Trust in the Giving Season - Imagine Canada

Learn more about Canada’s charities and nonprofi ts at www.imaginecanada.ca.

Trust in the Giving Season

by Julia Moulden

this holiday season, the ef ectiveness of organizations is always top of mind. T at’s why Imagine Canada has intro-duced the Standards Program for the Charitable and Nonprof t Sector, built upon the foundations of its Ethical Code Program, to strengthen the practices of organizations so that they can become even more effective and transparent. T ere is also a new citizen-focused tool called CharityFocus.ca to help Canadians learn more about charities they wish to support.

Imagine Canada is always looking for new ways to help Canadians give. “We’ve proposed a Stretch Tax Credit for Charitable Giving which would increase the charitable tax credit for individuals by 10% on all new giving that exceeds previ-ous donations,” says Marcel. “We’re also working with Governor General David Johnston on his commitment to help Canadians discover that each of us has something to give.”

CHARITABLE GIVING IN CANADA

• 84% or 23.8 million Canadians, aged 15 and older, donate to charities and nonprofits each year.

• Canadians on average donate $446 each year (up from $437 in 2007).

• All of these donations add up to $10.6 billion annually.

Many people think of charities and non-prof ts as ‘good people doing good things’. T at’s true, of course, but the full story is much richer. T ese organizations play an essential role in making Canada work. “Charities and nonprofits provide a social safety net for so many Canadians with a wide range of services, from sup-porting the homeless to helping hospitals buy new technology such as MRIs. And, we help people and communities around the world, too,” says Marcel Lauzière, President and CEO of Imagine Canada. “Charities and nonprof ts help create the quality of life Canadians treasure – every-thing from arts and culture to sports activities for our kids. Additionally, because they work on the front lines of so many issues, charities have deep knowl-edge about the chal lenges facing Canadians, an invaluable resource for the development of sound public policy.” As Canadians prepare to give to charities and nonprof t organizations in Canada

About Imagine Canada

Giving is on our minds at this time of year.

Imagine Canada is a national charitable organization whose cause is Canada’s charities and nonprofits. We strengthen the sector’s collective voice, serve as a forum and meeting place, and provide a supportive environment for organizations to build stronger communities.

Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity Canada.

VOLUNTEERING IN CANADA

• 47% of Canadians, aged 15 and older, volunteer each year.

• Canadians volunteer an average of 156 hours each year.

• All these hours add up to 2.1 billion hours volunteered.

Based on the 2010 findings from the Canada

Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating.

Imagine Canada Information Supplement

Learn more about Canada’s charities and nonprofits at www.imaginecanada.ca.


“Our number one mission is to provide food and resources for people who are hungry,” said Gail Nyberg, Executive Director, Daily Bread Food Bank. “Every day, because people give, hundreds of people go to bed with full bellies.” The food bank takes its responsibility to its giving audience equally seriously. “We’ve done polling and we’re seen as ethical, responsible, and transparent. And, we were one of first 17 charities to be accredited through Imagine Canada’s Standards Program.” Daily Bread is much more than

a food bank. “We offer training and are advocates,” says Gail. “For instance, because we were one of the organizations that fought for the child benefit, more kids now live above the poverty line.” This combination of trust and impact encouraged frequent donor Ziyaad Mia to kick things up a notch – he launched a campaign to encourage people to give during Ramadan. “I created Give30.ca with this pitch, ‘You’re not eating during the day for 30 days, so why not give the money you’re saving to a good cause?’” In its first year, Give30 raised nearly $40,000 for Daily Bread. His story is a reminder of something essential: that each of us can have an impact. Ziyaad put it best, “The surest way to make a difference is to get off the couch.”

Mike Kuzmicki was passionate enough about history to earn an undergraduate degree in the subject. After years in business, he was delighted to receive what he calls, “the opportunity of a lifetime.” He was invited to serve on the Board of Trustees for the McCord Museum of Canadian History in Montreal. “To be able to apply my business skills to my passion is thrilling,” he said. McCord Museum has 1.4 million artifacts, including photographs, clothing and textiles, and an ethnology collection. Kathryn Muller, Executive Director of the McCord Museum Foundation, said that

30% of the museum’s annual budget goes to conservation of these artifacts. When a recent survey revealed people are incredibly curious about these objects, the fundraising committee hit on an idea for a new campaign. “Adopt an Artifact” has been a huge hit. “People want to know who owned this particular costume, where they lived, where it was discovered, and how it was damaged.” Mike knew immediately which artifact to adopt: a document about a land grant made in 1665 by one of the first governors of Quebec, Paul de Chomedey de Maisonneuve.

December brings in 30 – 35% of the museum’s annual donations. “People who love history give at this time of year,” Kathryn said. “And we also hear from those who want to support culture.”

Trust and the Donor

History meets Giving

Photo courtesy of the Daily Bread Food Bank.

© McCord Museum

© McCord Museum

© McCord Museum. Photo by: Vincenzo D’Alto.

At Ducks Unlimited Canada, we’re at home in the great outdoors. We want youto feel the same. That’s why we’ve been working for nearly 75 years to conserve critical wetlands. These marshes and ponds deliver fresh water, wildlife habitat and amazing places for all of us to explore. They also improve the health of our lakes and rivers and reduce flooding.

Don’t let the sights and sounds of the great outdoors fade away. Join us.

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC), a registered

charity, is the leader in wetland conservation.

ducks.ca

Learn more about Canada’s charities and nonprofi ts at www.imaginecanada.caLearn more about Canada’s charities and nonprofi ts at www.imaginecanada.ca.

NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED

AS A LEADER

IN CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH

1914

PLEASE DONATE

403-270-1723

www.woodshomes.ca

Sarah is here with me. We like the shadowWE NEVER SAY NO. WE NEVER GIVE UP. WE NEVER TURN ANYONE AWAY.

Sarah is here with me. We like the shadowINNOVATIVE. MEASUREABLE. PROVEN.

EvEn a family likE yours might

nEEd a food bank somEday.

Food Banks Canada is the national charitable organization

working to eliminate hunger in Canada. For every $1 donated

to Food Banks Canada we can acquire and share $20 worth of

food with families in need.

To learn more visit www.foodbankscanada.ca and donate today.

www.foodbankscanada.ca • 1-877-535-0958

/FoodBanksCanada @foodbankscanada


When Kids Help Phone was created more than twenty years ago, it was conceived as a crisis line but quickly became a lifeline for young people. “T e kids themselves def ned what Kids Help Phone would become: an anonymous and conf dential resource on topics from the tragic to the mundane,” said Sharon Wood, President and CEO. Telephone and online support is provided by counsellors across the country 24/7. And now, Kids Help Phone’s voice has been heard on one of the most signif cant challenges at the highest level. “Kids Help Phone applied for and was accepted as an intervenor on the Supreme Court case on cyber-bullying,” Sharon said. “It’s about making a dif erence in young people’s lives, a real impact, and letting them know that their voices are heard in the highest court of the land.” Each year, Kids Help Phone must raise all of the funds it needs to operate. Which is why people like Charles Brown are hugely important. He’s been the top individual volunteer fund-raiser for three years; last year he brought in $53,661. “It’s an incredible service. Kids today face such a complex world and to have a service

that helps with their struggles is essential,” says Charles. Do people get what Kids Help Phone does and trust the organization? Charles thinks so, “People always want to know where the money goes – the more transparency there is, the easier it is to raise funds.”

When Support Ensures Impact

Photo courtesy of Kids Help Phone.

Learn more about Canada’s charities and nonprofi ts at www.imaginecanada.ca

This year, give the Best.Gift.Ever!

www.BestGiftEver.ca or 1-800-387-1221

Give a gift that gives back and helps children, families and entire communities thrive!

“At T e Co-operators there is no one giving season,” says Barbara Turley-McIntyre, Director Sustainability and Corporate Citizenship, “as a co-operative insurer our culture of giving and volunteerism is deeply embedded in our everyday work.” The organization encourages staf to give, for example through supported United Way campaigns across the country and a $50 per staf donation to the United Way closest to where each staf member lives. Giving programs, like the Directed Donations Program and the National Co-op Chal-lenge, are designed to provide staf with a voice on where company funding is directed. Making a dif erence is very important to Nancy Rooney, Director Organizational Development, who f nds the organization not only encourages the giving of dollars, but puts extra emphasis on the giving of time and expertise to the community. “I dedicate part of my time to the Volunteer Centre of Guelph-Wellington,” she said. “And there are tremendous reciprocal benef ts.” The Volunteer Centre of Guelph-Wellington is a hub for charitable and

nonprofit organizations in the area – when there is a need for people to get involved, T e Co-operators relays this information to their staf . Staf get two paid volunteer days each year, but that’s just the beginning. “At T e Co-operators, we encourage people to develop capabilities by getting involved in the community,” said Nancy. “Volunteerism provides ave-nues for staf to get the experience they need to grow their competencies, while helping the community at the same time.”

Making a Difference Together

MATCHING DONATIONS

In a recent survey of 186 companies, Crown Corporations and other giving organizations in Canada, 47% offered employee matching gift programs. In these companies, 15% of employees took advantage of this opportunity and by doing so helped to raise $63 million in contributions. Ask if your employer has a matching donation program and give today!

Based on the 2012 Conference Board of Canada’s Corporate Community Investment Benchmarking Report funded by Capital Power Corporation, The Co-operators, Deloitte & Touche, Export Development Canada, Farm Credit Canada, Green Shield Canada, The Home Depot Canada, Pfi zer Canada, SaskEnergy, SaskTel, and Volunteer Canada.

Photos courtesy of The Co-operators.


Vaccine Pack$ 42

Give the gift of survival.For many children, all they

want this holiday is to

survive. UNICEF Survival

Gifts are a collection of

54 gifts essential for child

survival and development.

Some gifts make a child

smile – Survival Gifts can

save a child’s life.

When you buy a Survival

Gift from UNICEF, you can

keep a child alive.

survivalgifts.caNO CHILD

TOO FAR

STAYCONNECTEDWITH IMAGINE CANADA

facebook.com/ImagineCanada

twitter.com/ImagineCanada


Learn more about Canada’s charities and nonprofi ts at www.imaginecanada.caLearn more about Canada’s charities and nonprofi ts at www.imaginecanada.ca.

United Way of Winnipeg has a team of volunteers and staf to ensure that donations have the greatest impact possible. “We go out into the community,” said Connie Walker, Vice President, Community Investment, “and ask our partners all the questions donors might ask, such as governance and management practices, f nances, programs delivered and results achieved.” United Way of Winnipeg was one of the f rst organizations to achieve accreditation through Imagine Canada’s Standards Program. “It’s a wonderful statement to our donors and will help us raise the bar in the sector, as well,” Connie said. Long-time volunteer Marjorie Blankstein, recipient of the Order of Canada and Order of Manitoba, added that the agency already has a tremendous reputation. “It’s partly the strong and committed team,” Marjorie said. “But it’s also that United Way of Winnipeg is proactive – we work with agencies to help them achieve their goals.” For instance, if a charity introduces a program, United Way of Winnipeg will ensure multi-year funding so that stable service can be provided. Both women emphasized that people want to feel part of something larger than themselves – a family, a community – and to care for one another. “We’re delighted to help,” Marjorie said. “But we also get back – a sense of satisfaction that is deep and enduring.”

What if your legacy is the one that makes a cure possible?

Your gift provides hope for a better life with a brighter future for Canadians living with Parkinson’s today.

A world without Parkinson’s tomorrow.

To discuss the legacy you want to make, call Parkinson Society Canada at 1-800-565-3000 ext. 3387

or email [email protected].

www.parkinson.ca

Ch

arit

able

reg

istr

atio

n n

um

ber

: 10809 1

786 R

R0001


The Standards for Community Success

Photos courtesy of United Way of Winnipeg.

Learn more about Canada’s charities and nonprofi ts at www.imaginecanada.ca

This new national accreditation program, one of the fi rst-of-its-kind globally, is focused on enhancing organizational gover-nance and effectiveness. Built upon the foundations of Imagine Canada’s Ethical Code Program, the Standards Program covers the areas of board governance, fi nancial accountability and transparency, fundraising, staff management, and volunteer involvement. For more information visit www.imaginecanada.ca/standards.

The following organizations have been accredited since the program launch in May 2012:

Acadia Cinema Cooperative

Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada*

CARE Canada*

Daily Bread Food Bank*

Food Banks Canada*

Frontier College

Frontier College Foundation

Hospice Palliative Care Ontario

Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides*

Niagara Community Foundation

Plan Canada*

Sarnia Lambton Rebound:

A Program for Youth*

CHARITIES

Tell your story and connect with supporters.

Upload your mission statements, program

information, add your social media feeds, annual

reports and fi nancial statements. Register for

free and start uploading information today!

This season, visit CharityFocus.ca to learn more

about the charities you wish to support, and even

make a donation on the spot! There’s no cost to

register, and powerful search tools help you fi nd

organizations by name, area of work or location.

Start following your favourite charities today!

Looking to make a

CHARITABLE

DONATION?

Make CharityFocus your fi rst stop!

www.charityfocus.ca

SickKids Foundation*

Tides Canada

United Way of Burlington & Greater

Hamilton

United Way of Greater Moncton and

Southeastern New Brunswick Region

United Way of Winnipeg*

United Way Toronto*

Vancouver Foundation

Victoria Foundation

World Vision*

* Also participate in the Ethical Code

Program.

Look for the Accreditation Trustmark. Accredited organizations are licensed by Imagine Canada to use the Trustmark and have successfully demonstrated their compliance with the Standards through an independent peer-review panel.

Founding and presenting sponsor:

Funded by:

KCI (Ketchum Canada Inc.)Friends:

Supporters:


Standards Program for Canada’s Charitable and Nonprofit Sector



Make the

Most of

your Giving

At PearTree Financial Services, we ofer a unique

and proven tool to help major gift donors reduce

your after-tax cost of giving enabling you to further

support the causes that matter most. To learn more:

Call 416.613.3848

Email [email protected]

www.peartreefinserv.com

Ethical Fundraising and Financial Accountability CodeThe Ethical Code Program is currently being merged with Imagine Canada’s new Standards Program. The Ethical Code Program is a tool that helps organizations meet donors’ expectations in the areas of fundraising and fi nancial accountability. For more infor-mation visit www.imaginecanada.ca/ethicalcode.

Ethical Code Program Participants

A Life Worth Living

Acclaim Health and Community Care

Services

Action Against Hunger Canada

Adsum Association for Women and Children

AIDS Thunder Bay

Alberta Diabetes Foundation

Alberta Easter Seals

Alberta Science Literacy Association

Alberta Society for the Prevention of

Cruelty to Animals

Alexandra Marine & General Hospital

Foundation

Allergy / Asthma Information Association

Alzheimer Society of Alberta and

Northwest Territories

Alzheimer Society of B.C.

Alzheimer Society of Canada

Alzheimer Society of Manitoba

Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan

Alzheimer Society of Thunder Bay

Amherstburg Community Foundation

Amherstburg Community Services

Anglican Church of Canada, General Synod

Art à la Carte

The Arthritis Society

The Arthritis Society, Alberta & NWT

Division

The Arthritis Society, British Columbia &

Yukon Division

The Arthritis Society, Manitoba &

Nunavut Division

The Arthritis Society, New Brunswick

Division

The Arthritis Society, Newfoundland

Division

The Arthritis Society, Nova Scotia Division

The Arthritis Society, Ontario Division

The Arthritis Society, PEI Division

The Arthritis Society, Quebec Division

The Arthritis Society, Saskatchewan

Division

Arts for Children and Youth

Aspen Family and Community Network

Society

Asthma Society of Canada

Autism Canada Foundation

Autism Resource Centre

Barrie Literacy Council

Basically Babies

BC Cancer Foundation

BC Children’s Hospital Foundation

BC Council for Families

Beaverlodge Day Care Society

Bennett and Albert County Health Care

Foundation

Bethany Care Foundation

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dufferin and

District

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Saskatoon and

Area

Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Niagara

Big Brothers Big Sisters of The Georgian

Triangle

Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver

Big Brothers of Sault Ste. Marie

Bissell Centre

Bladder Cancer Canada

Bosco Homes

Boys & Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big

Sisters of Edmonton & Area

Boys and Girls Clubs of Calgary

Boys and Girls Club Services of Greater

Victoria

Boys and Girls Clubs Foundation of

South Coast BC

Brain Injury Association of London and

Region

Brain Injury Association of Peel and

Halton

Brain Injury Association of Sudbury and

District

Brain Injury Association of Windsor &

Essex County

Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada

Brant Community Healthcare System

Foundation

Bridgepoint Health Foundation

Calgary Association of Self-Help

Calgary Counselling Centre

Calgary Opera Association

Calgary Science Network

Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter

Cambridge Memorial Hospital

Foundation

Cambridge Shelter Corporation

Camp Oochigeas

Camp Quality Canada

Canada Science and Technology

Museums Corporation Foundation

CanadaHelps

Canadian AIDS Society

Canadian Association of Fairs and

Exhibitions

Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation

Canadian Cancer Society

Canadian Cancer Society, Alberta &

NWT Division

Canadian Cancer Society, British

Columbia & Yukon Division

Canadian Cancer Society, Manitoba

Division

sciontario.org

We’ve got your back. You’ve got

your future! A spinal cord injury canhappen at any time.

33,000 – The number of peoplein Ontario and 86,000 people inCanada who are currently livingwith a spinal cord injury.

Now, more than ever,Spinal Cord Injury Ontario isneeded.

Please help – Let’s get people with spinal cordinjuries home for theholidays.

Go to sciontario.org to donate today.

Formerly known as: Canadian Paraplegic Association Ontario

WINNER – 2nd year in a row – of theVoluntary Sector Reporting Award for bestpractices in accountability, transparencyand financial reporting!


Canadian Cancer Society, New Brunswick

Division

Canadian Cancer Society, Newfoundland

& Labrador Division

Canadian Cancer Society, Nova Scotia

Division

Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario

Division

Canadian Cancer Society, Prince Edward

Island Division

Canadian Cancer Society, Quebec Division

Canadian Cancer Society, Saskatchewan

Division

Canadian Celiac Association

Canadian Crossroads International

Canadian Diabetes Association

Canadian Federation of Humane

Societies

Canadian Feed The Children

Canadian Hearing Society

Canadian Immunodefi ciency Society

Canadian Mental Health Association,

Windsor-Essex County Branch

Canadian Pemphigus and Pemphigoid

Foundation

Canadian Red Cross

Canadian Ski Patrol System

Canadian Society for Social Development

Canadian Society for the Investigation of

Child Abuse

Canadian Women’s Foundation

Canterbury Foundation

Career Trek

Carolinian Canada Coalition

Cataraqui Region Conservation Foundation

Catholic Family Services of Saskatoon

Causeway Foundation

Centre for Opportunities, Respect, and

Empowerment (CORE)

Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta

Children’s Foundation of Guelph &

Wellington

Children’s Health Foundation

Children’s Treatment Centre Foundation

of Chatham-Kent

Children’s Wish Foundation

Christian Children’s Fund of Canada

Christian Direction

Christmas Bureau of Edmonton

CNIB

Collingwood General & Marine Hospital

Foundation

Community Care Haliburton County

Community Foundations of Canada

Community Home Assistance to Seniors

(CHATS)

Community Living Quinte West

Community Living Toronto

Community Living Winnipeg

Compassion Canada

Compassion House Foundation

Confederation College Foundation

Covenant House Toronto

Credit Valley Hospital Foundation

The Cridge Centre for the Family

Cumberland Health Care Foundation

Cystic Fibrosis Canada

Daniel McLellan Memorial Fund

Down Syndrome Research Foundation

Dress for Success Ottawa National

Capital Region

Dress for Success Vancouver Society

Ducks Unlimited Canada

Dunnville Hospital and Healthcare

Foundation

Easter Seals Canada

Edmonton Community Foundation

Edmonton Financial Literacy Society

Edmonton John Howard Society

Education Matters

Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater

Vancouver

Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa

Elizabeth Fry Toronto

Epicure Foundation

Epilepsy Halton Peel Hamilton

Epilepsy Ottawa-Carleton

Equitas International Centre for Human

Rights Education

Family Caregivers’ Network Society

Family Service Saskatoon

Family Services of Central Alberta

Family Services of Greater Vancouver

Family Transition Place

Fanshawe College Foundation

Fertile Future

First West Foundation

Fondation du CSSS de Gatineau

Fondation Mathieu-Lafond

Fondation nationale des Scouts

Fondation ONE DROP

Fondation Santé Haut-Richelieu Rouville

Fondation SEMAFO

Foundation of Chatham-Kent Health

Alliance

Foundation of Guelph General Hospital

Friends of the Moncton Hospital

Foundation

Georgian Bay Folk Society

Georgian College

Gilda’s Club of Greater Toronto

Grace House

Grand River Conservation Foundation

Groupe Artisanal Féminin Francophone

de l’Ontario (GAFFO)

Groves Memorial Community Hospital

Foundation

Guelph Independent Living

Habitat for Humanity Brampton

Habitat for Humanity Canada

Habitat for Humanity Edmonton

Habitat for Humanity Greater Kingston

& Frontenac

Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver

Habitat for Humanity Halton

Habitat for Humanity National Capital

Region

Habitat for Humanity Northumberland

Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta

Habitat for Humanity Toronto

Habitat for Humanity Wellington County

Habitat for Humanity York Region

Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation

Health Partners International of Canada

Healthpartners

Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta,

NWT & Nunavut

Heart and Stroke Foundation of British

Columbia and Yukon

Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada

Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba

Heart and Stroke Foundation of New

Brunswick

Heart and Stroke Foundation of

Newfoundland & Labrador

Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia

Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario

Heart and Stroke Foundation of Prince

Edward Island

Heart and Stroke Foundation of Quebec

Heart and Stroke Foundation of

Saskatchewan

Hellenic Heritage Foundation

HomeBridge Youth Society

HomeFront

Hospice King-Aurora

Hospitals of Regina Foundation

Hull Child and Family Services

Independent Living Centre of Waterloo

Region

Independent Living Nova Scotia Association

Independent Living Services of Simcoe

County & Area

Interim Place

Jays Care Foundation

Jennifer Ashleigh Children’s Charity

Jewish Community Foundation of

Montreal

Staying ahead by Supporting

Canadian

CommunitieS.

glaxoSmithKline, one of Canada’s leading

research-based pharmaceutical companies,

has a proud tradition of charitable

and community support. being a socially

responsible company is one of our key

priorities, and through the glaxoSmithKline

Foundation we support projects that are

innovative, sustainable and results-oriented.

at gSK, we stay ahead by putting the

wellbeing of Canadians before anything else.

discover more at gSK.ca


Giving is EasyLearn more about the organizations you wish to support at CharityFocus.ca where there’s information about the 85,000 registered charities in Canada. Beside each charity’s profile on CharityFocus, you will fi nd a “donate now” button which will take you to our giving portal partner, CanadaHelps.org, where you can make an immediate donation.

Helping you GiveCanadians can fi nd information about an organization they are interested in supporting on the charity’s website or by contacting the charity directly. There are also many additional tools and resources:

Imagine Canada Resources:

CharityFocus

www.charityfocus.ca

Ethical Code

www.imaginecanada.ca/ethicalcode

Standards Program

www.imaginecanada.ca/standards

Guide to Giving

www.imaginecanada.ca/guide-to-giving

Additional Resources:

Association of Fundraising Professionals www.afpnet.org

Canada Revenue Agency www.cra-arc.gc.ca/charities

CanadaHelps www.canadahelps.org

Community Foundations of Canada www.cfc-fcc.ca

HR Council for the Nonprofi t Sector www.hrcouncil.ca

Leave a Legacy www.leavealegacy.ca

Philanthropic Foundations Canada www.pfc.ca

United Way Centraide Canada www.unitedway.ca

Volunteer Canada www.volunteer.ca


John Howard Society of Canada

John Howard Society of Ontario

Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital Foundation

Keiskamma Canada Foundation

Kidney Cancer Canada

Kidney Foundation of Canada

Kids Help Phone

KidsAbility Centre for Child Development

Foundation

Kinark Foundation

Langs Farm Village Association

Lansdowne Children’s Centre Foundation

L’Arche Foundation of Greater Vancouver

Life*Spin Low Income Family

Empowerment*Sole-Support Parents

Information Network

LOFT Community Services

Lupus Ontario

Lupus Society of Alberta

Lymphedema Association of Ontario

MADD Canada

Maison des Jeunes de Pierrefonds

Make-A-Wish Foundation of Canada

Marillac Place

Mediation and Restorative Justice Centre

(Edmonton)

Mediation Services

Melanoma Network of Canada

Mennonite Central Committee Canada

Mentoring Artists for Women’s Art

The Michener Institute

Milton District Hospital Foundation

Misericordia Health Centre Foundation

Moorelands Community Services

Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada

Muscular Dystrophy Canada

Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation

Nellie’s

North Shore Neighbourhood House

North York General Hospital Foundation

North York Harvest Food Bank

North York Women’s Resource Centre

Northern Lights Regional Health Foundation

Nova Vita Women’s Services

Oakville Hospital Foundation

Oakville Senior Citizens Residence

Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs

Ontario Brain Injury Association

Ontario Community Support Association

Ontario Horticultural Association

Ontario March of Dimes

Ontario Nature

Opportunity International Canada

Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital

Foundation

Ostomy Toronto

Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation

Ottawa Rotary Home Foundation

Oxfam Canada

Park Manor Personal Care Home

Parkinson Alberta Society

Parkinson Society of Canada

Pathways to Education Canada

Pelham Cares

PLEA Community Services Society of BC

Powell River Therapeutic Riding Association

Pregnancy and Family Support Services

The PREP Program

The Primate’s World Relief & Development

Fund

Prostate Cancer Canada

Providence Healthcare Foundation

Queensway-Carleton Hospital Foundation

Ray-Cam Community Association

Red Deer College Foundation

Red Deer Public School District

Foundation

Red Door Family Shelter

The Redwood

Regina Transition Women’s Society

Renfrew Educational Services

Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation

Royal Botanical Gardens

S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Foundation

Sackville Memorial Hospital Foundation

Saint Elizabeth Health Care Foundation

The Salvation Army

Save the Children Canada

Scarborough Hospital Foundation

Science Media Centre of Canada

Scleroderma Society of Ontario

Seizure & Brain Injury Centre of Timmins

Seniors Association of Greater Edmonton

(SAGE)

Serve!

Sexual Assault Centre (Hamilton & Area)

The Sisterhood of St. John the Divine

South Okanagan Women in Need Society

Southlake Regional Health Centre

Foundation

Special Olympics Ontario

Spina Bifi da & Hydrocephalus

Association of Ontario

Spinal Cord Injury Ontario

St. Christopher House

St. James Community Service Society

St. John’s Rehab Foundation

St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation of

London

St. Joseph’s Health Centre Foundation

Guelph

St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation

St. Joseph’s Lifecare Foundation

St. Mary’s General Hospital Foundation

Kitchener-Waterloo

St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation (Montreal)

St. Stephen’s Community House

St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital

Foundation

Stephen Lewis Foundation

Stratford General Hospital Foundation

Sunshine Coast Community Services

Society

Support & Housing – Halton

Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation

Teresa Group

Terra, Centre for Pregnant and Parenting

Teens

Threads of Life

Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences

Foundation

Toronto Centre for Community Learning

and Development

Toronto Community Foundation

Toronto Foundation for Student Success

Toronto General & Western Hospital

Foundation

Toronto Public Library Foundation

Transcare Community Support Services

Transforming Faces Worldwide

Tropicana Community Services

Organization of Scarborough

Tyndale Foundation

United Church of Canada

United Church of Canada Foundation

United Way of Greater Simcoe County

United Way of London & Middlesex

United Way of Oakville

United Way of Quinte

United Way of Windsor-Essex County

United Way of York Region

United Way serving Kingston, Frontenac,

Lennox and Addington

University Hospitals Kingston Foundation

University of Western Ontario

USC Canada

Vancouver Opera

Versatech Charitable Foundation

VOICE For Hearing Impaired Children

War Child Canada

WaterCan

Wellspring Calgary

Wellwood Resource Centre

Wesley Urban Ministries

West Island Community Shares

West Island Mission

West Lincoln Memorial Hospital Foundation

West Vancouver Community Centres

Society

Wilfrid Laurier University

Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada

Windsor Endowment for the Arts

WISH Inc. (Women in Second Stage

Housing)

Woman Abuse Council of Toronto

Women’s Centre of Calgary

Women’s College Hospital Foundation

Woodstock & District Developmental

Services

Woodstock Hospital Foundation

YES Montreal

YMCA – YWCA of the Central Okanagan

YMCA Canada

Les YMCA du Québec

YMCA of Greater Toronto

YMCA of Hamilton/Burlington/Brantford

YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka

Yonge Street Mission

Youville Centre

YWCA Calgary

YWCA Canada

YWCA Vancouver

YWCA Yellowknife

Look for the Trustmark. Use of the trustmark demonstrates an organization’s commitment to the responsible management and accounting of the funds that donors entrust to them.


IS OUR MONEY REALLY HELPING—

OR IS IT HURTING?

BY AMBER VAN SCHOONEVELD

ost of us want to help others, but we have our

doubts. Does the money we give really reach that

kid in the picture? Do our gifts actually make a

difference? Or is our generosity just more money

thrown on the pile of “bad aid”?

Historically, a lot of aid has been more of a Band-aid—a

temporary fi x that didn’t really change anyone’s situation,

and in some cases made it even worse.

But that doesn’t mean our generosity is doomed.

The development community has learned a lot over the

decades about how we can do good better. Here are a few

things we’ve learned at Compassion.

ADVERTISEMENT

1. LOCAL OWNERSHIPIn the past, a lot of aid has been top-down—someone from the outside telling people what they need. One of the saddest examples of this is clothing donations to Africa. For decades, donated clothing fl ooded the African market, and as a result, more than 500,000 textile workers in Nigeria lost their jobs.

You can’t compete with free.

Africa didn’t need T-shirts. It needed jobs.

That’s why a key to helping others is local ownership. The community must be a partner in determining what its needs are and what needs to change. And when the people being helped are the ones helping make decisions, they become empowered, realizing they can change their situation.

3. PERSONAL TRANSFORMATIONBut something else is needed besides skills training. To break the cycle of poverty, you need a whole life transformation. Because the heart of poverty isn’t just a lack of money. The heart of poverty is a lie that whispers to people that they’re nothing and they might as well give up.

That’s why Compassion focuses on all the aspects of a child’s life—physical, fi nancial, social and spiritual. And in our 60 years of experience, we’ve learned that what makes the biggest difference in ending poverty in the life of a child is Jesus. When a child—or a mom or dad—learns that there is a God who loves them, it changes everything. They move from hopelessnessto hope.

We’ve seen dads give up drinking and start taking care of their children. We’ve seen kids forsake gangs and begin tutoring other children. We’ve seen moms gain the self-esteem to change their family’s hopeless situation.

DRIVERS ED FOR DADS

In Niligiri, India, most dads are farmers. But as tourism becomes more and more popular, agricultural land is giving way to hotels. Fathers are losing their jobs and have no way to feed their children.

One local church has seen this problem and is doing something to help. Although fi eld hands are in less demand, tourism has put drivers in great demand. Through partnership with Compassion—all of Compassion’s programs

are run through local churches who know the needs of their community—this church is offering access to driver’s education and licensing.

Now instead of just a hand-out, fathers like Muralidharan K.R. are fi nding a way to support their families. “I had suffered a lot to fulfi ll my family’s needs and take care of our children,” he says. “But now I can achieve fi nancial stability, as it is a permanent source of income.”

THE DIFFERENCE IN JOO’S LIFE

Growing up, Joo’s village in Burma was constantly attacked by soldiers. One night, they burned down her home. Defeated, her family made the trek across the border to live in a refugee camp in Thailand. When Joo got married and started having children of her own, she had no idea how to take care of them or feed them. She couldn’t read, speak the local language, and had no way to provide for her babies.

But Joo and her daughter became part of Compassion’s Child Survival Program. She began learning to read, to

speak Thai, and even to knit to earn extra money for her family. But she also learned about Jesus. She learned that there is a God who wants to give her hope and peace.

Now Joo’s life is totally different. She is earning $50 a month knitting at home. Joo has hope for her future and believes that she can improve her situation. She is sharing the hope she has found with the other poor moms in her community—teaching them how to feed their babies and making hats and scarves for them in the cold months.

TOMATOES FOR GASPAR

The town of Chajul sits in the mountains of northwest Guatemala. The people here are from a small Mayan tribe and survive by planting corn. But the over-abundance of corn lowers the price they can get and leads to malnourished children who eat a diet of only corn and beans. A whopping three out of every four children in Chajul are malnourished.

But one of Compassion’s church partners is taking steps to change this through education. Gaspar is a nine-year-old who is sponsored through Compassion. This year, he’s learning how to plant tomatoes. He’ll be able to eat a more balanced diet, and they can sell the extra tomatoes at the market for a good price. Through skills training, families can learn long-term ways to feed themselves and earn money.

2. LONG-TERM IMPACTAnother question to ask regarding aid is whether or not it’s sustainable long-term. In 2008, rising food prices caused a global food crisis, causing millions of children to become malnourished. In this emergency situation, bags of rice and beans were distributed. But what happens when the rice runs out? What about the next time there’s a drought or aprice hike?

Emergency relief is necessary, but we have to also ask what we can do that is sustainable long-term and will help people become self-suffi cient. Sometimes it’s the less tangible things that are really needed—things like training and education—to provide long-term solutions.

AT COMPASSION, WE’RE CONSTANTLY LEARNING HOW TO IMPROVE. AND WE’RE

CONSTANTLY PRAYING THAT GOD WILL HELP US TO BRING LIFE-SAVING HELP TO CHILDREN

IN NEED ALONG WITH THE LIFE-GIVING MESSAGE OF JESUS CHRIST.

85.3% PROGRAM9.6% FUNDRAISING5.1% ADMINISTRATION

IT’S ALL ABOUT INTEGRITYWe hold ourselves to the utmost standard for integrity—and you should expect no less.

• We are certifi ed members of the Canadian Council of Christian Charities, the Better Business Bureau of Canada and Imagine Canada.

• For 11 consecutive years, Charity Navigator has awarded Compassion International its highest rating — four-stars — for responsible fi nancial management.

• We insist on annual audits to show exactly how our income is used, regular audits for our country offi ce and program audits to evaluate the effectiveness of our programs.

• Compassion commits thatno less than 80 percent of funds raised will be used for program activities that benefi t, directly or indirectly, every child we serve.

ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT

1. LOCAL OWNERSHIPIn the past, a lot of aid has been top-down—someone from the outside telling people what they need. One of the saddest examples of this is clothing donations to Africa. For decades, donated clothing fl ooded the African market, and as a result, more than 500,000 textile workers in Nigeria lost their jobs.

You can’t compete with free.

Africa didn’t need T-shirts. It needed jobs.

That’s why a key to helping others is local ownership. The community must be a partner in determining what its needs are and what needs to change. And when the people being helped are the ones helping make decisions, they become empowered, realizing they can change their situation.

3. PERSONAL TRANSFORMATIONBut something else is needed besides skills training. To break the cycle of poverty, you need a whole life transformation. Because the heart of poverty isn’t just a lack of money. The heart of poverty is a lie that whispers to people that they’re nothing and they might as well give up.

That’s why Compassion focuses on all the aspects of a child’s life—physical, fi nancial, social and spiritual. And in our 60 years of experience, we’ve learned that what makes the biggest difference in ending poverty in the life of a child is Jesus. When a child—or a mom or dad—learns that there is a God who loves them, it changes everything. They move from hopelessnessto hope.

We’ve seen dads give up drinking and start taking care of their children. We’ve seen kids forsake gangs and begin tutoring other children. We’ve seen moms gain the self-esteem to change their family’s hopeless situation.

DRIVERS ED FOR DADS

In Niligiri, India, most dads are farmers. But as tourism becomes more and more popular, agricultural land is giving way to hotels. Fathers are losing their jobs and have no way to feed their children.

One local church has seen this problem and is doing something to help. Although fi eld hands are in less demand, tourism has put drivers in great demand. Through partnership with Compassion—all of Compassion’s programs

are run through local churches who know the needs of their community—this church is offering access to driver’s education and licensing.

Now instead of just a hand-out, fathers like Muralidharan K.R. are fi nding a way to support their families. “I had suffered a lot to fulfi ll my family’s needs and take care of our children,” he says. “But now I can achieve fi nancial stability, as it is a permanent source of income.”

THE DIFFERENCE IN JOO’S LIFE

Growing up, Joo’s village in Burma was constantly attacked by soldiers. One night, they burned down her home. Defeated, her family made the trek across the border to live in a refugee camp in Thailand. When Joo got married and started having children of her own, she had no idea how to take care of them or feed them. She couldn’t read, speak the local language, and had no way to provide for her babies.

But Joo and her daughter became part of Compassion’s Child Survival Program. She began learning to read, to

speak Thai, and even to knit to earn extra money for her family. But she also learned about Jesus. She learned that there is a God who wants to give her hope and peace.

Now Joo’s life is totally different. She is earning $50 a month knitting at home. Joo has hope for her future and believes that she can improve her situation. She is sharing the hope she has found with the other poor moms in her community—teaching them how to feed their babies and making hats and scarves for them in the cold months.

TOMATOES FOR GASPAR

The town of Chajul sits in the mountains of northwest Guatemala. The people here are from a small Mayan tribe and survive by planting corn. But the over-abundance of corn lowers the price they can get and leads to malnourished children who eat a diet of only corn and beans. A whopping three out of every four children in Chajul are malnourished.

But one of Compassion’s church partners is taking steps to change this through education. Gaspar is a nine-year-old who is sponsored through Compassion. This year, he’s learning how to plant tomatoes. He’ll be able to eat a more balanced diet, and they can sell the extra tomatoes at the market for a good price. Through skills training, families can learn long-term ways to feed themselves and earn money.

2. LONG-TERM IMPACTAnother question to ask regarding aid is whether or not it’s sustainable long-term. In 2008, rising food prices caused a global food crisis, causing millions of children to become malnourished. In this emergency situation, bags of rice and beans were distributed. But what happens when the rice runs out? What about the next time there’s a drought or aprice hike?

Emergency relief is necessary, but we have to also ask what we can do that is sustainable long-term and will help people become self-suffi cient. Sometimes it’s the less tangible things that are really needed—things like training and education—to provide long-term solutions.

AT COMPASSION, WE’RE CONSTANTLY LEARNING HOW TO IMPROVE. AND WE’RE

CONSTANTLY PRAYING THAT GOD WILL HELP US TO BRING LIFE-SAVING HELP TO CHILDREN

IN NEED ALONG WITH THE LIFE-GIVING MESSAGE OF JESUS CHRIST.

85.3% PROGRAM9.6% FUNDRAISING5.1% ADMINISTRATION

IT’S ALL ABOUT INTEGRITYWe hold ourselves to the utmost standard for integrity—and you should expect no less.

• We are certifi ed members of the Canadian Council of Christian Charities, the Better Business Bureau of Canada and Imagine Canada.

• For 11 consecutive years, Charity Navigator has awarded Compassion International its highest rating — four-stars — for responsible fi nancial management.

• We insist on annual audits to show exactly how our income is used, regular audits for our country offi ce and program audits to evaluate the effectiveness of our programs.

• Compassion commits thatno less than 80 percent of funds raised will be used for program activities that benefi t, directly or indirectly, every child we serve.

ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT

GIVE TODAY:www.compassion.ca/shop | 1.800.563.5437

VEGETABLE FARMINGGuatemala

The town of Tamahú has one of the worst rates of child malnutrition in Guatemala—even though the land is fertile.This gift will train families to diversify their crops and use modern farming techniques. You’ll not only be ensuring children eat their vegetables—instead of only corn and beans—you’ll be giving the family a long-term way to earn money.

$100 [SRIG 5656]

DRIVERS ED FOR DADIndia

Most dads in Tamil Nadu, India, are farmers. But lack of land and seed prices are forcing dads to leave their families to fi nd work in the city. With this gift, dads will get training and a license to become drivers—an in-demand job in this tourist area—which means they’ll be able to earn income and stay with their families.

$142 [SRIG 5654]

TEACH A MOM TO READ & WRITEBangladesh, Mexico, Rwanda

Many moms want to be able to provide better for their babies, but they don’t even know how to read and write. You can help provide literacy classes to a new mom that will open up new doors of opportunity for her and her family.

$30 [CSPGOC 5668]

This Christmas, you can give a gift that will meet a real need and bring real joy.

ADVERTISEMENT

Documents

Trust in the Giving Season - Imagine Canada