A Community Prosperity Strategy for a COVID-19 Recovery
By Marokh Yousifshahi, CCVO Policy Analyst; and Alexa Briggs, CCVO Director, Policy & Research
Building a Community Prosperity Strategy is a collective effort and a strong strategy will leverage the strengths of the nonprofit sector, the private sector, funders and other stakeholders, and the provincial government. Over the last few months, CCVO has drafted several recommendations and released them in a blog series. These recommendations built on the report we released this summer where CCVO committed to supporting the nonprofit sector in making the COVID-19 crisis an opportunity. Our communities, businesses, and individuals have been through quite a lot – with so many nonprofits also reeling from the effects of the pandemic, while also leading the way on providing support to those who have experienced the worst of the pandemic. A strategy for community prosperity is a plan for a more resilient future nonprofit sector; one where the sector rejects a return to the status quo and emerges stronger and more robust.
Why a Community Prosperity Strategy?
Even though there are still months of social distancing and varying restrictive measures to come, with news of a COVID-19 vaccine, there is now an end in sight to this pandemic. As attention turns to building back better, it is time to focus on inclusive strategies for recovery. While Alberta has developed an Economic Recovery Plan, its focus is on capital investments in infrastructure. A Community Prosperity Strategy fills the gap in that plan; it recognizes that the nonprofit sector has been the backbone of the province in responding to the pandemic and in protecting the stability and health of our communities. This strategy includes a plan for Social Infrastructure as a means to recovery in building and maintaining the Alberta Community Advantage. It recognizes that the impacts of the pandemic have been unequal for people of colour, young people, women, and low-skilled workers, and promotes an inclusive recovery.
Community Prosperity Strategy Recommendations
Through research and community discussions, CCVO provided some recommendations for the nonprofit sector, the Government of Alberta, funders and other stakeholders, and the private sector. These recommendations are subject to change as we continue to facilitate more discussions with nonprofit organizations across Alberta.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE NONPROFIT SECTOR
Nonprofits can take the lead on addressing inequities (e.g. by gender, income, race) as we hold considerable experience and expertise.
Be bold and advocate for what we need as a sector.
Show up as equals, as the essential part of a cohesive society that we are – and if we are not invited to show up at the table, we will make our own.
Make mental health a priority for staff.
Invest in the next generation.
Click here and here to read the full post on recommendations for the nonprofit sector in building a Community Prosperity Strategy.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA
Create a Social Infrastructure Fund that will enable society to work effectively through the commitment of 3.5% or $350 million, of the total budgeted amount of $10 billion allocated towards the Alberta Recovery Plan. This fund will support community focused recovery that will create jobs and spur economic stimulus.
Commit to increasing internet connectivity and digital literacy for individuals and organizations.
Click here to read the full post on recommendations for the Government of Alberta in building a Community Prosperity Strategy and CCVO’s 2021 pre-budget submission for the Government of Alberta.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUNDERS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS
Provide targeted funding for operational costs, emergency planning, projects advancing equity within and external to the organization, and for organizations that are not providing COVID-19 related support services.
Provide support to help nonprofits innovate by thinking differently about the sector and provide funding for administrative costs, which are essential to maintain the organization’s mission and maintain employment.
Coordinate and collaborate with other funders to reduce reporting and administrative burden.
Click here to read the full post on recommendations for funders and other stakeholders in building a Community Prosperity Strategy.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR
Encourage and support an organizational culture of giving and volunteerism by: providing more opportunities for employee involvement on nonprofit boards; making a commitment to support social issues in partnership with nonprofits; and continuing employee engagement with nonprofit organizations through innovation in this new environment.
Find and recognize ways to advance the prosperity of local communities through supporting the nonprofit sector with expertise and knowledge by: supporting technology access, training, and maintenance; providing access to corporate training opportunities; and providing access to emergency planning professionals.
Leverage the nonprofit sector's contributions to the prosperity of our communities through: robust and vibrant social infrastructure that benefits communities and supports business objectives; and more advocacy on how much nonprofits contribute to society.
Click here to read the full post on recommendations for the private sector in building a Community Prosperity Strategy.
The Next Step in Building a Community Prosperity Strategy
We want to hear from you! Early in the New Year, all of the blog posts in this series will be compiled into a discussion paper that will be shared broadly. CCVO will then be looking to engage across sectors and across the province. Engagement will consist of online conversations about what makes a community great – things like public art, green spaces, or the feeling of belonging – and how these community strengths play a role in our economic recovery. These conversations will form the Community Prosperity Strategy for a multi-sectoral effort for a post-COVID-19 economic recovery that will strengthen our communities.
We encourage you to share your thoughts about what makes a community great, helping to build a collective Community Prosperity Strategy as we wrap up our blog series and begin our facilitation process. Join the conversation on our website or social media using #ABCommunityAdvantage.