Nonprofit News: Asian Heritage Month, Funding Shifts for Equity
ABNN Monthly Gatherings
The online ABNN monthly gatherings are intended to be a brave space where nonprofit sector leaders can gather, speak, and be supported – exploring whatever is present for you. This space is meant to be informal and a place for everyone to learn with, from, and alongside each other. Each month will be a different conversation based on what’s happening in the nonprofit ecosystem and who attends the gathering.
These gatherings are for leaders at any level in nonprofit organizations around Alberta. Whether you’re a networked organization, focused on a specific subsector or community – all are welcome.
Miki Stricker-Talbot, ABNN Network Steward and Volunteer Alberta Executive Director, will faciliate the gatherings, along with rotating co-hosts from the ABNN Network Stewards table. On June 21, Gemma Dunn, Executive Director at Edmonton Chamber of Voluntary Organizations will co-host.
The next gathering will take place on June 21 at 1:30 PM – register here today.
Asian Heritage Month
May is Asian Heritage Month - a time to recognize the rich diversity of Asian communities and their contributions, and the need to create, together, a more equitable and inclusive Canada. The theme for Asian Heritage Month 2022 is, “Continuing a legacy of greatness”. This month is a reminder for all Canadians to come together to combat anti-Asian racism and discrimination in all its forms. See below for some events taking place throughout the rest of the month, as well as some resources for learning,
Beyond Race: Anti-Asian Racism Symposium
Canadian Race Relations Foundation, Korean Social Services Centre
May 21 | 3:00 PM | Calgary | Learn more
Indigenous & Chinese Youth-Led Conference on Anti-Racism
Chinese Benevolent Association Youth Council, Enoch Cree Nation Youth Advisory Council
May 22 | 9:00 AM | Edmonton | Learn more
Korean Cultural Heritage Festival
Calgary Arts Development, Calgary Korean Women’s Association, Korean Art Club
May 28 | 4:00 PM | Calgary | Learn more
CBC: 25 books to celebrate Asian Heritage Month in Canada
Alberta Foundation for the Arts: Work of the Week: Asian Heritage Month 2022
policy highlights
Government of Alberta Announces $1 million Increase in Funding for Family Resource Networks
The Government of Alberta has announced an increase in funding for Family Resource Networks aimed at “increasing access to mental health and well-being supports for vulnerable children and youth”. The $1 million increase has been allocated to three agencies that provide in-person and virtual counselling sessions. At the same time, “an additional $800,000 is being provided directly to a number of northern FRNs and the eight Métis Settlements in Alberta so they can make their supports more accessible to more remote rural communities”. This is a welcome increase in funding that will support the nonprofit sector, individuals, and communities across Alberta.
Government of Alberta Provides Update on the Stabilize Program
In their recent announcement, the Government of Alberta provided an update on spending during the second phase of the Stabilize Program, which supports the live-experience sector in Alberta. According to the announcement, “about $5.6 million in community support went to 60 organizations, including matched funds from 68 pledges”. More specifically, “about $1.7 million went to 56 non-profits that host live experiences or that own and/or operate live-experience venues through the Adapt and Innovate stream of the Stabilize Program”. The announcement does not mention any future funding for the Stabilize Program.
Analysis of Priorities and Challenges for Nonprofits in the Second Quarter of 2022
With this quarterly blog series, Imagine Canada will provide timely analysis of emerging trends affecting the sector. The intent of these pieces is to help nonprofit professionals make sense of what’s happening now and plan for what’s coming, and help others – including government and the corporate sector – understand how they can support charities and nonprofits in 2022. In this second post, Imagine Canada discusses some of the macro trends that are impacting Canada’s charities and nonprofits in the second quarter of 2022. Read the post here.
Trust & Impact: Funders' Perspectives on Unrestricted Funding in Canada
Many foundations and corporate funders across Canada have adapted their funding models during the pandemic to be more responsive, equitable, relevant, and effective. What are the lessons they’ve learned? Will this emerging trend lead to long-term permanent changes in grantmaking models? Imagine Canada's new report on the state of unrestricted funding in Canada explores why and how more funders are evolving their practices and funding models and offers insights into the rise of trust-based philanthropy. Discover the perspectives of the community foundations, private foundations and corporate funders interviewed for this study by downloading the report on Imagine Canada's website.
Nominations Open for Chief David Crowchild Memorial Award and Aboriginal Youth Achievement Award
Nominations are now being accepted for the Chief David Crowchild Memorial Award and Aboriginal Youth Achievement Award. Nominations close this Friday - submit yours today!
The Chief David Crowchild Memorial Award is presented each year to honour the efforts and contributions of a person, group or organization both Indigenous and non-Indigenous who:
demonstrate leadership in building relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities in Calgary
display a commitment to building bridges between the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities
support and encourage effective engagement and activities between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities
create and support positive changes in their community
The Aboriginal Youth Achievement Award annually recognizes Indigenous youth who:
are leaders in their community and among their peers
display a strong commitment to achieving their educational goals
support and encourage others to pursue their education
encourage and participate in cross-cultural activities involving Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities
Visit the Calgary Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee website to access the nomination forms. Nominations will be accepted until this Friday, May 20 at 4:30 PM.
Nominations Open for Governor General’s Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case
The Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, is calling for nominations for the 2022 Governor General’s Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case. These awards recognize Canadians, including youth, who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of gender equality.
Gender equality depends on all people, regardless of their gender, having the opportunity to participate fully in democratic and public life, attain economic security, and live free of violence. While nominations are accepted year-round, the deadline for nominations for the awards is July 1, 2022. Get inspired by past recipients and view the nomination guidelines on Women and Gender Equality Canada’s website.
upcoming learning opportunities
High Level Governance and the Role of the Executive Director
May 24 | online
REGISTER
People, Planning and Process – Building Collaborative Leaders
May 25 | online
REGISTER
Women's Economic Resilience Summit
June 8 & 9 | online
REGISTER
INTEGRALIntros: Intro to Social Enterprise Legal Structures
June 9 | online
REGISTER
IRCC Virtual Learning Series for Employers in Western Canada
Learn about how Canada’s immigration programs can help you hire foreign labour
IRCC is hosting a series of free, 30-minute information sessions for employers in Western Canada. You’ll learn about Canada’s economic immigration programs and resources to help you attract, hire and retain global talent.
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program
June 1 | 10:00 AM | Learn more
Hire a Worker Without a Labour Market Impact Assessment
June 8 | 10:00 AM | Learn more
Global Talent Recruitment Strategies
June 15 | 10:00 AM | Learn more
funding & grants
UCeed Social Impact Fund
Activated by Innovate Calgary, the university’s knowledge transfer and business incubator, UCeed is a philanthropically powered early-stage investment program that accelerates UCalgary and community-based organizations to advance problem-solving research, create jobs and fuel the economy. The minimum criteria for the UCeed Social Impact Fund are:
Social enterprises including, nonprofits, for-profit, charities, and cooperatives with demonstrable community benefit commercializing evidence-based solutions to issues.
UCeed Social Impact is open to a broad interpretation of social impact; however, priority will be given to opportunities that address pressing local and international issues.
Must be incorporated prior to receipt of funds.
Must have demonstrable impact or operations in Alberta.
Minimum one full-time employee within six months of UCeed investment.
Ability to report on impact measures within six months of UCeed investment.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The fund has four investment advisory meetings per year. To be guaranteed consideration in upcoming intake periods, applications must be submitted by the following deadline: June 24, 2022. For more information, visit the University of Calgary website.
TELUS Community Grants
The TELUS Community Boards provide a collaborative and unique funding model enabling local community leaders to make recommendations on grants supporting at-risk youth across Canada. Canadian registered charities that offer community-based health, education or technology programs for at-risk youth are eligible to apply. The goal of these grants is to support as many registered charities as possible; as such, please review all the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation funding channels available and apply to only one funding channel per calendar year.
The next application deadline for the TELUS Calgary Community Board applications is July 13, 2022; the next TELUS Edmonton Community Board deadline is July 7, 2022. Learn more about eligibility and the application process on the TELUS website.
Blogs & More
Why Philanthropy Needs a New Story by The Philanthropist
The story of philanthropy is not static; it evolves with every new challenge faced. Recently, the calls for reform have been loud and clear – to unlock the billions locked up in endowments, remove “direction and control,” and shift to more reciprocal relationships. To be clear, this is not casting the philanthropist in the role of villain. Canada is blessed with a growing community of givers who are rebalancing the relationship between personal interest and collective impact. They’re doing it in creative ways by shifting the power dynamic between giver and recipient so that community can decide its own future rather than relying on the false altruism of others. And they’re reshaping the levers of capitalism by measuring return on investment more expansively to include social and environmental benefit as well as financial. We need more of this. A lot more. Read more →
Are Canadian Funders Ready to Tackle Digital Equity? by Future of Good
It's shocking. Two years into a pandemic that forced nearly everything online, most rural and First Nations households still don’t have access to the “basic” internet speed target set by the government. Where there is decent connectivity, many lack the skills they need to thrive online. A new report from CIRA suggests that while Canadian philanthropy is feeling urgency to help tackle the country’s digital inequities, the majority have yet to step up with funding and leadership. Until they do, Canada’s digital divides will continue to slow our progress towards social, racial, and economic justice. Read more →