Donors, foundations and governments are expecting more and more transparency and accountability from charitable organizations. They want to know exactly and clearly where their contributions are going and how they’re used.
The
Voluntary Sector Reporting Awards, now in their seventh year, don’t quite have the same ring as “the Oscars.” But they have taken on an important role in rewarding organizations across Canada that excel at explaining their mission and telling stakeholders what they’re up to.
For the 2014 awards, handed out last week at a luncheon ceremony, organizations serving the GTA or based here picked up the top prizes in several categories. Toronto-based
Canadian Feed the Children won for top international focused organizations,
March of Dimes Canada won for national focused organizations, Toronto-based
Vita Community Living Services/Mens Sana Families for Mental Health won the category for organizations with total revenue over $10 million and
Aurora Cultural Centre won for organizations with total revenue under $1 million. (GTA ousider, United Way Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington, took the award for organizations with revenue between $1 million and $10 million.)
“It’s all about an organization saying it’s going to be as accountable and transparent as possible,” says project manager John Suart, who worked with the
CPA-Queen’s Centre for Governance and the
Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario, which jointly present the awards. This year more than 140 organizations from across Canada entered.
“This whole movement, which we’re a part of, to have charities more transparent and accountable is certainly a multifaceted one, and part of it is our being the largest charity awards in Canada,” says Suart. “We’re seeing more and more reporting. It’s definitively a trend.”
Judged on their annual reports, organizations are recognized for high standards in bookkeeping, as well as presenting their goals and activities in a clear, accessible way.
Winning organizations receive $5,000 each. Canadian Feed the Children and United Way Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington have each won three years out of the past five, earning them the title of Exemplary winners.
Writer: Paul Gallant
Source: John Suart