|
foundation philanthropy – ceo's commentary
Archive for the ‘Partnerships’ Category
Tuesday, December 6th, 2011
Stats Canada recently released the numbers for 2010 and, once again, Manitoba ranks first (at 26.3%) when it comes to tax filers who claim a charitable donation. This finding is consistent with previous years and with other research that says Manitobans donate one percent of their income to community organizations—again the highest level in Canada.
As I drove to work today, I was thinking about a December ad campaign that would encourage Manitobans to make an extra gift to their favourite charity or to a charity that they have not supported before. The theme would be: “Everyone gives. Everyone claims. Everyone wins. It’s the Manitoba way”.
When you are in first place, it is hard to ask for more and yet, at The Winnipeg Foundation, we see countless examples of worthwhile projects that require public support. We also welcome contributions to some of our own recent initiatives:
- The “You Can Do It Awards” provide inner-city kids from grades 5 to 12 with a $1,000 learning account to be applied to their future post secondary education in Manitoba. You can create a $1,000 award by donating $300 to the You Can Do It Awards Fund at The Winnipeg Foundation, which will be matched by the Province and the Foundation to make up the balance.
- Up until December 10th, you can support world class medical research taking place in Winnipeg. The Foundation is sponsoring a virtual race to raise funds for HIV/Aids research. For more information about this unique venture, visit the Virtual Marathon for Medical Research.
- You can help us “grow the orchard” through our Nourishing Potential Fund. The Fund provides snacks and meals for Winnipeg children and youth. In just the first year, we have already “harvested” 28 grants (almost $175,000). Every gift helps.
Manitoba has a relatively small population and we are geographically isolated. As a result, if we want our community organizations to flourish, we have to step up more than others. Twenty-six percent of us claim a charitable gift on our tax returns and, together, we donate one percent of our income. Even though these numbers lead the nation, there is opportunity to do better. The need is so apparent, and this is the season to give just a bit more.
Tags: charitible giving, education, Manitoba, Nutrition, Youth
Posted in Charitable Giving, Education, Nutrition, Partnerships, Youth | No Comments »
Friday, September 9th, 2011
This old nautical saying reflects the importance of staying on course. The Winnipeg Foundation’s 2011 fiscal year ends on September 30th, in the midst of continuing economic storms. These circumstances remind us that, even in the roughest seas when our ship is surrounded by high waves, we must focus on longer-term direction. For a foundation, this means relying on its policies and professional advisors to carry it through
The past few years have been characterized by turmoil in financial markets. This August saw unprecedented volatility as indexes tumbled one day only to spike up the next. In 2008, when the major financial meltdown occurred, it was common among foundations to revamp their spending plans. At The Winnipeg Foundation, we stayed on course, followed our formulas and actually increased our grants in 2009 by more than $1 million. Since then, we have been making modest annual adjustments to account for longer-term trends. Our investment and spending policies are very much focused on the horizon.
We are also living in a time of profound change to the legal framework that shapes our mission. Canada has amended tax laws such that many community foundations are shifting focus to “flow through” granting and “term” endowments. Here again, our core business at The Winnipeg Foundation remains unchanged. We are building permanent endowments to generate annual grants that support Winnipeg’s charitable sector. Of course, the Foundation will accommodate other types of gifts when there is good reason to do so. Shorter-term projects such as our work in Central Park, the recently created “You Can Do It Awards” program and our administration of the Business Council’s Aboriginal scholarships clearly demonstrate this flexibility. But in the end, we are in the legacy business: “For Good, Forever.”
The current climate is also forcing the charities we support to examine new ways of delivering their services. Many are wondering about using business activities as a means of fulfilling their mission. Recognizing this growing interest, The Winnipeg Foundation, in partnership with U of M’s Faculty of Law, is hosting a symposium on September 21st called: Philanthropy, Law and Social Enterprise: New Direction or Distraction? We have arranged for leading thinkers from the USA, UK and across Canada to lead the discussion.
Understanding these profound winds of change is an important part of keeping your eyes on the horizon. While it is impossible to ignore the turbulent waters that currently surround our activities, working in this climate continues to be interesting, challenging and rewarding. Our Board and staff know that our only reason for being is to serve the people of Winnipeg. And to do that effectively, we need to keep our focus steady as she goes.
Tags: charitible giving, community foundation, giving in troubled times
Posted in Charitable Giving, Partnerships, Philanthropy | No Comments »
Friday, May 27th, 2011
Like me, I am sure that everyone who attended the recent national conference of Canadian community foundations arrived home filled with new energy and commitment to our work and our communities. We heard inspiring speakers like Governor General David Johnston, Naomi Tutu and former U.S. President Bill Clinton. But for me, the most powerful words came from a children’s choir called Voices of Nature. The lyrics that have stayed with me is: “Why should one baby feel so hungry she cries? Salt water wells in my eyes.”
Without question, the initiative I am paying most attention to these days is Nourishing Potential—the endowment providing food to kids. Our Board has decided The Winnipeg Foundation should have a $5 million fund capable of generating $250,000 annually to augment food budgets for after-school programs. An Advisory Committee has been formed and the first grants will be announced soon. One of my primary responsibilities over the next five years is to identify donors who share our concern that too many Winnipeg kids are hungry.
On hearing those children ask “Why should one baby feel so hungry she cries?”, my thoughts also raced back to a recent personal experience. One day last fall, my wife was looking after one of our granddaughters who was just about two years old. We were late in getting her home for dinner and traffic was terrible. So, there we were: hardly moving along Osborne while our granddaughter cried loudly from her car seat because she was hungry. In reality, the experience didn’t last long, and it certainly wasn’t serious, but it was very painful. I can’t imagine the anxiety of parents and grandparents who face this situation on a regular basis and aren’t able to meet their child’s nutrition needs.
So, the children’s song has unquestionably renewed my focus on building our Nourishing Potential endowment. Thankfully, we have dedicated volunteers and committed staff in charities all across our city who are helping to address this situation. I also know that our Provincial government is taking concrete steps to augment support.
However, child hunger is a complex and multi-faceted issue. How can we demand more effective public policy if we don’t understand, or agree on, the solutions? How much can we reasonably expect of philanthropy? In a city as rich as Winnipeg, with plentiful food everywhere, why should any children feel so hungry they cry?
Tags: charitible giving, community foundation, Nutrition, Winnipeg
Posted in Charitable Giving, Nutrition, Partnerships | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 17th, 2011
The Community Foundations of Canada (CFC) conference has just come to an end. We only meet at the national level every second year and so it is always a special time. There were about 650 delegates including guests from 24 other countries. Over 100 Canadian community foundations were represented and Vancouver did a fabulous job as host.
There were too many highlights to describe in this short blog. Perhaps to convey a sense of the standard of excellence, I can simply say that key note speakers included our new Governor General, Naomi Tutu and former U.S. President Bill Clinton. From start to finish, the sessions were outstanding.
I do want to specifically reference a panel featuring Monica Patten, CFC’s departing CEO, Tim Brodhead, longtime leader of the McConnell Foundation and Barry Gaberman, an American colleague with exceptional credentials in the philanthropic leadership. Tim set the stage by talking about shifting public attitudes as people look for less leadership from government and more from philanthropy. He also spoke about the changing way young people are connecting and the implications for creating an inclusive community where people have rights and responsibilities as citizens. Barry added an international perspective noting how on the one hand, business has enriched the philanthropic sector but on the other, how the complexity of a social challenge like teen pregnancy goes far beyond normal business solutions.
But in the end, the conversation was intended to draw out some of Monica’s reflections after 17 years at the helm of CFC and it did just that. She made a number of key points. First, she explained that the community foundation movement has clearly changed from a focus on endowment building to a focus on community building. She said that in earlier times, her colleagues would discuss the solution to any given problem by asking, “Who does what?” Now the question is much more about “How do we work together” and everyone understands the need for commitment to think longer term. While appreciating the contribution of high profile donors, she emphasized that answers lie in community.
As the conversation came to a close (and effectively, as Monica’s role as CEO came to a close), she was asked about her aspirations for community foundations in the future. She said: “To do justice – it is all about equity and we are sadly a long way from that. Just, equitable and inclusive communities – That’s what I hope for.”
What an inspirational way to make an exit!
Tags: charitible giving, community foundation
Posted in Charitable Giving, Partnerships, Philanthropy | No Comments »
Tuesday, November 9th, 2010
Most of us will have a difficult time pronouncing the words “Pimachiowin Aki” but hopefully, in time, we will readily recognize the name of this Aboriginal-led organization. On November 8, 2010, Pimachiowin Aki launched their multi-year effort to build a $20 million endowment in partnership with The Winnipeg Foundation. Their message is effectively built around the theme: “The land that gives life.” Scientists call the boreal forest “the lungs of the earth” so it is not hard to understand that this project protects land that gives life to us all. We are told that even Ojibwe Elders who have not travelled far from their homes have said for generations that this land is important to the world.
As part of my remarks at the launch event, I told the story of how Mr. Alloway, who established our organization, had a vision of a community foundation. With a $100,000 gift in 1921, he established The Winnipeg Foundation with the proviso that only the income earned from the capital could be used for community grants. In 1922, the Foundation paid its first $6,000 to charitable agencies.
I went on to explain that, for three years, no one else supported Mr. Alloway’s vision. Then, in 1924, we received our second gift: three gold coins worth $15 in a plain white envelope simply marked “the widow’s mite.”
I have often asked myself which gift was more important. Was it Alloway’s investment of $100,000 or the second gift of $15 which validated his vision of a community foundation?
In my view, the creation of the Pimachiowin Aki Fund is akin to the origins of The Winnipeg Foundation. The Aboriginal People have given us a vision and the Province of Manitoba has provided a remarkable first commitment of $10 million. Now it is up to the community to validate the vision by participating in the building of this new endowment. It is not the size of the gift but the giving that matters.
Hopefully, people from all walks of life will support the leadership of five First Nations. Pimachiowin Aki is all about “For Good. Forever.” We are proud to be their partner.
 Healing Camp 2009 - Photo credit Hidehiro Otake  Sophia Rabliauskas, Eric Robinson and Rick Frost To see more photos of Pimachiowin Aki and the event, check out the photo album on our Facebook page.
Tags: charitible giving, community foundation, Environment
Posted in Charitable Giving, Environment, Partnerships, Philanthropy | No Comments »
|
