In November 2005, CCVO hosted an Alberta Regional Finance Action Group meeting that brought together representatives from the voluntary sector; the municipal, provincial and federal governments; and funding organizations to engage in dialogue and explore solutions to the funding issues experienced by the voluntary sector.
The meeting focused on the discussion of four topics:
- the role of government in funding the voluntary sector;
- perceptions of duplication and proliferation of nonprofits and charities;
- funding of overhead and administrative costs; and
- project funding and core funding.
The final report provides a detailed summary of the discussion about each topic, as well as recommendations for further action on the issues.
Recommended Actions
Research: Develop a clear research agenda that will help build a better understanding of the funding issues in the sector.
Expand the dialogue: Increase the level of dialogue and connection between voluntary sector organizations and funders, particularly government funders.
Foster a “shared voice”: Support and build an infrastructure for the voluntary sector to work together on common issues and articulate common positions.
Communicate and raise awareness: Develop a communications strategy to increase awareness and understanding of the role and contribution of the voluntary sector to healthy, vibrant communities.
Next Steps
The participants recommended that CCVO work with the Edmonton Chamber of Voluntary Organizations to continue this dialogue and extend it to others in the Alberta community.
CCVO has distributed the final report widely to stimulate further discussion and action on these issues. We also plan to convene an Alberta Regional Finance Action Group meeting on an annual basis and will collaborate with other organizations in the province to extend understanding and awareness of funding issues through research and dialogue.
Click here to view the full Alberta Regional Finance Action Group report
|
