Some board members think their position gives them extra power and privileges
Jenny was in tears. As the executive director of her organization, she was at her wit’s end and said she was ready to quit. She confided in me that one of the directors was going directly to one of her staff members, telling him he would be fired unless he complied with the director’s request,…
Fewer Canadians (and fewer businesses) are in a position to give to charity, even as more of us need help from the sector
It didn’t take long for the federal government to help grieving families when an Iranian missile brought down a Ukraine passenger plane in January. There were 57 Canadians and 29 permanent residents among the 176 who died in the crash. Very quickly, Canada’s government set up a $1.5-million donation-matching program for a special charity created…
Calling it ’knowledge philanthropy’ rather than ‘pro bono’ makes me feel like I am giving, rather than giving something away
As an entrepreneur I get a lot of requests to give away expertise ‘for a good cause’. Many times I have to say no. However, I have started to intentionally incorporated knowledge philanthropy into my lifestyle portfolio (not my business portfolio). Here are some of the lessons I learned around how I say ‘YES!’ to…
Some schools in Liberia are well supplied with materials because of the power of one Canadian student asking a simple question
Teacher and motivational speaker Jack Canfield tells us, “Take the risk to ask for whatever you need and want. If someone says no, you are no worse off than when you started. If someone says yes, you are a lot better off.” Following Canfield’s principle can benefit us and others. This lesson was taught to me by…
Haskayne's Trico Foundation Social Entrepreneurship Centre launched with $5-million gift from Wayne and Eleanor Chiu
The University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business has launched a new Trico Foundation Social Entrepreneurship Centre with $5-million gift from Wayne and Eleanor Chiu, BComm’85, through their Trico Charitable Foundation. The donation will go towards U of C’s $1.3-billion Energize: The Campaign for Eyes High. “I believe that, by engaging the University of Calgary,…
What does a properly functioning board of directors look like and how can its members pull their weight?
If you’ve ever sat on the board of a non-profit or charity, sports organization or even a company, you’ve probably noticed that most meetings are boring. Usually one person, the president, runs the meeting using Robert’s Rules of Order. After minimal discussion, the board votes on agenda items, provided a quorum has shown up. Without…
Guy Mallabone of Global Philanthropic Canada talks about how donors have evolved and expectations around giving have changed
Guy Mallabone is president and CEO of Global Philanthropic Canada. What is Global Philanthropic and what does it do? Mallabone: Global Philanthropic Canada is a full-service national fundraising consultancy. That means we help non-profit organizations understand how to raise philanthropic support. We help build capacity by teaching the art and science of aligning organizational mission…
Having a clear purpose helps organizations stand out from the crowd
One time, while presenting a brand strategy to a client, I could feel myself tearing up. After several years of uncertainty about their direction, they finally had clarity about their real value, and their offering to the market. Their excitement – mixed with joy and relief – was palpable. This new strategy, they said, captured…
How Karma & Cents embraces the notion that successful companies are built like communities, on trust with people at the centre
Gena Rotstein and Richard Ouellette are founders of Karma & Cents. What is Karma & Cents? When did you start it? Why? And what does it do? Answer: The idea of Karma & Cents was started, as many other great ideas do, over a meal, a bottle of wine and great conversation. We (Gena Rotstein…
Calgary-based company partnering with a Hamilton agency to provide essential needs to young families
Calgary-based Baby Gourmet 's Heart of Baby Gourmet platform wants to ensure every child in Canada has access to healthy food. For years, the company has supported food banks in Canada. It’s now partnering as well with an agency in Hamilton, Ont., to provide essential needs to young families. “Baby Gourmet has been a trusted part…