The federal government recently released their 2010 budget, which contained some big changes for Canadian charities. What will likely affect charities the most is the removal of the 80/20 disbursement quota and changes to the capital disbursement quota.
This is the third in a series of six articles that discuss outcome measurement. This month we will look at defining outcomes and logic models for the programs you have selected for measurement.
What should you do if a recruiter you are dealing with seems to dislike you?
This article includes three ideas for attracting baby boomer volunteers to your organization.
Using metrics to prove the value of HR to an organization.
When employees say they’re leaving for a higher salary, they may just be giving a safe answer. It usually takes a pay increase of about 15% or higher for someone to switch jobs.
Five strategic steps every not-for-profit board should undertake if the organization is to continue to deliver on the priority needs and expectations of its stakeholders.
As the federal government does not have the necessary jurisdiction to regulate charities, it is forced to use the registration system, through the Canada Revenue Agency, to enforce regulations more generally. This podcast provides further clarification and is of vital interest to anyone working in the nonprofit sector.
When board members act unethically, invoke conflict of interest and meet separately to deal with the situation.
Common charitable receipting errors and how to avoid them.
This article discusses how to market memorial gifts and planned giving programs to donors.
Your success at online fundraising depends on four words. If you want to acquire members and donors, raise funds and encourage others to advocate for your cause, these four words must appear on your website.
Wanting to check the pulse of our fierce, battle-weary, yet ever-energetic fundraisers, we brought a few together and asked: How are you faring going into 2010?
A profile of various leadership renewal programs, including the Metcalfe Foundation’s innovative program.
This is the second in a series of six articles that discuss outcome measuremen. We will look at the preparation needed to implement outcome measurement in your organization.
Follow these tips to cope with an unhappy co-worker.
This article includes three ideas for creating successful volunteer experiences for youth.
Disengaging supervisors keep employee engagement levels low. Yet there are supervisors like this everywhere. This article looks at the reasons why.
The following approach can enable your team to "step back," look at the big picture and enhance the effectiveness of your overall communications.
When the Haiti earthquake struck, Canadians wanted to support aid programs. And for the first time, in record numbers, they did it through their mobile devices.
What to do when a board member abuses the proxy rules and how to prevent this from happening.
This article lists things you should look for in an auditor for your nonprofit.
Four trends employees and employers must understand as the nonprofit sector evolves.
Although charities don’t have to file income tax returns, filing their information return is one of the most important responsibilities that a charity has. A failure to file results in the Canada Revenue Agency revoking a charity’s registered status.
This article outlines the essentials to keeping proper financial records.
A profile of the Charity Intelligence program, which researches and analyzes Canada’s charities, enabling funders to make informed and effective giving decisions that reward charities for their results.
This article describes methods of getting the most out of employer-supported volunteerism.
Strategic planning trends in nonprofit organizations for 2010, with illustrations.
This is the first in a series of six articles that discuss outcome measurement: what it is, how to do it, and most importantly, how it will help your organization.
Still reverberating from an economic shock to its system, the sector is searching for strategic implements to pull it out of the crisis-fuelled debris and help reestablish a sustainable terra firma upon which to move forward. But like their for-profit neighbours, some in the voluntary sector are considering more innovative approaches, particularly collaborative ones.
As a business owner, manager, or team leader, your leadership style has a huge impact on how your people react to change. Understanding the effects of change will help you lead your people through the process more effectively.
Three ideas to improve volunteer and staff relationships.
Manon Barbeau has a simple dream: giving young people from First Nations communities an opportunity to express themselves using video and music, promoting a sense of healing, empowerment, and community engagement.
Are you prepared to meet all your legal requirements in 2010? Find out the top three things you should be aware of for 2010, as well as other factors such as insurance, employment agreements, privacy policies.
What to do when a virtual, part-time employee isn’t performing and whether termination via email is ethical.
Succession planning is not about replacing an existing employee. The purpose is to prepare the organization and develop its "bench strength" for future organizational requirements. There are five elements to managing a succession process.
Are you thinking of starting or joining an umbrella group that oversees other organizations? If so, it’s vital that you understand all the legal ramifications, including charitable status, following provincial and federal regulations, disbursement quotas, and basic terminology.
What are some common characteristics, traits, and practices that an employer may look for? How can someone "stand out from the crowd" at work?
Follow these ten resolutions for a successful career.
Three ideas to improve your volunteer retention.
Over the last few years the concept of office consolidation has been adopted by voluntary sector organizations: splitting rents, sharing office supplies, and in the process, reducing all manner of overhead costs associated with running a nonprofit or business of any kind. Yet while the idea is fiscally sound, there are pros and cons to sharing one’s workspace with other organizations.
Managers who face tough conditions that require tough decisions need to summon up some courage.
Moving from diversity to inclusion in the workplace by removing barriers to full participation.
Jane tells us why she offers questions and considerations instead of straight advice.
In these volatile times, it is more important than ever to assure your board, management team, donors, and partners that the organization is positioned to handle the challenges of diminishing or flat revenues and increasing demand.
Succession planning is a process, and to be successful the organization’s chief staff officer and board leadership must prepare for succession planning before starting the actual process – this involves considering four key factors.
A profile of the Atlas of Alberta Charities project.
Controlling costs and staying flexible for nonprofits in challenging times.
With social media the buzzword of late, some nonprofits are taking the plunge, hoping these newfangled modes of outreach will help them reach their goals. But how useful is social media, really?
This article provides further explanation of the Canada Revenue Agency’s Guidance on Fundraising, including what fundraising is and is not, prohibited fundraising conduct, and allocation of fundraising expenses.
