Preparing Albertans for Climate Change Webinar April 15 | New Connections Conference Sessions
2024 Connections Conference
Presented by ATB and Suncor Energy Foundation
THURSDAY, APRIL 25 | 7:30-4:30 | GREY EAGLE CONFERENCE CENTRE
CCVO's Connections Conference brings together professionals, leaders, and changemakers from Alberta's nonprofit, business, and government sectors for learning and dialogue to turn ideas into actions. The year conference content will focus on key areas of funding and fund development, advocacy and government relations, and workforce and human resources.
This year’s conference sessions include:
The Discourse Podcast - Live Recording
Erika Barootes and Cheryl Oates are seasoned political strategists that come from opposite ends of the political spectrum. In this live taping, Erika and Cheryl will discuss the government’s current approach to funding for nonprofits and share their experiences of what government relations strategies work.
Trends in Fundraising | Keeping Your Eye on the Landscape
Join Val Hoey for a dynamic exploration of the latest fundraising trends shaping the philanthropic landscape. Delve into actionable insights, innovative strategies, and case studies that will elevate your organization's impact.
Swimming Upstream: Prevention Approaches and Engagement Strategies to Help Stop Sexual Harassment
The Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services will showcase its 3-year workplace sexual harassment awareness campaign sharing key findings of pre- and post-campaign research and evaluation, how to use social sciences to effectively engage people in the issue of workplace sexual harassment, and how workplaces can get involved.
Our Journey Towards Reconciliation: Meaningful Practices and Policies
Diana Steele and Daisy Giroux will share the Kahanoff's Centre for Charitable Activities journey towards allowing Indigenous Oral Practices and ceremony to occur within the building. They will discuss why this effort is important and how others can be part of the journey.
Ticket Pricing
CCVO Members - $169/individual; $1,149/table of 8
Non-Members - $229/individual; $1,599/table of 8
Check our Member Directory to confirm your organization's current membership status.
Preparing Albertans for Climate Change E-Course Information Session
MONDAY, APRIL 15 | 1:00PM-2:00PM | ZOOM
Join us for a webinar with the University of Calgary's Office of Sustainability. The Preparing Albertans for Climate Change e-course takes a closer look at climate change impacts and solutions in Southern Alberta. The course provides locally relevant, evidence-based information on climate change impacts and solutions, featuring insights from local subject matter experts.
This information session is suited for community leaders, educators, or local organizations looking to increase their capacity to engage Albertans in climate dialogues using these resources. Backed by the latest social science research, participants will explore best practices in climate change communications and become familiar with the contents of the toolkit and e-course.
Facing the Storm: State of the Sector 2023
It's been one month since we launched our Facing the Storm: State of the Sector 2023 Report. Thank you to everyone who read our report, came out to our report launch event, or attended one of our presentations with Fuse Social or Volunteer Lethbridge and Alberta Nonprofit Network! Read the full Facing the Storm Report here and see some of the media coverage that the Report has received here.
Last year, we used our State of the Sector report to help put together five platform priorities with The Nonprofit Vote. Progress has been made on three of these priorities, and this year we will be working on charting a course for appropriate funding.
We know that funding reform is a big undertaking, and we are committed to it because nonprofits have asked for it. The best chance of succeeding is with a clear set of funding priorities for the sector and a clear understanding of the funding mechanisms that work for nonprofits. We need you to come give your input and help us craft these immediate funding priorities and long-term funding strategies for the nonprofit sector at our online sessions held from April 29 to May 8.
Remembering Dr. Roger Gibbins
We at CCVO offer our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Dr. Roger Gibbins. He was a leading voice for charities in Alberta and Canada, pushing us to own our expertise and engage in policy advocacy. His work left a profound impact that still resonates in our sector, and his words at our AGM in 2018 still echo today.
He will be missed, and we are grateful for his voice that lives on in these meaningful and lasting public contributions.
Policy Highlights
Finance Committee Recommendations for Budget 2024
The 2024 federal budget will be released on April 16. Some of the recommendations listed in the pre-budget consultation report that are relevant to the sector include:
178: Invest in the development and implementation of a national action strategy on volunteerism to support volunteer activity across the country and the organizations that rely on the work of volunteers to support Canadians.
181: Fund the creation and implementation of a workforce development strategy in collaboration with the charitable sector.
227: Streamline granting processes to make them more accessible and support multi‐year funding to encourage strategic and advanced planning, effective use of funds, and sustainability.
311: Before proceeding with the proposed changes to the Alternative Minimum Tax, determine the impact these changes will have on charitable revenues by conducting an independent economic and financial analysis.
These recommendations are non-binding but show that there is parliamentary support for these initiatives. See the full pre-budget consultation report here.
Alberta Budget Analysis
On March 5, Melissa Caouette of The Pocket Lobbyist broke down the budget at The Nonprofit Vote’s Budget Analysis and Political Gossip with Friends event. Sabrina Grover, Cheryl Oates, Richard Gotfried, and moderator John Alho joined in a lively discussion afterward to spill the budget tea.
Major takeaways from the budget:
Critical sub-sectors see budget increases, such as Health, Education, Housing (homelessness,) the Arts, Social Supports (violence prevention and AISH), Workforce (Daycare and Alberta is Calling campaign)
The Community Initiatives Program decreased by $4 million while the Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) remained stable at $50 million
Health, Education, and CFEP budgets do not keep up with population growth and inflation
Promises kept: Community Recreation Centre Infrastructure Program, $30 million over three years (part of the CFEP program)
New programs: Electric Vehicle Tax, Carbon Capture Incentive Program, Local Growth and Sustainability Program
Absent: New tax bracket for those earning <$60,000, affordability measures, South Edmonton Hospital, Alberta Pension Plan
Watch Melissa Caouette's full analysis of the budget here.
Learning Opportunities
Nonprofit Founders and Organizational Succession: Joys and Challenges
Mar 26 | online
REGISTER
Creating a Mission-Aligned Social Enterprise
Mar 27 | online
REGISTER
Statistics Canada Data on the Nonprofit Sector and How to Use It
Mar 27 | online
REGISTER
Digital Skills for Nonprofits: Practical Tips & Resources to Understand the Sector's Shifting Tech Landscape
Mar 28 | online
REGISTER
A Roadmap to Move Equity-Related Talk to Equitable Action
Mar 28 | online
REGISTER
The Basics of Bylaws, Policies, and Procedures
Apr 9 | online
REGISTER
Empowerment Coach Training
Momentum’s Empowerment Coach Training is a Level 1 ICF accredited training program that uses a Trauma-Informed Approach to coaching. This 16-week, 70-hour program is designed to help people learn the skills and tools required to support clients/staff in making profound changes in their personal and professional lives, achieving their goals, and actualizing their potential.
The program is certified by the International Coaching Federation, meaning that anyone who takes this training will be a certified coach. The program is also eligible for the Canada-Alberta Job Grant. Register and find out more information here.
Funding & Grants
Family and Community Support Services Call for Funding Proposals
The City of Calgary is accepting applications for the Family & Community Support Services (FCSS) program until April 10. FCSS funds evidence-informed preventive social service programs and initiatives that promote and enhance well-being among individuals, families, and communities.
Applications are open to registered nonprofits and there is no set minimum or maximum funding amounts. There is a total of $41.4 million available, and successful proposals will be recommended for a two-year or four-year funding term. Find the application and more information here.
2024 Meaningful Work Foundation Grant
The Raise Meaningful Work Foundation exists to break down barriers to meaningful employment. Registered Canadian charities that are helping to break down barriers to meaningful employment can apply for grants of $5,000 – $15,000. Applications are due by March 31. Find the application here.
Kindred Foundation Youth Mental Health Grant
The Kindred Foundation Youth Mental Health Grant is focused on providing financial support to Canadian organizations providing mental health services to Black and/or 2SLGBTQ+ youth.
Applicants must be a registered Canadian charity or qualified donee with a maximum operational budget of $3 million. Preference will be given to Black-led and/or 2SLGBTQ+-led organizations. A maximum of $30,000 per grant will be awarded, with a grant duration of one year. The application deadline is April 8, and applications can be found here.
Blogs & More
Why Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Board Governance and Decent Work Practices are Non-negotiables with Paul Taylor
Let's Imagine Podcast
The cultures of boards are also not the most inclusive. It's in those in-between moments, so not necessarily what's on the agenda, but when people are breaking or people are heading home and those side conversations that I think tell people that they're not welcome or that it's not a space for them. If you've had a history of poverty or food insecurity and navigating racism and you show up at one of these meetings and you find that there are predominantly people who haven't had those experiences and the kinds of things that they're talking about are their cottage trip for the weekend. Those sorts of things. I think that's very telling for folks that these spaces are not for them. Listen here→
EQUITY | Accountability (Not Guilt) Will Further Equity and Inclusion Goals
Chanel Grenaway, Hilborn Charity eNews
The truth is, anti-racism work involves constant examining amid changing thoughts, feelings, and behaviours – not an easy ask for creatures of habit, who are often multi-tasking and working in environments with a lot of distractions and noise. But this is the work. While countless anti-racism, equity, and inclusion tools exist (e.g. guidebooks, articles, podcasts, and templates), progress is ultimately hinged on our ability to take accountability and apply new routines. It’s the individual and collective decisions, consistent efforts, and commitment to altering our behaviours that create the conditions for actions and engagement. Read More→