Community Spirit Program

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Policy Update

Provincial Budget 2009: Wild Rose Foundation Update

This Pre-Budget submission by CCVO, ECVO, Volunteer Alberta and The Muttart Foundation called for the Provincial government to:

1. Maintain funding levels for community based organizations
2. Earmark infrastructure spending for community projects
3. Continue to support programs and policies that stimulate charitable giving
4. Continued support for the Alberta Voluntary/Nonprofit Sector Initiative (ANVSI)

The Community Spirit Program is a two-part approach to encourage increased individual donations.

It includes the Community Spirit Donation Grant Program, which matches cash donations made to non-profits and registered charities operating in Alberta, and the Enhanced Charitable Tax Credit Program, which increased the provincial tax credit to 50 cents for every dollar donated over a $200 threshold.

This issue includes a message from Katherine van Kooy on CCVO's activities in 2007 and the Lobbyist Act. It also provides information on the Calgary HR Initiative, why advocacy and lobbying are valuable activities, and a checklist for boards by guest contributor Sean Moore.

CCVO examines the potential impacts of the Community Spirit Program for Alberta's charities and nonprofits.

The cover story provides results from our 2007 Membership Survey, completed by 204 people. The newsletter also includes updates on several Government collaborations and policy issues and a Guest Column by Sam Aylesworth. Member organizations profiled are NeighbourLink Calgary and Opportunity Works.

Letter from MLA Commitee organizing the Community Spirit Program confirming CCVO's involvement in a commitee meeting on the development of the program.

Ed Stelmach, Progressive Conservative Party leadership candidate, has annouced a new program for the voluntary sector, called the Community Spirit Program, that will be implemented if he is elected preimer.