14 new organizations from 6 provinces receive Imagine Canada accreditation
A recognition of true organizational excellence and leadership
Toronto, October 26, 2021 — Imagine Canada, the umbrella for Canada’s charitable sector, is delighted to welcome 14 newly-accredited charities from 6 different provinces to its ever-growing national Standards Program. By earning this prestigious “Symbol of Trust”, these organizations have demonstrated their commitment to the highest level of accountability, governance, and transparency.
The organizations that have recently earned the Standards Program’s accreditation include: Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver, Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver Foundation, Calgary Stampede Foundation, Camp Ooch & Camp Trillium, Canadian Mental Health Association Central Alberta Region — the 15th ‘CMHA’ in the country to become accredited, Hearthstone Community Group Inc., Renew Crew Foundation, St. Leonard’s Place Peel, Tamarack Recovery Centre, The Humane Society of Kitchener Waterloo & Stratford Perth, The Winnipeg Foundation, World Animal Protection, Yarmouth Hospital Foundation, and YWCA Regina. We celebrate the re-accreditation of YMCA Canada and Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta for their continued establishment of excellence.
“Imagine Canada's accreditation is a rigorous process that requires a deep commitment by both the volunteer Board of Directors and organization’s staff. To complete this process during such a challenging year is commendable,” says Bruce MacDonald, President and CEO of Imagine Canada. “These organizations are committed to building their capacity to serve the diverse needs of communities across Canada. To the accredited organizations: welcome, and well done.”
As we progress into the new normal post-pandemic, it is crucial that charities and nonprofits can build donor confidence, identify and mitigate organizational risks while advancing staff management and volunteer involvement. The Standards Program is specially designed to support organizations so that they can elevate their practices and have the greatest impact possible.
Imagine Canada applauds the following organizations on their commitment to organizational excellence:
Newly Accredited Organizations
Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver
Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver Foundation
Calgary Stampede Foundation
Camp Ooch & Camp Trillium
Canadian Mental Health Association Central Alberta Region
Hearthstone Community Group Inc.
Renew Crew Foundation
St. Leonard’s Place Peel
Tamarack Recovery Centre
The Humane Society of Kitchener Waterloo & Stratford Perth
The Winnipeg Foundation
World Animal Protection
Yarmouth Hospital Foundation
YWCA Regina
Reaccredited Organizations
Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta
YMCA Canada
Charities and nonprofits play a pivotal role in supporting Canadians and their communities, and recognition through Imagine Canada’s national Standards Program is a public demonstration of credibility and operational excellence. For the complete list of accredited organizations, please visit ImagineCanada.ca/standards.
Strong Charities, Strong Community
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.
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.
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, bilingual charitable organization whose cause is Canada’s charities. Through our advocacy efforts, research and social enterprises, we help strengthen charities, nonprofits and social entrepreneurs so they can better fulfill their missions. Our vision is of a strong Canada where charities work together alongside business and government to build resilient and vibrant communities.
imaginecanada.ca | Twitter: @ImagineCanada | Facebook: facebook.com/ImagineCanada
For additional information please contact:
Julie Lebel
Manager, Communications Operations
jlebel@imaginecanada.ca