Join Us – 2023 CFNL Board Nominations (Extended to April 14)

CFNL is recruiting members to join its board of directors. 

New members have an exciting opportunity to shape an organization with national relevance while grounding it in the beauty and strengths of the people who call Newfoundland and Labrador home and the place that’s given us all so much. 

The organization’s priorities over the next 3-5 years are: 

1. Ensure that decision-making at the board and committee level is representative of the communities we serve and embedded in inclusivity and equity. 
2. Evolve CFNL’s Donor Services and Granting to allow people to give in ways that have meaning to them and the greatest positive difference in the community. 
3. Enhance CFNL’s community leadership, including Vital Signs, to best support the community in achieving an equitable and sustainable future. 

About The Community Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador

The Community Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador’s (CFNL) vision is thriving Newfoundland and Labrador communities where everyone belongs. We support this by stewarding funds and connecting diverse people, ideas and resources.  

Established in 2001, CFNL stewards more than $2 million in philanthropic investment for the benefit of the province. We’re part of Community Foundations of Canada (CFC), the national network for Canada’s 200+ community foundations that, combined, holds $7 billion in resources and reaches 90 percent of the country’s geography. 

Our work takes place in three areas:

1. Donor Services – stewarding 39 funds on behalf of donors and charities. 
2. Granting – Making grants from funds stewarded by CFNL and through granting partnerships as part of the Community Foundations of Canada network. 
3. Community Leadership – Connecting diverse people, ideas and resources through initiatives like Vital Signs NL and participating in a wide array of local, regional and national conversations about the community sector and philanthropy.  

Sharing Your Gifts

Our Board works as a team, and each member has different experiences and skills. We are looking for the following to add to the existing board’s strengths. 

• Investment expertise 
• Marketing and communications expertise
• Experience in the community sector or social innovation
• Fund development expertise
• Lived experience not already represented at the Board table (especially folks who live outside the Northeast Avalon, are under 40, and/or identify as being part of an equity-deserving community such as racialized or Indigenous persons, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, persons with disabilities)

All Board members should have the following:

• 5-10 hours per month to dedicate to CFNL work over a 3-year term
• A commitment to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in their personal and professional lives. 

NOTE: Applications from people anywhere in Newfoundland and Labrador or who are connected to the province are welcome. Meetings are conducted remotely or in a hybrid format. 

Share Your Interest By April 14 (Note deadline extension)

We ask all applicants to answer these questions as part of their expression of interest:

1. Why are you interested in CFNL’s mission and its work? 
2. Tell us what skills and experience you can contribute to the Board. See above for a list of current priority skillsets and backgrounds. 

Submit your expression of interest by April 14, 2023 (note – deadline extension). You can use any of the following formats

• 1-2 page letter – submit to info@cfnl.ca
• 3-5 minute video recording – submit to info@cfnl.ca as an attachment or link.
• A recorded conversation with the Executive Director by phone or zoom (approximately 20 minutes) – contact Nicole Dawe at ndawe@cfnl.ca or (709) 221-1030 or book a time here before April 14. 
• Optional – Submit a resume or CV. 

Selected applicants will be notified within eight weeks of the deadline and brought forward as a slate of nominations at CFNL’s June AGM. 

Now Accepting Applications: Community Services Recovery Fund

Community Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador takes part in the Community Services Recovery Fund – a $400 million investment in Community Services Organizations 

Now more than ever, Community Service Organizations (charities, non-profits, and Indigenous Governing Bodies) are playing a key role in addressing persistent and complex social problems faced by all Canadians. The Community Services Recovery Fund is a $400 million investment from the Government of Canada to support charities, non-profits, and Indigenous Governing Bodies as they focus on how to adapt their organizations for pandemic recovery.

Community Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador is proud to be working with community foundations across Canada as part of the Community Services Recovery Fund. This fund is a collaboration between the Canadian Red Cross, Community Foundations of Canada, and United Way Centraide Canada to provide funding to Community Service Organizations, including non-profit organizations, Indigenous Governing Bodies or Registered Charities located in Canada. The Community Services Recovery Fund responds to what Community Service Organizations need right now and supports organizations as they adapt to the long-term impacts of the pandemic.

Applications are now open, and non-profit organizations, Indigenous Governing Bodies, and charities must apply by 5pm PT on February 21, 2023.  Visit www.communityservicesrecoveryfund.ca to find out more about how to apply, explore resources for applicants, and submit your application. 

Contact A Funding Partner

Organizations are encouraged to complete the interactive quiz on the CSRF website to determine which funding partner they will apply to.

• For Systems and Processes – Contact Community Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador at the below. 
• For Investing in Program and Service Innovation and Design –  Contact United Way of Newfoundland and Labrador or set up a meeting directly with Katie from UWNL here. 
• For Investing in People or applications from unincorporated Nonprofits – Visit the Canadian Red Cross CSRF website for further information or email Erin at Erin.Cluett@redcross.ca. 
• Provincial/National Stream – This is being managed nationally by all three funders. The Canadian Red Cross is processing intake. You can learn more and apply here. 

Systems & Processes

CFNL is facilitating the Systems and Processes stream in the province. CFNL will distribute $ 1,175,000 in grants to organizations in this stream. Learn more about what kinds of projects fall within this stream – Systems & Processes Project Focus Area Rundown. 

If you are in NL and plan to apply to the Systems and Processes Stream, you can book a virtual meeting here or phone (709) 753-9899 to speak with CFNL staff. If you need further information about choosing between the local and national/provincial stream, contact Katie at UWNL or Nicole at CFNL if you need support. 

Please visit the CSRF website to learn more about the program eligibility, application and streams before booking a virtual meeting to discuss your application. The website contains many helpful resources, including a FAQ, the application guide and a how to apply webinar. 

Examples of projects focused on Systems and Processes include:

$35,350 of Support To End The Year

Thank you so much for your support as part of the CFNL community this year. It’s been a trying year for many with the ongoing pandemic and increasing strains on individual and organizational finances with rising inflation. We’re extra appreciative this year that you’ve included CFNL in your community service. 

In the last two months, CFNL has provided $35,350 in grants and awards to communities across Newfoundland and Labrador. These funds will support many causes and initiatives that are making our province an even better place. This wouldn’t be possible without your commitment as a donor, volunteer, and community leader. Thank you for your generosity. You can find more details on the grants, scholarships, and awards below. 

We continue to work with Rotary Clubs and members across NL to support recovery and rebuilding on the Southwest Coast due to the devastation of Hurricane Fiona this fall. To date, we’ve raised nearly $20,000. If you have the capacity, you can include the fund in your giving this holiday season by donating here. 

We’ll hit the ground running in 2023 to facilitate the Community Services Recovery Fund along with our partners, United Way of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Canadian Red Cross. Please feel free to share this funding opportunity with others in your network. 

On behalf of the staff and board at CFNL, we wish you and yours a restful and joyful holiday season. 

Nicole and Elizabeth

Smart and Caring Fund

Donor Funds

NL Vital Signs 2022 – Climate Change Edition

The Community Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador and Memorial University’s Leslie Harris Centre of Regional Policy and Development have released the 2022 edition of the Newfoundland and Labrador Vital Signs Report. This year’s report focuses entirely on climate change and its impacts on the environment, economy and society in NL. 

The report, which also serves as a summary of information emerging from the Harris Centre’s recent Forecast NL project (an 18-month public engagement and discussion series focused on climate, economy and society), is particularly timely considering the recent devastation of Hurricane Fiona, as well as the forest-fires in Central Newfoundland and the continued unpredictability of sea-ice in Labrador.  

You can download a full copy of the report here, and physical copies will be released throughout the SaltWire network in Newfoundland and Labrador on Saturday, December 3. You can watch a recording of the release here. 

Thank you to this year’s funders for NL Vital Signs, including CBDC, econext, Memorial University Office of Public Engagement, the YMCA of Newfoundland and Labrador and our media partner, SaltWire. 

Environmental Charities and Nonprofits throughout the province do tremendous work to support people, wildlife and the land to slow climate change and offer solutions for climate resilience. We encourage you to consider donating to or learning more about one of them as part of how you could take action on this report. 

Below you will find inspiration to assist with that. This is not an exhaustive list. Please contact us if you want your charity/nonprofit included in this list. 

Conservation Corps Newfoundland and Labrador (CCNL) has been serving youth and communities for 30 years. Focusing on youth employment and skill development, environmental education, conservation and climate resilience, CCNL programming supports environmental and cultural conservation priorities across Newfoundland and Labrador. You can learn more about their work and how to provide support by visiting https://ccnl.ca/. 

Echo Pond Environmental Education Centre is dedicated to helping children, and young people connect with and learn about the natural environment through our fun and immersive school programs and summer camps. You can learn more about how they are growing the leaders of tomorrow by reading this blogpost and supporting their current fundraising campaign, which is matched by the Fry Family Foundation, by clicking here. 

Intervale is a non-profit organization with a mission to conserve biodiversity, interpret heritage, and promote the integrity of rural livelihoods. Intervale offers a variety of services, including; Environmental Solutions, Nature and Heritage Interpretation, Planning and Evaluation, and Wildlife and Habitat Conservation. You can learn more about one of their projects that focuses on protecting the biodiversity of the Long Range region here. 

Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) – Newfoundland and Labrador has the third-smallest percentage of protected land of any province. As the only land trust in this province, the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) has protected over 5,600 hectares here. Today you can demonstrate your generosity by supporting the expansion of the Salmonier Nature Reserve and the Keep the Rock Rugged campaign, which is matched dollar for dollar by the Government of Canada. 

Western Environment Centre is dedicated to engaging our community in food and climate action through impactful, educational initiatives. Since 1998, they’ve grown from a small citizens group to a thriving environmental organization in Western Newfoundland. You can learn more about them, become a member and donate by visiting their website here.

Vital Signs is a national program led by community foundations and coordinated by Community Foundations of Canada that leverages local knowledge to measure the vitality of our communities and support action towards improving our collective quality of life.

Community Services Recovery Fund Launches

Community Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador takes part in the Community Services Recovery Fund – a $400 million investment in charities and non-profits 

Now more than ever, charities and non-profits are playing a key role in addressing persistent and complex social problems faced by all Canadians. The Community Services Recovery Fund is a $400 million investment from the Government of Canada to support charities and non-profits as they focus on how to adapt their organizations for pandemic recovery.

Community Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador is proud to be working with community foundations across Canada as part of the Community Services Recovery Fund. This fund is a collaboration between Canadian Red Cross, Community Foundations of Canada, and United Way Centraide Canada to provide funding to Community Service Organizations including non-profit organizations, Indigenous Governing Bodies and Registered Charities located in Canada. The Community Services Recovery Fund responds to what charities and non-profits need right now and supports organizations as they adapt to the long-term impacts of the pandemic.

Community Service Organizations can apply from January 6, 2023, until February 21, 2023.  Visit www.communityservicesrecoveryfund.ca to find out more about how to apply, explore resources for applicants, and sign up for upcoming webinars. The first webinar will take place on December 6, 2022 at 2pm (ET). Register for this webinar here.

Fiona Recovery Fund to Support SW Coast

Fiona Recovery Fund to Support Communities Impacted by Hurricane Fiona with Rebuild

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 21, 2022

St. John’s, NL – As the Southwest coast of the province continues to pick up the pieces in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona; the Fiona Recovery Fund will help impacted communities with recovery and rebuilding.

Facilitated by the Community Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador and Rotary in Newfoundland and Labrador, the Fiona Recovery Fund is intended for long-term recovery efforts, providing funders, both local and from away, with the knowledge and comfort that their contributions will support projects as identified by local communities when they are ready for rebuilding, months after emergency response.

“Our hearts go out to those impacted by Hurricane Fiona. As governments and agencies have come together to help with immediate needs, we know recovery efforts will take many months, if not years. The Fiona Recovery Fund will support a broad range of rebuilding and resiliency efforts, be it gathering places, mental health supports or other needs as initiated by the community when they are ready,” said Nicole Dawe, Executive Director, Community Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador. 

“Rotarians respond to local and global community challenges. The Fiona Recovery Fund is an excellent opportunity for the thirteen Rotary Clubs in Newfoundland and Labrador to serve our communities”, said Mel Dean, Area Governor for Western Newfoundland

Donations can be made online for anyone wishing to contribute financially to the Fiona Recovery Fund. All funds received through the Fiona Recovery Fund will support communities with their recovery, rebuilding and resilience efforts. Working alongside community leaders from the Southwest coast, the adjudicated granting process is expected to begin next year.

Canadians looking to support emergency relief efforts may donate to the Canadian Red Cross to support the vital assistance they provide to communities in times of crisis. 

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About Community Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador

The Community Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador (CFNL) creates a strong community by supporting Newfoundland and Labrador’s well-being, culture, environment and education. CFNL facilitates philanthropy between donors and community organizations for the long-term benefit of our province. We achieve this impact by stewarding and granting from donor-advised and community funds, being a granting partner for corporations and government, and supporting local community knowledge and leadership. 

Established in 2001, CFNL stewards more than $2 million in philanthropic investment for the benefit of the province. We’re part of Community Foundations of Canada (CFC), the national network for Canada’s 200 community foundations that, combined, holds $8 billion in assets and reaches 90 percent of the country’s Communities.

About Rotary

Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.4 million members of more than 46,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping those in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. For more information, visit Rotary.org.

Contact

Nicole Dawe

Executive Director

Community Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador

ndawe@cfnl.ca

T: 709-221-1030

M: 709-219-7865

Investment Readiness Program Launches

Funded by the Government of Canada, the Investment Readiness Program (IRP)  supports social purpose organizations as they contribute to solving pressing social, cultural and environmental challenges across Canada.

Its goal is to help social purpose organizations build their capacity to participate in Canada’s growing social finance market and prepare themselves to take on investments. IRP is currently open for an additional round of applications thanks to the renewed $50 million investment from the Government of Canada. The IRP is supporting social purpose organizations as they recover from the pandemic and build more resilient communities for the future.

The online application portal is open from September 29, 2022, to 5pm (ET), November 22, 2022. You can learn more and apply here. 

A recording of the applicant information webinar can be found here. A webinar on Social Entrepreneurship and Social Finance, presented by Trico Charitable Foundation, will take place on November 7 at 2:30pm (NL). Registration for this webinar can be found here. 

The Community Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador will facilitate the review of applications in Newfoundland and Labrador. Contact Nicole at ndawe@cfnl.ca or (709) 221-1030 if you are a social purpose organization in Newfoundland and Labrador with specific questions about your application or project.