Arts Network Ottawa, Ottawa Arts Council to merge and expand services

Why It Matters

Arts Network Ottawa and Ottawa Arts Council are well-regarded cultural funders in the capital. Their merger to expand service offerings comes amid a post-COVID squeeze in the arts sector and heightened anxieties for the survival of small nonprofits.

Artscape CEO says Launchpad failure caused receivership: Globe and Mail

Why It Matters

Ever since Artscape announced its receivership in September, Toronto’s arts sector has wondered what caused the well-regarded institution’s failure.

Community Land Trusts explained: Five answers to your pressing questions

Why It Matters

Canada’s housing crisis spurs new interest in community land trusts. But, the size of the sector and relative obscurity of the land trust structure compared to other non-profit housing models means many interested Canadians don’t understand them well enough.

Neighbourhood association launches technology lending library in east Toronto.

Why It Matters

Technology lending libraries – where community members can borrow hardware and access the internet – are helping to overcome the digital divide. But they are a relatively new type of organization. How can their impact be measured in the short and long term, and how can they continue to advocate for funding?

Toronto’s Centre for Social Innovation to sell Annex coworking space; cites rising interest rates, downturn in coworking revenue

Why It Matters

Rising interest rates are making it more difficult for non-profit landlords to hang on to existing properties or create new ones, reducing the availability of commercial space for charities, non-profits and social entrepreneurs.

Canadian social enterprises generated $4.1 billion in 2022: report

Why It Matters

Social enterprises often champion inclusion, community, climate and skills development over profits, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t businesses. More awareness of this model could improve market access and increase the availability of financial capital.