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.
Alberta nonprofits reveal sector’s top five priorities ahead of 2023 provincial election
On Tuesday, March 14, leaders from Alberta nonprofits gathered at the Kahanoff Centre on Tuesday to unveil the sector’s five top priorities for whichever party forms government after the looming election. The Platform Priorities come as the nonprofit sector, which contributes $5.5 billion to Alberta’s economy annually and employs nearly 300,000 Albertans, has struggled in recent years through the pandemic, inflation and surging demand amid a workforce crisis.
Alberta nonprofits reveal sector’s top five priorities ahead of 2023 provincial election
On Tuesday, March 14, leaders from Alberta nonprofits gathered at the Kahanoff Centre on Tuesday to unveil the sector’s five top priorities for whichever party forms government after the looming election. The Platform Priorities come as the nonprofit sector, which contributes $5.5 billion to Alberta’s economy annually and employs nearly 300,000 Albertans, has struggled in recent years through the pandemic, inflation and surging demand amid a workforce crisis.
CCVO Releases 2023 Provincial Pre-Budget Submission
CCVO’s 2023 Provincial Pre-Budget Submission has been released. The two budget requests CCVO is making are a commitment to indexing all granting programs to inflation and growth and an investment budget in a strategic Community Prosperity Fund, eligible only to nonprofits totalling $300 million over 3 years.
The Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act
Bill 1, The Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act, has been tabled, passed third reading and will be law once it reaches Royal Assent, which Premier Smith has indicated will be in this fall session. There is currently potential for this Act to impact any nonprofits and charities in Alberta that fall under the Act’s definition of “provincial entity”.
Alberta nonprofits call for $30 million in emergency funds to keep sector afloat
Members of Alberta’s nonprofit community stood alongside business leaders at carya Village Commons on Tuesday to call for an urgent one-time cash injection of $30 million from the provincial government to keep the nonprofit sector afloat.
The ask for an urgent, one-time top-up of $30 million comes as nonprofits across Alberta juggle heightened demand for services with increasingly complex client needs while revenues decrease.
Government of Alberta 2023 Budget Consultation
The Government of Alberta is currently looking for feedback to help decide the direction of the 2023 budget. A short online survey is open until January 15, 2023. The survey covers spending priorities and options for what to do with the projected 2022/2023 surplus.
Government of Alberta Announces Plan to Spend $50 Million on Childcare Spaces
The Government of Alberta has announced that $50 million is now available to eligible Alberta nonprofits in order to increase the number of available childcare spaces. This funding is open to “non-profit groups interested in creating new child-care spaces and providing child care in a licensed child-care program in Alberta”. The funding is part of the $3.8 billion of federal funding under the Alberta Canada Early Learning and Child Care agreement. The Government of Alberta aims to create 10,000 spaces this year with a target of “42,500 additional spaces in non-profit child-care programs by the end of March 2026”. Interested organizations can apply here.
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.