Feeding change: Regina’s free grocery store will soon be developing its own food products

Why It Matters

While the choice model food bank is not a new concept, Regina’s Community Food Hub has also added a “layer of innovation” through data-enabled decision-making, said CEO John Bailey. Although clients are not paying for their food, data about what they are “buying” is becoming invaluable to the food bank’s operations.

Budget 2025: Five asks to supercharge Canada’s social finance sector

Why It Matters

The current Liberal government has pledged to accelerate the delivery of nation-building initiatives and build Canada’s resilience. However, the affordability crisis has been slowing the economy and affecting communities, while a large portion of retail investors’ money is invested abroad. The social finance sector wants to persuade the federal government that it is part of the solution and that its model aligns with Canada’s challenges.

Behind the scenes of a non-profit merger: preparing staff, funders and the CRA

Why It Matters

Charities and non-profits may find long-term sustainability challenging, given high delivery costs, fluctuating donation patterns, changing community needs, and shifting priorities for funders. One under-explored exit strategy is to merge operations with other organizations. Charities and non-profits, however, need to be aware of their obligations with the Canada Revenue Agency should they choose to go down this route.

'Casual staff or CEO, everyone gets the same': How a social services agency transitioned to employee ownership

Why It Matters

According to research by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, 76 per cent of Canada’s business owners plan to exit their businesses in the next decade. The EOT legislation has been designed to ease those businesses' succession planning and spread the benefits of wealth. However, advocates warn that there might be a gaping hole in the legislation that the Carney government must urgently address in the Fall Budget.

Charitable Impact expands pooled funds model; donors to give directly to charity-agnostic causes

Why It Matters

According to Charitable Impact, donors often seek to give to maximize their impact, but the charity-centred approach can make that challenging. Instead, their needs are centred by allowing patients and people with lived experience to decide where those funds go.