Author name: Aruna

When Umbrella Organizations Really Matter

Discover Community Organizations, Philanthropy, What's-up / /

In my first gig as a grantmaker some years ago I spent a lot of time learning about and funding provincial and national organizations that exist to support a defined community of interest. I learned that no two umbrella organizations are the same but that there are some commonalities. For the most part they exist […]

When Umbrella Organizations Really Matter Read More »

In my first gig as a grantmaker some years ago I spent a lot of time learning about and funding provincial and national organizations that exist to support a defined community of interest. I learned that no two umbrella organizations are the same but that there are some commonalities. For the most part they exist

From Reconciliation to Reciprocity: Top Five Ways to Expand Your Knowledge

Advancing Equality, Indigenous Toronto, Philanthropy / /

From Reconciliation to Reciprocity The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s recommendations are a foundational piece of our country’s shared history but seven years since its release, what meaningful action has taken place in philanthropy to ensure justice for Indigenous communities? As funding disparities persist and old models of giving perpetuate our past relations, how can we

From Reconciliation to Reciprocity: Top Five Ways to Expand Your Knowledge Read More »

From Reconciliation to Reciprocity The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s recommendations are a foundational piece of our country’s shared history but seven years since its release, what meaningful action has taken place in philanthropy to ensure justice for Indigenous communities? As funding disparities persist and old models of giving perpetuate our past relations, how can we

Philanthropy Reset

Advancing Equality, Organizational Updates, Philanthropy / /

In the midst of pandemic upheaval, philanthropy became the story in 2020. For the first time in my 20+-year career, private philanthropy rose up as the central figure in a narrative about change. Many spoke up to call traditional philanthropy to account. Endowments were under the microscope for leaving too much money “on the table.”

Philanthropy Reset Read More »

In the midst of pandemic upheaval, philanthropy became the story in 2020. For the first time in my 20+-year career, private philanthropy rose up as the central figure in a narrative about change. Many spoke up to call traditional philanthropy to account. Endowments were under the microscope for leaving too much money “on the table.”

How to further food security this December

Discover Community Organizations / /

“I look forward to a time when South Parkdale has enough food to eat, so we can get back to the business of using sport to create social change,” says Miranda Kamal, executive director, MJKO (Mentoring Juniors Kids Organization).  Throughout the pandemic, libraries, community centres, recreational hubs, and offices were converted into emergency food hampers,

How to further food security this December Read More »

“I look forward to a time when South Parkdale has enough food to eat, so we can get back to the business of using sport to create social change,” says Miranda Kamal, executive director, MJKO (Mentoring Juniors Kids Organization).  Throughout the pandemic, libraries, community centres, recreational hubs, and offices were converted into emergency food hampers,

Investee Profile: SKETCH: Project Home

Uncategorized / /

Published in Fall 2021. All details reflect this time period. How SKETCH addressed skyrocketing rent in their Queen West neighbourhood to keep engaging young people, who live on the margins, through the transformative power of the arts. In 2018, after already moving three times in the same neighbourhood and investing over $2 million in renovations,

Investee Profile: SKETCH: Project Home Read More »

Published in Fall 2021. All details reflect this time period. How SKETCH addressed skyrocketing rent in their Queen West neighbourhood to keep engaging young people, who live on the margins, through the transformative power of the arts. In 2018, after already moving three times in the same neighbourhood and investing over $2 million in renovations,

Investee Profile: Raven Indigenous Capital Partners

Uncategorized / /

Published in Fall 2021. All details reflect this time period. While loans and debt-based capital are sometimes available to Indigenous entrepreneurs, founders of Raven Indigenous Capital Partners believe a customized approach is essential. “We’re talking about Indigenous entrepreneurs with the potential to build up their communities,” says Paul Lacerte, co-founder of Raven. “You need to take time to build relationships and trust, within

Investee Profile: Raven Indigenous Capital Partners Read More »

Published in Fall 2021. All details reflect this time period. While loans and debt-based capital are sometimes available to Indigenous entrepreneurs, founders of Raven Indigenous Capital Partners believe a customized approach is essential. “We’re talking about Indigenous entrepreneurs with the potential to build up their communities,” says Paul Lacerte, co-founder of Raven. “You need to take time to build relationships and trust, within

Investee Profile: Parkdale’s Neighbourhood Land Trust

Uncategorized / /

Published in Fall 2021. All details reflect this time period. The Preserve and Protect Guarantee Program buys rooming houses to permanently preserve local affordable housing. According to The Neighbourhood Land Trust’s research report, the Parkdale Rooming House Study, 28 rooming houses had been lost to the gentrification and renovictions between 2007 – 2017, resulting in the eviction of 350 vulnerable

Investee Profile: Parkdale’s Neighbourhood Land Trust Read More »

Published in Fall 2021. All details reflect this time period. The Preserve and Protect Guarantee Program buys rooming houses to permanently preserve local affordable housing. According to The Neighbourhood Land Trust’s research report, the Parkdale Rooming House Study, 28 rooming houses had been lost to the gentrification and renovictions between 2007 – 2017, resulting in the eviction of 350 vulnerable

COVID-19: Shutdowns and resilience in Toronto’s arts & culture sector

COVID, Toronto Insights / /

Businesses across the country have been reeling from the economic consequences of physical distancing policies put in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19. One of the most impacted sub-sectors in the entire economy has been arts, culture, recreation, and sports. Their shared role in bringing people together is what has put them collectively at

COVID-19: Shutdowns and resilience in Toronto’s arts & culture sector Read More »

Businesses across the country have been reeling from the economic consequences of physical distancing policies put in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19. One of the most impacted sub-sectors in the entire economy has been arts, culture, recreation, and sports. Their shared role in bringing people together is what has put them collectively at

Using your philanthropy to advance racial justice

Advancing Equality, Discover Community Organizations, Indigenous Toronto, Philanthropy / /

We are in an unignorable and overdue moment of change. Society is reflecting on how we will deepen our collective responsibility towards advancing racial justice and building equality. The work involves listening and learning in order to act. For philanthropists it also means understanding how to respond with your donations urgently and in the long-run. You

Using your philanthropy to advance racial justice Read More »

We are in an unignorable and overdue moment of change. Society is reflecting on how we will deepen our collective responsibility towards advancing racial justice and building equality. The work involves listening and learning in order to act. For philanthropists it also means understanding how to respond with your donations urgently and in the long-run. You

COVID-19 and housing: Will new opportunity emerge from crisis?

COVID, Toronto Insights / /

COVID-19 could lead to unprecedented levels of homelessness, or it could be Toronto’s best shot at fixing affordable housing. With growing mass unemployment, both renters and mortgage holders have been struggling to make their monthly payments. Toronto’s homeless support system is already under strain and does not have capacity to accommodate any more residents who may be

COVID-19 and housing: Will new opportunity emerge from crisis? Read More »

COVID-19 could lead to unprecedented levels of homelessness, or it could be Toronto’s best shot at fixing affordable housing. With growing mass unemployment, both renters and mortgage holders have been struggling to make their monthly payments. Toronto’s homeless support system is already under strain and does not have capacity to accommodate any more residents who may be

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