May 12, 2016
One of a Few
Did you know that there are over 170,000 charities and non-profits in Canada? And did you know that 85,000 of these are registered as such with the Canada Revenue Agency? Those are stunning numbers. I had no idea there were so many. With so many charities, it can be difficult to distinguish between them, to know which are well governed and well managed to achieve their goals.
In response to this and other challenges in the charitable sector, Imagine Canada created a standards program which accredits charities found to show compliance and excellence in five areas: board governance; financial accountability and transparency; fundraising; staff management; and, volunteer involvement.
Only 170 — or one in a thousand — charities in Canada are accredited by Imagine Canada. And just recently, the Ottawa Humane Society became one of them. We are only one of two humane societies in Canada to do so to date.
What does it mean? I think it means we are doing a good job at the basic foundations of any organization. I hope it means that we are building the trust of our community and our supporters. And we need both of these to do the best for the animals.
Bruce Roney
Executive Director