One of the reasons I’ve been hanging out more in the physical world is that I was working on the submission of the Community Radio Fund of Canada (CRFC) to the CRTC Policy Review for our sector. One month and 22 pages later, here we are. And more than 100 stations, organizations, private broadcasters, governement agencies, and individuals submitted their thoughts as well. More information in the CRFC posting below.

CRFC Participates in Review of Campus and Community Radio
Friday, 16 October 2009

In July 2009, the CRTC launched a review of its Campus and Community Radio Policies. The CRFC filed its comments today outlining the funding reality of the sector and some possible solutions to help lessen its financial stresses. The CRFC is recommending a funding model for both the campus and community radio stations and the CRFC that includes funding from the federal government as well as Canada’s private broadcasters and distributors.

You can read the CRFC’s comments here as well as view other comments submitted here.

The CRTC hearing for this process will begin on January 18, 2010.

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.

The July 31-August 13 2009 Edition of GroundWire is available for listening online! Visit groundwire.ncra.ca.

GroundWire is a twice-monthly dose of grassroots, independent journalism from the campus-community radio sector of Canada. It is a project of the National Campus and Community Radio Association. This is edition of GroundWire was supported by a grant from the Community Radio Fund of Canada.

Would you like to be added to the GroundWire mailing list? You will receive one email per month when the new edition of GroundWire is released. You can sign up online at groundwire.ncra.ca in the right hand column, or send an email to groundwireprod[at]gmail.com.

*Presenting the July 31-August 13, 2009 Headlines*

• Winnipeg worried over Privatized Water| Michael Elves UMFM
• Defining Sexual Assault in Winnipeg| Michael Elves UMFM

*Presenting the July 31-August 13, 2009 Features:*

• Mohammad Mahjoub’s Hunger Strike at Kingston Penitentiary | Usman Mushtaak CFRC
• Olympic Update: Charter Battles for Women’s Ski Jumpers | Sam Krevia CJSR
• Simon Fraser University Funding Mircomanaged by Government| Nina Halliday-Thompson CJSF

The July 31-August 13, 2009 edition of GroundWire was produced by UMFM in Winnipeg.

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).

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.

I’m a pretty big fan of Montreal-based Centre for Community Organizations (COCo for short, based on their French name). And while they are Quebec-focused, most of what they publish on their website and/or through thier newsletter is relevant to most nonprofits in Canada and beyond. In this week’s newsletter, they have written up some of their results from a recent poll of Quebec leaders in the nonprofit sector.

But before I share that with you, I’m also copying two great links/initiatives here (copied from the monthly COCo newsletter).

“Check out the Canadian Community Economic Development Network (CCEDNet), a rapidly growing movement of people committed to a more holistic and grassroots approach to development that integrates social, economic, and environmental concerns. In the words of one member, “I work in CED because the economy does not stand still and neither should the rules that govern it. Growth must be fostered from the bottom-up”. Check out the following link to find out what this member-driven organization is up to … and how you can join!”

“Mapthemoney.com is growing and there are tons of new resources and blogs. Check it out at Mapthemoney.com. It’s an interactive community-based website that is accessible to the entire community sector. The site incorporates diverse content related to fundraising sustainability: from models of successful events, to points of contacts and resources for the development of private foundations and corporate solicitations and how-to guides in launching individual donor campaigns. The content is updated by the Mapmakers and community members (like you!). The website allows you to ask questions and discuss fundraising through blogs, access tons of resources and share your own resources with the rest of the community. Become a part of the community today. Mapthemoney.com is a COCo initiative.”

And now for their thoughts on the community sector.

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“Now it’s time to explore another highlight of the COCo AGM and to share what happened when 30 Quebec community leaders put their heads together and reflected about the gaps and the opportunities in our community work.

The reflection began with an outpouring of answers to the following question: What have you seen happening in the last 5 – 7 years that has been novel or significant in the Quebec Community Sector?

“For those of you who weren’t able to join us for the AGM I want you to STOP READING RIGHT NOW and think about that question. What has been changing in the community around us?

“INCREASED RELIANCE ON TECHNOLOGY, increased immigration, PUSH FOR SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP, framing poverty in terms of basic rights, MORE HYBRID FORMS OF ORGANIZATIONS were some of the answers shared…. What other changes do you notice?

“After reflecting together on these changes in the environment around us, we then asked people to break into small groups and respond to one of the following questions:

“What issues and challenges are we not yet addressing in the Quebec Community Sector?

“What are the most promising untapped assets or resources in the Quebec Community Sector?

“Again please STOP READING RIGHT NOW and consider these questions – it is critical that we all take the time to look at the gaps and the opportunities in our community work – this is how we grow and evolve. Here are some of the reflections from our AGM participants – it is our desire at COCo that these ideas well help to fuel and inspire creative new programs and projects in all of our work.

“THE GAPS IN OUR WORK: (1) Environmental Justice, (2) Basing our work on a cross-cutting holistic mission rather than institutionalization, (3) Connecting grassroots links with national advocacy capacity, (4) Established services or resources for newcomer or ethno-cultural communities, (5) Capacity of grassroots groups to utilize new technology to renew our organizing tactics.

“THE UNTAPPED OPPORTUNITIES: (1) Growing desire for community and engagement, (2) Recession opening possibilities for new lifestyles and work models, (3) Untapped power of elder and intergenerational resources, (4) Technology as a powerful social-change tool, (5) Cross-pollination and collaboration between the French and English sector.

“So there you have it some food for thought brought to you by this year’s AGM participants and the COCo Team.”

Just letting you know that I’ve added a few new links to my links pages, all geared towards nonprofits and/or fundraising.