A growing group of foundations are investing in community bonds – here’s why
At a time when many philanthropic funders are looking to address the power imbalance between community organizations and their funders, supporting community bond issuers and building a thriving marketplace is one way to do so.
Lessons charities can learn from Mr. Rogers
The latest CanadaHelps Giving Report reveals that our social bonds are contracting, which is affecting our levels of generosity, including donations to charities. President and CEO Duke Chang offers four steps charities can take to cultivate connected communities.
Grief accrues faster than sick days: A reflection on pain, place, and productivity
Many in the sector are exhausted from the weight of living through a barrage of crises as a result of imperialism and colonialism – “there is a historic, cumulative grief we cohabitate with,” Lydia Phillip writes. “We are survivors of this grief, but it isn’t recognized on the job. It defies the boundaries of any workplace bereavement policy.”
Bridging the gap between labour shortages and newcomers’ struggles in accessing the job market
While there are complex barriers for newcomers to get jobs, practitioners on the ground have practical recommendations for removing them, writes Yusra Qadir, of the Mothers Matter Centre.
Featured
Analysis
Is all the talk around C-11 consultations just performative box-ticking?
As the federal government overhauls Canada’s outdated Broadcast Act, arts organizations and other analysts – like those convened by OCAD University’s Cultural Policy Hub – suggest how to make policy consultation processes more meaningful.
Creating solutions with community using AI
In the second episode of the Working Title podcast, host Amina Mohamed interviews Peter Lewis, Canada Research Chair in Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence at Ontario Tech University. The discussion explores how AI is transforming non-profit organizations, and the importance of data privacy.
Philanthropy and Funding
Feminist entrepreneurship is much more than women in business
There is much that philanthropy can do to strengthen and grow feminist businesses and social enterprises, writes Canadian Women’s Foundation’s Andrea Gunraj.
How early investment in parents and families can improve health outcomes for communities
Why should the charitable sector invest in the idea that better births and postpartum periods lead to healthier parents, babies, and communities – and what might that investment look like?
Case Studies & Guides
How Park People came to understand its role in systems change
Many in the charitable and non-profit sector want to get to the roots of problems and evolve new ways of doing things, in addition to addressing the symptoms, but how does systemic change actually happen? In this article, one organization shares its journey and key learnings.
The transformative potential of collaboration: Learnings from Montreal’s Collective Impact Project
Ten years ago, nine funders decided to try something new: they created a shared fund with the goal of deeper systemic change in Montreal neighbourhoods. The Collective Impact Project researchers share key lessons from the first phase and guidance for future endeavours.
Decolonization and Reconciliation
How to listen: An interview with Mastercard Foundation’s Reeta Roy
The Canadian-registered Mastercard Foundation is one of the largest charities in the world and has a global/local mandate, with its Young Africa Works 2030 strategy and a commitment to reaching 100,000 Indigenous youth in Canada.
Learning with the I4DM, a tool to increase accountability to uphold Indigenous self-determination
How has the I4 Definitional Matrix (I4DM) – created in large part to see more funding go toward Indigenous-led work – been used? How has it affected Indigenous-led groups, organizations, communities, and nations? The Circle on Philanthropy shares lessons learned.
Series on Work in Progress
The future of non-profit work and workers post-pandemic
In the face of unprecedented demand for services, financial vulnerabilities, and a human resources crisis, the sector is at a crossroads. In this introduction to our Work in Progress series, which will examine the key issues relevant to the future of non-profit work and workers, contributor Yvonne Rodney outlines some of the fixes that are needed now.
The decision to step down: Reflections from four foundation leaders
When long-serving leaders leave their roles, what can we learn from them that will help our sector traverse the challenging times ahead?
Building a sense of belonging and connection at work in the hybrid era
With remote and hybrid work the new norm post-pandemic, non-profits are tailoring strategies to ensure that employees feel heard, seen, and valued – and have discovered that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach.
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Most Popular
Analysis
Change is coming: How can the sector prepare for Conservative rule?
The charitable and non-profit sector is bracing for what could be seismic change in Ottawa. But those who have steered foundations and charities through various changes in government warn against apocalyptic assumptions.
Is AI truly life-changing?
In this first episode of the Working Title podcast, host Amina Mohamed explores AI’s transformative impact on the non-profit sector. In a conversation with communications scholar Rob Hunt, they grapple with the mixed results that the AI revolution has produced so far.
When it comes to data, non-profits should look at the present to find their future
While there are many ways that organizations can tackle their data goals, Daniel Liadsky of Purpose Analytics believes that organizations are most likely to succeed when they engage in regular self-assessment, implement change in small steps, and emulate best practices from other industries.
Challenges and responsibilities for The Philanthropist Journal going forward
Through a yearlong series of articles and conversations taking stock of the Journal at 50 years, we have considered how our publication and the sector we’re part of have evolved – and where we go from here.
More articles From the Archives
A short history of voluntary sector–government relations in Canada (revisited)
The original version of this story, published in 2007, is one of The Philanthropist Journal’s most popular pieces of all time. In this updated version, Peter Elson and Peyton Carmichael expand on that detailed (and not so short) history.
Charities and the rule against perpetuities
Charitable status is a legally privileged status. The law in numerous ways, ranging from the trivial to the noteworthy, confers legal advantages upon charities. These legal advantages are often misunderstood.
‘We don’t have a word for philanthropy’
What do Indigenous Peoples mean when they talk about Indigenous philanthropy? Miles Morrisseau put this question and others to Indigenous people who are leaders in the philanthropic sector.
Strategies for a caring society
This article was developed from a paper presented at Investigating in the Whole Community: Strategies for a Caring Society, a conference organized by the Trillium
Featured Contributors
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Yvonne Rodney
Yvonne Rodney is a Toronto author, career consultant, speaker, and non-profit worker with extensive experience in career development. She is the author of Moving On: A Quick Guide for Non-Profit Workers and Military to Civilian Employment: A Career Practitioner’s Guide.
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Christina Palassio
Christina Palassio is a non-profit communications professional and freelance writer. When she tweets, she does so at @mcpalassio.
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Angela Long
Angela Long is a freelance writer currently working on a book about rural journalism in Canada.
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Miles Morrisseau
Miles Morrisseau is a Métis writer, journalist, and multimedia producer from the Métis homeland in Manitoba.
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