Another year has come and gone, despite the fact that many of us are still feeling mentally stuck in 2020! Having to follow what many people have referred to as the “worst year of their lives,” we had high hopes that 2021 would be far less tumultuous, but none the less it was a year that will be etched into history books for the roller coaster highs and lows that were experienced around the globe. 2021 had the unfortunate distinction of beginning on a more somber note: across the world, people watched on in disbelief as rioters stormed the United States Capitol Building, cracks in the international supply chain had become exposed creating concerning dents in the global economy, and the ravaging effects of climate change had become more and more apparent by the day. All while the world continued to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.
Yet, despite the many issues we have faced, and unfortunately will continue to face for years to come, 2021 proved to be a year of resilience. The miraculous roll out of vaccines gave us a taste of normalcy, allowing the world to come out of what felt like an endless hibernation and gave us hope that an end to this pandemic could soon be tangible. 2021 saw the emergence of new technologies, a greater awareness of social issues, and changes that will benefit the Earth in the long run. Countless industries could finally breathe a sigh of relief as lockdown measures began to relax, reviving economies and professions. One industry that embodied this theme of resiliency so beautifully, and one that the Mobile Giving Foundation Canada is very proud to be a part of, is the Canadian charitable sector.
Although we are entering into the 3rd year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the challenges faced by the charitable industry are continuously mounting. For many organizations, the ever-changing constraints and safety measures, in addition to the social distancing mandates, has created significant shifts to organizational priorities. In a report published by Imagine Canada, nearly half of charities had reported higher demand – a sharp increase from the initial surge reported early in the pandemic. However, 60% of charities are reporting a decline in their number of volunteers and 58% a reduction in volunteer hours. Additionally, 50% of charities are reporting that their staff’s ability to maintain an appropriate work/life balance and avoid burnout has decreased.[1] Yet, despite the many setbacks charities have faced this year, these organizations have continued to thrive because of their resilience and adaptability. Just as they did 2020, charities have continued to explore different fundraising avenues to take the place of traditional methods. A large majority have transitioned to online fundraising, others have gone virtual in place of in-person events,[2] and many have delved into the world of mobile giving.
MGFC feels incredibly fortunate to be able to offer our services and help charities across Canada. In honor of the New Year, we’d like to share our highlights of 2021:
Published January 25, 2022 by:
Megan Bertrim
Charity Outreach Coordinator, MGFC
[email protected]
Sources:
[1] https://imaginecanada.ca/en/360/ongoing-impacts-covid-19-crisis-charitable-sector
[2] https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/programs/about-canada-revenue-agency-cra/corporate-reports-information/advisory-committee-charitable-sector/report-advisory-committee-charitable-sector-july-2021.html