Charities demonstrate strength and resilience during current crisis
Earning Imagine Canada accreditation showcases commitment to organizational excellence
Toronto, May 26, 2020 — Imagine Canada, the umbrella organization for the charitable sector, is pleased to announce that 19 charities and nonprofits have been accredited under its national Standards program, an accreditation designed to help organizations strengthen their operations.
The latest organizations to earn the accreditation are Alberta Museums Association; Canadian Mental Health Association - Alberta Wood Buffalo Region; Canadian Wildlife Federation; Humber River Hospital Foundation; Islamic Family and Social Services Association; and Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada.
In addition to the organizations that have achieved the accreditation for the first time, 13 organizations are maintaining their good standing after successfully completing a rigorous re-accreditation process, bringing the total number of organizations currently accredited across Canada to 248.
“Like every charity, our world has definitely changed over the past two months. While we didn’t know what the COVID-19 pandemic would mean for fundraising, our donors have stepped up in the most generous and heartwarming ways that truly show the strength of the human spirit. We share this accreditation with our donors, board members, volunteers and hospital team who never cease to amaze and inspire us as we work endlessly to help make healthcare ready for whatever tomorrow may bring, ” states Pamela Wing, President and CEO, Humber River Hospital Foundation, a newly accredited organization. “The team at Humber River Hospital Foundation is overcome with pride as we celebrate our new Imagine Canada accreditation and congratulate the other organizations joining this prestigious group.”
The pandemic’s effects are pressure-testing good governance and leadership unlike anything that has come before it, as seen evidenced in the just released Imagine Canada Sector Monitor: COVID-19 and the Charitable Sector. The accreditation process ensures organizations have governance systems in place, which bolsters their ability to adapt quickly, generate creative solutions, and rethink their programs and fundraising models in the face of the current reality and a very different future.
"Earning the accreditation, especially in these changing times, shows remarkable resilience and a strong commitment to innovation and excellence. We commend the latest well-deserving recipients of the Trustmark for achieving Imagine Canada’s Standards accreditation, and demonstrating outstanding adherence to sound governance.” -Bruce MacDonald, President and CEO of Imagine Canada.
Created “by the sector for the sector”, the Standards Program is the only national accreditation program that is designed for all Canadian charities and nonprofits. To earn the accreditation trustmark, organizations must demonstrate excellence in five fundamental areas: board governance; financial accountability and transparency; fundraising; staff management; and volunteer involvement. Accreditation is a sought-after hallmark of excellence within the sector for funders, donors, sponsors and supporters alike.
We congratulate the following organizations on their commitment to organizational excellence.
Newly Accredited Organizations
Alberta Museums Association
Canadian Mental Health Association - Alberta Wood Buffalo Region
Canadian Wildlife Federation
Humber River Hospital Foundation
Islamic Family and Social Services Association (IFSSA)
Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada
Re-accredited Organizations
Bissell Centre
Cambridge Shelter Corporation
Children's Health Foundation
Covenant House Toronto
Ecojustice Canada
Fighting Blindness Canada
JVS Toronto
Punjabi Community Health Services
Sport Manitoba
St. Joseph's Health Centre Foundation Guelph
The Vanier Institute of the Family
Toronto Public Library Foundation
Women's College Hospital Foundation
Canadian charities from coast to coast to coast, big and small, and devoted to a diverse range of worthy causes have invested in sound leadership and earned accreditation by demonstrating organizational excellence. Visit ImagineCanada.ca to view the complete list of accredited organizations.
Strong Charities, Strong Communities
Organizations participating in the Standards program have access to a spectrum of resources at all stages of the process, such as self-assessment tools, volunteer peer advisors from accredited organizations, and online resources to strengthen practices. The peer reviewers’ assessment of policies and practices as well as constructive feedback contribute to elevate accountability, transparency and sound governance practices in Canadian charities and nonprofits.
Acknowledgements
The Standards Program is made possible with the financial contributions from founding and presenting sponsor Canada Life; and generously supported by the Lawson Foundation.
About Imagine Canada
Imagine Canada is a national charitable organization whose cause is Canada’s charities. Our three broad goals are to strengthen the sector’s collective voice, create opportunities to connect and learn from each other, and build the sector’s capacity to succeed.
imaginecanada.ca | Twitter: @ImagineCanada | Facebook: facebook.com/ImagineCanada
For additional information please contact:
Émilie Pontbriand
Manager, Corporate Communications
epontbriand@imaginecanada.ca