A deeper look at the news, innovations, and shifts in philanthropy, funding, and giving, from the Future of Good editorial team.
Around 80 percent of Canada’s non-profit and charity workers are women. Those who have children bear a disproportionate brunt of child care duties. Under a publicly-funded child care plan, the sector’s female workforce may be better able to balance work and family life.
Since COVID-19 first hit Canada in March 2020, the gap between the rich and poor has grown wider in communities, with nearly 40 percent of Canadians reporting deteriorating finances over the last year. The organizations that typically help them, however, are also suffering, with more than two-thirds of Canadian charities reporting an average 30 percent revenue drop, over the last year. To rebuild after the pandemic, organizations will need to experiment with innovative new ways to mobilize social finance and build community wealth.
Indigenous women entrepreneurs are opening businesses at twice the rate of non-Indigenous women. As Canada looks to rebuild its economy, it’s more important than ever to back Indigenous entrepreneurs — but despite this, there're still significant barriers to funding, including to the $755 million Social Finance Fund.
COVID-19 has tested Canada’s social safety nets, and many would say they’ve failed that test. Historically oppressed and marginalized communities have fallen deeper into poverty and marginalization. The budget provides a roadmap for how the federal government plans to change this reality.
You may have heard about childcare, climate, and other big themes that made the Budget 2021 headlines, but plenty of other proposals within its pages will create conditions for emerging opportunities and challenges.
Social impact organizations have watched with alarm as the pandemic saps the livelihoods, food access, educational opportunities, jobs, and medical needs of Canadians — as well as their own capacity. Canada’s federal budget promises massive investments to correct that.