On May 17, 2010, Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) released in final form its guidance on registering and operating a charity to uphold human rights entitled Upholding Human Rights and Charitable Registration (“the Guidance”). The Guidance replaces CRA’s Summary Policy CSP-HO8, Human Rights, which was released on September 2, 2003. 

The Guidance defines “upholding human rights” as “activities that seek to encourage, support or defend human rights that have been secured by law, both in Canada and abroad.” 

Anyone who works in the nonprofit sector knows that in the last thirty years, the world of nonprofit fundraising has changed in fundamental ways.  What do the changes in today’s fundraising landscape mean to you?  Is the term ‘integrated fundraising’ simply the buzz word for the season or does it have practical application in your organization?  According to Mal Warwick, following four guiding principles can help you to map out a plan and successfully raise more money.

But first, false assumptions may lead you astray:

Online fundraising will make direct mail obsolete.  Guess again.  In the U.S. direct mail accounts for 20-40 times the amount of fundraising dollars gained through online fundraising.  It is true that online revenue is rising, but it still only accounts for 2% of overall philanthropic revenue.

1. Demand for current cash vs future expectancy  
2. Fear of talking about death
3. Lack of integration
4. Perceived complexity

The first part of this article appeared in the June 15 issue of Canadian Fundraising & Philanthropy, and was focussed on the new Voluntary Standards of Excellence drafted by Imagine Canada.  This part deals primarily with a new standard from the ISO, an international federation of standards bodies based in Switzerland.

The ISO has for the first time brought out a standard that is intended to apply to nonprofit organizations, and in fact involved many nonprofit representatives in its preparation.  ISO 26000 will provide guidance to all types of organizations, even governments, about Social Responsibility.

Also, unlike most international standards - and there are dozens in social responsibility alone - this one involved several Canadians throughout the development. Organizations that contributed include the Canadian Consumer Association, the United Nations, the International Labour Organization, and businesses and governments from both developed and developing nations.

The demand for organizations to consider the new standard is unknown; it may depend on the stakeholder groups.  

Overlooking employees whose performance is neither good nor bad is a costly mistake for managers to make, says Mark Murphy, CEO of Leadership IQ. Let go of your assumption that they’re already doing the best they can – that encourages them to tread water. “Middle performers absolutely have the ability to tip the scales of success in your favour,” he says, and as a leader, it’s your job to motivate them to higher performance.

He’s identified five reasons why middle performers stay at that level. If you’re familiar with those qualities, you’ll know how to help your middle performers improve.