2012 Program Update
Changes to the Ethical Code Program
As previously announced, the Ethical Code Program will be merged with the Standards Program over the next two years. The Standards Program offers a Canada‐wide set of foundational standards for charities and nonprofits wishing to enhance their effectiveness in the five fundamental areas of board governance, financial accountability & transparency, ethical fundraising, staff management and volunteer involvement. It includes a voluntary accreditation program for organizations wishing to publicly demonstrate they have successfully met the standards through a peer review process.
1) How will this affect my organization’s participation in the Ethical Code Program?
The Ethical Code Program will continue to operate, fully supported, until at least December 2013. All current participants will be allowed to use the trustmark for two years. Organizations that wish to maintain their participation in the Ethical Code Program during this transition period may be required to renew participation and/or submit annual compliance reports.
2) When can my organization join the Standards Program?
The Standards Program opened to all charities and nonprofits in May 2012. Applications are due in November and the next round of accredited organizations will be announced in March 2013 following the peer review panel meeting. Visit the Standards Program website for more details.
Where applicable, fees paid for the Ethical Code Program can be applied to the Standards Program. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis – please contact Imagine Canada for more information.
We will work with all Ethical Code participants over the next two years to assist them in transitioning to the new Standards Program.
Questions about the changes? Please contact Imagine Canada by phone at 416-597-2293 x 229;
1-800-263-1178 x 229 or via email (code@imaginecanada.ca).
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
