The Alberta Nonprofit Survey: Road to Recovery

By Marokh Yousifshahi, CCVO Policy Analyst

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered our communities across the province, in ways we couldn’t have imagined before. What does a post-pandemic reality look like and what does it mean for the future of nonprofits and charities in Alberta? Now more than ever, civil society has a critical role to play in shaping a recovery plan and pushing for a responsible implementation with the inclusion of civil society. The data collected through the Alberta Nonprofit Survey (ANS) will help to ensure that the Alberta nonprofit and charitable sector has a voice in a recovery plan.

Road to Recovery

As we are still dealing with the pandemic and slowly reopening the economy, it may seem too early to think about recovery. However, it is not too soon to ensure that we have a voice in designing a plan. The key questions are “How will a recovery plan be implemented?” and “What practical steps do nonprofits and charities in Alberta need to take to ensure that they have a critical role in the recovery plan?” Your organization’s participation in the ANS and the subsequent focus groups and interviews will be essential in ensuring that the sector has a role to play – enhanced by concrete data.

The pandemic has shed light on some of the cracks in our system. This includes the financial constraints that many organizations have had to endure, and may continue to experience for some time. Many organizations are concerned about the long-term sustainability given the disruptions in fundraising, programs, and services. Challenges such as addressing the mental health of Albertans, including nonprofit employees, will require greater attention. Additionally, addressing the needs of marginalized communities and cultural organizations in the recovery plan will be essential to ensure a vibrant province.

Why Your Input Matters

We need you to share your insights in this year’s ANS! Your input and our research will fuel CCVO’s and the sector’s advocacy efforts which will empower your organization, help regain your footing, and prepare the nonprofit sector in a post-pandemic world.

The ANS and CCVO’s personal focus groups and interviews will provide meaningful insight into the analysis of the needs of the sector for the long-term. That’s why we are reaching out to you – to better understand how this crisis is impacting you and to seek ways we can help build a stronger civil society after the pandemic. The data we collect is crucial in understanding how the government, CCVO, and the sector should respond in order to keep our communities vibrant and healthy.

The data will become the foundation of CCVO’s 2020 State of the Alberta Nonprofit Sector report. It is essential to provide stakeholders with robust data they can utilize to support a range of subsectors and regions across the province. You can read our State of the Sector report from last year to get an understanding of the type of analysis CCVO provides for the sector.

How to Complete the Survey and Participate in Focus Groups

Complete the Alberta Nonprofit Survey here by June 5, 2020. It only takes 10 minutes to complete the survey. At the end of the survey, you will have the opportunity to express your interest in joining us for a focus group or interview this summer.

Thank you for your participation and your help in sharing the survey!