Transparency, Accountability and Trust in Canada’s Charities Cathy Barr Vice-President, Operations Imagine Canada

Most Canadians Trust Charities Source: Talking About Charities 2008, The Muttart Foundation

But Levels of Trust Vary Source: Talking About Charities 2008, The Muttart Foundation

People Want More Information Source: Talking About Charities 2008, The Muttart Foundation

…And More Scrutiny Source: Talking About Charities 2008, The Muttart Foundation

They Have High Expectations About Disclosure Source: Talking About Charities 2008, The Muttart Foundation

And a Majority Believe There Should be a Legal Limit on the Amount of Money Spent on Fundraising Source: Talking About Charities 2008, The Muttart Foundation

What Can You Do? Tell people who you are and what you do. Tell them what impact you have/why you matter. Tell them what it costs to do what you do. Tell them where the money comes from. Tell them how much it costs you to raise those dollars. Tell them how they can get involved. Tell them what you do to make sure that their contributions (of time and/or money) are well used. Make sure those who want information about you can find it.

What is Imagine Canada Doing? Ethical Code Program Created in the late 1990s Substantially revised and updated following a research and consultation process undertaken in Revised program launched in January 2008 Since that time, 276 charities have been approved to use the Ethical Code Trustmark

What is Imagine Canada Doing? Standards Initiative Imagine Canada began discussing the concept of a broad set of standards for the charitable sector a few years ago. Accountability Reference Group formed in Discussion paper released in the fall of Various meetings and discussions throughout Standards Steering Committee formed in the fall of Proposal released summer Standards Forum will be held March 8, 2010.

Goals of These Programs 1.support and strengthen good practice in the sector, 2.foster public trust and confidence in the sector, 3.protect both the credibility of the sector and the interests of the public, and 4.demonstrate the accountability of the sector.

For More Information Cathy Barr , ext