Standing Committee on Alberta’s Economic Future Releases Final Report of Lobbyists Act Review
The Standing Committee on Alberta’s Economic Future has released the final report regarding their review of the Lobbyists Act. Last year, CCVO, in partnership with ECVO, provided a joint submission as well as a made a presentation directly to the committee recommending that the exemption for public benefit nonprofits be upheld as it had been in previous reviews. CCVO is pleased that the committee has heard the voice of nonprofits and recommended that the exemption be upheld. This decision will ensure that the Lobbyists Act does not create both unnecessary red tape for the Government of Alberta and unnecessary work for the Alberta nonprofits working in the public interest and for public benefit.
Government of Alberta Provides Update on the Stabilize Program
In their recent announcement, the Government of Alberta provided an update on spending during the second phase of the Stabilize Program, which supports the live-experience sector in Alberta. According to the announcement, “About $5.6 million in community support went to 60 organizations, including matched funds from 68 pledges”. More specifically, “about $1.7 million went to 56 non-profits that host live experiences or that own and/or operate live-experience venues through the Adapt and Innovate stream of the Stabilize Program”. The announcement does not mention any future funding for the Stabilize Program.
Government of Alberta Announces Partnership with the United Way of Calgary and Area to Expand Social Innovation
The Government of Alberta has announced a partnership with the United Way of Calgary and Area to foster social innovation across the province through an expansion of the Social Impact Lab. According to the announcement, “With $1.75 million to be distributed over the next four years, the United Way Calgary and Area will expand its Social Impact Lab model with permanent locations in Edmonton and Lethbridge and pop-up labs across Alberta”. More information on ways your organization can get involved with the Social Impact Lab can be found here.
Government of Alberta Announces Results of Community Initiatives Program Funding
According to the latest results of the Community Initiatives Program funding, $4.4 million will be released to nonprofits working in the community. Under the project-based funding stream, “a total of $2.3 million is supporting 69 projects, including new or enhanced programs and community events”. Under the operating based funding, “a total of $2.1 million is supporting 34 non-profits working to deliver services to vulnerable and disadvantaged Albertans. This funding can go to core operations and organizational development activities”. A list of successful past recipients can be found here. The next application deadline for this funding is May 15th. More information on how to apply for the project-based stream can be found here while information on the operating stream can be found here.
Premier's Council on Charities and Civil Society Releases Report on Supporting Women's Economic Recovery
The Premier’s Council on Charities and Civil Society has released a new report titled Supporting Women’s Economic Recovery. The report provides “advice on how civil society and government can work together to address challenges faced by women, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic”. CCVO participated in the open call for input into this report and published our recommendations which can be found here. The report incorporates several of the recommendations made. We commend the Council for taking on this work and encourage them to continue to explore the creative ways that nonprofits can address systemic issues faced by women.
Government of Alberta Announces Recipients of Nonprofit-Specific Funding
The Government of Alberta has announced the successful recipients of the Civil Society Fund and the Women’s Economic Recovery Challenge Grant. A total of 22 nonprofit organizations will receive the Women’s Economic Recovery Challenge Grant, which aims “to help enhance economic opportunities for women and girls”. The amount of funding available increased from the original $1 million to $3.6 million due to high demand.
New members appointed to the Advisory Committee on the Charitable Sector
On April 5, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue, announced the appointment of nine new members to the Advisory Committee on the Charitable Sector (ACCS). The Advisory Committee on the Charitable Sector (ACCS) is a consultative forum for the Government of Canada to engage in meaningful dialogue with the charitable sector, to advance emerging issues relating to charities, and to ensure the regulatory environment supports the important work that charities do.
Government of Alberta Announces Matching Donations for Sport Recreation Programs as part of Creative Partnerships Alberta
The Government of Alberta recently announced a new campaign that will match individual donations up to $1,000 made to “eligible provincial sport, physical activity and recreation programs”. The campaign will run from April 1 to August 30, 2022, or when the maximum matching of $350,000 is reached. Donations can be made through the Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation (SPAR) Donation Fund Program online portal starting April 1.
Telling Your Organization's Story
At the core of many not-for-profits is empathy, compassion, and community. Every Not-for-Profit has a story behind their cause. Telling a story in a compelling way will help solidify a cause, attract donors, and position an organization strongly in their community. Donors are searching for meaning, and hearing the stories from not-for-profits helps them feel connected to the cause.
CCVO Releases Budget 2022 Analysis for Nonprofits
CCVO has recently released their in-depth analysis of Budget 2022 for nonprofits. Under the theme of “moving forward”, this budget outlined a fiscal plan for the next three years, with the focus on economic recovery in Alberta. In this budget, the Government of Alberta announced three key priorities and outlined their objectives for each priority area in the strategic plan. The budget projects total revenue of approximately $62.6 billion while total expenses, including the COVID-19 Recovery fund, will equal approximately $62,096 billion, leaving a surplus of $511 million.
Government of Alberta Budget 2022 Analysis
The budget projects total revenue of approximately $62.6 billion while total expenses, including the COVID-19 Recovery fund, will equal approximately $62,096 billion, leaving a surplus of $511 million. While this budget represents a projected surplus, it does not recognize the importance of community recovery or identify the nonprofit sector as a leader in that effort with any major new investments to support community recovery. In terms of the sector, the focus is on debt elimination and maintaining status quo, stating “until the debt is eliminated, resources will continue to be used to pay interest costs rather than being directed to delivering the important government programs and services that Albertans rely on”.
CCVO to Host 2022 Alberta Budget Analysis Event for Nonprofits
With the release of the 2022 Alberta Budget yesterday, CCVO will be working on a detailed budget analysis over the coming weeks (read their initial analysis here). On March 22, CCVO will host a presentation and panel discussion focused on the budget, including a walk-through of their detailed analysis by CCVO Research Manager Kirsten Boda. After the presentation of the analysis, CCVO President & CEO Karen Ball will moderate a panel discussion focused on what Budget 2022 means for the nonprofit sector, followed by audience Q&A.
Budget 2022 and Community Prosperity in Alberta: Initial Analysis from CCVO
Budget 2022-23 in Alberta was tabled Thursday, February 24th, 2022. Under the theme of “moving forward”, a fiscal plan was outlined for the next three years (2022-2025) with the focus on economic recovery in Alberta. Alberta Budget 2022-23 is overall a maintenance budget of the province’s investment in the work of Alberta’s community nonprofits. It is not a budget that supports community recovery or that recognizes investment in community prosperity as an important and necessary element of Alberta’s economic recovery, which CCVO outlined in our 2022 budget submission.
How to Budget in Uncertain Times
As organizations continue to navigate through uncertain times, it can be tricky to budget when a multitude of outside factors could change your course of action. This post from guest blogger Robin Butler of Baker Tilly Catalyst highlights a few guidelines and tips that can be utilized to plan your budgeting even during turbulent times.
Alberta Immigrant Mentorship Innovation Grant
The Government of Alberta has announced $1 million in funding meant to “help newcomers access mentorship opportunities to build their careers and further diversify Alberta’s economy”. This funding “supports organizations in delivering career mentorship programs that help newcomers find meaningful employment based on their work experience, education and skills”. To be eligible, projects must fall under one of four grant priority areas.