Five Alberta organizations have been named finalists in the Donner Canadian Foundation Awards, which recognize Canada’s best-managed non-profit social service agencies.
The Calgary Pregnancy Care Centre, Fresh Start Recovery Centre, Simon House Residence Society, Royal Canadian Legion Greater Edmonton Poppy Fund, and Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada - Calgary and Area Chapter were all named finalists in their respective categories.
“It’s fantastic, it’s an affirmation to the staff and to the organization that their hard work and commitment has paid off,” says Stacey Petersen, executive director of Fresh Start Recovery Centre, which has been nominated seven times and won once in 2010.
“There’s not a lot of accolades in this field, and I guess for the whole team it really shows them they’re on the right track.”
The Donner Awards, administered by the Fraser Institute, supports projects that emphasize self-reliance, individual initiative, and independence.
Established in 1998, the awards are Canada’s largest recognition program for non-profit social service agencies, and aim to recognize and encourage best practices in non-profit management and increase public confidence and support for Canada’s non-profit sector.
The five Alberta finalists, along with 16 other organizations from across the country, are in the running for $60,000 in prize money.
Among the finalists, B.C. also claims five finalists, Ontario seven, Saskatchewan one, and the Maritime Provinces a combined total of three.
“These organizations are leading the nation in terms of non-profit management. Despite limited budgets and resources, the work they do enriches our communities and makes a real difference in people’s lives,” says Fraser Institute president Niels Veldhuis.
This year, a total of 554 non-profits applied for the awards. Participating organizations are ranked on their performance in 10 key areas, including management and governance, the use of staff and volunteers, innovation, program costs and outcome monitoring.
“Every year, the Donner Awards are proud to celebrate outstanding non-profit social service agencies and to educate Canadians about the indispensable contributions these groups make to individuals and society,” says Melissa Holoday, manager of the Donner Canadian Foundation Awards.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Toronto in the fall.
According to the foundation, including hospitals, universities and colleges, Canada’s non-profit sector contributes about $61.8 billion, or 6.8 percent of the nation’s GDP, when the value of volunteer work is incorporated.
Based in Toronto, the Donner Canadian Foundation was established in 1950 by American businessman and philanthropist William H. Donner.
In 1967, Canada’s centennial year, the foundation embarked on a course of professional grant-making that has contributed well over $100 million to more than 1,000 projects across Canada and around the world. Every year, the Donner Book Prize honours the best book on Canadian public policy.
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