Sound strategic planning is critical for an organization’s success because it helps define and communicate what the organization wants to accomplish and the steps necessary to get there. Unfortunately, less than 10% of strategies are effectively executed according to Fortune...
Should a charity divert monies from its programs to attempt to influence public policy? A charitable mission is about making some aspect of the world or community better. If a current or proposed public policy works against that mission, the...
It should come as no surprise that the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is often classified as one of the most ethnically diverse urban centres in the world. Consisting of the central city of Toronto, along with four surrounding regional municipalities...
Citizen protests come in a variety of forms. Some take to the street or show up at Parliament Hill, placards in hand. Others strike, petition, blockade and sit-in (or bed-in, a la Lennon; but I digress).Then there are blackouts –...
Many of us would rather get a root canal than go through yet another organizational revisioning process. The question is: Is it still important to have a mission statement in 2012? The story of Family Services of Hamilton (FSH) offers...
Our board is very new to fundraising. What would you recommend to support their efforts? The board’s role in fundraising is one of my favourite topics, albeit an evolving one. Times are changing as the development profession matures but many...
Against the current backdrop of sector challenges, nonprofits have a tremendous opportunity to use cross-sector partnerships to support their mission by accessing highly skilled and engaged volunteers. Unlike previous times when partnerships with corporations were mainly philanthropic in nature and...
Canadian charities and terrorism aren’t generally subjects associated with one another. But recent legislative changes to Canada’s anti-terrorism laws, the Criminal Code and heightened scrutiny by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) on how domestic charities finance and oversee projects abroad...
To say we're witnessing some interesting times is akin to stating Harry Potter has a way with wands: it's an understatement. It seems every day there's a disparaging revelation, a new accusation, pitting charities against federal leaders or special interest...
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...
