Research

Canadian Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating
Did you know that there are over 1,600 registered charities in Edmonton, and that there are countless other societies, community groups and nonprofit organizations in Edmonton as well--about 8,000 in all! All of these organizations are governed by volunteer board members, have volunteer committees and use teh skills and work of volunteers to deliver vital programs to Edmontonians.

Check out the 2004 Canada Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating to read the full report on Canadians and their level of contribution to communities.

Facts on Volunteerism
What does the face of volunteerism look like? To help organize the staggering numer of facts and statistics, Volunteer Edmonton has compiled a handy fact sheet highlighting key findings regarding the state of volunteerism, the characteristics of the people who volunteer and the overall contribution of the nonprofit/voluntary sector.

National Study of Board Practices in the Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector
In 2006, the First National Study of Board Practices in the Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector was unveiled. It's a great resource for organizations looking for information on governance issues, decisions and best practices.

New Liquor Regulations Don't Affect Nonprofits
Nonprofit organizations serving liquor are exempt from new regulations brought in by the provincial government through the Alberta Server Intervention Program. ASIP is an industry-led training program that provides consistent for all liquor services and sales staff, ensuring that liquor activities are conducted with integrity and in a socially responsible manner. Class C licensees or Community Public Resale Special Event licensees--which is predominately made up of nonprofit and volunteer groups--are exempt from ASIP training. The Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission encourages nonprofits that work under these types of licenses to complete ASIP training at no cost. The AGLC is committed to promoting responsible liquor service while still meeting the needs of volunteer organizations.

Risk Managment Sources
Two sites that provide valuable information on laws and case studies pertaining to the nonprofit sector are www.charitylaw.ca and www.law-nonprofit.org. On Charity Law, the "Avoiding liability in charitable fundraising" presentation provides a section about developing a proactive risk approach to fundraising.

Both websites feature the LawNow reprint series which covers a wide range of subjects and topics related to nonprofits. Troubling subject matter and difficult areas of the law are discussed, such as sexual assault of children and the issue of liability. These websites provide a wealth of background information, clarification and updates on recent case law involving nonproifts, as well as steps nonprofits should consider taking to avoid legal mishaps.

TechSoup.org
TechSoup is an innovative online service that provides nonprofits with an opportunity to purchase a wide range of discounted technology products. The website also features news and updates, articles, an enewsletter and a discussion forum. Visit their FAQ section to see if you qualify to receive their low-cost products.  

The Alberta Nonprofit/Voluntary Sector Initiative (ANVSI)
ANVSI's purpose is to bring together representatives from the Government of Alberta and the nonprofit/voluntary sector in Alberta in order to strengthen the relationship between the two sectors. A group of nonprofit/voluntary sector leaders and representatives from key government departments, known as the Leaders Council, has met on regular basis with the first task being the establishment of a written rationale for a Framework Agreement between the Government of Alberta and Alberta’s nonprofit/voluntary sector.

The aim is for both sectors to develop a better understanding of each other and to work towards common solutions. The outcome of the process is an agreement that would define the principles and process for engagement; guiding how the government and the sector will work together to address issues of public policy and regulation, funding, human resources and operational issues that affect the voluntary sector in Alberta.

The Community Leadership Newsletter
Subscribe to the Community Leadership newsletter for an opportunity to share information, experiences and approaches to leadership development. The newsletter includes research to help you in your leadership role, along with information on workshops and courses.

The Knowledge Development Centre
The KDC promotes the transfer of knowledge to nonprofit organizations by disseminating information resources and tools such as fact sheets, short reports and manuals.

Vital Signs: Community Check-Up
Based on a project of the Toronto Community Foundation and coordinated nationally by Community Foundations of Canada, Vital Signs is an annual community check-up conducted by community foundations across Canada that measures the vitality of our cities and quality of life. The website features vitality reports on various cities in Canada, along with links to other simliar community-based projects. The information provides community foundations with crucial data that helps determine needs, trends and issues in the community.

2007 Volunteer Edmonton Survey
To better understand the state of volunteerism in Edmonton, a survey commissioned by Volunteer Edmonton and Edmonton Community Services was conducted between November and December 2007 to find out what the current needs, trends and challenges are for nonprofit/voluntary organizations that rely on volunteers. The survey examines a variety of factors that contribute to the success of an organization's volunteer program--recruitment strategies, volunteer management tools, recognition events and more.

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Last updated: September 30, 2008