Fundraising 101 November 3, 2009
Posted by MelissaHK in nonprofit.Tags: funding, resources
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Well, it certainly has been a while since I’ve posted anything online, even on Twitter. I manage to post a few photos and see a few Live News Feeds on Facebook. But these days I’ve been living much more in the physical world without much connection to the virtual one.
But I have been saving a few things top post. One of them is this great article from CharityVillage. I’ve just posted the first couple of paragraphs below, but I highly recommend that you check out the full article.
Fundraising Q & A
By Cynthia J. Armour, CFRE
October 26, 2009
The question:
I want to ensure our grant proposal to a foundation makes it through the initial screening process and gets real consideration. How do I make that happen?
Cynthia’s Response:
Great question! Last month we spoke about getting the “corporate ear”…let’s now examine charitable foundations, the only source of funds that are mandated to disperse money. All others (individuals, businesses, service clubs, churches, etc.) are supporting charities voluntarily. Some of these donors actually choose to set up a foundation to ensure their support remains relatively balanced, despite hiccups in the economy. However, given last year’s significant market crash, even those foundations are suffering; many have had to seriously re-evaluate their donations budget.
In 1988, I was recruited to Trent University as the foundation fundraiser. Trent was building its environmental sciences facility, automating the library, expanding the Native studies program, and engaging donors to invest in an exciting future. Google’s inventors were probably still in high school! The best information available was the Canadian Centre for Philanthropy’s (now, Imagine Canada) Directory to Foundations. This guide still exists and remains a reference that summarizes (in searchable form) the T3010s that registered charities have to submit to Canada Revenue Agency within six months of their fiscal year end.
Check out the rest of the article here.
Software and Online Resources for Nonprofits August 7, 2009
Posted by MelissaHK in nonprofit.Tags: resources
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After enjoying a lovely off-the-grid July vacation in New Brunswick, I came back to a manageable amount of email and work, and some lovely little resource gems like this one.
Wild Apricot Non-profit technology blog
“This blog is for volunteers, webmasters and administrators of associations and nonprofits. We discuss issues and trends in web technologies that help your organization do more with less.”
They have a number of suggestions under each of the following headings. Some things are free, but those that are not seem fairly reasonable. Wild Apricot is a company that creates web-based applications for nonprofits. So it is cool that they have compiled this list of potential competitors. 
- Accounting, Time-Tracking, Invoicing, Billing
- Fundraising Software, Online Payments, Donor Management
- Document Editing, Sharing, Collaboration Tools
- Mailing List Management, Email Marketing, Newsletters
- Events Management, Registration, Scheduling
- Membership Management, Contact Management (CRM)
- Discussion Forums, Online Communities
- Website Builders, Blogs, Content Management (CMS)
- Website Analytics, Data Collection, Tracking Tools
- All-In-One Solutions for Non-Profits
Consultation on proposed guidance on the protection of human rights and charitable registration June 8, 2009
Posted by MelissaHK in nonprofit.Tags: funding, policy, resources
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Have I mentioned how much I love COCo lately? I have? Well this is more public affection. Nonprofit and charity-minded folks who like policy will love these snippets from COCo’s latest newsletter.
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Finally, at COCo, we are committed to not only providing legal information, but also reflecting critically on the legal systems and structures as they currently stand. In that spirit, this month, we’d like to call your attention to an important consultation by the Canada Revenue Agency. The agency is seeking public feedback on their proposed Guidance on the Protection of Human Rights and Charitable Registration. As we have discussed before in COCo e-bulletins and at events, many organizations have trouble obtaining or maintaining their charitable status because of the advocacy work they do. Other organizations are muzzled in their ability to advocate for social change because they can’t afford to lose their charitable status. The public consultation on the proposed guidelines is an opportunity for community organizations to comment critically on some of the guidelines put out by the Canada Revenue Agency.
Please see http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/chrts/cnslttns/ghrg-eng.html for more information on the Canada Revenue Agency’s consultation.
The Canada Revenue Agency’s Consultation on Proposed Guidance on the Protection of Human Rights and Charitable Registration is only ONE piece of the charitable registration puzzle. There is ongoing concern in the Canadian community sector about the number and type of organizations NOT receiving accreditation and the low limits for advocacy work allowed by registered charities. To get a sense of the ‘big picture’ issues around charitable status and limits on advocacy work (or “political activities”) by charities, check out “Charities and Democracy: Election Kit” (prepared by IMPACS and available at http://www.pacedmonton.com/artsvote/election_kit.pdf).
To get a sense of the even bigger picture, and the more progressive stance taken by other governments such as the U.S.A. and the U.K., read: “The Law of Advocacy by Charitable Organizations: The Case for Change” (http://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/200/300/impacs/law_advocacy-e/law_advocacy-e.pdf).
A full summary of the UK’s policy can be found at “Speaking Out- Guidance on Campaigning and Political Activity by Charities” (http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/publications/CC9.asp#15).
Community Radio Fund gives out its first funding May 21, 2009
Posted by MelissaHK in media, nonprofit, radio.Tags: community-media, crfc, funding, radio, radiofund
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Those of you who know me know that I have been involved in community radio for nearly 15 years now. And you might also know that I began working with some very fine folks to start the Community Radio Fund of Canada about 5 years ago. You may even know that I started working for the fund just over one year ago.
So it is with much warmth in my heart that I am spreading the news far and wide — 20 stations/associaitons are getting the first ever funding from us! Woohoo! Cheers cheers and more cheers!!! Champagne to all!!!
Here is the official press release.
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For Immediate Release
May 20, 2009
CRFC Grants 20 Broadcasters $160,000 in Major Boost to Community Radio Sector in Canada
Ottawa – The Community Radio Fund of Canada (CRFC) is extremely pleased to announce its first group of funding recipients through two programs launched earlier this year:
Radio Talent Development Program:
CFAD 92.1 FM, Salmo BC: “Salmo Community Radio Local News/Public Affairs Forum” $4,700
CFUV 101.9 FM, Victoria BC: “Women’s Collective Coordinator – Summer Position” $2,970
CHLS 100.5 FM, Lillooet BC: “Radio Legends” $9,750
CHOQ 105.1 FM, Toronto ON: “Dossiers Choq” $7,350
CIVR 103.5 FM, Yellowknife NT: “Recueillir et diffuser l’information locale, territorial” $10,000
CJAI 92.1 FM, Stella ON: “Local Oral History Broadcast Project” $2,320
CKBN 90.5 FM, Wôlinak QC: “Culture rurale” $9,600
CKOA 89.7 FM, Glace Bay NS: “The Celtic Connection Documentary Series” $10,000
CKUT 90.3 FM, Montréal QC: “Training Track at June 2009 NCRC” $8,650
CKUW 95.9 FM, Winnipeg MB: “The Winnipeg Files training/production module of Green Planet Monitor” $5,000
NCRA (national): “GroundWire Community News Network Capacity Improvement” $8,500
Youth Internship Program:
CFRG 93.1 FM, Gravelbourg SK: “Stage radiophonique pour un jeune” $8,000
CFRO 102.7 FM, Vancouver BC: “Aboriginal Language Learning Programming Mentorship” $10,000
CHES 101.5 FM, Erin ON: “EDHS Partnership” $10,000
CHLI 101.1 FM, Rossland BC: “Be The Voice” $9,960
CJBE 90.5 FM, Port-Menier QC: “Stage en production” $10,000
CJPN 90.5 FM, Fredericton NB: “Jeunesse radiophonique” $7,500
CJRG 94.5 FM, Gaspé QC: “La tournée régionale” $9,160
CKDU 88.1 FM, Halifax NS: “Youth Now Radio” $10,000
CKJM 106.1 FM, Chéticamp NS: “Formation de jeunes pour la relève” $5,000
The Radio Talent Development Program and the Youth Internship Program are made possible by a contribution of Astral Media Radio through a CRTC contribution mechanism totalling $1.4 million over seven years. The goal of both programs is to develop innovative local interest programming while providing mentorship, education, and/or training for broadcasters.
Each year, $80,000 is available under each program to the campus and community radio sector. This year, the CRFC received a total of fifty-four applications.
The CRFC would also like to thank the Selection Committee for their work in assessing the applications. It was not an easy task as all of the applications were deserving. None of these committee members are affiliated with any potential recipient, including as volunteers:
- Carolyn Brown, Manager, Journals Program of the National Research Council Canada
- Jonathan Browns, Cultural Planner, Arts Collections of the Public Arts Program of the City of Ottawa
- Annabelle Cloutier, Directrice générale of l’Association des producteurs francophones du Canada
For more information about the programs and the CRFC, please visit www.communityradiofund.org.
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Contact:
Melissa Kaestner, CRFC Executive Director, (613) 321-3513, m.kaestner [at] communityradiofund.org
The Community Radio Fund of Canada (CRFC) is a not-for-profit funding organization that solicits and distributes funds geared toward the development and sustainability of local community radio broadcasting in urban and rural Canada. Its goal is to provide the sector with the resources needed to continue providing local programming and community access, as well as for the development and enrichment of this vital component of the Canadian broadcasting system.
