Monday, September 30, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From boosting Toronto’s economy to strengthening local democracy, Toronto’s 14,000 not-for-profit organizations make Toronto a better city. Their contributions will be formally recognized when Mayor John Tory proclaims Wednesday, October 2, as Toronto’s first annual “Not-For-Profit Recognition Day.”
“Not-for-profit organizations help Torontonians live life well,” says Claire Hopkinson, Director and CEO of Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation.
Not-For-Profit Recognition Day is just one of 13 commitments the City of Toronto made in its “For Public Benefit Framework,” a policy the City adopted in 2017 to celebrate and strengthen its working relationship with the not-for-profit sector. The Recognition Day was organized with the support of the City by the Toronto Nonprofit Network, a growing city-wide network of organizations formed to bring the sector’s diverse voices to government, funders, and business.
“There’s no such thing as a typical not-for-profit,” says Heather Mitchell, Chair of the Toronto Sports Council. “We work in health and social services, civic engagement, equity and diversity, arts and culture, environmental protection, sports and recreation, education, and much more. But we all have care and service to Torontonians as a core value.”
The work of the sector provides immense public benefit, not least as a key to Toronto’s economy. “The not-for-profit sector generates annual revenues of at least $14 Billion — twice that of the tourism sector — and over 8% of our GDP,” says Rob Howarth, Executive Director of Toronto Neighbourhood Centres. “And it provides meaningful work for thousands of people. It’s a smart investment of municipal funds.”
Not-for-profits across the city are celebrating Not-For-Profit Recognition Day by hosting invited elected officials (Councillors, Members of Provincial Parliament, and school board trustees) on site, displaying signage declaring their pride in being part of the sector, and tweeting about their impact. Torontonians are invited to join in the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #TONotForProfitDay
Devika Shah, Executive Director of Social Planning Toronto says, “We are the sector that generates smart solutions that put people first, the sector that increases community wellbeing by responding to community needs, and the sector that strengthens democracy because we hold decision-makers accountable to all residents and ensure that Torontonians experiencing social barriers such as poverty are heard.”
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Not-For-Profit Recognition Day is an initiative of the Toronto Nonprofit Network, supported by the City of Toronto and organized by an advisory group of community organizations that included:
- Council of Agencies Serving South Asians
- East Metro Youth Services
- Family Service Toronto
- Find Help
- Labour Community Services
- MLSE Launchpad
- Ontario Nonprofit Network
- Social Planning Toronto
- St. Stephen’s Community House
- The Salvation Army
- Toronto Aboriginal Support Services Council
- Toronto Arts Council
- Toronto Neighbourhood Centres
- Volunteer Toronto
Media Contact:
Lisa Ferguson
Communications Officer, Social Planning Toronto
[email protected]
416 351 0095 ext. 227
Media Resource Kit: http://www.socialplanningtoronto.org/media