Core funding impact story: Ecology Action Centre

The Ecology Action Centre engages community to create systemic change in the face of urgent, complex environmental issues. In our role, we act as a watchdog, convener, mobilizer and incubator for advocacy and community development initiatives.  

Government funding – all of which is dedicated projects – is approximately one third of our organizational revenue. While we apply a 15% administrative fee to all of our project funds, we regularly encounter government funders unwilling to cover this cost. To be frank, properly staffing our financial, fundraising, human resources, and communications teams, not to mention maintaining our office, costs more than 15%. It’s hugely frustrating when government funders have onerous reporting requirements, overly complex match funding needs, and then limit or disallow administrative costs. It's a catch-22 that hampers or prevents the reports they are requesting from being generated. 

When the core of our organization isn’t properly resourced, it puts a greater burden on existing staff, leading to burnout and retention issues. It also means we have fewer resources to invest in staffing, professional development, and upgrades – like tech systems - that would allow our organization to grow our impact and operate more effectively. 

The Ecology Action Centre works to equip human and ecological communities for resilience and build a world where ecosystems and communities are restored, not just sustained. In order to do that, we too need to remain resilient. We need the time and creative energy to devote to developing our next program idea. Our work encompasses everything from mobile bicycle repair in underserved communities to incubating a sustainable seaweed farm to advocating for nature and climate action. The world is in a climate and biodiversity emergency. If we’re going to mobilize for the changes we need to see, we need the staff and tools to make that happen.