Let’s celebrate Ontario’s nonprofits!

The inaugural Nonprofit Week of Appreciation is February 14-20, 2022. Here is what you need to know:

This is a new recognition of Ontario’s nonprofit sector and its nearly 850,000 workers. It’s based on legislation to recognize nonprofit workers and organizations by the Government of Ontario, Bill 9, Nonprofit Sector Appreciation Week, 2021.

It is championed by MPP Daisy Wai and the Bhayana Family Foundation; more about this week, and celebrates the vital role nonprofits and workers play in creating and maintaining healthy, vibrant and inclusive communities in Ontario.

Facts about the nonprofit sector that many people may not know…

• In Canada, the sector constitutes 11% of our labour force and accounts for 8.7% of Canada’s GDP – more than auto, retail, or manufacturing.

• Ontario has the largest Nonprofit sector in Canada.

• There are approximately 58,000 nonprofits in Ontario

• Ontario’s nonprofit organizations generate $65 billion annually for the Ontario economy.

• The nonprofit sector employs nearly 850,000 people in Ontario.

• Much of this work has been done by women workers who are the majority of the nonprofit workforce (77 per cent).

• Nonprofits are some of the institutions most highly trusted by Canadians.

• Despite all of this, frontline nonprofit staff are still among the lowest paid and the most undervalued members of our society.

The "Spotlight the Invisible Champions" social media campaign kicks off on February 14th and will be a platform for everyone in Ontario to say thank you to non-profit workers - especially for the sacrifices they have made to help clients and communities stay safe during the pandemic.

What can you do to show appreciation for those working in this sector?

Share this resource on social media and help spotlight the invisible champions working in the nonprofit sector.

Donate to a nonprofit that you care about. Most nonprofits are in need of your support to help them continue to deliver essential services to our most vulnerable members of the community.

You can support Lake Ridge Community Support Services and our mission to ensure everyone has the opportunity to reach their unique potential by funding our work providing individualized behavioural services to children, youth and adults with autism and intellectual disabilities in Durham Region. Donat now at lrcss.com/donate.

SOURCES:

https://theonn.ca/about-the-sector/

https://www.thestar.com/local-richmond-hill/news/2022/01/04/non-profit-week-of-appreciation-bill-proposed-by-richmond-hill-mpp-passes-unanimously.html

https://charityvillage.com/ontario-mpps-unanimously-support-nonprofit-week-of-appreciation/#:~:text=Bill%209%2C%20which%20was%20championed,February%2014%2D20%2C%202022.