Nonprofit resources
2009
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.
A Comparison of Policy Frameworks for Social Enterprises and Nonprofits in Ontario and Quebec.
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 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.
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.
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.
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