Latest Articles
Tech
Disrupting Donations: UNICEF Accepts Cryptocurrency
Why It Matters
Currently, a handful of non-profits accept and disburse cryptocurrency. As UNICEF becomes the first United Nations agency to transact bitcoin, what will it mean for other non-profits? And as for the Canadian organizations ahead of the curve: how is digital currency already benefiting them and their stakeholders?
The Changes That Artificial Intelligence Will Bring to the Social Sector
Why It Matters
When we speak about AI, we’re not talking about some far-off future. AI has already fully arrived both in Canada and around the world, and it is already impacting society — from the way we feed our families down to the way crisis line workers do their jobs. James Stauch and Alina Turner continue their series on AI and social impact.
3 Ways Technology is Accelerating Solutions for Homelessness
Why It Matters
In cities where the tech industry booms, homelessness and under-housing also tend to increase. Homelessness is already an issue that affects an estimated 235,000 Canadians each year. But according to three nonprofits, the same industry that’s contributing to these existing issues holds promise as an innovative way to build, design, and scale new solutions.
Money
How Can Organizations Report on Impact with Integrity?
Why It Matters
As impact reporting becomes vital to organizations, we face a big challenge: the social finance world lacks common standards. How can practitioners agree on the same metrics and method to create truly reflective data, while still remaining accountable to their core stakeholders? This story is crafted in partnership with the MaRS Centre for Impact Investing in the lead up to the 2019 Social Finance Forum.
What You Missed at the 2019 Philanthropic Foundations Canada Symposium
Why It Matters
To solve global and local challenges, there’s a fast-growing need for philanthropic foundations to collaborate with other sectors. We partnered with Philanthropic Foundations Canada to explore the benefits, risks, and opportunities for cross-sector collaboration.
Social Finance’s Pivotal Moment: Can Good Intentions Become Real Change?
Why It Matters
As social finance hits the mainstream, how much has really changed with how we use capital? With insight from international impact investing visionary Jed Emerson, we ask what it would take to bring purpose into investments at scale. This article is crafted in partnership with the MaRS Centre for Impact Investing in the lead up to the 2019 Social Finance Forum.
Work
The Surprising Truth Behind Charity Rankings
Why It Matters
In theory, charity rankings hold organizations accountable, and can help donors identify which organizations are having the greatest impact, influencing where their dollars go. But what kind of criteria are these rankings using — and are there any unintended consequences?
How Youth Want You to Transform Non-Profit Governance
Why It Matters
In order to thrive in an aging population, Canadian non-profits need to identify youth leaders and recruit them onto their boards. Below, six young community-builders share precisely what non-profits are getting wrong — and how they can improve, from evolving directorship elections to considering board member compensation.
Canada’s Alarming Lack of Non-Profit Retirement Security
Why It Matters
Nearly two million Canadians have dedicated their lives to doing good in the non-profit sector. However, these same workers face a troubling retirement savings gap. How can we give these people the support they deserve?
How To
Places
Featured Series
Launch Plan: founding stories of game-changing organizations
Welcome to our ongoing series, Launch Plan, featuring deep dives into the founding stories and journeys behind game-changing organizations, projects, and enterprises.
Social Impact Real Estate
Real estate affects community outcomes. It affects all of us: individuals and families, companies and organizations, towns and cities. From daycares and soup kitchens to coworking spaces and community housing, it represents one of the largest investments of any household or organization, shapes how our communities are designed and built, and plays a large role in our local and national economy. This series dives into the world of social impact real estate in partnership with Windmill Developments and Urban Equation.
Youth Reshaping Governance
While Canadian youth aged 18-30 are actively involved in volunteering, youth representation on governance boards remains low. Drawing from more than 125 nominations from across the country, the list recognizes young leaders who are making a unique and significant contribution as non-profit board directors.
Featured Collections
2019 Bold Ideas to Watch
Bold ideas to watch across the world of impact in 2019
Global Entrepreneurship Week
In honour of Global Entrepreneurship Week, we’ve curated a special collection of our stories featuring entrepreneurs and ventures advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Stories Shaping Social Impact this Fall
Welcome to September. To help you get back in gear and quickly catch up on what matters, we’ve curated a special collection of ten stories that help you understand the shifts and news that will be most relevant this fall.