SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT CANADA 1 Measuring the Non-Profit and Voluntary Sector in Canada Civil Society Excellence: International Seminar on Strategies and Agreements between the Public Sector and the Nonprofit Sector Estonia, March 2005 Marie Gauthier, Director Non-Profit and Voluntary Sector Affairs Division Community Development and Partnerships Directorate Social Development Canada SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT CANADA

2 Purpose To provide an overview of statistical research on the non-profit and voluntary sector in Canada. To focus on three main data activities and the key findings. How key findings inform our on-going policy development and program delivery work.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT CANADA 3 Overview Research challenges Data collection, pre-Voluntary Sector Initiative –Volunteering and donating Current activities: –Size, scope and overall contribution of the sector How data influences our on-going work

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT CANADA 4 Research Challenges There are challenges associated with capturing the non-profit and voluntary sector: –Difficult to define –Extremely diverse –Informal nature of the sector. But still a need to measure the size, scope and relative value of the sector

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT CANADA 5 National Survey on Giving, Volunteering and Participating (NSGVP) Conducted in Special survey by Statistics Canada in partnership with non-profit and voluntary sector organizations and some federal departments. Surveyed behaviours, attitudes and motivations with respect to volunteering, charitable giving and civic participation.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT CANADA 6 Canada Survey on Giving, Volunteering and Participating (GSGVP) Modified NSGVP conducted in 2000 with funding from the Voluntary Sector Initiative. Received permanent funding in 2001 and conducted every three years. Stand-alone Statistics Canada survey. Will be able to provide a trends analysis of the data over time.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT CANADA 7 The Satellite Account Conducted annually by Statistics Canada as part of the Canadian System of National Accounts. Non-profit and voluntary sector is visible in Canadian economic statistics on equal footing with other economic sectors. Represents multiple data sources. Next release will include data from 2000 and 2001.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT CANADA 8 Satellite Account, continued Volunteer activity Households and Uninc. Corporations Governments Nonprofit Institutions Non- residents Total Economy

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT CANADA 9 National Survey of Non-Profit and Voluntary Organizations Conducted in 2003 by a consortium of research partners and Statistics Canada. First large-scale, comprehensive survey of non- profit and voluntary organizations in Canada. Includes a definition for the sector that is comparable with other countries. Important findings.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT CANADA 10 NSNVO Survey of Organizations

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT CANADA 11 What Does the Data Really Mean….? Canada’s non-profit and voluntary sector is diverse. New emphasis is needed on community-based organizations. Additional funding of $3 million over 2 years to advance beyond the Voluntary Sector Initiative and to foster: –Horizontal collaboration (government and sector); –“Bottom-up” policy dialogue networks; and, –Innovation, collaboration and networking to identify and meet local community needs.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT CANADA 12 Conclusions There has been a significant increase in our knowledge about the non-profit and voluntary sector in Canada. Research and statistics are useful to both government and the non-profit and voluntary sector. Continued data gathering will provide more complete picture, and will show change over time.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT CANADA 13 Contact Information Marie Gauthier Director, Non-Profit and Voluntary Sector Affairs Division Community Development and Partnerships Directorate Social Development Canada (819) Voluntary Sector Initiative Website: