Alberta nonprofits reveal sector’s top five priorities ahead of 2023 provincial election
“We need Alberta’s political parties to take nonprofits seriously and help set our sector up for long term success,” says CCVO
On Tuesday, March 14, leaders from Alberta nonprofits gathered at the Kahanoff Centre on Tuesday to unveil the sector’s five top priorities for whichever party forms government after the looming election. The Platform Priorities come as the nonprofit sector, which contributes $5.5 billion to Alberta’s economy annually and employs nearly 300,000 Albertans, has struggled in recent years through the pandemic, inflation and surging demand amid a workforce crisis.
“In almost 30 years of working within nonprofits, I have never seen so many organizations close to shutting their doors,” says Karen Ball, President & CEO of the Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations (CCVO). “Nonprofits have been dealt blow after blow in recent years and simply put, nonprofits are in crisis. We need Alberta’s political parties to take nonprofits seriously and help set our sector up for long term success.”
The Priorities
The five priorities Alberta’s nonprofit sector says will stabilize this essential sector and must be included in party platforms to ensure a strong and robust nonprofit sector in Alberta going forward are:
Appropriate Funding. Provide $300 million over 3 years for nonprofits to address the impacts of the pandemic, inflation, and historic under-resourcing to ensure this essential sector is here for Albertans.
A Workforce Strategy. Undertake a labour market study and strategy to stabilize the nonprofit workforce through addressing recruitment and retention concerns.
Better Data Collection Collaborate on data collection to ensure government and nonprofits can be more effective through data informed action.
A Door To Government. Explore the creation of a dedicated space in government to share challenges, successes & opportunities, with renewed partnership from the Government of Alberta to address them.
An Empowered Sector. Make dollars go further by streamlining funding and sharing decision-making with nonprofits on the most effective allocation of government funds.
More details about these Platform Priorities can be found at on the CCVO website here.
Alberta’s nonprofit sector spans everything from food and mental health to childcare, seniors care, housing, immigrant settlement, recreation, environment, and the arts. With approximately 30,000 nonprofits in Alberta, nonprofits touch the lives of every single Albertan.
The list of Platform Priorities was created in collaboration with the directors of The Nonprofit Vote, a coalition of leading organizations that give voice to nonprofits and charities across Alberta.
“The nonprofit sector needs to be there for Albertans when they need us the most,” says Ball. “Albertans rely on nonprofit organizations every single day and, if taken seriously, our Platform Priorities will ensure we continue to help Albertans for decades to come.”
"ActionDignity has led critical initiatives in Calgary that address issues of diversity, human rights and racial inequities for more than two decades. Nonprofits help so, so, so many Albertans. As we head into a provincial election, it's more important than ever that political parties understand what is happening on the ground in the nonprofit sector and make commitments to support our sector. Every single Albertan will be better off, if this work is done."
- Francis Boakye, Executive Director, ActionDignity
“The number of Albertans living on a low income and living without the capacity to meet their very basic needs in food and housing continues to grow. We are facing a housing crisis, a mental health crisis, an addictions crisis and we are all worried about our kids’ futures. Strategic, evidence-based population level collective action must be enacted in partnership between the social sector and the Government of Alberta. It is only through working together that we can begin to work on solving these crisis and get back to growing the health and wellness of our communities and citizens.”
- Salimah Kassam, Executive Director, Rise Calgary
“Volunteer Lethbridge represents approximately 100 nonprofit organizations in Lethbridge and area by building capacity through training, the provision of resources, and advocacy. In 2020, Volunteer Lethbridge developed a volunteer database and screening program that, with stability, can revolutionize how volunteer centres in Alberta safely match volunteers with nonprofit organizations. Anecdotally, we see a ratio of 20:1 open volunteer positions to an incoming volunteer. Our member organizations are in desperate need of support. This campaign creates a mechanism for the nonprofit sector to speak with one voice with the goal to influence any incoming provincial government to truly understand the value of this sector, and resource accordingly.”
- Amanda Jensen, Executive Director, Volunteer Lethbridge
“For more than 50 years, the Distress Centre has ensured people in Calgary and Southern Alberta have a place to turn to in times of crisis. Last year, we responded to more than 150,000 calls, texts and online chats from people who desperately needed support. We are just one of tens of thousands of nonprofits across this province who help Albertans day and night. A robust nonprofit sector is key to a healthy community and as we head into the election season, it’s important political parties understand the life-saving work nonprofits do and prioritize a stable sector going forward.”
- Robyn Romano, CEO, Distress Centre Calgary
“Nonprofit organizations are at the heart of our communities and play a vital role in building a healthy province. At Wood’s Homes, we support children, youth and families with their mental health, and like so many organizations right now, we’re facing increased demand for services. Thanks to the combination of strong community relationships and intimate local knowledge, nonprofits often understand better than anyone else community needs and the best ways to meet them. Investing in a healthy nonprofit sector that serves our collective good is more imperative than ever.”
- Bjorn Johansson, CEO, Wood’s Homes
“As an entrepreneur who wears many hats, I’m in the unique position of working in the nonprofit, business and tech sector – all at the same time. The differences between these sectors are immense, and it’s clear our essential nonprofit sector is trying their hardest with extremely limited resources amid surging demand. At Fresh Routes, we see every day how much need there is across Calgary when it comes to affordable and accessible food. Just as political parties listen to the business community and give them a seat at the table, they must do the same with the nonprofit sector.”
- Lourdes Juan, Founder & CEO Knead Technologies, Hive Developments, Soma Hammam & Spa, Fresh Routes
"There are over 2,000 Alberta-based nonprofits working in arts & culture in every corner of the province, and like the rest of the nonprofit sector, the arts have been immensely impacted by the pandemic. Yet Albertans have consistently turned to the arts in person and online over the past three years to connect with one another, reduce social isolation, improve mental health, or share an entertaining and moving experience. The arts are intrinsically connected to the quality of life in this province, while also contributing to tourism, talent attraction, mental wellness, community building, and revitalization efforts. The CCVO's Platform Priorities support the recovery of artists and arts organizations to ensure that we can continue to enrich life in Alberta for years to come."
- Simon Mallett, Executive Director, Rozsa Foundation
ABOUT CCVO
CCVO is an advocate and champion of the nonprofit sector, providing leadership on cross-cutting nonprofit policy issues, convening nonprofit leaders, and giving voice to critical issues affecting the sector. For more information, visit the CCVO website.
ABOUT THE NONPROFIT VOTE
Formed in 2021, The Nonprofit Vote is a coalition of leading organizations that give voice to nonprofits and charities across Alberta. We illustrate the strength and impact of Alberta’s nearly 30,000 nonprofits, while advocating for the support needed to allow nonprofits to continue delivering key services and community supports across the province. For more information, visit The Nonprofit Vote website.
media contact
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