from Oliver's success. 

 

Community Economic Development Certificate 

 

Thrive is recruiting 24 local leaders to take a Community Economic Development certificate program in 2014, a special cohort of Calgary's most active change-makers.

 

Are you currently working in community development or economic development?

Are you interested in how we can build a more people-friendly and planet-friendly economy? Are you interested in bringing your work in to the classroom and taking your impact to the next level?

Would you like to roll up your sleeves with a highly skilled, highly innovative, group of professional peers? 

 Apply now! Applications accepted until November 28. Bursaries available thanks to generous support from First Calgary Financial. 

 

The Basics of Engaging Youth and Developing a Youth Council
December 2 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Calgary Reads @ Kahanoff Centre
$175 (Youth Central Partners)
/ $200

Register online

 

A Youth Council can bring energy and ideas to any organization, but developing one is often a difficult task. Youth Central currently runs 6 internal Youth Councils as well as over a dozen school based youth committees. This course will teach the basics of youth engagement as well as offer a detailed look at developing and facilitating a youth council.

 

Imagine Canada Webinar on Political Activity 

December 4
View webinar


Join Imagine Canada's policy team for a webinar about what falls under "political activity", and how you need to report it. 


Marketing to Youth

December 4
9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Calgary Reads@ Kahanoff Centre
$175 (Youth Central Partners)
/ $200

Register online 

 

Marketing to youth is a difficult task often filled with lots of questions.  How do we reach young people?  How do we word our message?  Is this poster something they'll like?  It doesn't have to be that hard!  Youth Central has spent over 20 years working with youth and most importantly, marketing to young people.  This course will provide insight and training on how to market your organization and programs to youth.

 

Covey "7 Habits for Highly Effective People" Leadership Training

 

Suncor Energy Inc. and the Suncor Energy Foundation (SEF) are pleased to offer senior leaders in the non-profit sector the opportunity to attend Covey's "7 Habits for Highly Effective People" Leadership Program. Suncor is offering three seats at each of the three day sessions in Calgary throughout 2014. For more information and to request a space for one of the Spring sessions, please fill out this survey.