Latest Articles
Special Reports
Budget 2021: A New Social Contract?
After a year of the most significant economic and social crisis of our generation, this year’s federal budget is critical — and highly anticipated by many, especially those in social impact. The communities and groups social impact organizations work with are devastated by the pandemic, organizations can’t keep up with the demand for economic and social support on their own, and our current social safety nets aren’t keeping everyone safe. Will the federal budget catalyze the beginnings of a new Canadian social contract?
Family-friendly organizational culture
For a more resilient social impact world coming out of COVID-19, organizations will need to change their worldviews on care. They’ll need to better accommodate and support their employees who also take care of family members at home. From simpler solutions like flexible hours to deeper shifts in the worldviews and organizational culture underpinning the sector, we’re digging into it all in this member-exclusive special report.
Recovery Fund 2021: Will charities modernize?
Will 2021 finally be the year the charitable and non-profit sector has the resources it needs to modernize? With the federal government's upcoming $400 million Community Services Recovery Fund, it just might. But modernization takes many forms — what should the fund prioritize for maximum post-pandemic resilience in the sector? We'll ask that and more in this member-exclusive special report.
Featured Collections
How business models are changing
The pandemic has changed just about everything — including what makes a successful business model in the social impact world. Thankfully, there are organizations who are paving the way toward new and innovative business models — for social enterprises, charities, and everything in between. From employee ownership to deeply collaborative models, the collection below catches you up on some of Canada’s most innovative work in adapting organizational business models to the times we’re in.
How might community ownership support rebuilding?
This past weekend, on July 3rd, the world marked the International Day of Cooperatives. It is curated by the International Cooperative Alliance, which was founded in 1895. The cooperative movement in Canada has a rich history, but more broadly, employee and community ownership models of financing, business, and social enterprises are gaining ground. Whether it's in domestic or global development contexts, these community ownership models will be integral to rebuilding post-pandemic — this collection illuminates just that.
Indigenous innovation in Canada
Stories of innovative solutions and impactful work taking place in Indigenous communities.
Tech
Money
Work
Canadian youth are facing a mental health crisis post-pandemic — here’s what you can do right now
Why It Matters
According to MENTOR Canada’s 2020 national research, youth who had a formal mentor were three times more likely to report good self-rated mental health. Meanwhile, the pandemic has meant a huge increase in demand for mental health services among young people.
Four intrapreneurs share how they drive social change from inside organizations
Why It Matters
Lasting impact can happen when organizations empower and encourage young leaders to create bold change from within. They help build stronger communities, increase economic opportunity and growth, and improve the quality of life of Canadians. A deeper understanding of young intrapreneurs’ stories will help the social impact sector thrive.
Three leadership insights from one of my cherished mentors
Why It Matters
New Economy
Talks
Inclusion
Muslim charities are disproportionally targeted by CRA over suspicions of financing terrorism, report finds
Why It Matters
Islamic charities provide everything from faith communities to social services for Muslims across Canada. Terrorism-related audits make it more difficult for them to continue this important work.
‘We are waiting to see tangible results’: Five Black social impact leaders on the sector’s anti-racism progress
Why It Matters
Ending systemic racism will require more than just platitudes. Discrimination in the sector happens through badly designed funding agreements, poor HR practices, and deliberate exclusion — changing that will require leaders to take a hard look at their everyday practices.
This national humanitarian sector organization asked its members about their anti-racism practices. Here’s what it found.
Why It Matters
Humanitarian and international development are still home to colonial viewpoints, practices, and values. Meaningful anti-racism work, including the acknowledgement of racism within the sector itself, is a way of undoing this ongoing and harmful legacy.