Email Bulletins Archives

In this July 26 email bulletin from the Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations you will find resources and news items for and about the voluntary sector.

Important Government News – Opportunities for Input

Community Spirit Fund – LAST CHANCE for input
Tuesday, July 31 is the deadline to fill out the questionnaire for the Community Spirit Fund, the Alberta Government's proposed program to match individual donations. CCVO prepared a brief document with our main recommendations and comments on the Fund. Our comments include the belief that, while the Fund is a positive supplement, it is not a solution to the significant funding concerns expressed by organizations providing necessary services and programs. We urge you to include this comment as general input (question 7). Visit our webpage for further information.

Submissions invited for Bill 1: the Lobbyists Act

The Government of Alberta invites public submissions regarding the Lobbyists Act by August 24. The Muttart Foundation is working with partners (including CCVO) on a submission, which we will share once it’s complete. The Bill’s potential impact on the nonprofit sector is enormous and we strongly encourage you to make a submission. You can copy from ours (once complete) or create your own. Visit our website for further details, including a link to the Legal Resource Centre’s thorough analysis of the Bill. Watch for an update in the next Email Bulletin.

Provide your input on cultural policy in Alberta – by July 31

The Alberta government requests your input to help shape cultural policy, which could affect arts, heritage, environment, sports and recreation, human rights, and even the very broad “voluntary sector.” The survey deadline is July 31. For more information, call (403) 310-4455.

CRA News

New test for charity designation
The Canada Revenue Agency's Charities Directorate is making changes to the definitions of “charitable organization” and “public foundation.” The new definitions will allow a person, or group of related persons, to contribute more than 50% of the charity's capital, provided they do not control the charity in any way.

Reports and Resources

Labour inputs to nonprofit organizations

Statistics Canada reports that more than 160,000 nonprofit and voluntary institutions provide employment for about two million Canadians. Accounting for 7% of gross domestic product in 2003, these organizations come in a variety of forms and deliver goods and services in many areas.

Homelessness ‘Chronic’ in Canada

Canada’s homeless population is between 200,000 and 300,000 people, while another 1.7 million residents struggle with "housing affordability issues," says a report from the Calgary-based Sheldon Chumir Foundation for Ethics in Leadership.

Vibrant Communities Calgary (VCC) releases Statistics Canada earnings data

VCC has determined that an individual working full time needs to earn at least $12 per hour plus benefits (or $13.25 an hour) to earn a Living Wage. Information from Statistics Canada, however, reveals that 39,000 Calgarians over age 25 are trying to support themselves on less.

Social Change Conference Papers Available

Presentations and handouts from this conference are available on the City of Calgary web site. Some of the topics include aboriginal and ethnic issues, health care, caregiving, outcome measures and how to use them, and collaboration.

Requests for Proposals, Nominations and Information

Community Sector Organizations Call for Proposal

Human Resources and Social Development Canada posted a Call for Proposals to deliver nearly $3 million in funding to the community nonprofit sector. The two components are: to fund projects that will enable the nonprofit sector to share innovative practices; and to provide further analysis of the Canada Survey on Giving, Volunteering and Participating.

Calgary Learns’ 2008 Request for Proposals for Program Funding

Annually renewable funding is available to nonprofit organizations for foundational learning opportunities for adult Calgarians. Prior to submitting a proposal, contact Calgary Learns’ Grants Coordinator, Jeannie Finch at 215-1430 with ideas for new programs and for more information.

Arts in Healthcare grants available
Johnson & Johnson and the Society for the Arts in Healthcare are now seeking proposals from healthcare and/or arts organizations that have established arts in healthcare programs operating in or warranting replication in underserved communities. The deadline for Letters of Inquiry is September 19, 2007.

Nominate Volunteers
The Wild Rose Foundation requests nominations for its annual Stars of Alberta Volunteer Award. Nominations are open until September 28.

BBB Giving Guide

We have heard from our members that the Better Business Bureau is again calling organizations about providing information for their charity review publication, the Giving Guide. We would like to remind you that participating is completely optional. The most recent guide listed 33 organizations (23% of the total) as “Did Not Participate.” These organizations represent a diverse array of well known and respected groups.

Online Job Centre

To see job descriptions or to post a job online, visit our popular online job centre

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Are you a CCVO Member yet?

CCVO is a membership-based organization that works to strengthen the voluntary sector in Calgary and take a leadership role on policy matters affecting the sector as a whole. To learn more about CCVO membership, contact Janet Lavoie at 261-6655 or jlavoie@calgarycvo.org.

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