Charles Finley

Grant Opportunity💰Enabling Accessibility Fund - Small Projects Component Emploi et Développement social Canada (EDSC) / Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) is offering a funding opportunity aimed at making communities and workplaces across Canada more accessible for persons with disabilities. This initiative supports projects designed to create more opportunities for persons with disabilities to participate in community activities, programs, and services, and to access employment. By fostering inclusivity, this funding will help build a more accessible and equitable society for everyone. Funding Details: • Amount: Up to $125,000 • Project Length: 2 years • Eligibility: Not-for-profit organizations, Indigenous organizations, municipal and territorial governments 📅Deadline to Apply: July 23rd, 2024 Learn more and apply now to make a difference: https://ow.ly/f9Nq50ShYrH #Accessibility #Inclusivity #Grant #Funding #CommunityDevelopment

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One of the many pieces that will come out this week on hybrid work. This one contains a useful chronology. #publicservice #publicadministration (As you read these pieces keep in mind as a benchmark that about half the service simply don’t have a hybrid option for the kind of work they do and the last estimate I saw is that about 20 percent of the total workforce are on hybrid arrangements or fully remote.)

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Designing a Better Future for Indigenous Housing 🏠 Economic reconciliation starts with empowering Indigenous communities to take the lead. The YÄNONHCHIA' INDIGENOUS HOUSING FINANCE (YIHF) NETWORK is doing just that, providing Indigenous-led solutions for affordable housing. By leveraging affordable market capital and fostering collaboration between personal, private, and government stakeholders, the YIHF Network is charting a new path forward for Indigenous housing. Discover how this innovative initiative is transforming lives and communities: https://nacca.ca/abscan/ #IndigenousHousing #IndigenousProsperity #NACCA

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Two posts from me in one day... but I just watched Jonathan Craft give the Jocelyne Bourgon Visiting Scholar Lecture with the Canada School of Public Service | École de la fonction publique du Canada on the theme of "stewardship" in building capacity for policy + delivery. I'm sure it will be posted soon for those #wonks out there. Admittedly, this stuff isn't headline grabbing stuff in #cdnpoli, but my goodness, it's the foundation for getting stuff done! And Jonathan knows so much about how other public services of the world get their stuff done. Lots to learn! One of Professor Craft's many insights that I found most interesting is that "stewarding capacity" isn't just about the public service anymore -- a broader ecosystem is engaged in making a policy cycle successful. For me, this signals the importance of regular forums that bring leaders in public service, nonprofits and academia together to share successes and colloborate on improvements that will deliver the outcomes and services the Canadian public is looking for. I felt this *magic* at the #BetterEvidence24 conference with Blueprint + Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy at uOttawa. Such a convening is much deeper than a stakeholder exercise! It's about recognizing that different players hold different pieces of the puzzle that is the key to impact. Public services have a unique leadership role to pull those puzzle pieces together.

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This week, I invested in myself and my organization by completing the Change Practitioner Certification Program from Prosci. I’m thrilled to bring new energy and tools to my work! While I’ve been practicing change management in an unstructured way for some time, diving deep into the theory and methodology—and applying it immediately to a current initiative—has taken my competency to a new level. Here are my top takeaways that can help you be more effective: -An intentional approach to change management ensures initiatives achieve their ultimate outcomes. True change is rooted in shifts in people’s mindsets and behaviors as they interact with tools, systems, and processes. This is what excites me so much about our work on digital competencies in the GC. -A project can be on time, on budget, and within scope, but still fail to meet its goals. Defining success by tracking adoption speed, utilization rate, and proficiency levels is key—no tool is useful if it's not adopted and used effectively. -Change management is a leadership competency at any level. It provides a toolkit to enhance your leadership capability. -Resistance to change is normal. Anticipating and addressing it, using strategies like the ADKAR model, is essential—this approach is already proving useful in both my work and personal life. Not a joke, but my husband literally signed up for the gym this week and we’ve been adjusting our schedules to make it stick and it’s working. -Effective communication is crucial. Messages from CEOs about vision and the anchor reasons for change and personal messages from people managers about individual impacts are most effective. -Strong sponsors are the top factor for project success. Establishing and coaching sponsors pays off. To learn more, here is a fantastic primer: https://lnkd.in/gvMB8hjk It was fantastic to experience this journey with a diverse group of colleagues and under the great teaching of Anjen McLean. Kudos to everyone—I’m excited to see where your journeys take you! Lena Ross Jennifer Cruz-Datuin Terry Gent Saira Suleman Robert Harris, GISP, ENP Jon A. To my experienced colleagues, I’d love to hear your best lessons learned in applying change management in your work. Also sharing the comprehensive playbook from Amanda Bernardo if you're looking for support to start up your practice: https://lnkd.in/g_CdD8gC #changemanagement #leadership #GCdigital #continuouslearning

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The Enabling Accessibility Fund - Small Projects Component is now accepting applications! This funding opportunity, offered by Employment and Social Development Canada, aims to enhance accessibility for persons with disabilities across communities and workplaces nationwide. Key Details: Application Period: July 23, 2024 Funding Amount: Up to $125,000 for projects lasting up to 2 years Who Can Apply: Not-for-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, indigenous organizations, municipal and territorial governments Make a Difference Today: Whether you're improving access to community activities, programs, services, or employment opportunities, your project can create meaningful change. Act now to empower persons with disabilities and build a more inclusive Canada! Apply Now and Transform Accessibility: https://lnkd.in/gusAcXx #Accessibility #FundingOpportunity #InclusiveCanada

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An important narrative by my colleague Stephen Bartolo, eMBA, CEC that reflects the thought leadership from us at Shepherds of Good Hope. Our donors and partners create solutions as we aspire to end homelessness through supportive housing as it not only provides hope and dignity to achieve a better quality of life, but it delivers cost savings. A 2014 study by the Mental Health Commission of Canada found that for every dollar invested in supportive housing, governments save $1.54 on emergency services, hospital stays and other social services. A more recent study reaffirmed that focusing on housing makes simple sense. Why ? - a month in the hospital is $30,000. - a month in the prison system is $12,000. - a month in the shelter system is $6,000. - a month in supportive housing ? It is only $4,000. This is saving us tax dollars. We believe that supportive housing is the long-term solution and our collective commitment enables us all to address the core root of homelessness. https://lnkd.in/gTeQRRwb

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Farming, agriculture, and food industry play a critical role in the economic development of our First Nations and our country. Indigenous Procurement and Trade is a wide-spanning priority impacting all sectors including infrastructure, housing, and food security. I heard a powerful statement by FCC’s Mohamad Yaghi in last weeks International Economic Forum of the Americas. He said, “The world needs Canada now more than ever.” Where Canada is needed, Indigenous leadership must be equal partners to support increasing Canada’s competitiveness in a global market. This is a shared priority. This article is a must read! #IndigenousProcurement #FCC #FirstNationsProcurementOrganization #FNPO #FoodSecurity #GlobalEconomy #aStrongerCanada #sharedvalues #IndigenousHarvesters #IndigenousBusinesses #PartnersinaGlobalEconomy

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NEW from ICTC-CTIC: How can Nova Scotia meet its net-zero goals? Allison Clark and Todd Legere spoke to 14 industry leaders to develop key recommendations: 💨 Nova Scotia already possesses many of the skills needed for offshore wind and hydrogen production, both high-potential growth areas for the province. By leveraging the transferable skill sets of workers in the naval sector, offshore oil and gas, and tidal energy, Nova Scotia can accelerate offshore wind energy and other ocean-based clean energy developments—and work-integrated learning (WIL) programs could be the solution. 🎓 Investments in clean energy training and workforce development initiatives are needed to address labour market challenges that currently constrain Nova Scotia’s ability to achieve a net-zero future. This should include continued investments from the province to ensure more training seats in high-demand trades programs. 🤝 Scaling clean energy projects in Nova Scotia will require collective action and collaboration between all government, industry, and community-based stakeholders, particularly in coastal communities impacted by marine renewable energy developments. ⛓️‍💥 Supply chain resiliency related to wind energy should be prioritized, as onshore and offshore wind will be the predominant sources of clean energy for Nova Scotia over the next decade. https://lnkd.in/gdZqVY-n

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Great to see my 2022 report "Canada's Moonshot: Solving Grand Challenges Through Transformational Innovation" cited in this blog by Tim Draimin for Social Innovation Canada. As Tim argues "Our innovation policy will ultimately determine how well our country navigates a very complex global and national future buffeted by a polycrisis rippling with environmental, social, economic and geo-strategic challenges". I couldn't agree more. In the report, I argued for a shift towards a more intentional approach to our innovation policy toolkit - understanding that not all innovation is equal in its outcomes, and some of the challenges we face will never be profitable areas to focus on unless the government plays a more hands-on market-shaping role. The case for this shift is as strong as ever. You can read the blog here: https://lnkd.in/gBdPskvh And can read my original report for the Brookfield Institute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship (now The Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University) here: https://lnkd.in/gQwxtY_C

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As a senior leader in the not for profit sector in Canada, it was a great opportunity to participate in the Action for Healthy Communities 3rd annual building inclusive communities forum. The key note speaker, Dr. Jonathan Massimi reiterated the importance of building stronger communities through the conduct of community assets mapping. Critical questions regarding the conduct of feasibility studies and community needs assessments were raised. The reminder to all development experts remains the enhancement and strengthening local resources. The conversation was so vital as a reminder that even when external resources are being brought in, it should always be to compliment, supplement and strengthen existing assets and knowledge bases. That was the original framework from which a rights based development lens was introduced. This approach needs to be reprioritized to ensure we are rebuilding sustainability elements into community work. See below article for summary of the forum. https://lnkd.in/g5S-dqGp

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Looking forward to the screening of “Trainwreck!” tonight in Hamilton, Ontario. As the film’s trailer makes clear, despite all the benefits of transit-oriented development, it triggers the displacement and exclusion of vulnerable populations, increasing the cost of housing, and reducing the supply of affordable units where we need them most. According to the filmmakers, the impacts in Hamilton to date include: 90+ buildings already acquired by Metrolinx 168 tenant households displaced Tenants and small business owners feeling pressure to leave For the past 18 months, Hamilton-based and national stakeholders have been working together with SI Canada on this problem, and have designed a compelling approach to ensure equitable transit oriented development can become commonplace - first for Hamilton itself and then for cities everywhere. The Hamilton Transit Oriented Affordable Housing Lab  has been funded by the CMHC National Housing Strategy’s Solutions Labs program. These labs fuel collaborative innovation by bringing together diverse groups of people to solve complex housing problems, including in-depth research, prototyping and testing of potential solutions. Learn more about the challenges and barriers to equitable transit and housing development, and the approach to overcoming them: https://lnkd.in/gK-rvbnq @Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Société canadienne d'hypothèques et de logement(SCHL) @Federation of Canadian Municipalities @City Of Hamilton @Hamilton Community Foundation @Hamilton Community Benefits Network (Facebook) @Canadian Housing Evidence Collaborative (Facebook) @McMaster University @LURA Consulting @Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) @CP Planning @FirstOntario Credit Union @Good Shepherd Hamilton & Toronto (Facebook) @Haerko Inc @Kiwanis Homes Inc. (Facebook) @Housing Assessment Resource Tools (HART) @Indwell @Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada | Logement, Infrastructures et Collectivités Canada @Infrastructure Ontario @Meridian Credit Union @Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services @Sacajawea Non-Profit Housing  (Facebook) @TD @Victoria Park Community Homes @West End Home Builders' Association @YWCA Hamilton @Matthew Green (Hamilton Centre) @NeilLumsden @Monique Taylor, MPP for Hamilton Mountain (Facebook) Mayor Andrea Horwath @AndreaHorwath (Twitter/X) @Hamilton Economic Development, @hamiltonclt (Facebook)

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Youth services across Canada play a crucial role in supporting young people facing various challenges. However, many organizations still rely on traditional methods like paper-based records and spreadsheets, leading to data inconsistency, time-consuming processes, and limited accessibility. Staff often spend valuable time on administrative tasks, diverting their attention from direct engagement with youth. Communication breakdowns and inefficient coordination are common when relying on email, phone calls, and physical bulletin boards. This fragmented approach can result in missed information, scheduling conflicts, and overall operational inefficiencies. Additionally, generating accurate reports for compliance and funding can be cumbersome, potentially affecting funding opportunities and stakeholder trust. The administrative burden of traditional methods can lead to staff burnout and stress, impacting the quality of care provided to young people. Adopting case management software, like Mareto, can streamline operations, improve data accuracy, and enhance communication, allowing staff to focus on empowering youth and helping them build brighter futures. Book a Demo: https://lnkd.in/gmeKpfcb Learn More: https://lnkd.in/gmQsSEhE #YouthServices #CaseManagement #NonProfitTech #Canada #CommunitySupport

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On National Truth and Reconciliation Day, we should reflect not only on the legacy of colonialism but also on how colonial structures and deep systemic barriers still exist today and the need to dismantle them. This recent piece by Rhode Thomas, the Executive Director of The Centre for Indigenous Innovation and Technology is worth reading. It breaks down how Indigenous communities are facing digital colonialism, with data as the "new resource to be extracted and commodified, often without the consent or benefit of Indigenous communities". Thomas highlights four areas of challenge to Indigenous participation in the digital economy, along with corresponding calls to action. 1. Digital Infrastructure: Bridging the Digital Divide With broadband internet access 17% lower in Indigenous communities and subscription costs significantly higher, the digital divide "exacerbates existing inequalities, limiting opportunities for economic participation and innovation". Steps to address this include: expanding high-speed internet access, providing laptops and computers to students in need, and establishing Indigenous-led or partnered community tech hubs calibrated to the unique community needs. 2. Digital Knowledge and Applications: Safeguarding Indigenous Data Indigenous communities have faced a legacy of racism in how their data and knowledge have been treated by colonial research and higher education institutions. Thomas emphasizes the need to "establish and uphold Indigenous-led data sovereignty frameworks to protect Indigenous knowledge systems" to help make sure that Indigenous communities "lead the way in determining how their knowledge is used, shared, and protected to ensure that it is respected and preserved according to their values". 3. Digital Governance: Promoting Indigenous-Led Governance Through the Indian Act of 1876, Indigenous communities have had governance systems imposed on them, with the "government as the gatekeeper" of information. Moving forward, there is a need for Indigenous-led governance models, policies, and frameworks that are "truly representative and supportive of Indigenous self-determination in the digital realm". 4. Digital Skills: Addressing Underrepresentation Thomas highlights how Indigenous tech workers are underrepresented and underpaid - something "rooted in systemic barriers, including a lack of access to culturally relevant education and training". To address this, Thomas advocates for investing in and supporting "the development of Indigenous-led tech education that is culturally relevant and empowers Indigenous communities to become leaders and innovators in the innovation economy". In a rapidly changing digital economy, these calls to action should be heeded and acted on quickly to remove the systemic barriers Indigenous communities face. You can read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/g7cGBx_f

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Learn more about funding goals for the nonprofit sector throughout Canada!

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** Please share widely ** ** Funding Opportunity ** The Funder Collaborative has just opened a new round of call for proposals for this Fall. Applications from non-profit organizations based in GTA and focused on workforce development are due on October 18, 2024. The focus continues to be on systems change within workforce development. We will offer grants of up to $250K for up to 3 years. Please review the RFP for different funding streams that are available. We are also offering ideation calls. Schedule them here: https://lnkd.in/g-jUEyfE And, we are offering a webinar to share more information about the funding on September 17 at 2 pm. You can register for the webinar here: https://lnkd.in/gGPPDVwJ If you have additional questions, please feel free to DM either me or Anshika. #funding #gta #workforcedevelopment #systemschange #WorkforceFunderCollaborative

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One of the most important aspirations of practicing philanthropists is to constantly improve; to learn and understand more about their areas of interest and to make more impactful grants. They are supported in this by organizations that provide educational resources, research, analysis, conferences, and opportunities to connect. One such organization is Community Foundations of Canada | Fondations communautaires du Canada, which, among other things, runs the country’s largest community-driven data program, and hosts The Learning Institute, a resource centre for local foundations. Today CFC has surveyed its membership of 207 community foundations- staff and board members - on all aspects of their philanthropic practice. The results of this survey will further inform CFC of the priorities, practices, and condition of community foundations in Canada. If you are on the board or staff of a community foundation in Canada complete this survey. It will help all of us to improve and make a greater impact.

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