There’s nothing quite like an annual report to get the creative juices flowing. Or not. Typically viewed as a tedious, mind-numbing exercise, when I was recently asked to help an organization produce theirs, the request was prefaced with an apologetic,...
Stunt philanthropy. Haven’t heard of the term? Keep reading. Just think... One of Canada’s most charismatic members of parliament forgoes the warmth of his bed to sleep outside to raise money and awareness for support programs for homeless youth. A...
Given how much time board members give to their charity, is it ethical to also expect them to donate? Yes, it is. Volunteers are usually the best source of funds for a charity, and it would be irresponsible not to...
Today's nonprofits are agile — a necessity when budgets are lean, government grants can disappear in a flash and fundraising is as critical as the programs you deliver. But recently, successful nonprofits aren't just agile, they're mobile — as in...
Innovation is both buzzword and bugbear: everyone wants to be seen as innovative but no one really wants to take on the risks of something new; no one really knows how to innovate (is that even a proper verb?); and...
If you're tasked with writing grant proposals, you've probably spent some time wondering what goes on behind the scenes at the foundations to which you apply so assiduously. Wouldn't it be nice to get an insider's look at the decision-makers...
Statistics Canada released the results of its 2010 Canadian Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating (CSGVP) last Wednesday. Released every three years, this iteration again provides some intriguing updates to how much (and how many) Canadians are giving back to...
Even Justin Bieber gives to charity. Actually, there's a bevy of Canadian artists and musicians that are heavily involved with giving back to their communities across the country, and yes, the Biebs is one of them. This charitable spirit in...
We want to improve our donor recognition and stewardship programs. What would you recommend? Thanks for your question; you have chosen one of my favourite topics because it's an area that can make or break your fundraising efforts. I've often...
When nine-year-old Alaina Podmorow agreed to join her mother one evening at a presentation by author and activist Sally Armstrong, she was just hoping to cadge a later bedtime. But the presentation changed Alaina's life. Armstrong spoke about the lack...
