Standards Program
Imagine Canada's new Standards Program launched in May 2012. Designed to strengthen public confidence in the charitable and nonprofit sector, the Standards Program is among the first of its kind at a national level. It offers accreditation to charities and nonprofits that can demonstrate excellence in five key areas:
- board governance;
- financial accountability & transparency;
- fundraising;
- staff management; and,
- volunteer involvement.
The Standards Program is first and foremost a capacity-building initiative. Any organization may use the standards to improve and monitor its practices. Information about how to comply with the standards, as well as tools and resources to help organizations continue to strengthen their practices, is available free of charge. Organizations wishing to demonstrate publicly that they meet the standards can participate in a voluntary peer-review-based accreditation process.
Organizations wishing to participate in the accreditation process must register by submitting a Participation Agreement and application fee. The next application is deadline is November 30, 2013 (final applications and supporting materials are due no later than November 30, 2013). After registering, you will be given access to the following resources, tools, and support:
- Imagine Canada's web-based application platform;
- an online community or practice where you can dialogue with Imagine Canada staff and collaborate with other applicants to find and share leading policies and practices;
- tailored support throughout the preparation process from Imagine Canada staff including preliminary feedback on draft application materials so you can determine if you are on track.
Final applications and supporting materials must be submitted for peer review via our online application platform.
To learn more about the Standards Program, review the following documents:
- Overview of the Standards Program (slide deck)
- Learn how your organization can become accredited
- Download the Standards
- List of accredited organizations
- Download the media release and Globe and Mail ad celebrating the launch of the Program
For further information please contact Ian Gibney, Standards Program Coordinator (standards@imaginecanada.ca / 1-800-263-1178; 416-597-2293 ext. 318).
Did you know that there are 161,000 nonprofilts and charities in Canada?
Did you know that Canada’s nonprofit and voluntary sector is the 2nd largest in the world?
The sector represents $79.1 billion or 7.8% of the gross domestic product
The sector is larger than automotive and manufacturing. It generates $112 billion in revenues and employs 2 million people
Canadians donated $10 billion in 2007
Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick have the highest donor rates.
Canadians volunteered 2.1 billion hours in 2007
Young Canadians aged 15 to 24 are more likely to volunteer than Canadians in any other age group
One percent of nonprofits command 60% of all revenues flowing to the sector
Canadians with the lowest household incomes give a greater percentage of their income than others
Saskatchewan has the highest volunteer rate in the country, followed by the Northwest Territories and the Yukon
Those exposed to giving and volunteering activities early in life are more likely to continue those behaviours as adults
