Impact of Economic Downturn on the Alberta Nonprofit/Voluntary Sector

Resolution Category C.v.1
Subject Economic
Year 2009
Status Adopted - Expired
Active Clauses

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Government of Alberta restore provincial funding to nonprofit/voluntary organizations, and acknowledge that municipal governments are not expected to make up for provincial funding cutbacks to the nonprofit/voluntary sector.

Whereas Clauses

WHEREAS the Provincial Government eliminated the Wild Rose Foundation in the 2009 Budget;

WHEREAS the Wild Rose Foundation provided funding to nonprofit/voluntary sector organizations, fostered and promoted the use of volunteers and fostered and promoted charitable, philanthropic, humanitarian, or public spirited acts and those who performed them prior to its elimination;

WHEREAS the Province’s funding cuts to the sector result in $6 million less in funding available each year to nonprofit/voluntary sector organizations; and

WHEREAS the government indicated that grant funding for the Wild Rose Foundation would be combined with grant funding for the Community Initiatives Program (CIP) however, CIP funding was also decreased.

Government Response

May 6, 2010 - Culture and Community Spirit

The overall budget for Alberta Culture and Community Spirit was reduced for fiscal 2010-11. Reductions were made with the goal of providing support and funding to as many organizations throughout the province as possible. Caps on certain types of grants and limiting the number of grants per organization each year were implemented to help streamline programs and to accommodate a range of projects that respond to community needs and priorities.

The Government of Alberta remains committed to the non-profit and voluntary sector, and there will continue to be a strong focus on capacity building and community investment. From training and facilitation services to helping non-profit boards run more effectively, Alberta Culture and Community Spirit offer a number of programs designed to increase the capacity of Alberta’s non-profit and voluntary sector.

The Community Spirit Program provides donation grants to non-profit and charitable organizations based on cash donations the organization has received. The grant can be used to support operations, programs and/or capital projects.

Jun 16, 2010 - Seniors and Community Supports 

The 2010/2011 ASLI and the 2010 Capital Funding Initiative provided combined funding of $73,751,577 for 13 capital building projects by charitable or not-for-profit organizations. The grants to not-for-profit projects represented approximately 58 percent of all projects approved for funding.

Alberta Municipalities notes

AUMA does not accept this response and will continue to call for the need to fund nonprofits and voluntary groups without downloading the demand to municipal governments.