THE ART OF GIVING - Mediaplanet

Month XXXX

PHILANTHROPYSeptember 2013

2WAYS TOGIVE

THE ART OF GIVINGCanadian former Olympic athlete, Gary Reed, tells his story of

overcoming obstacles and how he’s paying it forward.

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AN INDEPENDENT SECTION BY MEDIAPLANET TO THE VANCOUVER SUN

Featuring

INVESTING IN COMMUNITIES

Money and manpower

YOUTH MENTORSHIP

Inspiring the next generation

CORPORATE DONATIONS The increasing

demand

2 · SEPTEMBER 2013 AN INDEPENDENT SECTION BY MEDIAPLANET TO THE VANCOUVER SUN

CHALLENGES

Giving more than money creates greater impact

The positive e ects of charitable giving

Philanthropy is a term used to describe those that positively give back to communities. Money is not the only precedent to classify someone as philanthropic; donating time is just as valuable, if not more.

B ritish Columbia is ho-me to a diverse soci-al sector, which inclu-des not-for-profi t and charitable organiza-tions, social enterpri-ses, and other organi-

zations that drive social change. The-se social purpose organizations range in size, mission, location, and make up, but all aim to create meaningful social impact. These organizations are essen-

BRUCE DEWAR

[email protected]

[email protected]

tial to the fabric of our society and we, as a community, can support their mis-sions to improve the lives of British Co-lumbians. Many of these organizations face increased challenges to meet the escalating demands for their services. To help these organizations continue to fulfi ll their missions, we can provide fi nancial support, but perhaps equal-ly as important, we can o er additio-nal support such as access to expertise, leadership, and volunteers.

Bruce DewarCEO, LIFT PHILANTHROPY PARTNERS

Expert servicesSocial purpose organizations can be-nefit from contributions of skills, and expertise to support their mis-sion and enhance their operations. Service needs range by organization, but can include business and financi-al planning, fundraising, marketing, and communications support. With many organizations facing requests from their donors for more accounta-bility and increased impact measure-ments, there is also a need for contri-butions from external evaluators. By providing talent, skills, and experti-se, supporters can contribute to the overall success of an organization, maximize its impact, and create mea-ningful experiences for everyone in-volved.

Many social purpose organizations are seeking talented board members who can champion the vision and support the management team to de-liver results. A solid governance board includes directors with diverse skills and experience who can provide stra-tegic guidance, develop valuable con-nections, and advocate for greater le-vels of support.

Social purpose organizations often rely on front-line support from their volunteers to ensure the programs

“By providing a social purpose organization with expertise, leadership, volun-teer time, and funding, we can help the organiza-tion be e ective and sustainable.”

■ PLEA.CA■ IKEA.COM/CA

FOR MORE ON PHILANTHROPY FROM OUR PARTNERS

PHILANTHROPY 1ST EDITION, SEPTEMBER 2013

Publisher: Cody SimpsonBusiness Developer: Emily O’Donnell

Managing Director: Jon KentEditorial Manager: Maggie Ritchie

Lead Designer: Alana GiordanoDesigner: Vanessa Dong

Contributors: Bruce Dewar, Kimberley Fehr, Nicolas Locke, Gary Reed

Send all inquiries to [email protected]

Distributed within: The Vancouver Sun, September 2013

This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve The Vancouver Sun

or its Editorial Departments.

Mediaplanet’s business is to create new customers for our advertisers by providing readers with high-quality editorial content that motivates them to act.

EDITOR’S PICK

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INDUSTRY EXPERTS LIKE ANDY CHABOT

FROM THE CANCER RESEARCH SOCIETY

SPEAK OUT ABOUT GIVING BACK

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VOLUNTEER FOR A CAUSE YOU CARE

ABOUT TODAY

reach people in need. By participa-ting in the outreach activities of an organization, volunteers can expe-rience the impact of their support first-hand through working with staff and engaging with program re-cipients. At the same time, the orga-nizations have an opportunity to en-gage their supporters in a meaning-ful way, which can lead to deeper con-nections and continued support.

Effective philanthropy is no long-er about simply donating money to a cause and hoping it does something good. We need to surround social pur-pose organizations with a diverse network of support to enable it to de-liver on its mission and create greater social impact.

By providing a social purpose or-ganization with expertise, leader-ship, volunteer time, and funding, we can help the organization be ef-fective and sustainable. These mea-ningful contributions are valued by the organizations and can help de-velop a social sector that is both effi-cient and impactful. As a community of engaged supporters, we can contri-bute to the success of social purpose organizations, so they can truly ma-ke a difference in the lives of people throughout B.C.

QUESTION What are some current and emerging community needs throughout Canada? How can we begin to solve them?ANSWER With respect to breast can-cer, awareness is much higher today than it was 20 years ago and 5-year sur-vival rates for the disease have impro-ved signifi cantly over this period, from

50 per cent to 91.8 per cent here in B.C. But it has also become evident that breast cancer is more complex than pe-ople once considered it to be. Resear-chers are currently working to develop improved, targeted therapies in a perso-nalized approach to breast cancer tre-atment. On the prevention side, we are working to educate the community on how to reduce the risk of breast cancer, as well as the importance of early detec-tion to increase survival rates.

Q What are the majority of charitable organizations and not-for-profits struggling with?A There are numerous challenges in the sector. Naturally, there are con-cerns about the economy and an aging population, but also the reduction in government support has resulted in greater pressure on the not-for-pro-fi t sector to deliver increased support and services. Related to that, there

has been a signifi cant increase in the number of charities and so increased competition in the sector has built do-nor confusion and fatigue.

Q What intrinsic benefits will a company acquire if they get involved in corporate social responsibility initiatives?A The benefi ts are numerous, but let’s focus on two key advantages. Research shows that customers of companies that engage in corporate social re-sponsibility are much more loyal, and so there is a direct impact on the bot-tom line for the business through im-proved customer acquisition and re-tention. The second benefi t is the opp-ortunity for a company to engage its employees in supporting the commu-nities in which they work; this makes employees feel better, builds better teams, and improves communication and employee retention.

Q In general, what are a few major causes that donors can contribute to? A There are many wonderful cause ba-sed organizations in British Colum-bia. In the area of health, B.C. is one of the leaders in North America in can-cer research, especially in the area of breast cancer, due in large part to the region’s expertise in genomics. B.C. universities and colleges also ha-ve very strong reputations. Perhaps more than any other Canadian pro-vince, B.C. is recognized for building a strong expertise and voice in environ-mental studies and advocacy. And at the community level, there is a major focus on homelessness and those im-pacted by both mental and addictive health issues.

Nicolas LockeVP, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT,CANADIAN BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION

Skilled leadership

Community of volunteers

PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE Volunteering your time with a local charity is the perfect way to give back.PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

SEPTEMBER 2013 · 3

INSPIRATION

AN INDEPENDENT SECTION BY MEDIAPLANET TO THE VANCOUVER SUN

ends meet. I often sold belongings to at-tend training camps and worked many odd jobs throughout high school and af-ter leaving home in an attempt to make enough money to train properly.

MP What kept you motivated tofulfill your dream?GR I had a clear vision of winning an Olympic medal from a very young age to make my country, coaches, friends, and family proud. I knew that I had a small window of opportunity to do this in my life. What gave me the most motivation was the fear of not trying 100 per cent and having to make every right decision to attain this goal. I didn’t want to have any regret.

MP What inspired you to start the Reed Athletics Fund?GR While I trained with many talented athletes from di�erent backgrounds, one thing was fairly consistent: most of them were struggling financially. As athletes, we trained six days a week, twice a day. In between training sessions, we did re-covery work to prepare for more training. Canadian athletes need more financial support to reach their full potential and the Olympic podium. I lived and witnes-sed this first hand and knew that upon retiring I would find a way to ease these struggles and give back to the sport that gave me so much.

MP What does your foundation aim to do, and what qualifies an vindividual as a potential candidate to receive support?GR We aim to support developing track and field athletes throughout Canada. Our goal is to support each athlete with

$10,000.00 in annual funding over a four year term to help supplement basic training expenses. Athletes are selected based on their community involvement, financial need, athletic progress, and po-tential and commitment to their train-ing environment.

MP Why is philanthropy so important, and what role does it play in Vancouver? GR Philanthropy has a massive impact on the betterment of our society. It cre-ates avenues of support that otherwise would not exist. The positivity that sur-rounds this type of work is infectious. It creates a culture of support, involve-ment, inspiration, and success. Having travelled to many parts of the world, I believe that Vancouver is in a unique position given its international reputa-tion as a vibrant, tolerant, diverse, and healthy society to establish itself as a leader in this regard.

MP What do you think are some of the most important things that people should know about giving and its value to society?GR Everyone is positively impacted th-rough giving in some way regardless of the cause. You are not only enriching the lives of those you are giving to di-rectly, but also your own life and, as a result, the lives of those that you choo-se to closely surround yourself with. The trickle-down e�ect is evident. Gi-ving brings back the collectiveness that is needed in today’s modern and individualistic society.

The journey to becoming a profes-sional athlete is far from easy. Apart from mental and physical hurdles, most aspiring athletes struggle fi-nancially. Gary Reed, former Ca-nadian Olympic athlete, identifies ways to give back.

MEDIAPLANET What were your toughest hurdles to overcome while pursing your dream of becoming an Olympic athlete?GARY REED Apart from the mental and physical challenges of staying con-sistent with a gruelling training regime year after year, the hardest part was try-ing to make it financially. I did not come from a well-resourced family. I grew up in B.C. with a single mom who worked numerous casual jobs to try to make [email protected]

Change begins with one child; one corporation at a time. Mentorship programs are helping B.C. kids as young as six find their way. But while non-profits are changing lives, they face a perpetual struggle for the long-term funding and support they need to thrive.

If life is a game, not all kids start on the same playing field. Not every-one has parents cheering from the stands. Some kids face bullying or in-credible pressures from peers outsi-de the home. When a child doesn’t feel secure, making progress in life is impossible.

Just one positive influence can make all the di�erence. A mentor can open a child’s mind to a world of pos-sibilities, be the child’s cheerleader, and help him or her secure a foothold in the game of life.

“There are thousands of youth be-nefiting from mentoring programs in B.C.,” said Tim Agg, the Executive Director of PLEA Community Servi-ces Society of B.C., which runs the KidStart Mentoring Program. “Kids that are mentored tend to do better at school, are supported to find out what they are interested in, become engaged with their community and are less at risk for exploitation and criminal activities.”

Building resilienceA mentor can be the tipping point that gives kids the resilience they need when times get tough. Whether it’s playing sports with kids, taking them to the beach or hiking, helping with homework or just hanging out, Agg said: “Kids learn well by doing and getting out in the community – any activity that provides an oppor-tunity to experience achievement and success, that exposes them to new skills or experiences, that hel-ps to motivate and cultivate an inte-rest in learning, teaches the practical skills of life. ”

Men, be brave!Mentorship programs are built on the spirit and energy of volunteers, and there’s always room for more, but male mentors are particularly in demand.

“We most importantly need men to get over their anxieties about vo-lunteering – be brave!” said Agg. “We all remember that person who had an impact in our lives growing up. KIMBERLEY FEHR

[email protected]

Be the one who makes the di�erence of a lifetime

DON’T MISS

Most of the time that person was simply a friend we knew we could re-ly on and talk to.”

Funding for the long haulHere’s the quandary: mentorship programs can accomplish more when they’re there for the long-term in a child’s life, but like all non-profits their funding is usually short-term, and unpredictable.

“Government and foundation funds are often short-term, and cannot offer long-term financial support even to the most success-ful programs. The result is a perpe-tual scramble to find new donors,” said Agg.

Businesses can bring stability to non-profits by thinking long-term with their corporate social responsi-bility programs.

“A strong, loyal corporate donor who can make a long-term invest-ment in a charitable organization does direct good, and it signals to other companies and individuals that they, too, can contribute with confidence,” said Agg.

Corporations can also provide mentoring, sharing their perspec-tive and resources with non-profits.

And there are other rewards. “En-gagement with [the non-profit] sector can be deeply satisfying,” said Agg.

Change may start with one child, or one corporation, but the e�ects are exponential. When one child thrives, the benefits last a lifetime and that makes all the di�erence in the world.

OVERCOMING OBSTACLES AND GIVING BACK

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DONATE MONEY TO YOUR LOCAL

CHARITIES

Tim AggEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,PLEA COMMUNITY SERVICES SOCIETY OF B.C.

VICTORY Gary Reed celebrates after winning a silver medal in the 800m at the 2007 world championships.PHOTO: CLAUS ANDERSEN / ATHLETICS CANADA

Gary ReedOLYMPIAN AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, REED ATHLETICS FUND

4 · SEPTEMBER 2013 AN INDEPENDENT SECTION BY MEDIAPLANET TO THE VANCOUVER SUN

INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

Charitable organizations play an important role in society, and we are tasked with addressing some of the world’s most complex problems with extremely limited resources. We exist to protect and support the most vulnerable sectors of our society. With a global trend of increasingly limi-ted government support for the social sector, pri-vate support is now critical for charities to be ab-le to deliver their missions. As the world’s leading child-focused humanitarian agency, UNICEF relies on the support of individuals and corporations to provide the resources needed to achieve sustaina-ble results for the children and families we assist in over 190 countries.

The most critical support is financial. Unrestricted funds provide organizations with the flexibility to address their highest priority projects and achieve results. Corporate partners can also work with an organization to support innovative research, share technical knowledge, and use their communications channels to help share key mes-sages with their customers and employees.

The degree of reliance on corporate dona-tions varies from organization to organization. For UNICEF Canada our major corporate partners like IKEA are critical to our success. Globally, IKEA Foundation is UNICEF’s largest corporate partner and has committed over $180 million to our work. We have partnered together for over 10 years and have achieved sustainable results for women and children. Some results include the promotion of economic and social empowerment of women and children’s rights to education, survival, develop-ment, and protection. We simply could not com-plete our life-saving work for children without key partners like IKEA.

David MorleyPresident & CEO, UNICEF Canada

First and foremost, charitable giving is a way to reinforce your own beliefs and values. Giving to an organization that you believe in not only ma-kes you feel good, but your donations combined with others can make a big impact in your com-munity and change people’s lives for the better. Your participation in this work, through your do-nation, is essential.For businesses, there is the ad-ded value of reinforcing your position in the com-munity through charitable donations. It helps employee morale and loyalty, it helps client rela-tions, and overall it promotes your business as a good corporate citizen.

At the Canadian Red Cross, we work closely with our donors to fulfill our mission to help vul-nerable people in Canada and around the world.The Canadian Red Cross relies on donations from generous individuals and organizations. The continued support of individuals, foundations, and corporations, provides the most significant support to the delivery of our organization’s hu-manitarian programs.

What charities need most is the cash to be ab-le to operate and thrive in the community. They need to be able to run everyday operations, as well as grow upon this base with special projects and in-itiatives, which also need financial support. Chari-ties also need exceptional human resources – vo-lunteers. Most importantly, every charity needs volunteers to help run the organization. Professio-nal expertise coming from the business communi-ty as well as access to new networks and audienc-es to promote the charity are essential to healthy growth. Charities can also use volunteers to help carry out their daily operations.

For more than a century, the Red Cross has re-sponded to disasters in Canada and around the world, and has answered to appeals for financi-al donations to fulfill that mandate. This gives us maximum flexibility to obtain exactly what relief materials we need, and when and where we need them. We do not accept in-kind donations due to the logistics and transportation costs involved in shipping these items. Local purchases of food and clothing are more culturally appropriate and much more e�ective.

Corporate donations play an important role in the fundraising plans of charities. In wor-king to develop corporate donations, charities have to think of the mutual needs of both the corporation and the charity’s mission. Charities have to apply some creativity and flexibility to o�er companies donation options that undersco-re their brand, values, and position in their com-munity while remaining true to their organiza-tional mission. When this balance is achieved, everyone wins.

Corporate relationships are important to the Canadian Red Cross. Every year busines-ses across Canada provide vital funding to our programs. Corporate giving allows us to raise the millions of dollars needed to support vulnerable populations across our country and around the world. Whether you are interested in making a significant gift or grant, sponsoring a program or event, engaging your employees or customers in charitable giving and volunteering, we o�er a wi-de range of opportunities.

Andy ChabotPresident & CEO, Cancer Research Society

Sarah NelemsFund Development Director, Canadian Red Cross

What types of resources can donors supply to

charitable organizations and not-for-profits to provide support?

3How much dependence do charitable organizations and

not-for-profits typically place on corporate donations?

2Why is it important for individuals and businesses

to donate to charitable organizations and not-for-profits?

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