OTTAWA—Trust but verify. It was U.S. President Ronald Reagan’s creed in dealing with the Soviet Union, but is oddly similar to how Canadians treat their charities and non-profits.
Canada relies on these non-governmental organizations to provide everything from music festivals to job training and food banks. But the country is changing and the models NGOs have used for decades are starting to break down.
People are not content to just give anymore. They want proven, long-term results. So do funding partners. Meanwhile, more charities are asking for donations and creating an epidemic of donor fatigue. Austerity measures also means less money comes from the government.
The challenges we face as a society need a new approach.
, MaRS Discovery District
