Uncertain times calls for certain measures: Charity fundraising in difficult times

Uncertain times calls for certain measures: Charity fundraising in difficult times: "The word 'charity' may be synonymous with 'doing good' but how effective are organizations in achieving that goal? The question was at the heart of a recent conference organized by the Charity Law Information Program (CLIP), a project of Capacity Builders (a division of OCSA) and supported by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Titled Being Good at Doing Good: Safeguarding Yourself and Your Charity in a Complex World, the two-day event boasted an array of educational topics, animated speakers, and inspired conversation.

The morning session on the first day was presented by nonprofit financial management consultant, William Harper. Using his extensive nonprofit knowledge and experience, he provided an especially timely lecture: Dealing with the Challenges of Uncertain Funding. The first thing all charities must understand, he began, is that funding by its very nature is uncertain, and that reality is not about to change anytime soon. Charities can rise above, however, by implementing a number of practical strategies, tactics and tools."