Azra Bijli Hussain CPA,CGA,CFRE

One of the most important aspirations of practicing philanthropists is to constantly improve; to learn and understand more about their areas of interest and to make more impactful grants. They are supported in this by organizations that provide educational resources, research, analysis, conferences, and opportunities to connect. One such organization is Community Foundations of Canada | Fondations communautaires du Canada, which, among other things, runs the country’s largest community-driven data program, and hosts The Learning Institute, a resource centre for local foundations. Today CFC has surveyed its membership of 207 community foundations- staff and board members - on all aspects of their philanthropic practice. The results of this survey will further inform CFC of the priorities, practices, and condition of community foundations in Canada. If you are on the board or staff of a community foundation in Canada complete this survey. It will help all of us to improve and make a greater impact.

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Want to enhance accessibility and age-friendliness in your community? Ontario government funding can help! 1️⃣ Check Eligibility: Open to municipalities, non-profits, and Indigenous communities focused on creating inclusive spaces. 2️⃣ Create a My Ontario Account for secure access. 3️⃣ Register Your Organization with Transfer Payment Ontario—details needed include your CRA Business Number and contact info. 4️⃣ Access Funding Opportunities: Apply for grants that help reduce barriers and improve community participation for all ages and abilities. 📅 Don't miss out! Applications are time-sensitive. 🔗 Tap the link in bio to explore funding options and apply today! #OntarioGrants #InclusiveCommunity #ApplyNow

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I want to say out loud that several of these folx are my most trusted collaborators, others are new leaders to our shared network. But ALL are experts in this space who usually teach longer (more costly) courses and private client programs. This is a low time/cost commitment that will pay you MAX dividends. How to join a board? What’s the commitment of time and expectations? Going beyond “governance” rules, because many real people (not just the wealthy, powerful or ‘connected’), join a small charity or nonprofit board to support a vision, a cause, a community or leaders they believe in…so how can you be not just productive but a GOOD board member? Join these experts and get the scoop.

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O’Hara Aging + Accessibility provides age-friendly and accessibility strategies, policy, and program design services. We collaborate with clients across Canada to enhance customer experiences and accessibility for people with disabilities and seniors. ✅Policy and Procedure Development - We specialize in drafting policies for highly visible programs and services that support seniors and people with disabilities. ✅Accessibility Training  - We provide accessibility training for employees to increase awareness and sensitivity and to support inclusion initiatives. ✅Stakeholder Engagement - We lead large-scale stakeholder engagements to identify needs and design programs that deliver a consistent user experience. ✅Strategic Planning - We work with clients to design and develop strategies for inclusive transportation, businesses, and communities.  ✅User Experience Audit - We identify pain points in your customers’ journey and built environment and recommend areas for improvement.  ✅Customer Journey Mapping - We apply user experience audits, customer feedback, and updated policies to improve the end-to-end customer experience. #Accessibility #InclusiveTravel #AccessibilityMatters #AirportAccessibility #AccessibilityPlan #AccessibilityPolicy #AccessibleCanadaAct #AgeFriendly #PolicyDevelopment #AccessibilityTraining Image Description: Ohara Aging + Accessibility. Building Age-Friendly & Accessible Communities. Services include strategic planning, user experience audits, customer journey mapping, policy development, stakeholder engagement, and accessibility training. Contact at oharaconsult.com/contact or 246 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON. Images show elderly people walking and a woman in a wheelchair interacting with business professionals. The graphics are dark blue and bright green.

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Today, I led my team, alongside the Honourable Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun and the Honourable Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr. Tolani Sule, on a mission to reach some underserved communities as part of assessment for the Lighthouse Project. Our journey included a 40-minute boat ride to Taffi Awori, a remote riverine community. Our assessment identified that the existing school structure is no longer sufficient, forcing students to make demanding journeys across water bodies to attend classes in neighbouring communities. To address this challenge and drive access to quality education for the children in the community, my office will be partnering with the Lagos State Education Structure to facilitate the delivery of new classroom blocks which will serve Taffi Awori and the surrounding communities. Our partnership efforts will also extend to the State’s Ministry of Health towards revamping the community’s primary health care centre and ensuring easy access to crucial healthcare services for the residents. Also, while addressing the community members, I emphasised the importance of proper sanitation practices and the transformative power of education. For me, reaching these hard-to-reach communities is not just a goal – it is a passion. This is a key part of the Lighthouse Project, which is built on the principle of inclusion, and my office remains strongly committed to collaborating with all stakeholders to ensure no underserved community is left behind as we strive to advance the SDGs across Lagos State. #OreoluwaFinnih #LighthouseProject #SDG4 #QualityEducation #SDG3 #GoodHealthAndWellbeing #SDG17 #PartnershipForTheGoals #TaffiAwori #HardToReachCommunities #SustainableDevelopment #SDGs #LagosGlobal

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Driving Economic Growth through Indigenous Entrepreneurship. By fostering Indigenous Entrepreneurship, we strengthen our economies, promote financial independence, and build resilient communities. Together, we create lasting economic impact and opportunities for future generations. #IndigenousProsperity

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Turning Knowledge into Action: Engaging Youth for a Thriving Future At The Students Commission of Canada, we believe in the power of youth to drive positive change. Our commitment to staying small and working directly with youth allows us to incubate innovative ideas and foster meaningful partnerships. This approach not only amplifies young voices but also ensures that their insights shape our programs and initiatives. Transforming Knowledge into Action and Action into Knowledge We strive to turn knowledge into action and action into knowledge. By capturing and sharing stories about what works and what doesn't, we create an evidence base that informs effective youth programming and development. Young people are at the heart of this process, using evidence to take action on issues that matter to them. Strengthening Networks We strengthen networks among youth and organizations. We champion inter-generational initiatives, provide networking opportunities, and collaborate with partners to shape a positive future for all young Canadians. Building capacity, connections, and understanding is crucial to our success. Enhancing Our Role as a Network Node As a node in the youth well-being network, we continuously refine our skills and diversify our funding sources. This ensures sustainability and allows us to support our staff and volunteers with professional development opportunities. Hiring young people and nurturing their growth remains a priority. Cultivating Our Culture Our culture is built on innovation and inter-generational collaboration with youth. We believe in the power of youth-adult partnerships, where young voices are influential in improving their lives and those of their peers and communities. Inclusivity, support, and community-building are at the core of our work, enabling us to create a network dedicated to youth thriving. By integrating head, heart, feet, and spirit, we continuously learn and improve our processes and those of others. In a world where Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are gaining significance, our approach aligns with the broader trend of fostering inclusive and impactful environments. Just as ERGs are becoming integral to corporate culture and social impact, we too are committed to creating spaces where youth can thrive, lead, and drive change. Through dedicated support, strategic partnerships, and a focus on continuous learning, we are shaping a brighter future for all young Canadians. Are your ERGs looking for authentic connections with youth?  Do you have expertise to share and support Canadian youth on their professional journey?  Share your stories below!

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Just to say, I have posted Blog #8 in our series calling for a change in the Charity/Social Sector. https://lnkd.in/eR3D4SPZ Our charity sector needs a holistic strategic plan to help optimize the allocation of efforts towards the highest priorities for the sector.  To respect the true meaning of setting priorities, only a few key items can be presented. Outlining dozens of problems works to distract, overwhelm, and dilute efforts. Here are my top three initiatives I believe are most important: 1.     To address the growing charity gap, and to reverse the decline in giving in Canada, we need to encourage greater generosity among all targets.    →  Since religious people are more generous, the decline of religiosity challenges the future of the charity sector. We need to learn what it is about religion which drives greater generosity and then replicate it elsewhere. - To get an initial insight on the influence of religiosity, see this recent Canadian research study: https://lnkd.in/esFZcghy  →  It might be a good idea to develop and deliver an on-going ‘generosity’ campaign. This would be akin to ParticipACTION (for greater exercise), but for greater generosity.  →   It should also be said that it is inappropriate to increase charity tax incentives to incent greater giving since this is both expensive to the public purse and because generosity is more strongly influenced by culture than it is by tax credits. - For example, Quebec has the highest charity tax credits of all provinces, but has the lowest level of charitable giving per capita. 2.     To help deliver more charitable services, we need to invest in, train, and retain more motivated staff and volunteers. We need to enhance the supply. •       We need programs to make Canadians aware of the need, the opportunity, and ease to work in the charity sector, as paid staff and/or as volunteers. •      The vast majority of charities do not have HR departments so it might be useful to establish a “central, universal HR hub” for the sector (?) •       We need to defend the rationale for ‘overhead costs’ (as per “Uncharitable” by Dan Pallotta). •       It might even be interesting to allow (underpaid) staff in the charity sector to be able to claim a tax credit (say, 10% of their salary as reported on the T4s), up to some maximum (perhaps $3,000-$5,000).  •       Perhaps corporations can register for staff volunteering, with a certain portion of staff time volunteered for charitable purposes earning tax credits (?)   3.     We need better dissemination of best-practices to all 85,000 registered charities in Canada. We need to help charities become better. •       Perhaps we need a ‘central knowledge hub’ to help teach and host best-practices for the sector? Something akin to the “What Works Network” in the UK. ‍  What other priorities do you think are most relevant to those in need? 

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Some very insightful thoughts from my friends at Main Street Project Inc. on why people choose to live in encampments as opposed to accessing the shelter network in Winnipeg. I would like to add some of my insights gained from several years of experience doing foot patrols in the community. Please add your questions or thoughts on the subject. 1. Many of our Relatives are institutionalized. I have heard on many occasions that shelters are 'like a jail'. Too many rules and regulations. 2. Our Relatives have been disappointed by the 'system' time and time again. When you have the chance to speak in depth with a Relative you start to get an appreciation of the thousands of times they have been let down, failed promises, programs that run for a while then shut down. It's no wonder they are not interested in what shelters have to offer. 3. As an Indigenous person I was never raised with the idea that living in a house (home) was the ultimate goal or dream in life. Somehow, based on the stories of my parents and elders, I always dreamed of life by a river or in the forest, my people around me, food, clean water and a fire. Sure, a place to stay was a part of it but not the main point. I suspect that many of our Relatives in the camps feel the same way and simply don't dream of a big house as being the ultimate goal in life. Peace and community are more important. Camp life doesn't solve a lot of problems but it adds a measure of peace and security. My hope for N'Dinawemak - Our Relatives' Place is that we can create a space where people can come and explore and choose to engage in a way that makes them feel some peace and safety. Our Relatives love someone and someone loves them. Be kind when you meet someone from a camp or on a street corner.

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The mental health treatment gap in Canada is a significant concern that demands urgent attention. While mental health issues affect many Canadians, Black women and girls face unique challenges that exacerbate this treatment gap. One of the primary issues is the systemic barriers that prevent Black Canadians from accessing mental health care. These barriers include systemic racism, cultural stigma, and a lack of culturally competent care providers. Studies show that Black women and girls are particularly vulnerable due to the intersection of racial and gender discrimination, which often leads to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. For Black women and girls, the challenges are compounded by societal expectations and historical trauma, making it difficult to seek and receive the necessary support. More needs to be done to address these disparities. So, what can be done to improve the situation? Firstly, increasing funding and resources dedicated to mental health services is crucial. Governments and institutions must allocate more resources to ensure these services reach underserved communities, including Black women and girls. This increased funding can help expand programs, hire more mental health professionals, and improve outreach efforts. Community engagement is another critical step. Through Future Black Female we are working to improve the accessibility of Mental Health services at the community level while empowering Black females to rise above their daily challenges. Improving mental health services for Black women and girls in Canada is not just a matter of equality; it's a necessity for a healthy, inclusive society. Feel free to engage in this conversation and share your thoughts on how we can close the mental health treatment gap in our communities. Together, we can make a difference! #drtapo #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthadvocacy

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Nominate yourself or someone you know for the prestigious 11th Annual Governance Professionals of Canada (GPC) Excellence in Governance Awards! #EGA2024 Follow these 8 simple steps to make your nomination today and let's shine a spotlight on your outstanding achievements in governance! https://lnkd.in/gvbAUT6c #ExcellenceInGovernance #Awards #NominateNow #infographic #governance

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Do you know an organization that needs accessibility upgrades to their location to increase disability inclusion? A call for proposals under the Enabling Accessibility Fund small projects component from Emploi et Développement social Canada (EDSC) / Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) is open. Not-for-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, Indigenous organizations, and municipal and territorial governments can all apply. Application deadline is July 23! https://ow.ly/cCOL50SvqmL Image Description: An infographic highlighting "Examples of accessibility projects supported by the Enabling Accessibility Fund: Small Projects Component" in Canada. It features six colorful icons with text descriptions. 1) A pink alarm icon showing an alarm representing "Installing visual and audible safety alarms for the Deaf and hearing impaired." 2) A green icon of a wheelchair on a ramp, representing "Accessible doors, buildings ramps, washrooms." 3) A teal icon with hands and text, representing "Signage that includes text, wayfinding, and braille." 4) A green icon with an eye representing vision loss, for "Providing screen reader devices and adaptive technology systems." 5) A teal icon of door, representing "Constructing a universally designed office." 6) A pink icon of a person's brain indicating neurodiversity, representing "Building multisensory rooms."

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Building pathways to implement and move forward the National Action Plan on Gender Based Violence requires input and feedback from not only those in the sector, but those that seek support and services. Consider sharing your input with us here. https://lnkd.in/gm9rvXBs

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Addressing Youth Mental Health in the Social Media Era Join us in exploring the complex relationship between social media use and mental health issues among Canadian youth. Our latest blog outlines specific problems like social anxiety and cyberbullying, offering practical advice for educators and parents to support our teens. #MentalHealthAwareness #DigitalWellbeing #EducationSector ➡️ Read the full article: https://wix.to/FSVPDuY

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🌟 Thrilled to have had the opportunity to present in the County of Huron at the Thrive Summit on a topic close to my heart: Building Belonging: equity and inclusion in rural communities, especially in rural Ontario. 🌟 ➡️ We reviewed foundational EDI frameworks and tools and shared insights and strategies to foster inclusivity and increase belonging through an intersectional lens. ➡️ Rural Ontario faces unique challenges and opportunities, and it was inspiring to discuss ways to ensure everyone, regardless of their location, has access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. 🔗Links in the comments ✅ At Rainbow Diversity Institute (RDI), we are dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion through comprehensive training and consulting services. ✅ Together, we can build more equitable communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. 📍If you or your organization seek EDI training, equity audits, or policy revisions, Rainbow Diversity Institute (RDI) is here to assist. Let's drive positive change together. #ThriveSummit #EquityAndInclusion #RuralCommunities #RuralOntario #Diversity #Inclusion #CommunityDevelopment #rainbowdiversityinstitute #diversityandinclusion

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Black Talent is 300% more likely to be unemployed in 2024, compared to the "best case scenario" in Canada. Worse, representation in our workplaces is shrinking. This isn't just problematic—it's a trend that spits in the face of the Canadian promise of equality & equity. As an advocate, I am asking HR recruiters to work with the racialized communities of our nation. Speak up: Encourage executives to plan with EDI in mind; become the dissenting voice if you have to, motivate others to interview more Black & racialized candidates. Reach out: Interact with DEIB HR Consultants, Anti-racism strategy boards, external recruiters and Black & racialized talent in your industry. @Linkedin was meant to connect people. Scroll through your network, if it lacks diversity, start there. #diversitymatters #job #hiring #lookingforwork #EDIB #readyforbetter

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