Experts say COVID-19 has set back progress on Canadian gender equity, from workforce participation to gendered violence and more. Meanwhile, the organizations meant to support women and change sexist systems are struggling themselves. A $100 million project-based fund is helpful, but is it enough?
Sector leaders don’t expect corporate donations or philanthropies can cover the financial burden faced by community services organizations across Canada. Meanwhile, the federal government is due to table a new budget this spring, one that is expected to include relief packages for industries hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Major financial institutions are warning that the COVID-19 pandemic’s economic downturn will not abate once case counts drop. The virus will have severe, long-term impacts on workforce improvement and training prospects in Canada and around the world.
Deploying $200 million worth of funding to assist the social impact world will be welcome during the pandemic. Outcome-based models are relatively new, but appear to be gaining in popularity. However, it isn’t clear whether they actually provide the sort of innovative thinking they claim to.
Understanding the reasons behind a spike in charitable donations during the COVID-19 pandemic could better prepare charities for fundraising campaigns in future years. When the pandemic ends, the lessons learned by charities on promoting generosity in 2020 will be crucial to rebuilding the world.