Introducing the Nonprofit Chamber!
For 20 years, the Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations has been proud to serve as a voice for the nonprofit sector in Calgary and beyond. As Alberta’s nonprofit landscape has expanded and changed, so have we. While we continue to advocate for and support our sector, we recognized the need for a new name and brand for greater clarity, relevance, and differentiation in the nonprofit sector. That’s why we made the important decision to rebrand as the Nonprofit Chamber.
GST and Membership Fees for Nonprofits
If your nonprofit organization or charity collects membership fees, it's important to be aware of regulations related to the GST system in Canada. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) actively reviews the GST treatment of nonprofits and charities, and a significant number have been found to be non-compliant.
Findings From the 2023 Boland Survey
The Boland Survey is Canada's most comprehensive source for nonprofit compensation data and HR practices. This year's Survey was completed in June and includes a Volunteer Report, Benefits Report, CEO Report, HR Report, and Regional and National Salary Reports.
How Video Content Can Transform Nonprofit Initiatives
Video content, with its combination of moving images, sound, and narration, has the unique ability to transport viewers into the heart of a story. It allows nonprofit organizations to showcase the real-world challenges and triumphs of those they serve. When audiences witness the faces and hear the voices of individuals affected by a cause, they are more likely to empathize with their struggles and feel a strong desire to help.
Now Live! The 2023 State of the Alberta Nonprofit Sector Survey
Fill out the 2023 State of the Nonprofit Sector survey today! CCVO uses findings from this survey to raise our strong collective voice for action, and support policies and programs that help all nonprofits make an impact.
Yahoo! Stampede 2023 in Photographs
The Nonprofit Sector does so much essential work - on the front lines and behind them - and Stampede is a great opportunity to connect with the faces behind it. Huge thanks to all of you who opened your doors and fired up your griddles so we could connect and celebrate.
Budgeting Basics
Not too long ago, we wrote a post on the CCVO blog about budgeting in uncertain times as we all navigated the impacts of the pandemic. You can view that post here. We decided to refresh that blog and remove a bit of the uncertainty from it, as we move forward. Although there are always some unknowns when budgeting, these basics will help you get started and be prepared, without the major uncertainties we have faced in previous years.
An Introduction to Utilizing Key Performance Indicators in Your Organization
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are a way to measure progress towards business or agency goals. Whether it be for profit, employee retention, or general costs, KPIs as a tool have been used for decades by many businesses. The issue for many Not-for-Profits (NPO) is that the majority of these indicators seem to be based on the idea that one is generating profits for the business. This is not always the case, and KPIs serve a valuable purpose in the NPO world as well.
Structuring a Board in a Not-for-Profit
Structuring a Board is a strategic and in-depth process. Many Boards consist of professionals in other sectors or positions that serve on a Board on a volunteer basis. Sometimes it can take a couple of attempts to create the perfect scenario. A Key element one should look for in a Board member in a director position is that they have an understanding of the mission of the not-for-profit and are ready and willing to donate the time required.
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.
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.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
As a sector dedicated to supporting and uplifting communities, we all – staff, board, volunteers, and other supporters – have a direct and important role to play in truth and reconciliation. CCVO acknowledges that the very sector in which, and for which, we work has been founded on colonial systems, and that these systems have contributed to the direct discrimination against and harm of Indigenous Peoples and communities.
With National Day for Truth and Reconciliation approaching this Thursday, we pause to acknowledge and honour the survivors of and those who did not make it home from Canada's Indian residential schools. CCVO staff will spend the week listening and reflecting with open eyes and hearts, as we continue on our own personal learning journeys. Though we recognize that this journey is just that – and that we must spend every day of the year listening and learning.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
As a sector dedicated to supporting and uplifting communities, we all – staff, board, volunteers, and other supporters – have a direct and important role to play in truth and reconciliation. CCVO acknowledges that the very sector in which, and for which, we work has been founded on colonial systems, and that these systems have contributed to the direct discrimination against and harm of Indigenous Peoples and communities.
With National Day for Truth and Reconciliation approaching this Thursday, we pause to acknowledge and honour the survivors of and those who did not make it home from Canada's Indian residential schools. CCVO staff will spend the week listening and reflecting with open eyes and hearts, as we continue on our own personal learning journeys. Though we recognize that this journey is just that – and that we must spend every day of the year listening and learning.
Fundraising Best Practices: Getting Back to Normal
As we get closer to normal life again, it’s important to evaluate your fundraising strategy and make sure you’re ready to pivot once more. Is your organization moving the needle on your mission? Too many people rely on you so there really is no option other than to go all in. This includes fundraising. Catalyst recently hosted a webinar with John Phin, a manager at BNP Goldie Canada, guiding participants through time-honored principles, standards, benchmarks, and fundraising in a post COVID world. This post includes the main learning points from his presentation, written by CCVO Guest Blogger Caitlin Simpson.
The news of the bodies of 215 Indigenous children found at the former residential school in Kamloops, the community of Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc, is a devastating and heartbreaking discovery and reminder of the trauma inflicted by settlers and colonial systems upon Indigenous children, families, and communities. This trauma doesn’t live in the past; it’s present in daily life. As part of the nonprofit sector and our role in serving communities, it is the responsibility of both nonprofit organizations and individuals to learn and acknowledge the disturbing truths of the Indian Residential School system and take deliberate action toward reconciliation.