BoardMatch Fundamentals
introduces registered charities and not for profit
organizations to talented, interested and informed
individuals from diverse backgrounds, willing to share
their enthusiasm and expertise by serving as volunteer
members of the boards of charitable organizations.
BoardMatch Fundamentals is an innovative program of
Altruvest Charitable Services, a registered charity.
BoardMatch Fundamentals began in the spring of 2000
and to current date has facilitated in excess of 2,200
board matches on over 600 charitable/non-for-profit organizations.
BoardMatch Fundamentals engages with companies,
professional associations and community groups to recruit
individuals interested in volunteering their expertise.
Our participating organizations range in size and scope in
terms of budget, mission and geographic outreach. They
include organizations such as; Big Brothers and Sisters,
Boys & Girls Clubs Canadian Cancer Society, Canadian Red
Cross, Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter, Girl Guides of Canada,
Habitat for Humanity, literacy councils, arts councils,
environmental groups , local United Ways, and Volunteer
Centres.
What makes the BoardMatch Fundamentals program unique is
the mandatory governance orientation that board candidates
and charitable organizations go through, either online or
at a live session as well as the online research that
each party can do of the other, prior to an interview.
User evaluations have shown greater retention rates for
BoardMatch candidates.
This service is presently available in Calgary,
Fredericton, Greater Toronto Area, Greater Vancouver, and
Thunder Bay. Altruvest is pleased to be collaborating
with Volunteer Calgary, Volunteer Vancouver, and Volunteer
Thunder Bay to bring BoardMatch
Fundamentals to their respective cities. Over the next 3
to 5 years, Altruvest intends to further expand the
program across Canada.
In the Greater Toronto Area, participating organizations
include registered charities. In Calgary, Fredericton,
Greater Vancouver, and Thunder Bay both registered
charities and not-for-profit organizations with charitable
purposes are included.
We are pleased to recognize our national funding
partners whose support has been instrumental in the
creation and expansion of this program:
- Bell Canada
- The Counselling Foundation of
Canada
- The J.W. McConnell Family
Foundation
- RBC Foundation
- Department of Canadian Heritage
- Maritz
- Imperial Oil Foundation
For a complete list of Altruvest supporters please
click on ” Donors & Sponsors"
on the menu bar. Donations to Altruvest Charitable
Services can be made by contacting
information@altruvest.org or clicking on the following
link:
THE CHALLENGE TO CHARITIES
AND NOT FOR PROFITS
In the current climate of
cutbacks in government funding, many organizations are
looking for ways to operate more efficiently, increase
their donor base and forge links with the community. It is
vital that organizations not only recruit board members
who have the dedication and skills to help them meet these
challenges but that they recruit board members who reflect
the diversity of the community they serve. Boards must
employ innovative approaches to recruit candidates with
specific skills in such areas as finance, marketing,
information technology, engineering, public relations,
fundraising, law, sales, operations and human resources
and those candidates often under-represented from the
community such as youth and various ethnic groups.
THE CHALLENGE TO POTENTIAL
VOLUNTEERS
Many people are willing to
volunteer their time and expertise at a board level but no one has ever
asked them or informed them about the opportunities available!
Even when people do want to volunteer, they do not know
how to find agencies that are looking, they are not sure
what reception they'll get, and the commitment they will
be asked to make. Often, potential volunteers are unaware of the size of the
voluntary sector and the variety of programs and services
provided by agencies. Volunteers need a source of knowledge
about the charitable community and the opportunities for
volunteering.
THE CHALLENGE TO CORPORATE
PHILANTHROPY
Corporations are receiving more requests for donations and
support from the voluntary sector than ever before. With
limited donation budgets, many are looking for strategic
ways beyond financial donations to demonstrate their
commitment to strengthening communities. One avenue
gaining popularity is the creation of employer supported
volunteerism programs. For example, corporations can give
employees time off to volunteer, make donations to
organizations where employees have demonstrated a
volunteer commitment, and/or help employees learn about
volunteer opportunities. Employer supported volunteer
programs benefit employees by enabling them to become
involved in their community in a meaningful way with the
support of their employers. The corporations sponsoring
these programs benefit by enhancing their reputation as
good corporate citizens, by aligning themselves with their
employees' values, and by gaining more committed, skilled
and satisfied employees.
For more information about attending an orientation or to
arrange a Live Orientation Session,
contact the local BoardMatch Fundamentals office.
