Imagine Canada and Canada Life Launch the Canada Life Capacity Building Program
Building capacity, trust and excellence, one nonprofit accreditation at a time
Toronto, February 18, 2025 — Imagine Canada and Canada Life are thrilled to announce the launch of the Canada Life Capacity Building Program, an initiative designed to enhance the capacity of charities and nonprofits across Canada by supporting their pursuit of accreditation and organizational excellence. By joining the Imagine Canada Standards, organizations gain access to a network of national organizations committed to enhancing governance, operational capacity, organizational resilience, and public trust.
To achieve Imagine Canada Standards accreditation, organizations participate in a rigorous peer review process that helps them demonstrate excellence across five critical areas: board governance, financial accountability & transparency, fundraising, staff management, and volunteer engagement.
Good Neighbours Active Centre (GNALC), accredited since 2014, is part of our network of over 280 accredited Canadian organizations. Accreditation has helped solidify its leadership and build trust with community members and partners, as testified by Jeannette Golletz, who has been involved with GNALC for 15 years:
“I am proud to be a long time member and Board Director at Good Neighbours Active Living Centre because of our accreditation with Imagine Canada. As a member, our accreditation assures me that our organization does quality work and has sound financial, administrative, operational and oversight practices. As a Board Director, we demonstrate, to our members and the community, our leadership in board governance and financial accountability”.
This new program builds on a long history of collaboration between Imagine Canada and Canada Life, beginning in 2012.
“Our relationship with Imagine Canada spans more than three decades, and we’re excited to work with them to grow nonprofit networks across the country,” said Fabrice Morin, President and Chief Operating Officer, Canada Life. “We’re proud to be working together to launch the new Canada Life Capacity Building Program to empower nonprofit organizations so they can make an even greater impact in our communities.”
“Through the Canada Life Capacity Building Program, we are increasing accreditation accessibility, enabling organizations to lead with integrity, resilience, and greater impact,” said Bruce MacDonald, President & CEO of Imagine Canada. “This partnership underscores our unwavering commitment to strengthening the nonprofit sector and fostering public trust so that charities and nonprofits across Canada can continue to serve their communities with confidence. We are deeply grateful to Canada Life, a founding and presenting supporter of the Standards for over a decade, for championing this vital initiative and advocating for the sector's ongoing growth and excellence.”
Learn more about the Canada Life Capacity Building Program and apply here.
A free informational webinar is scheduled for February 26, 2025, at 1:00 PM EST where you can learn more about the Program and how to apply. Register to attend.
ABOUT IMAGINE CANADA STANDARDS
Since 2012, Imagine Canada’s Standards serve as the only comprehensive set of guidelines for nonprofits and charities developed by the nonprofit sector for the nonprofit sector in key areas of governance and operations. The accreditation process is adaptable for organizations of all sizes and missions due to a three-tiered structure allowing nonprofits and charities to get accredited at any level based on their needs. Standards oversight is ensured by the Standards Council, an independent group of sector representatives responsible for maintaining and evolving the standards.
ABOUT CANADA LIFE
Canada Life is a leading insurance, wealth management and benefits provider focused on improving the financial, physical, and mental well-being of Canadians. For over 175 years, individuals, families and business owners across Canada have trusted us to provide sound guidance and deliver on the promises we’ve made. We proudly serve more than 14 million customer relationships from coast to coast to coast. Canada Life is a subsidiary of Great-West Lifeco Inc. and a member of the Power Corporation of Canada group of companies.
For additional information, please contact:
Cristina Andoni Manager, Accreditation, Communications & Partnerships Imagine Canada candoni@imaginecanada.ca