Nonprofit News: Nonprofit Connections, Asian Heritage Month, Mental Health Supports

Nonprofit Connections: An Afternoon with Mayor Gondek and City Council

JUNE 17 | 3:00 - 4:30 PM | CARYA'S VILLAGE COMMONS
Join nonprofit peers and City leaders to build relationships and chat about important issues in Calgary's communities

CCVO’s networking and speaker series, Nonprofit Connections (formerly Nonprofits at 2:00) brings nonprofit professionals and other community leaders together in conversation about relevant issues. These gatherings provide attendees with timely information, meaningful discussions, and actionable insights – and provide the space for nonprofit professionals and leaders from other sectors to come together to discuss important issues in the community.

The gathering on June 17 will provide a space for nonprofit professionals representing diverse subsectors to come together with City leaders to build relationships and chat about important issues in the community. Held at Village Commons, carya’s new community hub, this event will bring together community leaders for the first in-person CCVO networking session since November 2019. Join nonprofit peers and council members as we connect and work to centre community in recovery for a more equitable, resilient, and prosperous Calgary. 

TICKET INFORMATION
CCVO Members: $10
Not sure if you're a CCVO Member? Visit our member directory here.

Non-Members: $25
Want to become a CCVO Member? Visit our website here to learn more.

Learn more here
Space is limited - get your tickets today to reserve your spot! If the event is sold out and you are interested in attending, please add your name to the waitlist on Eventbrite in case a space opens up. 

Please note: this event was previously scheduled for February 25, and postponed to June. if you purchased tickets for the February event, your ticket has been transferred to the new date. If you cannot attend on June 17, please request a refund through Eventbrite or contact us at events@calgarycvo.org.


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. Join the Asian Heritage Month celebration on Facebook Live at 4:30 PM on May 9 - accessed through this link. For some more resources and events throughout the month, see the links below.

Keeping the Conversation Going: Anti-Asian Racism in Canada
Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion
May 10 | 11:00 AM | Online | Register here

FacinAsian Film Festival
May 13 - 15 | Calgary Central Library | Tickets

Celebrate Asian Heritage Month
Mount Royal University (MRU) Conservatory
May 15 | 2:00 PM | MRU | Learn more 

Beyond Race: Anti-Asian Racism Symposium
Canadian Race Relations Foundation, Korean Social Services Centre
May 21 | 3:00 PM | Calgary |Learn more


Act2EndRacism Resources

Asian Heritage Month Virtual Book Display
Manga Recommendations
University of Alberta

Asian Heritage Month digital toolkit
Government of Canada


policy highlights

Government of Alberta Announces Partnership with the United Way of Calgary and Area to Expand Social Innovation
The Government of Alberta has announced a partnership with the United Way of Calgary and Area to foster social innovation across the province through an expansion of the Social Impact Lab. According to the announcement, “With $1.75 million to be distributed over the next four years, the United Way Calgary and Area will expand its Social Impact Lab model with permanent locations in Edmonton and Lethbridge and pop-up labs across Alberta”. More information on ways your organization can get involved with the Social Impact Lab can be found here

Government of Alberta Announces Results of Community Initiatives Program Funding
According to the latest results of the Community Initiatives Program funding, $4.4 million will be released to nonprofits working in the community. Under the project-based funding stream, “a total of $2.3 million is supporting 69 projects, including new or enhanced programs and community events”. Under the operating based funding, “a total of $2.1 million is supporting 34 non-profits working to deliver services to vulnerable and disadvantaged Albertans. This funding can go to core operations and organizational development activities”. A list of successful past recipients can be found here. The next application deadline for this funding is May 15th. More information on how to apply for the project-based stream can be found here while information on the operating stream can be found here.  


Healthy Aging Alberta 2022 Regional Gatherings

Join Community-Based Senior-Serving (CBSS) professionals and allied systems partners at Healthy Aging Alberta’s in-person Regional Gatherings. The free gatherings are an opportunity for organizations to showcase their work and learn from one another while coming together to strengthen our regional and provincial networks. These day-long events will offer facilitated capacity-building sessions, presentations from CBSS organizations on their innovations in programming and collaboration, and opportunities to network and build supportive and strategic relationships. 

Pre-event mingling will be from 8:30 – 10 AM, with the formal portion of the event between 10:00 AM and 4:30 PM, with a light breakfast and full lunch provided. Travel subsidies will be offered to participants travelling long distances. CBSS Organizations are invited to share their work during the Conversation Cafés. Learn more about how to express interest in being a Conservation Café presenter here. Sessions across Alberta include:

  • May 26: Edmonton Region: Spruce Grove Pioneer Centre

  • May 31: Central Alberta Region: Golden Circle, Red Deer

  • June 2: Calgary Region: carya Village Commons

  • June 14: Virtual Session: Hosted on CORE Alberta (Zoom registration here)

  • June 16: Northern Alberta Region: Athabasca Senior Centre

  • June 23: Southern Alberta Region: Golden Age Club, Bow Island

You can register for the in-person gatherings here or learn more on CORE Alberta. If you have any questions about the Regional Gatherings, please contact the Healthy Aging Alberta team at healthyaging@calgaryunitedway.org.  


upcoming learning opportunities

Building Community Through Shared Spaces
May 11 | online
REGISTER

Amplifying Our Impact: Interlacing Social Innovation and Digital Tech
May 17 | online
REGISTER

Generous Futures: Destigmatizing
Mental Health

May 17 | online
REGISTER

Intro to Governance: Principles of good governance for nonprofits
May 18 | online
REGISTER

Understanding the Donor Journey: Insights and Best Practices for Fundraising Growth
May 24 | online
REGISTER

Five Good Ideas on creating a psychologically healthy and safe workplace
June 1 | online
REGISTER


Training and Employment Services: Request for Information

Alberta Labour and Immigration and Community and Social Services are soliciting ideas and solutions to address long-term unemployment and the needs arising from a shifting labour market in Alberta. The Ministries are looking for program ideas that are innovative and involve direct client services or platform improvements to current client services that will result in the successful re-attachment of unemployed Albertans in the labour market, as well as enable skill development support for employed or unemployed Albertans making career and employment transitions.  The request for information is now open, and closes on June 1, 2022. For more information, visit the RFI site here.


funding & grants

Government of Alberta Culture Days Grant Funding
The Government of Alberta has opened applications for community nonprofits to apply for an Alberta Culture Days grant. According to the announcement, “Grants of up to $10,000 are available to help community non-profit organizations offset the cost of planning and hosting events, showcasing local talent and highlighting existing cultural programs in their communities”. Applications for this program will be accepted until May 12, 2022. More information on how to apply can be found here.

Government of Alberta Community Facility Enhancement Program Funding
The Government of Alberta has opened the latest round of the Community Facility Enhancement Program Funding. According to this announcement, this program “provides matching funding to help non-profits leverage other sources of funding to upgrade, redevelop, acquire or build public-use facilities”. The small funding stream application deadline is May 15, while the large funding stream application deadline is June 15, 2022. Nonprofits can learn more about how to apply for this funding here. Based on the Government of Alberta Budget 2022, a total of $38.5 million will be made available through this program in the 2022-23 fiscal year.

Canada Council for the Arts: Creating, Knowing and Sharing: The Arts and Cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples
The Canada Council for the Arts is committed to reaffirming and revitalizing its relationship with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada. Creating, Knowing and Sharing acknowledges the cultural sovereignty of Indigenous Peoples and respects the concepts of First Nations, Inuit and Métis self-determination.

Short-Term Projects
The Short-Term Projects component of Creating, Knowing and Sharing funds First Nations, Inuit and Métis professional and aspiring artists, cultural carriers, arts/cultural professionals, groups, collectives and arts/culture organizations. Grants for up to $100,000 provide support for any combination of eligible Creating, Knowing and Sharing activities for projects lasting up to 12 months. The next application deadline for the Short-Term Projects is June 15, 2022, with notification by the end of October 2022. Learn more here.

Small-Scale Activities
The Small-Scale Activities component of Creating, Knowing and Sharing funds activities that will advance your artistic career or practice. This may include acquiring materials for artistic production, engaging in career or artistic development activities or benefitting from specific expertise, advice or training from a professional artist or cultural carrier. This component is open to First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals, artistic groups, collectives and organizations working in all disciplines. The application deadline for the Small-Scale Activities is anytime before the start of your project/activity with notification usually within 3 months of submitting an application. Learn more here.


Blog & More

Let’s talk about the problems with volunteering by The Philanthropist
Research shows that volunteering is one of the most powerful forms of enrichment. Among young and old, it increases life satisfaction, self-esteem, happiness, and physical health, with evidence even suggesting that it extends the lifespan. It expands social networks, increases self-understanding, and leads to the acquisition of new skills and career opportunities. But there is another aspect of volunteering, and of who volunteers, that is too often overlooked. While volunteering brings tremendous benefits to individuals and communities, it remains largely a practice of privilege. People of colour, low-income individuals, people with disabilities, and newcomers all volunteer at lower rates than the general population, missing out on the benefits of volunteering and opportunities to contribute to their communities. This post highlights the need for change in volunteering systems in order to truly be inclusive and representative of those in the community. Read more →

Manager’s Toolkit – Recognizing Declining Mental Health In Employees by Mental Health Commission of Canada
When an employee deviates from their typical attitude, behaviour, or performance, it may be a sign of declining mental health. Changes in mood or behaviour can be brushed aside if work performance is consistent, but it’s important to be mindful of all patterns of change. These changes can be as subtle as leaving the camera off during meetings or a decline in personal grooming. At times, something may just seem “off.” These observations can also lead to important conversations about mental health. This toolkit includes ways to help managers recognize declining mental health, create a safe space for colleagues, and provide them support. Read more →