Foundation Magazine reached out to a wide range of people who help make the philanthropic sector such a vital part of Canadian society. We spoke with many of them personally, and invited hundreds of others to share their thoughts with our readers, to provide insights, ideas, wishes, hopes and dreams to the millions of generous and supportive Canadians across the nation. We also chose a selection of thoughts from other sector leaders who expressed themselves without our invitation. We thank you for participating by reading the results.
Here’s what they had to say when we asked “What’s on your mind this Giving Tuesday?”
Leslie Woo
CEO |CivicAction
As we look to 2023 and ways to build better, more inclusive cities, we must always ask ourselves, “Who will be impacted by the decisions we make?” and “Who are the people sitting at the decision-making table?”
There is nothing more important to the future of our cities than those who will lead them, which is why CivicAction prepares, connects, and activates the leaders of tomorrow.
We convene, collaborate, and co-create new solutions for better, more inclusive cities, and we’re calling on leaders from all sectors, backgrounds, and lived experiences to join us.
Jennifer Johnstone
President & CEO | Central City Foundation
Central City Foundation is a community legacy created over 100 years ago to support our neighbours in need. As we look to the coming year, we continue our journey towards truth, justice and reconciliation as a philanthropic organization, building relationships rooted in mutual respect and self-determination, strengthening diverse leadership within our organization and our community, consistently applying the learning we gain each day from those with lived experience in our community.
Susan Deike
Philanthropy Advisor | World Vision Canada
A child of 11 died, killed by a drunk driver. I never met her but she lives on. She had dark hair, green eyes, a smile that lit up a room. She loved her dog. Nobody knows how they’ll react when grief tears out their heart but her family chose love. They named a service dog after her dog and it helped an autistic child. Two families joined by one dog. Giving CAN help mend a broken heart.
Amy Stein
Executive Director | Henry’s Foundation – Putting Mental Health into Focus
The Henry’s Foundation, envisions a Canada where one has to suffer alone and where creative expression in all of its forms, is recognized as an effective way to promote, support and improve mental health. As part of our long-term strategy, we spent a significant amount of time this year, refining our focus with an evidence-based approach to create a clear and concise vision. We discussed our opportunities and challenges honestly to ensure we’re focused on impact. I’m immensely proud of the how far we’ve come and how we’re helping people find pathways to mental health through arts and creativity.
Carter Roberts
President & CEO | World Wildlife Fund
People look to WWF and its leadership to bring imagination and perseverance to the important work of conservation, and to build bridges between government, civil society and business in devising solutions at the scale of the challenges we face. The world demands no less of us. Conservation endures as a living discipline because it is inhabited by a magnificent collection of people. Only by working together can we create solutions to the most vexing problems we face.
Meridian Swift
Blogger, Author | VolunteerPlainTalk
What does it mean to give? Offer, supply, bequeath? Since money is not the only asset given, as a sector, we must recognize our volunteers’ gifts. What do they give besides time, which is often equated to a dollar amount as if the volunteer were taking paid staff’s place? What do volunteers offer?
- Expertise
- New ideas
- Ability to focus on clients without distractions
- Diverse backgrounds
- Community connections
- Advocacy
- Passion for cause
- A sounding board
- Avenues to more donations and recruitment
- Support for nonprofit staff
Volunteers are our most valuable currency. Let’s make 2023 the year we elevate volunteer contributions.
Shari Graydon
Catalyst/CEO | Informed Opinions
Given the essential role women play in every aspect of our collective lives (so reinforced by the pandemic), I’m continually struck and disappointed by the fact that a mere two percent of philanthropy in Canada is directed to charities that are explicitly working to deliver gender equality. We’re not nearly the leader on this front that we imagine ourselves to be (we rank 61st around the world for political representation), and we’re urging donors to be deliberate about helping us and others to change that. Informed Opinions is relentlessly strategic, measuring our progress and pivoting as necessary to deliver impact.
Mike Todd
Business Development Associate, Philanthropy | ScotiaMcLeod
Given the impending increase in the Disbursement Quota combined with a looming recession, the subject of investment mandates for our foundation’s reserve funds will take on a more important role in the years to come. In the long term bull market that was, it was too easy to assume we were positioned well and were taking on an appropriate amount of risk. Add to this mix increasing pressure to grant out a larger piece of the pie every year and the importance of our portfolios grows even more. The definitions of our time horizon and our risk tolerance are likely changing. In a world where we are reconsidering the meaning of the world “legacy”, Boards will need to spend more time on this critical element of their foundation’s work.
Cara Eaton
Executive Director | Volunteer Toronto
For many people, it’s becoming harder to prioritize giving their time to a cause. Cost of living and inflation means volunteerism can be at odds with the hours or travel costs that an individual has to choose to otherwise invest in paid work. Non-profits are feeling the symptoms of this shift in prioritization of time, coupled with volunteers’ ongoing concerns of safety when returning in person or experience with burnout from giving back online. When we think about addressing a volunteer shortage, it starts with not expecting the same as pre-pandemic, but exploring new models of service or giving.
Dennis Ullman
Executive Director | Durham Children’s Aid Foundation (DCAF)
Serving as Executive Director at DCAF has been a great experience over the past couple of years. Looking forward to 2023, DCAF is expecting another challenging year. Our Foundation will continue to develop new relationships with various community partners and work to diversify our funding base. DCAF is pleased to be supporting over 4000 children and youth who find themselves living in vulnerable family situations. DCAF extends special thanks to all donors and supporters. Working to ensure that No Child, Youth or Family Shall Be Left Behind.
Laura Giesbrecht
Director of Operations | The Mustard Seed
One of our biggest successes this year has been our work to transition to a housing focused shelter. As we strive to eliminate homelessness the way to do that is to get people housed. Caring for an individuals welfare in this way is central to their well being and gives them so much dignity. The ability to help someone move out and to contribute to their basic needs when they do so really helps to set people up for success. Partnering with local businesses and individual donors to make that possible helps us to be able to do so much more. Thank you for helping us to grow hope.
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