Nonprofit resources

2012

Measuring the Size, Scope and Scale of the Social Enterprise Sector in Manitoba

Ryan O’Connor, The Canadian CED Network, Peter Elson, Mount Royal University, Peter Hall, Simon Fraser University, and Brendan Reimer, The Canadian CED Network

In the summer of 2011, 118 social enterprises across Manitoba were surveyed in an effort to develop clear indicators of the sector's size, market activities, and socio-economic impacts. Although the results are prelimary, this report builds a strong case for all stakeholders to value the distinct contributions of social enterprises and to work together in creating a supportive environment in which the sector can grow.

This report builds on research that was conducted on the social enterprise sectors in British Columbia and Alberta. Similar projects are also underway in Ontario and Eastern Canada in an effort to measure and quanitfy the impacts of social enterprises across Canada. Click here to download the full Manitoba Social Enterprise Survey Report. 

2011

e-Giving in Canada

Kim Warnke, The Institute for Nonprofit Studies 2010-2011 Student Research Intern has completed her research project, e-Giving in Canada: Donation Trends in the 21st century. This report is the first profile of e-giving in Canada. Drawing on data from both Canada Helps and the Mobile Giving Foundation, the report provides a comprehensive profile of trends and implications.  As a added feature, her analysis draws on the International Classification of Nonprofit Organizations to establish a baseline for potential comparisons across countries. 

Voluntary Sector - Provincial Government Relations

An article by Peter Elson on Voluntary Sector - provincial government relations in Canada entitled 'The emergence of structured subnational voluntary sector-government relationships in Canada: a historical institutional analysis' has been published by Voluntary Sector Review (Vol 2 No2). Here is a link to the article:
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/tpp/vsr/2011/00000002/00000002/art00001

2011 - 2012 Nonprofit Research Forum Series

The Institute for Nonprofit Studies hosts a bi-monthly nonprofit research forum in September, November, January, March and May at Mount Royal University and via videoconference at Volunteer Alberta in Edmonton during the academic year. The following poster profiles the research topics, dates and location.  Forum Poster

High Ideals and Noble Intentions

The relationships between governments and the voluntary sector in Canada are long-standing and complex. High Ideals and Noble Intentions, written by Dr. Peter Elson explores historical and  more recent events and to bring present day policy and practice into focus. Dr. Elson examines critical historical events in the relationship between the federal government and the voluntary sector which continue to exert their influence. He demonstrates through in-depth case studies that these events are critical to understanding contemporary voluntary sector-government relations. This historically informed analysis provides the basis for practical recommendations meant to improve the future of voluntary sector-government relations across Canada. Published by the University of Toronto Press.

Beveridge and Voluntary Action in Britain and the Wider British World

William Beveridge was the architect of the modern welfare state, but he was also a proponent of voluntary action. This new book profiles a number of perspectives related to his work on voluntary action which were presented in London on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of his book. A chapter on Canada was written by the Institute's Senior Research Associate, Dr. Peter Elson. Click here for a special introductory offer of this book.

Survey of Social Enterprises in Alberta and British Columbia

New research by Peter R. Elson of Mount Royal University and Peter Hall of Simon Fraser University shows that social enterprises, businesses operated by non-profit organizations for the dual purpose of generating income and creating a social, environmental, and cultural value, are significant contributors to both employment creation and economic generators.

The report Strength, Size, Scope: A Survey of Social Enterprises in Alberta and British Columbia profiles data from 140 of 295 social enterprises in both provinces gathered in the spring and summer of 2010. These social enterprises are engaged in a wide variety of social, cultural, environmental and revenue raising market activities.

2010

Strategic Drivers of Alberta's Nonprofit Sector

Strategic Drivers of Alberta's Nonprofit Sector was researched and written by Marc-Elie Scott, the first student research intern in the Institute for Nonprofit Studies. Marc-Elie has used resource dependency theory to analyze the influence of human resources (paid and unpaid staff), government funding, private donations and foundations, and market activities on nonprofit organizations in Alberta. This insightful analysis provided important trends for consideration as well as a clear indication of what is not known and what is missing which would help nonprofit decision makers.     

Bowing Out: A data-base analysis of the voluntary deregistration of Canadian Charities (2002 - 2008) 

Bowing Out is a working paper produced by Peter R. Elson, Cliff Spyker and Dustin Rogers of Mount Royal University with the financial support of the Canada Revenue Agency. This research report profiles the size, type, location and finances of the 4,412 Canadian charities that voluntarily deregistered between 2001 and 2008.  Only 0.88% of charities do voluntarily deregister. Small charities appear to be vulnerable to deregistration. Surprisingly, older charities voluntarily deregister than younger ones, reflecting both a liability of adolescence and a liability of obsolescence.  This is the first time that an exploration of the voluntary dergistration of Canadian charities has been conducted. 

Comparison of Policy Frameworks for Social Enterprises and Nonprofits in Ontario and Quebec (part 3)

Voices of Community is the third of three research reports based on a comparison of  policy frameworks in Ontario and Quebec. This report focuses on representational organization, the Ontario Nonprofit Network in Ontario and the Chantier d’economie sociale and the Le Réseau québécois de l’action communautaire autonome in Quebec. Peter R. Elson, PhD is the principal Investigator, and the research assistant for this phase of the project was Dustin Rogers (Mount Royal University).. 

Social Enterprise Funder database

The BC-Alberta Social Economy Research Alliance (BALTA)  has released a database of funders that support social enterprises. There is a separate database for each province. Links to the funders have been imbedded in each database:

Alberta Social Enterprise Funder database

BC Social Enterprise Funder database

Charity Filing Guide

The Charity Filing Guide is designed to help small and rural Canadian charities complete the Registered Charity Information Return. The information in this website will help you to understand CRA's requirements, develop processes to make completing the forms easier. You will have a chance to practice using working copies of the forms with plain language explanations.

Charity Filing Guide

2009

Tapping the Power of Boomers as Senior Volunteers

The Kirby Centre in Calgary has produced a report entitled, Tapping the Power of Boomers as Senior Volunteers. This report profiles the responses from 58 Boomers from the general population in Calgary and provides meaningful insights into their views and expectations. A valuable resource for any organization interested in appealing to this particular and growing segment of our population. 

Atlas of Alberta's Charities: Calgary and Medicine Hat

This is the first mapping of Alberta's charities using data available from the Canada Revenue Agency and social data sets available from the 2006 Statistics Canada Census. This first atlas is not only a preview into the value of of mapping to understand the dynamics between registered charities and the communities they serve, it also provides important insights in its own right.  The Atlas focuses on Alberta as a whole, Calgary and Medicine. Prepared by Keith Seel, Peter Elson and Natalie O'Toole of the Institute for Nonprofit Studies, Mount Royal University. This publication is a direct result of support from Mount Royal University, ACTII Funding, The Calgary Foundation, the Government of Alberta, Community Spirit Program and  Mount Royal University Library.  

Comparison of Policy Frameworks for Social Enterprises and Nonprofits in Ontario and Quebec (parts 1 and 2)

Renovating the House that Law Built is the second research report and focuses on the analysis of proposed legislative changes to the statutory regulation of nonprofits in Ontario and Quebec. An additional feature of this report is a summary analysis of the implication of social enterprise activities for registered charities. Peter R. Elson, PhD is the principal Investigator, and research assistant for this phase was Andres Gouldsborough (Concordia).

Building Capital, Building Community is the first of three planned community research reports to be issued by the Institute for Nonprofit Studies and the Social Economy Centre, University of Toronto under a SSHRC funded research project. Peter R. Elson, PhD is the principal Investigator, and research assistants Robert Jones (Mount  Royal University) and Andres Gouldsborough (Concordia) worked on the first phase of the project. 

The First Principle of Voluntary Action

The First Principle of Voluntary Action: Essays on the independence of the voluntary sector from government in Canada, England, Germany, Northern Ireland, Scotland, United States of America and Wales is a working paper produced by the Baring Foundation in the England.  The report profiles the state of voluntary sector independence in each country, how independence is under threat by governments, the impact of New Public Management on voluntary sectors, and lessons which can be learned from the experiences of other countries. Peter Elson, Senior Research Associate in the Institute for Nonprofit Studies at Mount Royal University wrote the profile on Canada.

Disability Policy in Alberta
This initial exploration of transition implications, emerged out of a policy project funded by the Max Bell Foundation. This policy study examined the range of provincial policy envelopes that impact a person with a developmental disability over the course of their life. Focusing on the major transitions, the study presents how service providing organizations work across policy boundaries, and how they see the effects of those transitions on families and individuals. Disability Policy in Alberta identifies six major themes that describe the experience of negotiating a transition point.

2008

The State of Nonprofit Education in Canada
This paper by Naheed Nenshi highlights early findings from a research project begun in Summer 2007 to catalogue every course in nonprofit management offered at a college or university in Canada. The project is expected to serve both academic inquiry and practical purposes through providing open access to a database of these programs categorized in a number of ways.
A database of 47 institutions offering over 700 courses was created, and the programs were analyzed by type, revealing a landscape strongly focused on instrumentalist rather than academic approaches. Credentials tended to lean more towards certificates (both credit and noncredit) and diplomas rather than degrees, and there was great heterogeneity amongst programs, even those with similar names. The paper ends with an early attempt to create a curricular typology for Canadian programs.

Voluntary Sector/ Government Relations in Canada
The relationship between the voluntary sector and government is a critical one. Government regulations determine how, when, and what charitable or nonprofit organizations are created and need to report to the public on their activities. Further regulations and policies influence when and how charities can advocate for a public policy and the terms and conditions under which nonprofit organizations provide publicly funded services. This relationship between governments and voluntary organizations has existed in Canada since the early 1600s and continues to influence how nonprofit organizations operate today.

This PhD thesis by Peter Elson, Senior Research Associate in the Institute for Nonprofit Studies, looks at three critical periods or 'junctures' in this relationship in Canada over the 20th Century which continue to influence voluntary sector/ government relations. In addition, a comparison with the United Kingdom from the early 1990s to the present day is presented. This research shows that the degree of formality of representation of the voluntary sector during times when policy change is underway may influence both the policy outcome and its subsequent reinforcement. If the voluntary sector wants to establish a strong relationship with government, it needs to start by building a strong relationship with its own constituency.

Careers in the Nonprofit Sector
Careers in the Nonprofit Sector is a unique resource created to explain what the nonprofit sector is, how it works, and how to become part of the life changing work undertaken by Canada's nonprofit organizations. By presenting the career experiences of 26 employees the booklet invites students and those seeking a a career change to imagine a fulfilling career in the nonprofit sector. Careers from arts & culture, children/seniors/disabilities, education, environment, health, international, social services and sports & recreation are profiled. As well readers will find detailed job profiles which include important job requirements such as education, salary information, and a sense of the scope of work typically done by employees in the position.

La Relève: Succession in Quebec's Community Sector - an issue that concerns us all
La Relève is a unique piece of work resulting from over a decade of labor force efforts within the province of Quebec focused on the non-profit sector. Unfortunately, until now, much of the work has not been appreciated by the rest of Canada as this document has not been available in English. This document is a combination discussion paper and workbook, aimed at raising awareness about labour market and workforce demographics both in Quebec generally and more specifically in the province’s community sector. While the majority of the statistics found in the document are specific to Quebec, many of the issues and concepts about succession in the community sector have broad and universal applications. Funding for the translation of La Relève was made possible by the Institute for Nonprofit Studies.

2007

Being a Governor: A Process for Board Development
If you’re like the majority of people serving on a governance board, you spend part of every meeting with other governors pouring over financial figures, worrying about funding, and making sure your organization is transparent and ethical in all its practices. If this is the sum total of your board experience, we suggest you’ve been missing out on the more rewarding aspects of governance. We believe governance can be a meaningful personal exercise and have a profound impact on the organization and its community.

Enhancing the Emergent Capacity of Governance Volunteers: Faith-Based Organizations
This paper by Angela Angelini and Keith Seel details the progress and outcomes of a peer learning circle project hosted by the Institute of Nonprofit Studies between March and April 2007. Focused on governors of Christian faith-based organizations, the project explores how the governors respond to the question: What does it mean to be a governor? There are unique aspects to governing in a faith-based organization that are not mirrored in secular organizations. This understanding may begin to influence the research and processes used by governors in their practice. In addition, the peer learning circle approach used in this project has proven to be a low-cost and valuable learning tool that enriched the effectiveness of the governors. Understanding the perspectives of governors of faith-based organizations will help researchers to develop tools and processes which may be applied in the community faith organizations.

2006

Boundary Spanning PhD Thesis by Keith Seel
This PhD thesis examines sustainability within Canada's nonprofit sector. It proposes a practical theoretical framework through which nonprofit organizations can examine seven dimensions of sustainability. The thesis finds that boundary spanning - a collection of processes and behaviours that encourage exchange between individuals or organizations - is fundamental to sustainability. The concept of metamobilization actors is introduced to capture the intentionality of boundary spanning activities leading to transformative changes required for sustainability.

Careers in the Nonprofit Sector
An initiative of the Institute for Nonprofit Studies at Mount Royal College and The Calgary Foundation, this booklet provides a brief description of various career paths within the nonprofit sector.

Leadership and Governance Literature Review
Building the Capacity of Governance Volunteers: Giving Meaning

Governance Peer Learning Circle: Early Research Results
Since the Broadbent Report (Panel on Accountability and Governance in the Voluntary Sector, 1999) was released, there has been a growing emphasis on accountability and governance within Canada’s nonprofit sector. In the report, it is stated that attention to governance and accountability would “enhance the effectiveness and credibility” of the nonprofit sector. As funders, in particular, took notice of the trend launched by the Broadbent Report, the link between accountability and effectiveness was made with the effect being that boards of directors have experienced external pressures to attend to financial matters almost to the exclusion of other responsibilities. Governance as an activity became more and more associated with financial management in the minds of funders and boards of directors themselves.

2005

Executive Director Peer Learning Circle - One Year Later
A Review of the Effectiveness of the Peer Learning Circle Process One Year Later.

Governance Literature Review
The purpose of this literature review is to situate and support the research of the Building Capacity of Governance Volunteers project. The project is hosted by the Institute of Nonprofit Studies at Mount Royal College with funding from the Community Support Centre, Volunteer Canada.

Principles and Practice of Education for Children with Disabilities – A Policy Examination
Research Brief, August 2005

2004

Group discussion notes on Ken Wiwa's Lecture on Globalization, the Pervasive Business Agenda, and Civil Society
Strengthening the Capacity of Executive Directors: The research report that was presented at the international research conference in LA in November is about to be launched across Canada this week.

The Canadian Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector in Comparative Perspective
The Canadian findings from the Johns Hopkins Comparative Nonprofit Sector Project released by Imagine Canada. The report is entitled The Canadian Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector in Comparative Perspective.

Ken Wiwa's Lecture on Globalization, the Pervasive Business Agenda, and Civil Society
Speaking Notes from Lecture on October 20, 2004

2003

Ontario Law Reform Commission, Report on the Law of Charities
These materials are reprinted with permission from the Ontario Law Reform Commission, Report on the law of charities (1997), published by the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General. (c) Queen's Printer for Ontario, 2003.