Support to the Voluntary Sector

NEW: 

On November 15, 2005 Social Development Canada launched the call for nominations for the Thérèse Casgrain Volunteer Award

Call for Letters of Intent  - Voluntary Sector Policy Dialogue at the Local, Regional, and National Levels

Voluntary Sector

• The Voluntary Sector Initiative (VSI) was a joint initiative to strengthen the capacity of the voluntary sector and to enhance the relationship between the Sector and the Government of Canada.

Funding

• The Social Development Partnerships Program provides grants and contributions funding to non-profit organizations concerned with advancing the social development and inclusion needs of persons with disabilities, children and their families, and other vulnerable or excluded populations. 
  
  
• The federal government has announced the creation of a Task Force on Community Investments to examine federal policies and practices relating to the use of transfer payments and the funding of horizontal initiatives in support of community investments.

Recognition

• The Thérèse Casgrain Volunteer Award is presented annually to two Canadians, one man and one woman. This award recognizes the voluntary contributions of men and women from communities across Canada whose pioneering spirit, social commitment and persistent endeavours have contributed significantly to the advancement of a cause and the well-being of their fellow citizens.
  
  
• National Volunteer Week  is a dedicated week in April set aside to honour and recognize Canadians who volunteer.

Research and Statistics

• The National Survey of Non-profit and Voluntary Sector Organizations - This booklet summarizes the key results of the first National Survey of Nonprofit and Voluntary Organizations.
  
  
• The National Survey of Giving, Volunteering, and Participating  website is designed to provide you with the statistics and resources developed from the 1997 and 2000 National Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating (NSGVP).

Program Evaluation

• The Voluntary Sector Initiative Process Evaluation report is an evaluation of the process of the VSI. Its purpose is to assess how the VSI worked and how well it worked up to the end of the two year Joint Table phase that ended in October 2002.
  
  
• The Evaluation of Sectoral Involvement in Deparmental Policy Development is a review of SIDPD,  a five year program aimed at creating a closer policy development relationship between the federal government and the voluntary sector. 

Related Links

• The Community Development and Partnerships Directorate supports Social Development Canada as the lead department responsible for the relationship between the Government of Canada and the Voluntary Sector.
  
  
• Volunteer Canada informs Canadians about Volunteering and Volunteerism.