Learning Opportunities and Upcoming Grants
CCVO Member Roundtables
CCVO Member Roundtables are an opportunity for leaders from member organizations to come together in small group discussions to connect on issues important to the sector. CCVO has often heard from organizations that they deeply value the opportunity to connect with others in the sector. The roundtables have been created as a result of this feedback, providing the space for connection, conversation, and support.
The roundtables will gives leaders an opportunity to share how their organization is doing and talk about any arising issues and opportunities. All of this leads to helping CCVO paint the picture for political leaders about what the general landscape is like for nonprofits in Alberta and how they can best be supported.
REGISTERING FOR A ROUNDTABLE
A CCVO membership is required to attend a roundtable. Not sure if you're a CCVO Member? Visit our member directory here. Want to become a CCVO Member? Visit our website here to learn more!
As space is limited and we want to ensure the greatest number of member organizations can be represented and have the opportunity to attend, we ask that only one representative from an organization register for one of the scheduled sessions (i.e., please do not register for multiple sessions or register multiple staff for one session). You can choose which session you would like to attend by selecting a date from the dropdown on Eventbrite.
EVENT DETAILS
Currently scheduled roundtables will take place on one Tuesday each month from June to November, either late morning or early afternoon at the CCVO Office (#810, 105 – 12 Avenue SE, Calgary). The list of dates and times is below. Sessions will include 1.5 hours of time to have conversations around current topics, with time afterward to connect and enjoy light refreshments.
August 22, 8:30 – 10:00 AM
September 19, 1:30 – 3:00 PM
October 24, 1:30 – 3:00 PM
November 21, 1:30 – 3:00 PM
As a reminder, please only register for one session to ensure space for others.
Creative Day for Social Good
This year Creative Day for Social Good will be taking place October 19 and 20. On these days, Capacity Canada, in partnership with Intertek Catalyst, Conestoga College, HIM&HER, Google, and the creative community, will donate design and marketing work to 10-12 chosen non-profit organizations across Canada.
The focus for this year will be on two key elements :
1. Branding (visual identity, logo creation or revision, brand guidelines etc.)
2. Development of a Public awareness/ Marketing Campaign/Fundraising campaign support (social media strategies and content, fundraising materials, video storyboards, appeal letters, a case for support, etc.)
The deadline to apply is August 25. Find the application and more details here.
Learning Opportunities
Building a Culture of Learning: Generating Innovation and Change
Aug 7 | Online
REGISTER
Building Aligned Relationships: Making Connections That Support Your Values
Aug 9 | Online
REGISTER
Strategic Planning 101
Aug 10 | Online
REGISTER
Outsourcing Non-Core Functions: The Pros, Cons, Best Practices
Aug 10 | Online
REGISTER
Fundamentals of Running a Canadian Charitable Organization
Aug 15 | Online
REGISTER
Co-operatives in Our Midst
Aug 17 | Online
REGISTER
Funding & Grants
Alberta Ecotrust Springboard Grant
Alberta Ecotrust's Springboard Grant is intended to increase the capacity of Alberta organizations to complete good projects which contribute to Alberta Ecotrust's Focus Areas:
Nature-based Solutions & Conservation
Climate Resilience & Emissions Reductions
Circular Economy
Overarching/Foundational- Initiatives addressing justice and equity, improving environmental monitoring, or explore financial aspects of above focus areas
Charities, nonprofit organizations and organizations of Indigenous communities across Alberta are eligible to apply. Organizations can apply for $1,000 to $10,000. The deadline for applications is September 1. Find the application here
Every Kid Can Play Program
The Government of Alberta's Every Kid Can Play (EKCP) Program is designed to address affordability and accessibility challenges to sport, physical activity, and recreation for Alberta kids. The Program has two grant streams for organizations to reduce costs associated with the delivery, expansion, or enhancement of community level programs.
Community level organizations can receive up to $25,000 for projects that can be completed within 12 months of receiving funds. Organizations with a provincial scope can receive up to $100,000 a year for two years. Projects must be completed within 24 months after receiving funding.
Organizations must be registered nonprofit organization that have been operating in Alberta for a minimum of one calendar year, and in good standing. Unregistered informal groups are required to partner with an eligible registered non-profit organization to implement their projects. The submission deadline is September 30, 2023. See the application here.
Calgary Foundation Community Grant
The Calgary Foundation Community Grants program supports initiatives that engage citizens and that strengthen charities. The proposed initiative must significantly benefit Calgary and area communities, which includes Calgary, Banff National Park, Canmore, Rocky View County, the Municipal Districts of Big Horn, Foothills, Kananaskis and Wheatland, and the surrounding First Nations of Treaty 7 territory.
The Community Grants program can only accept applications from registered charities and other qualified donees. Nonprofit organizations without charitable status may apply in partnership with a registered charity. There is no maximum grant amount and the average grant amount is around $70,000. The fall Community Grants cycle closes at 4pm on September 8, 2023. A webinar outlining the program and application process will be held on August 15. Register for the webinar and find further grant application information here.
Capacity Canada's Design Collective
Capacity Canada's Design Collective is a nine-month education and skill-development program for nonprofits. This program is intended for organizations and collectives that want to make progress on an important challenge while learning a process that can be replicated across other areas of their work. Organizations that want to increase their capacity to address complex challenges can apply to send two staff from their organization to learn about human-centred design thinking and receive coaching and mentoring to apply it to an issue of importance to their organization. This professional development program is a no-cost opportunity due to the generous support of Suncor Energy Foundation. Applications to join the Calgary cohort will be accepted until September 15, 2023. Learn more about the Design Collective here.
Blogs & More
Radical Grantmaking: Shifting Decision-making – and Power – to Communities
Marina Nuri, The Philanthropist Journal
In 2021, the WES Mariam Assefa Fund decided to evaluate how they might test a radical grantmaking model that almost entirely redistributed power to those with the closest connection to need: community members. The results so far have been impressive. First, participating in the People’s Panel was empowering for community members. Even though it is becoming a widespread practice for funders to seek feedback from community members through surveys and consultations, it is exceedingly rare for community members to be given full decision-making power over distribution of the funding budget. From what we heard from the participants and from Tamarack, the energy during those meetings and sense of ownership that participants demonstrated was remarkable. To the WES Mariam Assefa at the Fund, this experience felt like finally correcting the power imbalance in philanthropy. Read More →
Three Reasons to Lead with Curiosity in Our Advocacy
Jennifer van Gennip, Charity Village
“Curiosity is the pre-requisite to change,” writes journalist and author Amanda Ripley. Coming to a conversation ready to listen and to hear the perspectives of others while holding our assumptions loosely is a proven way to have positive conversations that generate more creative outcomes and leave all parties feeling heard and respected. And while it isn’t always my first instinct in my advocacy work, when I lead with curiosity, I’m consistently pleased with both the outcomes and the process of how we got there. Read more →