Weekly News Recap: December 6, 2019

Weekly News Recap: December 6, 2019

David Bissett, a retired businessman, says he sees the importance of technology in every field, every day. (Mike Symington/CBC)

If more information was the answer, we’d all be billionaires with perfect abs.-- Derek Sivers

This week's highlights

Photography

back to Top

News

  • 'There's a stigma attached' to using food banks. This longtime food-bank user wants to help change that (CBC) CANADIAN STORY This is a GREAT story. And and important one. "When Ida Millar first went to the food bank nine years ago it was daunting. She walked in unsure what to expect, keeping her head down as she waited in line. 'It's like a reality check when you're standing there. You say to yourself how did I end up here? Because there's a stigma attached.'" 12/3/19

  • Often cited as a 'gold mine' for alternative work, Alberta's tech sector now faces uncertain future (CBC) CALGARY STORY It wasn't so long ago that Calgary's burgeoning tech sector was being held up as a potential case study in diversification, a lighthouse to chart a course toward in a province rocked from oil-and-gas downturns [...]. But changes introduced in Alberta's provincial budget — including the elimination of grants many tech companies relied on — have forced Calgary's tech sector to wrestle with a very different future." 12/1/19

  • Arctic U: Yukon passes bill to create first university in Canada’s North (Globe and Mail) YUKON STORY Congrats! And about time. "Canada will finally have its first Arctic university. This past week, the Yukon Legislature passed a bill to make Yukon College a university. It will be an institution with an Indigenous flavour that will make it as unique as the region it is to serve." 12/1/19

  • Wexit cost Calgary 1,000-person company, says economic development boss (CBC) ALBERTA STORY "Ongoing environmental criticism, delays in building oil pipelines and a surge of separatist sentiment following the last federal election are hurting Alberta's reputation [said] presenters at a business forum in Lake Louise [...]. The rise of the western Canadian separation movement or 'Wexit' cost Calgary an opportunity to attract a major technology head office, said CEO Mary Moran of Calgary Economic Development during a speech at the event." 11/29/19

  • Edmonton short $8M from city-run facilities in 2019 (CBC) EDMONTON STORY Ugh. "Edmonton expects to collect $8 million less from city-run facilities than it budgeted for this year because of extended closures, fewer people paying full price for admission and the weather. The community and recreation facilities estimated it would take in $71 million in revenue but now believes that will be closer to $63 million." 11/29/19

  • Local woman donates estate to eight local and national charities (Windsor Star) WINDSOR STORY I heart you Betty. "Betty Nixon had no close family when she died, but she did have causes close to her heart. So the Windsor woman bequeathed her small fortune — all $800,000 of it — to eight charities, both local and national. Born in London, Ont., Nixon lived in Thunder Bay for years before her family made their way to Windsor, where she worked as a Mortgage Specialist at Scotiabank. She was considered a kind, musical and helpful person — a legacy that will continue after her death." 11/26/19

back to Top

First Peoples of Canada

  • Aboriginal Student Centre at the University of Regina renamed (URegina) REGINA STORY Love it! "On November 28, 2019, the University of Regina unveiled ta-tawâw Student Centre (pronounced: tah-tah-wow) as the new name for the Aboriginal Student Centre. ta-tawâw means 'Welcome. There is room. There is space." in the Cree language.'" 11/28/19

back to Top

Books to read

back to Top

Seven life and career hacks -- one for each day of the week

  1. How ADHD Helped Me Create the Bullet Journal Method (Human Parts) Now I know why I love bullet journals so much... 10/15/19

  2. How To Get The Most Out of Audiobooks (Post Graduate Survival Guide) I love audiobooks. They are a great way to "read" when walking or driving. 10/3/19

  3. So You Got Fired, Now What? (The Startup) I have been fired. I would have liked to have this around when it happened. (P.S. It took me 12 years to say this out loud). 6/14/19

  4. The Case for Walking (elemental+) Turns out, when you can, you should walk. 6/14/19

  5. The surprising relationship between anxiety and excitement (The Startup) Perspective shows up a lot places. Especially here. 6/9/19

  6. The Good Plan You Follow is Better Than the Perfect Plan You Don’t (The Ascent) Emotions eat willpower for breakfast. 6/6/19

  7. Don’t Forget To Breathe (P.S. I love you) Nope. Not a meditation article. 6/3/19

back to Top

Uncommon knowledge

back to Top

Opinion

  • Is There More to Philanthropy Than Just Being Generous? (Town and Country) As usual, The Ford Foundation and Darren Walker continue to lead. "Americans and generosity have always gone hand in hand. In fact, we have a long, storied history together [...]. In recent years, Americans have given billions of dollars to charity, setting record highs again and again. But this giving season, it’s worth considering: while we are being generous, how can we also be more just?" 12/3/19

  • The Case for Sport Philanthropy: Why Isn’t Sport Considered Charitable? (AFP Global) CANADIAN STORY This is terrific. Worth the read. "The bottom line is that we are failing sports in Canada. The lack of resources, talent, access, programming, and support in the sport system is leading our country down a path of unsustainability, and the organizations that will suffer the most are the ones with some of the greatest impact on our communities. As the source of limitless public benefit, sport deserves an equal seat at the charitable purpose table." 11/27/19

  • Giving Tuesday. Should You or Shouldn’t You? (AFP Global) CANADIAN STORY "[Recently] a respected U.S. fundraiser with 19.4 thousand Twitter followers tweeted, 'Who else is dreading Giving Tuesday?' [The] responses neatly summarized schools of thought about the fairly recently designated giving day that, coincidentally, occurs during the month when, according to NonProfit Source, 30% of annual giving occurs already occurs." 11/27/19

back to Top

Philanthropic personalities

  • A look at philanthropist David Bissett's dedication to education and other local initiatives (Calgary Herald) CALGARY STORY "Bissett’s donation will go toward a future school for advanced technology that will set SAIT apart as a leader in digital transformation. While $30 million is his single largest donation, Bissett and his wife, Leslie, have already given more than $70 million to various initiatives, schools and conservation groups across Canada." 12/3/19

  • Asia’s 2019 Heroes Of Philanthropy: Catalysts For Change (Forbes) "Azim Premji made history this year as Asia’s most generous philanthropist by donating $7.6 billion worth of Wipro shares to his education-centered foundation, raising his total lifetime giving to $21 billion. Established in 2000, his eponymous foundation now works with more than 200,000 public schools across India to train teachers and provide better curriculums, among other initiatives. 'A role model for all of us. I wish more people would follow his example,' said Anu Aga (a 2010 honoree)." 12/2/19

  • Jack Ma Outlines Bold Vision For His Philanthropy Foundation (Forbes) Jack is a cool guy. "'People say I am one of the richest people in China, but I don’t think it is my money,' says Jack Ma. 'It is money that people have entrusted to you, and you want to spend it in a better, smarter way.' Ma is explaining his new focus, philanthropy, in an exclusive interview with Forbes Asia [...]. Having spent the last two decades building Alibaba Group, the Hangzhou, China-based internet giant, Ma announced just over a year ago he would step aside and give his executive chairman title to Alibaba CEO Daniel Zhang." 12/2/19

  • Prince Philip’s Mother Alice and Her Life of Philanthropy in Greece (Greek Reporter) What a fascinating woman. "The ongoing Netflix series 'The Crown' has brought to light a little-known member of the British royal family, Princess Alice of Battenberg, who lived a tumultuous life of tragedy but also of great philanthropic work in Greece." 11/28/19

back to Top

Philanthropic controversy

  • Huawei funds $56M in academic research in Canada. That has some experts concerned (CBC) CANADIAN STORY "Chinese telecom giant Huawei funds millions of dollars in technology research in Canada, and that has some tech and national security experts alarmed. Huawei has been singled out by intelligence and security agencies around the world. It's been called a 'Trojan horse' and a threat to Western nations. It's believed by many to be linked to the Chinese government and is regularly accused of spying and intellectual property theft — all allegations it denies." 11/29/19

back to Top

Trends and shifts

  • The donor dilemma: philanthropy and the arts (The Age) "Australia's arts sector has been given a wake-up call: the days of reliance on the public purse are gone. According to Creative Partnerships Australia's landmark report, Giving Attitude, within five years, arts organisations will be more reliant on private support than government dollars. Add to that the challenge of engaging with younger philanthropists, and it's no surprise that the buzzword of the day in arts circles is 'fundraising'". 12/4/19

  • New ebook shares six trends shaping philanthropy in 2020 (Charity Digital News) These all look very interesting. I am reading the one on alumni relations first. "Six experts on the UK’s social good sector have shared their thoughts on the biggest trends shaping philanthropy today – and tomorrow." 11/29/19

  • SFU to slash fossil-fuel investments by nearly half by 2025 (CBC) VANCOUVER STORY "Simon Fraser University's board of governors has voted in favour of nearly halving its fossil fuel investments by 2025. The divestment is in line with recommendations made by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change." 11/28/19

  • Increase in numbers of organizations in two qualified donee categories (Blumbergs) CANADIAN STORY I am very pleased to see the increased in aboriginal bands as qualified donees. Sovereignty is part of self-government. Sovereign bodies (like towns, cities, provinces, and now aboriginal bands) have the right to offer charitable tax receipts without registering as a charity. "There are a couple of important qualified donee categories that have increased in size – first the 'List of municipal or public bodies performing a function of government in Canada registered as qualified donees' which is largely aboriginal bands and secondly, the 'List of universities outside Canada registered as qualified donees'." 12/5/19

back to Top

Reports and studies

  • How successful have charities been over the last few decades? (NFS Synergy) "How do we know if charities are doing a good job and how do we judge their success? These are age-old questions the answers to which have come to define the work that charities do." Thanks to Mick Mulloy for sharing this article. 11/27/19

  • Corporate Community Investment in Canada - Read the 2019 report (Imagine Canada) CANADIAN STORY "Competition for top talent is fierce. Companies are looking for new avenues to attract and retain employees. Imagine Canada’s latest study shows that community investment gives corporations a decisive edge in the talent war." November 2019

back to Top

Large gifts

  • Kravis Center receives $10M donation for expansion project (South Florida Sun Sentinel) "If you’ve been to a performance at Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach recently, it’s easy to spot portions of its renovation and expansion project that have been unveiled — from lighted signage, landscaping and a waterfall feature to a new valet parking garage. And now the center’s new urban plaza will have a name, thanks to a $10 million donation by the Raymond and Bessie Kravis Foundation to the Kravis 2020: The Future is Now capital campaign." 12/4/19

  • Philanthropist donates $30M to SAIT for advanced technology school (CBC) CALGARY STORY Fantastic in every way! What a terrific legacy gift! Congrats to all involved. "The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology has received the biggest private donation in its 103-year history, and it's going toward advancing students' technology skills. David Bissett, a retired Calgary businessman, donated $30 million to SAIT to support the development of a school for advanced technology." 12/3/19

  • Penn Libraries receives $12 million donation for Jewish studies and digital humanities (The Daily Pennsylvanian) "Penn Libraries received a series of Judaica donations totaling $12 million this week. The donations include funding for the world's first endowed position in Judaica digital humanities." 12/3/19

  • Late philanthropist gifts 3 Saskatoon foundations with $10M (Global News) SASKATOON STORY Holy cow! This is really awesome. Nice planned gift Mr. Steane! "Three Saskatoon foundations were gifted over $10 million by the estate of Robert ‘Bob’ Steane. Members of the Saskatoon Community Foundation, Royal University Hospital Foundation (RUHF) and St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation said they were shocked by Steane’s final act of generosity." 12/3/19

  • Island-record donation boosts business innovation at UVic (Times Colonist) VICTORIA STORY Nice gift! The single largest donation ever made on the Island by the country’s largest credit union will give the University of Victoria’s on-campus business-idea incubator long-term stability and the chance to expand its programs. The Coast Capital Savings Innovation Centre was handed a cheque for $1 million from the credit union [...] which will ensure over the next five years the centre can continue its work to help students from all faculties develop their business ideas." 12/4/19

  • Inter Pipeline announces $10 million commitment to NAIT to research plastic waste reduction (NAIT) EDMONTON STORY Woot! Great support for applied research. "[Inter Pipeline and NAIT] announced a new partnership to research opportunities to reuse and recycle plastic in Canada. The ten-year agreement, known as Plastics Research in Action [...] will be funded by a $10 million commitment from Inter Pipeline, which represents the largest applied research partnership in NAIT’s history." 11/26/19

  • U of O’s faculty of law gets $1 million to better support Indigenous students – The Fulcrum (NationTalk) OTTAWA STORY Nice gift. And anonymous too! "In an effort to better support Indigenous students at the University of Ottawa, an anonymous donor made a contribution of $1 million last week to the school’s faculty of law (common law section) to be put toward scholarships, bursaries, and emergency funding." 11/26/19

back to Top

Welcome to our recap of the week's news, articles, and information of note. ViTreo Group Inc. provides this information for the benefit of our clients, associates, staff, partners, and stakeholders. The content is collected and curated by ViTreo partner Vincent Duckworth. If you would like to submit a link for consideration, please send an email to info@vitreogroup.ca

The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by ViTreo Group Inc. of the linked web sites, or the information, products or services contained therein. ViTreo Group does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. All links are provided with the intent of meeting the mission of the ViTreo Group Inc. Please let us know about existing external links which you believe are inappropriate.

Vincent DuckworthComment