Weekly News Recap: September 21, 2018

Canadian business titan and Calgary Flames co-owner Clay Riddell dies. Photo credit: canadianews.org

Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live. -- Jim Rohn

Fundraising in Canada

  • AFP Testifies Before Canada Senate Committee on the Charitable Sector (AFP) Nice work Scott and Andrea. We are proud of you! Thanks as well to Senator Terry Mercer and AFP Toronto Past President Krishan Mehta who also presented on behalf of fundraising and fundraisers in Canada. Note: there is a link to the videos from the session in this article; Scott and Andrea and Krishan Mehta "Scott Decksheimer, CFRE, chair of the AFP Canada Board, and Andrea McManus, CFRE, past chair of AFP International, appeared before the Senate Special Committee on the Charitable Sector on Monday, Sept. 17, to discuss ways to increase giving and public awareness about philanthropy. The Special Senate Committee on the Charitable Sector was established in January 2018 to examine the impact of federal, provincial, and territorial laws and policies governing charities and their effect on the charitable sector in Canada." 9/19/18

Rest in peace

  • Renowned music technician John Leimseider dead at 66 (CBC) CALGARY STORY This is an incredible loss; for music and for each of us who were blessed to have spent time with John. RIP JL. "John Leimseider, one of the world's leading electronic instrument and equipment technicians, has died at 66. The National Music Centre (NMC) announced the news of Leimseider's death on Facebook [...]. He had worked in Calgary as the NMC's electronics technician since 2002." 9/16/18

  • Canadian business titan and Calgary Flames co-owner Clay Riddell dies (CBC) CALGARY STORY A philanthropist and a businessman. RIP Mr. Riddell. "Clay Riddell, the billionaire oil baron and co-owner of the Calgary Flames, has died at age 81. Riddell founded multiple oil and gas companies during his career, including Paramount Resources in 1974." 9/16/18

Lists of lists

  • Imagine Matters (Imagine Canada) A great line up of strories, most with strong Canadian content. My favourites from this issue include: "Donor Burnout: Ways To Keep Your Connection Fresh", "New: Infographic on Canada's Charities & Nonprofits", "Beyond Cute: Why Nonprofits Should Try Emoji In Their Digital Marketing". Give it a read. It's good! 9/18/18

Photography (and humour)

News

  • City unveils four concepts for future redevelopment of Exhibition Lands (CBC) EDMONTON STORY Yay! "The city has unveiled four generalized concepts for redevelopment of the Exhibition Lands, with ideas that range from an aquarium to a soccer stadium. The land includes the site of the Coliseum, Borden Park, Northlands Park Casino and Track, the Coliseum LRT station and the Edmonton Expo Centre." 9/18/18

  • $67M dementia care centre opens in southeast Calgary (CBC) CALGARY STORY A welcome addition. Much needed. "The largest dementia care residential complex in southern Alberta opened on Tuesday in the southeast Calgary community of Southview. The 200,000-square-foot Bethany Riverview facility cost $67 million to build. It was funded jointly by the Bethany Care Society and Alberta Health, plus capital debt financing and a $5-million fundraising campaign." 9/18/18

  • Heritage Park in financial trouble, CEO tells city in plea for extra money (CBC) CALGARY STORY "The CEO of Heritage Park told a Calgary City Council committee Monday that it needs help or it will be closing down some of its exhibits and laying off more staff. Alida Visbach told the committee that for the first time in its 54-year history, Heritage Park is looking at posting deficits. She asked council for additional money to keep them going because a status-quo grant of $3.1 million or a reduction would see the attraction fall even further into trouble." 9/17/18

  • 'An inspiration to so many,' Brookfield leader inducted into BILD Alberta Hall of Fame (Whig Standard) ALBERTA STORY Congrats to both Alan and Ralph. Very well deserved. At ViTreo, we feel privileged to have worked with both on a number of projects and for a number of organizations. "Whether it’s his company, the industry as a whole, or causes that are near to his heart, Alan Norris is a proven leader. The chairman and CEO of Brookfield Residential, a 35-year veteran of the business, is one of two people being inducted into the BILD (Building Industry and Land Development) Alberta Hall of Fame this weekend, during BILD Alberta’s Fall Conference in Jasper. Norris joins Ralph Young, formerly of Melcor Developments in Edmonton, in receiving the distinction earned through 'prolonged contributions and leadership to the industry, and involvement in the association at multiple levels [...].'" 9/14/18

  • Libin Cardiovascular Institute has million-dollar weekend (UToday) CALGARY STORY Nice work fundraisers! "The Libin Cardiovascular Institute had a successful fundraising weekend, raising more than $1 million for cardiovascular research, care and training in southern Alberta. The institute raised $900,000 at its fifth annual The Beat Goes On Gala [...]." 9/17/18

  • Grande Prairie’s energy community raises more than $728,000 for the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation and Grande Prairie Regional College (Globalnewswire) GRANDE PRAIRIE STORY "Seven Generations Energy Ltd., together with business partners, suppliers, service companies, contractors and community members, raised $728,000 for the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation and the Grande Prairie Regional College (GPRC) at the annual Seven Generations Energy Charity Golf Tournament [...]. This year’s fundraising efforts brings the total amount raised to more than $2.4 million during the last six years." 9/13/18

  • Alberta government to give out $1M in grants to foster women's economic security (CBC) ALBERTA STORY Good move! "The Alberta government announced funding for 40 new grants on Thursday meant to promote women's economic security and leadership and prevent gender-based violence. The Status of Women Community Grants program will see $1 million given out early next year to non-profit groups to expand successful programs. Grants of up to $25,000 will help other non-profit groups organize events, conferences and training." 9/13/18

  • RDC Board of Governors announces search for next President (Red Deer Collge) RED DEER STORY Big shoes to fill. Joel Ward has been a leader across Alberta's education system. "RDC’s Board of Governors held a special announcement event [...] sharing that current President & CEO, Joel Ward, has submitted to the Board his letter of intent to retire in 2019. 'Joel Ward has been in his role as President & CEO since 2009, and he has always been and continues to be a passionate advocate for Red Deer College,' says Morris Flewwelling, Board Chair. 'As a Board, we have known the day would come when he would share his intention to retire, and we have accepted his letter.'" 9/13/18

  • 'The project has been a journey': Royal Alberta Museum to open Oct. 3 (CBC) EDMONTON STORY Oh my! I am so excited. "The Royal Alberta Museum in downtown Edmonton will open Oct. 3, the Alberta government announced Wednesday. Admission will be free for the first six days, the government said. The $375-million, 419,000-sq.-ft. building, is twice the space of the former museum building beside Government House which closed in December 2015." 9/12/18

  • Charity lunch program in Calgary experiences increase in need for service (CTV News) CALGARY STORY ViTreo is proud to be working with Brown Bagging for Calgary's Kids. "A program meant to provide healthy lunches for Calgary school kids says it is seeing a steady increase in the number of children in need of help. Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids (BB4CK) is an agency that helps provide lunches for more than 4,200 children that would otherwise go without. Officials with the group say that number is increasing every September and while they have about 1,500 donors and supporters, they are still in need of help as the school year sets in." 9/12/18

  • Prescient Announces Donation of Enigma Machine to Polish History Museum (Globalnewswire) "Prescient, a technology company with a revolutionary, integrated and model-centric BIM design platform with state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities, which operates a Technology Centre in Kraków, today announced that it has committed to financing the Polish History Museum’s acquisition of an Enigma Machine which will be on display when the Museum opens in 2021 [...]. 'Cracking the Enigma code helped change the outcome of World War II. It saved countless lives while ultimately shortening the war,' said Satyen Patel, Executive Chairman of Prescient." As an FYI, Enigma Machines are increasingly rare and can fetch upwards of $500,000 at auction. 9/12/18

  • WATCH: NHLers support Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre (Red Deer Express) RED DEER STORY I heart this. "The Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre received a big boost from the community after a luncheon that featured former Red Deer Rebel and current Edmonton Oiler Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was held at the Holiday Inn in Red Deer. The luncheon, which saw all proceeds go to the Child Advocacy Centre, featured many National Hockey League (NHL) notables including Nugent-Hopkins, Rebels Head Coach Brent Sutter, Oilers General Manager Peter Chiarelli and CEO and Vice Chair of Oilers Entertainment Group Bob Nicholson — all of whom were featured in a hot stove panel." 9/12/18

  • National Music Centre announces partnership with ADISQ Hall of Fame (That Eric Alper) CALGARY STORY C'est fantastique! "The National Music Centre (NMC) is pleased to announce a new partnership with ADISQ (the l’Association québécoise de l’industrie du disque, du spectacle et de la vidéo), Quebec’s music industry association, which will see the ADISQ Hall of Fame find a permanent home in Calgary within Studio Bell." 9/11/18

  • NEW ANIMAL CLINIC TO GIVE STUDENTS BETTER OPPORTUNITIES TO SUCCEED (My Lloydminster Now) LLOYDMINSTER STORY "Lakeland College’s new Animal Clinic has set up students in the best position to succeed in their respective fields. The $8.2 million dollar facility has officially opened its doors offering more space and advanced technology for students." 9/8/18

First Peoples of Canada

  • Major gift announcement for Métis students (Lakeland College) LLOYDMINSTER STORY ViTreo is proud to be working with Lakeland College."The Rupertsland Institute and the Métis Education Foundation have announced a significant gift to support Métis student success and leadership at Lakeland College [...]. The Métis Nation of Alberta and its affiliates are investing $287,600 to further support Lakeland Métis students. This figure, combined with further investment from Lakeland College and previous contributions from both organizations, will create a $500,000 endowment fund to ensure bursaries are available for Métis students." 9/11/18

Books to read

  • These 20 Books are Worth Re-Reading (Mission Podcast) Aside from the obvious fan-crush on Michael Crichton, this is a great list. Not least because it is not the same ol' same ol'. 11/6/17

Life and career hacks

Uncommon knowledge

  • Ranking Every Kind of Cooking Oil by How (Un)healthy They Are (MEL Magazine) Hmmm...I really do love my MCT oil in my bulletproof coffee...what to do? "Most of us regard cooking oil as nothing more than a means to a non-sticking end. But (and this is a big, prepare-to-gag kind of but) the average American consumes a whopping 36 pounds of cooking oils per year — more than three times as much as in the early 1970s." 9/7/18

Philanthropic controversy

  • Arts non-profits disappointed with leasing fees for Orange Hall Theatre (CBC) EDMONTON STORY "Two non-profit arts groups say expensive fees forced them to drop their plans to lease the theatre in Orange Hub, a building the City of Edmonton hopes will be one of the largest non-profit centres in the country." 9/17/18

  • Former Amarillo mayor withdraws $10 million donation to Tech's vet school (Daily Toreador) "Jerry Hodge, former mayor of Amarillo, has decided to withdraw his planned $10 million donation to Texas Tech due to 'constant frustration' with the Tech System’s Board of Regents. Hodge said his frustration began with the early retirement of Chancellor Robert Duncan in August, and that frustration continued when he was informed the regents were discussing where his $10 million donation would be allocated, despite Hodge’s wishes to give it to the veterinary school." 9/14/18

  • MGM offers donation of nearly $1M on behalf of Vegas massacre victims it's suing (Fox News) Ok, let me get this straight...you are offering the folks you are suing (those same folks who suffered though the mass shooting on your property) a donation on their behalf to charity. Only in America. "MGM Resorts International on Tuesday offered survivors of the Las Vegas mass shooting the option of having the money that would be used to serve them a lawsuit donated to charity instead, drawing rebuke from victims’ attorneys." 9/12/18

Trends and shifts

  • Alberta's mental health system 'cracking at the seams,' says co-author of review (CBC) ALBERTA STORY "Three years after reviewing mental health treatment in Alberta, the report's co-author says the system remains overwhelmed and in crisis, with many patients 'in desperation' searching for help." 9/18/18

  • TD Bank says Alberta's recovery 'not heroic' but economy is improving (CBC) ALBERTA STORY "TD Bank says Alberta's battered economy is headed in the right direction, but warns there are still a number of hurdles that could hinder recovery. A report released Thursday by deputy chief economist Derek Burleton is predicting economic growth between two and 2.5 per cent for Alberta in the next year, which follows an increase of nearly 4.9 per cent in 2017." 9/13/18

  • Philanthropic foundations launch $11m impact bonds to improve education in India (Deal Street Asia) "A group of global philanthropic foundations, including UBS Optimus Foundation, British Asian Trust, Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, and Tata Trust Tuesday announced a ‘development impact bond’ (DIB) worth $11 million and promised to double the fund size in the coming days to improve the education outcome of 300,000 students in Delhi and Gujarat." 9/12/18

  • More Than $6 Trillion Pledged to Fossil Fuel Divestment (Philanthropy News Digest) "The movement to divest from fossil fuels and invest in renewable energy alternative continues to accelerate, with commitments from nearly a thousand institutional investors, a report from DivestInvest and Arabella Advisors finds. The 2018 edition of The Global Fossil Fuel Divestment and Clean Energy Investment Movement (28 pages, PDF) found that assets under management by investors committed to divestment has increased 11,900 percent, from $52 billion four years to $6.24 trillion today." 9/12/18

  • Varcoe: Alberta's economy will lead country next year, says BMO executive (Calgary Herald) ALBERTA STORY "Pipeline gridlock and unresolved NAFTA talks are affecting investor confidence and creating uncertainty, but the impact should only be temporary as these issues are sorted out, predicts the head of BMO Financial Group. Despite these two ominous clouds hanging over the scene, the economic outlook for Calgary and Alberta should be strong through 2019, with the province projected to lead the country in growth next year, according to bank CEO Darryl White." 9/11/18

  • “Build Capital.” Inside the World of Venture Philanthropy (Inside Philanthropy) "The venture philanthropy movement has faced skepticism from the start. Many nonprofit veterans have sneered at the presumption that complex social problems can be tackled by business tactics—as if the crowd who brought us Google and Amazon could wave their magic wand to ensure that poor kids can read by third grade. But it’s not just the naïveté of venture philanthropy that has alarmed critics: These outfits, with their corporate buzzwords and fixation with metrics, are seen by some as part of a larger colonization of the social sector by business." 9/11/18

Reports and studies

Large gifts

  • Crosby humbled by $2 million donation to Say Yes Buffalo in his name (The Buffalo News) "The president of the First Niagara Foundation was stunned to learn the foundation, in conjunction with KeyBank, was donating $2 million in his honor to Say Yes Buffalo. His fellow board members sprung the news on him a couple of weeks ago, culminating in Tuesday's formal announcement." 9/18/18

  • Couple makes $5 million donation to Cornelius Arts Center (WBTV) "The Cornelius Arts Center will name their upcoming arts center after local community leaders Bill and Ericka Cain after the couple donated $5 million dollars to the center’s comprehensive campaign." The Cornelius Arts Centre is located in Cornelius, NC. 9/17/18

  • $20 million donation renames Liberal Arts Building to Patton Hall (Daily Texan) "The building formerly known as the Liberal Arts Building, located next to the Student Activity Center [at the University of Texas at Austin], was renamed to Patton Hall during the summer. However, the renaming ceremony took place [this past] Friday with Bobby and Sherri Patton, who donated $20 million to the College of Liberal Arts." 9/17/18

  • The Walmart Foundation announces new round of grants available for Canadian organizations focused on reducing food waste (Newswired.ca) CANADIAN CONTENT Nice. Let the grant writing begin. "The Walmart Foundation today announced that it is making $1.5 million USD ($1.89 million CAD) available to fund proposals from eligible non-profit organizations working to reduce food waste in Canada. The Walmart Foundation is seeking proposals from qualified organizations that have experience in formulating, proposing, and implementing food waste reduction efforts. Requests between $300,000 and $1,000,000 (USD) will be considered." 9/17/18

  • $2.5 million donation fuels affordable-homeownership project in Southwest Detroit (Crain's Detroit) Southwest Solutions has received its largest individual donation yet: A $2.5 million sum that could triple the speed of a southwest Detroit revitalization project [...]. The donation from Judith Yaker creates the Sam L. and Judith Yaker Fund, honoring her husband, Sam Yaker, an affordable housing developer who died in 2016. 9/17/18

  • NFL Foundation donates $1 million to Hurricane Florence relief efforts (ABC) "The NFL Foundation is cutting a check for $1 million to support Hurricane Florence relief efforts." 9/16/18

  • $25M donation set to fuel Vanderbilt military scholarships (Fox News) I hugely heat this. "A $25 million donation will set up a scholarship program for military veterans to pursue graduate and professional degrees at Vanderbilt University. The university says the donation from the Lee and Ramona Bass Foundation will support scholarships in five of Vanderbilt's schools. Those include the Law School, the Owen Graduate School of Management, Peabody College, the School of Medicine and the School of Nursing." 9/14/18

  • Donation pushes Hospice Kingston capital campaign near its goal (Whig Standard) KINGSTON STORY "Local business owner and philanthropist A. Britton Smith has once again taken out his cheque book, this time to the tune of $4.5 million, which he has donated to Hospice Kingston’s Time is Now campaign and the construction of a Hospice Residence & Palliative Care Centre." 9/14/18

  • Bezos family launches $2 billion philanthropy fund (Engadget) We have been waiting, perched in breathless anticipation. And Mr. and Mrs. Bezos did not disappoint. "Jeff Bezos, the Amazon founder who happens to be the richest person on the planet, has launched a philanthropic effort with an initial commitment of $2 billion. He and his wife MacKenzie will use the Day One Fund to build a 'network of new, non-profit, tier-one preschools in low-income communities' and fund 'existing non-profits that help homeless families.'" 9/13/18

  • JF&CS gets $1.2 million anonymous donation (STL Jewish Light) "Jewish Family & Children’s Service recently received a $1.2 million donation from an anonymous supporter [...]. The donor gave the money as an unrestricted gift, meaning the organization can spread it among a number of different initiatives." 9/13/18

  • SIUE School of Engineering announces $1.25 million donation for the Fowler Student Design Center (Riverbender.com) "The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Engineering has announced its receipt of the largest single cash investment in School history, a generous $1.25 million gift from the Fowler Family, which in combination with other contributions, will allow for the completion of its state-of-the-art Student Design Center." 9/13/18

  • Local Couple Makes Largest Donation in WOSU’s History (Columbus Underground) I love public radio. "Local couple Sandy and Andy Ross have made a $5 million gift to WOSU Public Media, the largest in its history and a 'transformative' donation for the public radio and television station network." 9/13/18

  • UND Getting $1 Million Donation for Accounting Department (U.S. News) I love accountants. I do. I am married to one. That said, you don't often see a gift this size to accounting. "The University of North Dakota is getting a $1 million donation for its accounting department. The Grand Forks school says the gift will fund endowments. The person who's giving the money is choosing to remain anonymous." 9/13/18

  • Hirshhorn Curator Explains the Significance of the Huge Marcel Duchamp Donation (Smithsonian Magazine) "Up to now, the single piece of work from Marcel Duchamp in the Smithsonian’s contemporary and modern art Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden was a late Objet-Dard, a bronze four-inch piece that looked like a coathook or door handle. Soon, the museum will be home to one of the world’s strongest collections of the influential French Dadaist. To mark the impending 50th anniversary of the death of the French artist October 2, Washington, D.C., collectors Barbara and Aaron Levine recently announced a promised gift of 50 artifacts and a library of more than 150 volumes, along with other archival ephemera." 9/12/18

  • Illinois gets another seven-figure donation (News Gazette) " Illinois set an initial fundraising goal of $30 million for what is now the Henry Dale and Betty Smith Football Center. A $2.5 million donation for the new facility announced [...] by Illinois brings the DIA within striking distance of that target. That gift by real estate investment company CA Ventures brings Illinois' fundraising efforts to $28.175 million." 9/12/18

  • Twin Cities YMCA gets a big donation - with a catch (Central Illinois Proud) Matchy-catchy! A match with some teeth. I love it! "The Bloomington-Normal YMCA has just been given a $4 million donation. But in an announcement yesterday, they said the money has some strings attached. The anonymous donor said if they don't match the $4 million by the end of the year they will not receive any of it." 9/12/18

  • Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Receives $5 Million Donation (Wall Street Journal) Woot! "A California philanthropist has given $5 million to the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the largest individual donation in the 49-year-old organization’s history. Ann S. Bowers, a Silicon Valley veteran, made the gift to support the society’s CMS Two program, which provides young artists a three-season residency with the organization as a steppingstone for their careers. In recognition of the contribution, CMS Two is being renamed the Bowers Program." 9/12/18

  • Carterville students benefit from $1 million donation (Fox News) "A generous donation gets the Carterville Schools Foundation functioning again and more money to students and teachers. Back in August 2017, the James and Rosemary Samuel Childress Endowment fund donated $1 million dollars to the Foundation." 9/11/18

  • PolyU receives HK$100 million donation from Otto Poon Charitable Foundation (EurekAlert) "The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has received a generous donation of HK$100 million [$16.6 million CAD] from Ir Dr Otto Poon Lok-to, Founder and Chairman of ATAL Engineering Group, in the name of Otto Poon Charitable Foundation. The fund, the largest amount from a personal foundation in the recent decade, will be dedicated to supporting the University's strategic research endeavors in areas related to smart city and smart mobility, as well as smart and sustainable energy including establishing two research institutes and two endowed professorships for related disciplines." 9/10/18

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