non-profit

I was recently at a Calgary+Acumen Fund event where CAWST presented on social impact investing and measuring performance of an organization.  It was a great conversation, in large part, because here was a charity that was advocating for stronger evaluation metrics before donors make charitable contributions.

When an individual evaluates a company before s/he invests there are several things that are evaluated:

• Leadership
• Financial stability
• Product
• Opportunity for financial gain
• Future plans and growth opportunities (new markets)
• Competitive landscape
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My career has been shaped in the charitable sector. It spans two countries, several sub-sectors and a lot of fundraising time. When I decided to launch my own company it was at the begining of the formal social enterprise discussion in the States. I realized early on that what the charities value as their business and revenue models is not what the traditional markets value.  This seems obvious, when charities talk about their business, they talk about the lives that they have saved and how they do it on so few dollars.  When companies talk about their business, they talk about profit and commodities and consumers.  So it was with great interest that I read this past week's issue of the Globe & Mail on renaming the sector from non-profit to Social Profit.

At this past year’s SoCap, I led an Open Space conversation around the language that we are using in the social business/enterprise/venture space. I have observed over the past few years, as this sector evolves and pushes boundaries, there is much inconsistency in how we communicate what we are doing.  These organizations are generating revenue by tackling some of the world’s biggest problems, yet there seems to be much confusion in the marketplace from those who are building the businesses and those who are investing in them.

I am submitting a brief to the Finance Committee of the House of Commons addressing the following as they relate to for-profit social ventures and non-profit social enterprises:

1. How to achieve a sustained economic recovery in Canada
2. How to create quality sustainable jobs

Yup, you read that correctly, I am exploring an ideation space. I'm calling this space My Tickle Trunk.  Thank you Canadian children's show icon - Mr. Dressup! Read more »

For the past few days I have been in the Ottawa area attending the Imagine Canada/Volunteer Canada forum on Business & Community.  During this time I have had the opportunity to meet with social change agents in the non-profit sector and their funders (corporate and government).  While the conversations were interesting the needs of these organizations are great, there was a distinct gap in the dialogue.  I feel that missing from the table were Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (who make up approximately 80% of Canada's business market-place) and For-Profit Social Enterprises (there was representation from non-profit social enterprieses).

Apple has recently decided to prohibit the use of apps by non-profit organizations that would allow iPhone users the ability to make donations.  As a philanthropic advisor, and the CEO of Canada’s first (and only) donor-centered charitable search engine, I find this problematic for two reasons:

1. I feel that is not Apple’s place to be the Gate Keeper of whom and how people can donate to charities. 
    
2. The charitable marketplace is the second largest contributor to Canada’s economy, and as a service provider to both charities and donors, it is important to note that the charitable sector does not respond to market pressures in the same way as other sectors.  Large smart phone manufacturers and corporations, such as Apple, need to recognize the changes that are occurring in the charitable sector marketplace, most especially the way that people are directing their charitable dollars.
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Apple has recently decided to prohibit the use of apps by non-profit organizations that would allow iPhone users the ability to make donations.  As a philanthropic advisor, and the CEO of Canada’s first (and only) donor-centered charitable search engine, I find this problematic for two reasons:

1. I feel that is not Apple’s place to be the Gate Keeper of whom and how people can donate to charities. 
    
2. The charitable marketplace is the second largest contributor to Canada’s economy, and as a service provider to both charities and donors, it is important to note that the charitable sector does not respond to market pressures in the same way as other sectors.  Large smart phone manufacturers and corporations, such as Apple, need to recognize the changes that are occurring in the charitable sector marketplace, most especially the way that people are directing their charitable dollars. 

If Apple wants to make significant social change, while attracting and retaining their current iPhone users, then they need to let donors choose how to donate rather than limit their donation methods.

What we advocate for is open access to information on the charitable sector.  This can be achieved by working with charities and other 3^rd party evaluators to ensure that iPhone users have up-to-date information   reflecting what the users/donors want, not only what the charities want to share.    Place2Give.com is that solution.  We are the conduit to smart philanthropy.   It is through systems like ours, that Apple and other smart phone operating systems can ensure their users have access to information about Canada’s charitable sector. 

In the 1980's Wendy's ran a commercial with the slogan, "Where's the beef?"  I was reminded of this as the debate about CEO compensation in the charitable sector is raising its head again. Read more »

Dexterity Consulting is offering a special package for charities affected by the Madoff scandal.

This special package includes:

• Developing and implementing a crisis funding plan and coaching the organization's team through the process. 
• Reviewing governance structures and working the Board of Directors to develop safe-guards around funds.
• Developing SUSTAINABLE fundraising practices and coaching team in order to have ongoing successful campaigns.

For more information please contact Gena at .