A gradual impact: Inspiring tomorrow’s leaders through higher education

As the mission-driven sector in Canada continues to grow, so does the need for young innovators and leaders who can confidently carry it forward. Stepping up to fill what has become a prominent educational gap in a country that prides...

Social Finance Week: The unexpected venture capitalist

In 2004, Jessie Huggett joined an Ottawa-area dance company and developed an innovative dance about the experience of having Down syndrome. Response to “I am Me” inspired company director Hannah Beach to create Dandelion Dance Company and later to add...

Social Finance Week: Investing in impact

We’ve enjoyed being voyeurs of the impact investing interplay in the US and UK for some time now. But the writing is on the wall: impact investing is gaining momentum here too so it may be time to get acquainted....

Philanthropy from the throne

If you’re among those people who’ve ever wondered just what it is about Britain’s Royal Family that has millions of Britons and royal watchers worldwide glued to their TV screens whenever the princes, duchesses and Queen Elizabeth II pop on,...

Charity strikes a chord with Canadian musicians

Even Justin Bieber gives to charity. Actually, there's a bevy of Canadian artists and musicians that are heavily involved with giving back to their communities across the country, and yes, the Biebs is one of them. This charitable spirit in...

Service clubs: An optimistic future?

Since 2004, homeless youth in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, have had somewhere to turn for a hot meal, a shower, and other much needed support. The Survival Centre, operated by the Boys and Girls Club of Charlottetown, is a free...

More than child’s play: Engaging youth in philanthropy

When nine-year-old Alaina Podmorow agreed to join her mother one evening at a presentation by author and activist Sally Armstrong, she was just hoping to cadge a later bedtime. But the presentation changed Alaina's life. Armstrong spoke about the lack...

Innovation meets tradition: The 2011 Humber Initiative on Philanthropy

The recent Humber Initiative on Philanthropy conference at the college's Lakeshore Campus was an intensive day filled with informative sessions and thought-provoking speakers. The brainchild of the sector's prolific enthusiast, Ken Wyman, the annual event was launched two years ago...

The Giving (R)evolution

Canadians are a giving bunch, that much we know. The most recent Canadian Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating (CSGVP) stated that in 2007 Canadians volunteered 2.1 billion hours, a 4.2% increase from the previous survey, though the average number...