News Archive

The News Archive houses a collection of items and events that have appeared in our News and Spotlight sections of the site.

Please Note: Documents are listed by the year they were produced. If you would like to search according to key words, please use the search function in the upper right corner.

2009
2008
2007
2006

2009

Arts Program 2010 Deadlines Announced [2009-11-09]

The 2010 deadlines for the Performing Arts Program at the Metcalf Foundation are listed below; all dates are 2010 unless indicated. Application materials must be received by the Foundation by 5:00 pm on the following dates.

Strategic Initiatives – Round 1
letter of interest: December 14, 2009
Foundation extends invitation to apply: December 21, 2009
full application deadline: February 1
grant notification: April 1

Strategic Initiatives – Round 2
letter of interest: April 6
Foundation extends invitation to apply: April 12
full application deadline: May 10
grant notification: June 28

Performing Arts Internship – Round 1
application deadline: May 3
grant notification: June 28

Performing Arts Internship – Round 2
application deadline: October 25
grant notification: December 13

The Foundation continues to be interested in supporting exceptional individuals as they do their very best work in nonprofit organizations, networks, and ventures. Watch, in early 2010, for the announcement of an exciting new Metcalf program that will help to make opportunities for professional renewal accessible to talented individuals with a record of achievement.

New Resources Section [2009-08-31]

Please have a look at this new component of our website.
www.metcalffoundation.com/p_resources.htm

The new Resources section is organized into three main areas: Our Publications (including biennial reports), Additional Resources and a News Archive.

Our Publications
This section provides access to the Foundation’s Biennial Reports as well as the growing number of Metcalf Papers that are being produced as a result of initiatives such as: internal evaluations, commissioned papers and the work of Metcalf Fellows. These documents span the Foundation’s three areas of work, namely, Performing Arts, Low-Income Communities and Environment.
www.metcalffoundation.com/p_resources_pub.htm

Additional Resources
The Foundation funds a range of work to advance its mission. From time to time, the Foundation will share the results of a grantee’s work more broadly to help advance learning around a particular issue. This section is a compilation of such materials and includes a range in formats from presentation slides on fundraising to descriptions of community building processes and links to relevant plans and strategies.
www.metcalffoundation.com/p_resources_addl.htm

News Archive
This archive has been developed to capture the news, events and papers that have been posted in the News and Spotlight areas of this site.
www.metcalffoundation.com/p_resources_newsa.htm

Resources for Board Recruitment [2009-04-21]

One of the major challenges for all non-profit companies, particularly small and mid-sized companies, is attracting new members for their Boards of Directors. Nothing can replace recruiting volunteers from your current audience members and supporters, because these are the people who really “get” what your company does. There are, however, resources that can supplement your work in this area.

BoardLink

Operated by Business for the Arts, boardLink is a matching program that connects business professionals, with a particular focus on younger and emerging professionals, with the arts. Each year, Business for the Arts sponsors a live event that connects arts organizations looking for Board members and volunteers to young professionals who are interested in becoming involved. Their last event, on November 17, 2008 at the Arta Gallery in the Distillery District, was a sort of “speed dating” that allowed participating arts organizations to make short presentations to rotating groups of prospective volunteers. Several Metcalf Foundation grantees participated in the November 2008 event, and they reported finding a number of potential new Board members with whom they were following up.

In addition to this annual event, Business for the Arts has created a new, easy-to-use online matching program in order to connect business professionals with the arts. The online tool has been designed to help arts organizations find skilled business volunteers and to help business people find interesting volunteer opportunities on Boards, committees, and special projects for arts companies.

BoardLink also publishes ArtsBoards 101: a Business for the Arts Guide for Young Professionals. Available as a free pdf on the Business for the Arts website, this short guide provides an outline of the traditional expectations that arts organizations have for their volunteer directors, and it could be an excellent addition to your company’s manual for potential Board members.

For more information or to register for boardLink, visit

http://www.businessforthearts.org/boardlink/boardlink.

DiverseCity on Board

DiverseCity, of which DiverseCity on Board is only one of eight initiatives, is a joint project of Maytree and the Toronto City Summit Alliance. It recognizes that the Greater Toronto Area has long welcomed people from all over the world with a promise of opportunity. While the GTA is the most ethnically and racially diverse region in Canada, DiverseCity points out that there is a striking lack of diversity at the top of our public, private, and non-profit organizations, and it has launched a comprehensive program to “change the face of our city region’s leadership.”

DiverseCity on Board matches highly qualified candidates from racially and ethnically diverse communities with governance positions in agencies, boards, commissions, and non-profit organizations. Their roster features more than 400 pre-screened candidates from visible minority, immigrant, and aboriginal communities who share a commitment to serving the public good. Although the program works with non-profit organizations from all sectors, they have placed Board members with both large and small arts organizations, including Harbourfront Centre, the ORIANA Women’s Choir, and the Toronto Arts Council. By registering with DiverseCity on Board, companies can advertise Board vacancies and browse through the roster of diverse and experienced applicants.

For more information, visit http://www.diversecitytoronto.ca/diversecity-onboard/ or e-mail diversecityonboard@maytree.com.

Arts Consultants Canada [2009-03-10]

Performing arts organizations often approach the Foundation for advice finding consultants, people who can work with their company on various topics like long-range strategic planning, marketing or development plans, or facility/capital issues. While the Foundation does not recommend specific individuals – every organization has different needs – there is an online resource that can help you get into contact with a number of experienced consultants working in the arts: Arts Consultants Canada.

Arts Consultants Canada/Consultants canadiens en arts (ACCA) is a professional association supporting consultants who work in the arts and cultural sector. The idea of forming a professional association emerged from discussions among a group of consultants in Toronto. These consultants wished to advance excellence and professionalism in the field for the benefit of both consultants and clients alike, with the ultimate goal of improving the organizational health and vitality of Canada’s arts sector. From these preliminary discussions, ACCA was established in 2006 as a non-profit organization. Members are accepted into the association through a peer-juried process; applicants must prove their professional status through a requisite amount of experience and agree to adhere to the ACCA Code of Professional Conduct and to concur with the association’s values and objectives.

The ACCA website provides a full list of their membership with contact information. This membership is an invaluable resource for any organization requiring feasibility studies, research projects, cultural analysis, or assistance with a large range of organizational development needs. ACCA also assists the sector by distributing Requests for Proposals (RFP’s) to the ACCA membership in order to ensure a robust and informed response to such offerings.

For further information, please visit ACCA’s website at http://www.artsconsultants.ca.

Remember, as well, that work with consultants, or technical assistance, is supported by programs at a number of funding bodies:
• Compass at the Ontario Arts Council (http://www.arts.on.ca/Page127.aspx);
• Flying Squad at The Canada Council for the Arts

(http://www.canadacouncil.ca/grants/dance/cx127222125693906250.htm for dance companies, http://www.canadacouncil.ca/grants/music/qy127589324046336250.htm for music organizations, or http://www.canadacouncil.ca/grants/theatre/wx127252257531406250.htm for theatre companies); and
• Canadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability Program (CAHSP) at Canadian Heritage/Patrimoine canadien (http://www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/pcapc-cahsp/index-eng.cfm).

CCCO Announces New Learning Opportunity [2009-02-27]

The Cultural Careers Council of Ontario has an exciting new learning program for cultural workers in 2009: the Peer Learning Circle Project, a chance to participate in professional development in an innovative group learning setting.

In last year’s pilot project, CCCO created a learning circle dedicated to leaders of arts service organizations and community arts councils. Participants came from Hamilton, London, Muskoka, Ottawa, and Toronto for monthly sessions, during which they tried to address career or workplace issues that they had identified themselves. Through the project, participants gained skills, knowledge, tools and techniques, and a larger network of colleagues who could support them in their ongoing work.

With the support of the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities, CCCO is launching four new learning circles in 2009:

* Emerging Arts Professionals, defined as managers and administrators with less than 10 years’ experience;
* Curators and Programmers;
* Artists/Creators; and
* Managers and Supervisors, limited for 2009 to participants from Burlington, Hamilton, Oakville, and St. Catharines.

The cost of participating in the six-month program is $100.

Registration deadline for the new learning circles in March 27, 2009. For more information, visit CCCO’s website at: http://www.workinculture.on.ca/events/programs.cfm.

2008

Request for Proposals [2008-12-17]

The Metcalf Foundation has decided to commission a short series of solutions papers that will describe how Ontario can move toward a truly local, sustainable food system by identifying key leverage points for food system change. The Foundation is therefore soliciting proposals for solutions papers – which the Foundation will fund with grants of up to $15,000 – from individuals and organizations. *** Click here for additional details.

2009 Program Changes and Deadlines Announced [2008-12-03]

Next year's deadlines for the Environment Program have been announced. Please note that we have made a few significant changes outlined below.

Ruth on Sabbatical
As many of you know, the Metcalf Foundation is committed to supporting, celebrating and strengthening leaders in our sector by providing them with opportunities to leave their regular workplace demands so that they may advance their work, renew their sense of purpose and focus, and tend to their own well-being. We are pleased to announce that we will be affording a similar opportunity to one of our own staff. Ruth Richardson, Environment Program Director, will be taking a 5-month sabbatical from 1 April to 8 September. Ruth has been with the Foundation for 8 years and, in recognition of her years of service, the Foundation is pleased to provide Ruth with the opportunity to pursue professional and personal growth outside the confines of her day-to-day responsibilities.

Healthy Lands program
The goal of the Healthy Lands program is to ensure the integrity of Southern Ontario’s natural and working lands through conservation that preserves biodiversity, supports sustainable working lands and nurtures community. The program supports organizations to: explore and develop innovative approaches to tackling tough land-use problems; actively seek opportunities for ongoing dialogue, collaborative learning and reflection; and inspire people and communities to contribute to positive change. We remain committed to this program and its goals. However, in light of staff changes noted above, for 2009, applications under the Healthy Lands program will be considered in the fall only, with letters of inquiry due in September 2009.

Field Fellowship program
The Foundation recognizes that senior leaders in the environmental field have made enormous contributions to ensuring the health and integrity of our natural and working lands. In most cases, their work has been carried out under challenging circumstances – with limited resources and in a difficult and rapidly changing environment – and this has resulted in stress, burnout, or attrition. Investing in the health and productivity of those committed to the field is essential for continued success. We believe that replenishment and renewed inspiration encourages longer and more productive careers for these leaders. Nonetheless, the Foundation’s program supporting exceptional individuals working on land use issues in Southern Ontario is under review, as we believe that there may be stronger ways for us to invest in this important part of the sector. For that reason, the Foundation will not be operating our Field Fellows program in 2009, while we investigate alternate ways of supporting these individuals.

Please click for detailed deadlines or full program guidelines. All prospective applicants are encouraged to contact Ruth Richardson, Environment Program Director, before they submit a proposal to the Foundation.

Arts Program – Extra Deadline in December!! [2007-11-14]

In order to respond better to the planning cycles of arts organizations, the Metcalf Foundation will be considering Strategic Initiative applications in winter and summer of 2008. That means that there will be a new deadline for intake of Letters of Interest to the Strategic Initiative program – December 17, 2007. more >

Successful applicants to the Strategic Initiative program will be funded by the Foundation for a three-year period to implement a strategic course of action that would not be possible under normal budgetary circumstances. The program is open to professional theatre, dance, music, and opera organizations, based in Toronto, with annual operating budgets under $3 million. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact Michael Jones, Arts Program Director, to discuss their proposals in advance.

Full application guidelines, including requirements for the Letter of Interest to the Strategic Initative program, are available for download at the Foundation’s website, metcalffoundation.com.

The 2008 deadlines for all of the Performing Arts programs at the Metcalf Foundation are listed below. Please also note the change to the traditional timing of the Senior Artists & Administrators program.

APPLICATION DEADLINES FOR 2008
(all dates are 2008 unless marked)

Strategic Initiatives - Round 1
Letter of Interest deadline December 17, 2007
Foundations extends invitation to apply December 21, 2007
Full Application deadline January 28
Grant notification March 10

Strategic Initiatives - Round 2
Letter of Interest deadline March 31
Foundations extends invitation to apply April 7
Full Application deadline May 5
Grant notification June 23

Professional Development: Internships – Round 1
Application deadline April 28
Grant notification June 23

Professional Development: Internships – Round 2
Application deadline October 20
Grant notification December 15

Professional Development: Senior Artists & Administrators
One round only
Application deadline June 19
Grant notification October 6
< less

Arts Program - 2008 Deadlines Announced [2007-11-14]

The 2008 deadlines for all of the Performing Arts programs at the Metcalf Foundation are listed below. Please note the change to the traditional timing of the Strategic Initiatives and the Senior Artists & Administrators programs. more >

APPLICATION DEADLINES FOR 2008
(all dates are 2008 unless marked)

Strategic Initiatives - Round 1
Letter of Interest deadline December 17, 2007
Foundations extends invitation to apply December 21, 2007
Full Application deadline January 28
Grant notification March 10

Strategic Initiatives - Round 2
Letter of Interest deadline March 31
Foundations extends invitation to apply April 7
Full Application deadline May 5
Grant notification June 23

Professional Development: Internships – Round 1
Application deadline April 28
Grant notification June 23

Professional Development: Internships – Round 2
Application deadline October 20
Grant notification December 15

Professional Development: Senior Artists & Administrators
One round only
Application deadline June 19

Changes to Performing Arts Program and Deadlines [2008-11-06]

The Metcalf Foundation seeks to strengthen the performing arts community by investing in innovative ideas and dedicated individuals. While many funding programs focus on infrastructure, artistic activity, or capital investment, the Metcalf Foundation invests in original, creative ideas grounded in strong planning and strategic rigour, which address an organization’s challenges or take advantage of emerging opportunities. In addition to our work supporting creative ideas, the Foundation is also interested in nurturing leadership through the provision of professional development opportunities for both new and established practitioners in the performing arts. Our grants extend over one- to three-year periods, because we recognize that it takes time to implement new ideas and to develop an individual’s skills and experience. We believe that strategic investment in these areas will ultimately create a more sustainable and successful arts environment for creators and their communities.

In order to enhance our response to changing needs in the community and our evaluation of projects funded in the past, the Foundation is introducing some changes to our Performing Arts Program for 2009.

Strategic Initiatives

Through the Strategic Initiatives program, the Foundation intends to encourage performing arts organizations as they develop creative and ambitious new approaches to their challenges or ideas that advance their work. The Foundation recognizes that the capacity to develop creative, powerful, and ambitious ideas for addressing challenges exists in arts organizations of any size. For that reason, grant eligibility will no longer be tied to the size of an applicant’s budget (in the past, small and mid-sized companies were eligible to apply for an annual grant equal to 5% of their annual operating revenue). In 2009, the program guidelines will read:

All applicants may request between $25,000 and $75,000 per year, for a three-year period, representing a total investment from the Foundation between $75,000 and $225,000.

Applicants should know, however, that the Foundation will carefully assess an organization’s capacity to undertake the proposed initiative and the implications of a substantial budget increase for a small organization.

Since grant size is no longer predicated by the applicant’s operating budget, the Foundation has also been able to expand our eligibility criteria to the program, which had been limited to organizations with annual operating budgets under $3 million. In 2009, the program guidelines will read:

Professional theatre, dance, music, and opera organizations in Toronto, which have been in operation for at least three years, have charitable status, and have operating budgets under $4 million, are eligible to apply.

Senior Artists and Administrators

The Foundation recognizes that senior practitioners in the performing arts have made enormous contributions to the success of the sector in Ontario. In most cases, their work has been carried out under challenging circumstances – with limited resources and in a difficult and rapidly changing environment – and this has resulted in stress, burnout, or attrition. We believe that investing in the health and productivity of the people who work in the arts is essential to the continued success of the field.

Nonetheless, the Foundation’s program supporting professional development activity for senior artists and administrators is under review, as we believe that there may be stronger ways for us to invest in this important part of the sector. For that reason, the Foundation will not be operating our Senior Artists and Administrators program in 2009, while we investigate alternate ways of supporting these individuals.

Internships

The Foundation’s internship program will continue, in 2009, to be operated according to the same criteria as it was in 2008.

Community Meetings

Michael Jones, Performing Arts Program Director at the Metcalf Foundation will be holding a series of community meetings to discuss the changes to our Performing Arts Program in mid November. These meetings are scheduled for:

Tuesday, November 11; beginning at 4:00 pm
Dancemakers; Michael J. Baker Studio;
55 Mill Street, The Cannery, Studio 314

Thursday, November 13; beginning at 10:00 am
Arraymusic; 60 Atlantic Avenue, Studio 218

Monday, November 17; beginning at 1:00 pm
Tarragon Theatre; 30 Bridgman Avenue

Members of the performing arts community are welcome to attend any of these sessions. In order for us to know how many people to expect, please RSVP to Michael Jones at 416-926-0366 X 25 or mjones@metcalffoundation.com.

2009 Deadlines

Application deadlines for 2009 have been set as follows.

Strategic Initiatives

Round 1: letters of interest due December 15, 2008 (full applications will be due from chosen organizations by January 26, 2009)
Round 2: letters of interest due March 30, 2009 (full applications will be due from chosen organizations by May 4, 2009)

Professional Development: Internships

Round 1: applications due April 27, 2009
Round 2: applications due October 19, 2009

Please click for detailed deadlines or full program guidelines. < less

Request for Proposals [2008-12-17]

The Metcalf Foundation has decided to commission a short series of solutions papers that will describe how Ontario can move toward a truly local, sustainable food system by identifying key leverage points for food system change. The Foundation is therefore soliciting proposals for solutions papers – which the Foundation will fund with grants of up to $15,000 – from individuals and organizations. Click here for additional details.

2009 Program Changes and Deadlines Announced 2008-12-03

Next year's deadlines for the Environment Program have been announced. Please note that we have made a few significant changes outlined below.

Ruth on Sabbatical
As many of you know, the Metcalf Foundation is committed to supporting, celebrating and strengthening leaders in our sector by providing them with opportunities to leave their regular workplace demands so that they may advance their work, renew their sense of purpose and focus, and tend to their own well-being. We are pleased to announce that we will be affording a similar opportunity to one of our own staff. Ruth Richardson, Environment Program Director, will be taking a 5-month sabbatical from 1 April to 8 September. Ruth has been with the Foundation for 8 years and, in recognition of her years of service, the Foundation is pleased to provide Ruth with the opportunity to pursue professional and personal growth outside the confines of her day-to-day responsibilities.

Healthy Lands program
The goal of the Healthy Lands program is to ensure the integrity of Southern Ontario’s natural and working lands through conservation that preserves biodiversity, supports sustainable working lands and nurtures community. The program supports organizations to: explore and develop innovative approaches to tackling tough land-use problems; actively seek opportunities for ongoing dialogue, collaborative learning and reflection; and inspire people and communities to contribute to positive change. We remain committed to this program and its goals. However, in light of staff changes noted above, for 2009, applications under the Healthy Lands program will be considered in the fall only, with letters of inquiry due in September 2009.

Field Fellowship program
The Foundation recognizes that senior leaders in the environmental field have made enormous contributions to ensuring the health and integrity of our natural and working lands. In most cases, their work has been carried out under challenging circumstances – with limited resources and in a difficult and rapidly changing environment – and this has resulted in stress, burnout, or attrition. Investing in the health and productivity of those committed to the field is essential for continued success. We believe that replenishment and renewed inspiration encourages longer and more productive careers for these leaders. Nonetheless, the Foundation’s program supporting exceptional individuals working on land use issues in Southern Ontario is under review, as we believe that there may be stronger ways for us to invest in this important part of the sector. For that reason, the Foundation will not be operating our Field Fellows program in 2009, while we investigate alternate ways of supporting these individuals.

Please click for detailed deadlines or full program guidelines. All prospective applicants are encouraged to contact Ruth Richardson, Environment Program Director, before they submit a proposal to the Foundation.

Good Advice for Intern Candidates [2008-12-03]

Every year the Foundation meets with the interns we’re funding. We learn a lot from these discussions. Among other things, we ask them what someone who wants to be an intern can do to contribute to a successful internship. Here’s their advice: more >

* do your research, on the company and your mentor, to ensure a good fit
* be very clear about what you want to learn and experience
* it’s a negotiation, so speak up
* once you’re there, be open and flexible – but be committed
* don't be afraid to ask questions
* be prepared for feedback, good and bad, and seek it out
* remember it’s a gift, this opportunity – make the most of it

The next Field Internship application deadline is Thursday 15 January 2009. Please click for detailed deadlines or full program guidelines. Please contact the Foundation if you have any questions about the program. < less

Food and Farming Alliance Names First Director [2008-11-06]

We are pleased to announce that Lauren Baker will be the Ontario Alliance for Healthy Food and Farming’s first Director. Lauren is a food researcher and activist with over ten years of experience building local food economies, implementing sustainable agriculture projects and addressing food policy. From 1997-2003 Lauren worked at FoodShare as the founding urban agriculture program coordinator. More recently, Lauren wrote the Food Strategy for Evergreen’s Brick Works site and launched Toronto’s first Chefs’ Market. more >

Lauren is completing her PhD at York University in the Faculty of Environmental Studies. Her research focuses on the ecological, cultural and political practices of local food economies. Her work examines the impacts of trade policy on small and medium farmers in Mexico, and the creative ways civil society organizations are working to protect and enhance agricultural biodiversity. She teaches the Research Practicum in Food Security in the Equity Studies program at the University of Toronto.

The Ontario Alliance for Healthy Food and Farming is a nascent network leading the development of a province wide, cross-sectoral alliance to promote local, sustainable food systems. The mandate of this new alliance is to increase the capacity and impact of non-governmental, cross-sectoral organizations by working together on intersecting issues related to healthy, local food and farming; and to promote innovative, collaborative and effective policy approaches in Ontario that support a healthy local food system.

The Alliance is happy to have Lauren and we look forward to her role in shaping and leading this emerging network of diverse groups and individuals. If you would like more information on the Alliance and/or would like to become involved in its activities, please contact Lauren at laurenbaker.alliance@gmail.com.
< less

Changes to Performing Arts Program and Deadlines [2008-10-31]

The Metcalf Foundation seeks to strengthen the performing arts community by investing in innovative ideas and dedicated individuals. While many funding programs focus on infrastructure, artistic activity, or capital investment, the Metcalf Foundation invests in original, creative ideas grounded in strong planning and strategic rigour, which address an organization’s challenges or take advantage of emerging opportunities. In addition to our work supporting creative ideas, the Foundation is also interested in nurturing leadership through the provision of professional development opportunities for both new and established practitioners in the performing arts. Our grants extend over one- to three-year periods, because we recognize that it takes time to implement new ideas and to develop an individual’s skills and experience. We believe that strategic investment in these areas will ultimately create a more sustainable and successful arts environment for creators and their communities.

In order to enhance our response to changing needs in the community and our evaluation of projects funded in the past, the Foundation is introducing some changes to our Performing Arts Program for 2009.

Strategic Initiatives

Through the Strategic Initiatives program, the Foundation intends to encourage performing arts organizations as they develop creative and ambitious new approaches to their challenges or ideas that advance their work. The Foundation recognizes that the capacity to develop creative, powerful, and ambitious ideas for addressing challenges exists in arts organizations of any size. For that reason, grant eligibility will no longer be tied to the size of an applicant’s budget (in the past, small and mid-sized companies were eligible to apply for an annual grant equal to 5% of their annual operating revenue). In 2009, the program guidelines will read:

All applicants may request between $25,000 and $75,000 per year, for a three-year period, representing a total investment from the Foundation between $75,000 and $225,000.

Applicants should know, however, that the Foundation will carefully assess an organization’s capacity to undertake the proposed initiative and the implications of a substantial budget increase for a small organization.

Since grant size is no longer predicated by the applicant’s operating budget, the Foundation has also been able to expand our eligibility criteria to the program, which had been limited to organizations with annual operating budgets under $3 million. In 2009, the program guidelines will read:

Professional theatre, dance, music, and opera organizations in Toronto, which have been in operation for at least three years, have charitable status, and have operating budgets under $4 million, are eligible to apply.

Senior Artists and Administrators

The Foundation recognizes that senior practitioners in the performing arts have made enormous contributions to the success of the sector in Ontario. In most cases, their work has been carried out under challenging circumstances – with limited resources and in a difficult and rapidly changing environment – and this has resulted in stress, burnout, or attrition. We believe that investing in the health and productivity of the people who work in the arts is essential to the continued success of the field.

Nonetheless, the Foundation’s program supporting professional development activity for senior artists and administrators is under review, as we believe that there may be stronger ways for us to invest in this important part of the sector. For that reason, the Foundation will not be operating our Senior Artists and Administrators program in 2009, while we investigate alternate ways of supporting these individuals.

Internships

The Foundation’s internship program will continue, in 2009, to be operated according to the same criteria as it was in 2008.

Community Meetings

Michael Jones, Performing Arts Program Director at the Metcalf Foundation will be holding a series of community meetings to discuss the changes to our Performing Arts Program in mid November. These meetings are scheduled for:

Tuesday, November 11; beginning at 4:00 pm
Dancemakers; Michael J. Baker Studio; 55 Mill Street, The Cannery, Studio 314

Thursday, November 13; beginning at 10:00 am
Arraymusic; 60 Atlantic Avenue, Studio 218

Monday, November 17; beginning at 1:00 pm
Tarragon Theatre; 30 Bridgman Avenue

Members of the performing arts community are welcome to attend any of these sessions. In order for us to know how many people to expect, please RSVP to Michael Jones at 416-926-0366 X 25 or mjones@metcalffoundation.com.

2009 Deadlines

Application deadlines for 2009 have been set as follows.

Strategic Initiatives

Round 1: letters of interest due December 15, 2008 (full applications will be due from chosen organizations by January 26, 2009)

Round 2: letters of interest due March 30, 2009 (full applications will be due from chosen organizations by May 4, 2009)

Professional Development: Internships

Round 1: applications due April 27, 2009

Round 2: applications due October 19, 2009

Please click for detailed deadlines or full program guidelines.

Public Policy 101 [2008-10-22]

A Primer for Non-Profit Organizations
Governments play a critical role in the health of non-profits and the communities they serve. No matter where you work – a small performing arts company, a neighbourhood agency, or an organization working on the sustainability of land and food – governments have an impact on how you achieve your mission through such things as program funding, legislation, and regulation. In other words, public policy affects all non-profits regardless of mission or current focus.

Please join the Metcalf Foundation in a series of workshops designed to strengthen non-profits’ understanding of public policy and how you can work with government in order to influence change. This series is for all those within your organization who want to understand policy better, want to check their assumptions and would benefit from a forum for candid exchange and discussion on the importance of the public policy process.

Session 1
What is Public Policy and Why Should We Be Bothered?
November 7, 2008 – 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Presentation slides from Session 1 are now available. Click here.

Session 2
Public Policy: Who’s Who in Government
December 5, 2008 – 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Presentation slides from Session 2 are now available. Click here.

Session 3
How Do We Develop More Effective Public Policy Options?
January 9, 2009 – 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
This session is full. We are not accepting registrations at this time.
Please see the following document for complete information on the sessions and registration details. Public Policy 101
We hope you will be able to join us!

Resources, Publications and Articles of Interest [2008-10-21]

Please check this section regularly as the Foundation will be adding reports and articles of interest on a regular basis.

Quick Links
Metcalf Foundation Biennial Report 2006-2007

Metcalf Foundation - Food Connects Us All
Metcalf Foundation - Opening Doors
John Stapleton - Why is it so tough to get ahead?
John Stapleton - Income Security for Working-Age Adults in Canada: Let’s consider the model under our nose
Patricia Thompson - Being the Change We Want: A Conversation about Vocational Renewal of Nonprofit Leaders
Tom Zizys - Feasibility Study for a Social Enterprise Deconstruction Business

Innovation Fellow Tom Zizys releases Summary Report
Among our various initiatives, the George Cedric Metcalf Charitable Foundation supports inquiry into new ideas that could benefit low-income communities. In 2006, we granted an Innovation Fellowship to Tom Zizys to explore the feasibility of a social enterprise operating as a deconstruction business.

Tom Zizys is a consultant working in the community sector in Toronto. He specializes in labour market studies, employment program design, and community economic development initiatives.

The summary report titled Feasibility Study for a Social Enterprise Deconstruction Business highlights the findings of that inquiry, to share the insights of those learnings and hopefully stimulate sustainable enterprises in this field.

Release of New Paper on Nonprofit Leader Renewal
The Foundation has released a very thoughtful paper by Metcalf Innovation Fellow, Patricia Thompson called Being the Change We Want: A Conversation about Vocational Renewal for Nonprofit Leaders.
For the last several years, the Metcalf Foundation has been exploring how best to support nonprofit leaders in their work. Our various initiatives are grounded in the belief that non-profits play a critical role in imagining and building an equitable, just, and caring society. Yet, as we all know, opportunities for nonprofit leaders to develop new skills, perspectives, and knowledge, and strengthen their professional vitality are often severely limited, particularly at a time of funding challenges and in an environment of constraint and uncertainty.

Our work in this area has led us to ask:
"How do non-profit leaders renew themselves in their profession, and how do their organizations and causes benefit when they do? Are there different ways we can come at nonprofit leader renewal that are responsive to the realities in which people work?"
Pat Thompson has spent the last year reflecting on these questions. Her work is a response to growing evidence that an increasing number of not-for-profit leaders are leaving their positions citing burnout, excessive pressures, poor compensation and stress. A decreasing number of young people are choosing leadership paths in the sector for many of the same reasons. These trends suggest, among other things, that we may have been neglecting the person who leads in our urgency to affect change on a larger scale.

One conclusion Pat draws is that vocational renewal is inextricably tied to organizational and civic renewal - and that we need to tend to all of these dimensions if we hope to address the tough issues confronting us today. Pat's paper examines how we can strengthen professional vitality, and provides some recommendations on next steps. We hope this paper will get you thinking and talking about new ways to go about strengthening Canada's dynamic nonprofit sector. Over the next several months the Foundation will be exploring ways to deepen and extend the conversation about this work. We welcome your thoughts and feedback to Pat Thompson's paper.

Public Policy 201: A Primer for Non-Profit Organizations
Canadian Income Policies After the Crash of 2008

Monday, June 22, 2009, 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Thank you for attending this session. The presentation slides and additional links can be found below.

The Metcalf Foundation invites you to a public policy primer on Canada’s income security system. This system provides critical support to Canadians living in low income. At the same time, numerous reports have documented its serious shortcomings, particularly with regard to programs targeting working-age adults. The current recession has only served to exacerbate existing problems. This session will examine shortcomings in programs such as EI, but also present alternatives for strengthening the efficacy and reach of Canada’s social safety net in the 21st century.

This workshop is designed for people working in the non-profit sector to strengthen their understanding of public policy and how non-profits can work with government to influence change. It is part of an ongoing series for those in organizations who want to understand the policy process and would benefit from a forum for candid exchange of ideas. This session was first presented at the Canadian Social Forum in Calgary in May 2009.

Specifically this session will provide a snapshot of:
• Canada’s current income security system, how it has evolved, and where we are heading
• Employment Insurance (EI) and proposed changes to strengthen it given the economic downturn
• A new Ontario Housing Benefit and its potential to contribute to economic security in Ontario

Workshop Animators
John Stapleton: John is a public policy expert and Metcalf Fellow with over 28 years of experience in the Ontario Government. John works as a social policy consultant with governments, think tanks, and community groups.
John's Presentation Slides

Grant Bishop: Grant is an economist at TD Bank Financial Group. His chief responsibilities include analysis and forecasting for the Canadian economy. Prior to joining TD Bank Financial Group, Grant served in research roles at the Bank of Canada and the World Bank.
Grant's Presentation Slides

Michael Oliphant: Michael is the Director of Research and Communications at Daily Bread Food Bank and has been with the organization for over six years. His primary responsibilities are research and public policy, and he has been involved in advocacy efforts in the area of poverty for nearly ten years.
Michael's Presentation Slides

New Location!
Canadiana Gallery Room 150
Canadiana Building, 14 Queen's Park Crescent West
School of Public Policy and Governance, University of Toronto
A special thank you to the University of Toronto's School of Public Policy and Governance for hosting us. Please see their website for information on events and initiatives that may be of interest to you. www.publicpolicy.utoronto.ca

Registration is free, but seating is limited. Attendees must pre-register with Heather Dunford at the Metcalf Foundation (hdunford@metcalffoundation.com).

Dowload the Public Policy 201 invitation

Public Policy 201: A Primer for Non-Profit Organizations
The Role of Legislation in Reducing Poverty in Ontario

Monday, March 23, 2009, 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Thank you for attending this session. The presentation slides and additional links can be found below.
The Metcalf Foundation invites you to a public policy primer on the role of legislation in reducing poverty in Ontario. There has been a significant advancement on this front in Ontario in recent weeks:

“Recognizing that the reduction of poverty supports the social, economic, and cultural development in Ontario, the Government of Ontario published on December 4, 2008 Breaking the Cycle – Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy, a comprehensive long-term strategy to reduce poverty. The Government’s poverty reduction strategy is guided by the vision of a province where every person has the opportunity to achieve his or her full potential, and contribute to participate in a prosperous and healthy Ontario…” Preamble - Bill 152 - An Act Respecting a long-term strategy to reduce poverty in Ontario

This workshop is designed to strengthen the understanding of people working in the non-profit sector of public policy, and how non-profits can work with government to influence change. It is part of an ongoing series for those in organizations who want to understand the policy process and would benefit from a forum for candid exchange of ideas. This session will use as a case study the poverty reduction bill that was introduced into Ontario’s legislature on February 25, 2009.

Specifically this session will examine:
• What is the process by which ideas are turned into legislative proposals and put on the government’s agenda?
• How does a government Bill become law?
• What are the dimensions of effective poverty legislation?
• How does legislation help advance a poverty reduction agenda?

Workshop Animators (in order of appearance)
Adam Dodek: Currently teaching Public Law at the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Law, former Chief of Staff for Ontario’s Attorney General, has published a number of articles in his areas of research -- constitutional law, comparative constitutional law and legal ethics
Presentation Slides: The Poverty Reduction Act
John Stapleton: Public policy expert and Metcalf Fellow with over 28 years of experience in the Ontario Government
Presentation Slides: Legislation '201' From Idea to Law

Dr. Vivian LaBrie : Centre for Studies on Poverty and Exclusion in Quebec, key researcher and community leader in the development of Quebec’s 2002 Act to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion
Presentation Slides: Towards a Quebec without Poverty: A ten year look

The following two links found on Ontario's Legislative Website provides you with some of the materials that was used in the presentation by John Stapleton.
http://www.ontla.on.ca/bills/general-information/files_pdf/files_en/preleg.pdf
http://www.ontla.on.ca/bills/general-information/files_pdf/files_en/govbill.pdf

This link relates to Bill 152 itself - the poverty reduction legislation. There are several links on this site to the Bill, its progress, and the legislative debates.
http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&BillID=2147

This site provides an audio program of the March 12 hearings at the federal Commons committee hearings on poverty. The latter part of the file contains Minister Matthews address to the House of Commons committee while the first part of the file has a guest speaker from the United Kingdom.
http://parlvu.parl.gc.ca/parlvu/asx/playlist.aspx?files=/2009/2009-03/000107a3.wmv

Location: Metro Hall, Room 309
55 John Street, Toronto (two blocks west of the St. Andrew Subway Station)

Co-Sponsors
Income Security Advocacy Centre and Mennonite Central Committee Ontario

Public Policy 101: A Primer for Non-Profit Organizations
Governments play a critical role in the health of non-profits and the communities they serve. No matter where you work – a small performing arts company, a neighbourhood agency, or an organization working on the sustainability of land and food – governments have an impact on how you achieve your mission through such things as program funding, legislation, and regulation. In other words, public policy affects all non-profits regardless of mission or current focus.

These workshops are designed to strengthen non-profits’ understanding of public policy and how you can work with government in order to influence change. This series is for all those within your organization who want to understand policy better, want to check their assumptions and would benefit from a forum for candid exchange and discussion on the importance of the public policy process.

Session 1
What is Public Policy and Why Should We Be Bothered?
November 7, 2008 – 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Presentation slides from Session 1 are now available. Click here.
Session 2
Public Policy: Who’s Who in Government
December 5, 2008 – 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Presentation slides from Session 2 are now available. Click here.

Session 3
How Do We Develop More Effective Public Policy Options?
January 9, 2009 – 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Presentation slides from Session 3 are now available. Click here.

Report Launch: Food Connects Us All
Food Connects Us All: Sustainable Local Food in Southern Ontario is now available for download. This paper aims to contribute to a broader understanding of food system dynamics in this province. It is intended as a backdrop for discussions on how Ontario could move toward a truly local sustainable food system through collaboration and the identification of key leverage points for food system change.

Three key findings of the paper are: there is a need to connect the dots between the key actors and to capitalize on the pool of energy available in southern Ontario to bring about system-wide change; with a food system as large and complex as Ontario’s, change will come about by pushing simultaneously and incrementally in a number of directions and discovering “unexpected realignments and new synergies;” and, while we are starting to see the long-awaited fruition of the efforts of those who have been working for years and even decades on advancing a local sustainable food system, this is not enough. Now is the time to seize the moment.

The paper is based on open-ended interviews with 39 people working in the area, as well as a survey of recent research and policy papers on the subject. The paper is organized into two parts. Part One is a general introduction to the landscape of sustainable local food in southern Ontario – the issues, the policy gaps, and the potential for collaborative efforts. Part Two contains a sampling of some current initiatives, drawing on the experience of the participants in the original meetings, and those of people in their networks.

A full pdf copy of the document can be downloaded here.

Opening Doors Published by Foundation
Opening Doors: The First Five Years of the Metcalf Foundation’s Performing Arts Program is now available for download. This document summarizes the evaluation process that the Foundation undertook in 2006 of its performing arts program.

Grant-makers all make choices about what to support and how best to deliver that support. We want to understand the impact of these choices – to determine if the decisions were well-made, and what resulted from our intervention. Are we making the difference we hope for? If not, what could we do to realize the full potential of our commitment and resources? These are challenging questions.

In 2001, the Metcalf Foundation launched a new and innovative performing arts program. Five years later, we undertook a review of this program – it was the first time that our Foundation had ever embarked on a formal evaluative process. The review was completed between January and June 2006.

Opening Doors: The First Five Years of the Metcalf Foundation’s Performing Arts Program describes the context for the arts program and the review process that we undertook. It also includes a brief summary of the evaluators’ report and recommendations, and what we learned about the Foundation’s work in the performing arts sector.

A full pdf copy of the document can be downloaded here.

Report Launch: Why is it so tough to get ahead?
Metcalf Innovation Fellow John Stapleton launched a new report on December 5th, 2007 called: Why is it so tough to get ahead? How our tangled social programs pathologize the transition to self-reliance.

We cannot claim to have people-centred government policies. Not when an 18 year old, lone-parent refugee is considered to be an adult under four policies, a child under two, a student under a third policy, a dependent adult under two others, a non-resident under two, and a legal resident of Canada under four more. And as far as government is concerned, it is her job to sort all this out.

This report documents the disincentives to achieving greater self-reliance within Ontario’s welfare, housing and social support system. It aims to make understandable to policymakers and the public how removing subsidies from poor Ontarians in an uncoordinated way makes it impossible for recipients to achieve greater self-reliance.

Research was undertaken with members of the Somali, Vietnamese-Chinese and St. Christopher House communities. The issues of disincentives are viewed through the lens of first generation poor immigrants receiving benefits from multiple sources, and youth who have grown up in public housing in households with social assistance as the main income source.

As the report states: “Working-age social assistance recipients in Ontario, especially those who are public housing residents live with disincentives. The more they earn, the more they lose in benefits; when they tell the truth, they are punished. The programs within the social assistance and housing system work in isolation from each other. When people start to earn, the various benefit systems, as well as public housing often take back more than they leave behind, giving people little or no incentive to become more self-reliant.”

The report outlines a series of recommendations for policy solutions that can be taken right away to eliminate some of the barriers thrown up by multiple subsidies and program policies. The ultimate goal for this report is to call attention to the need for a new governance model – one that enables governments and their agencies to forge policies and procedures in a coordinated way so that the transition to self-reliance is a healthy, supported process for people.

Download a copy of the report and the power point presentation here.
Download various news items related to the report here, here and here.

Metcalf Fellow John Stapleton Launches New Paper
Income Security for Working-Age Adults in Canada: Let’s consider the model under our nose traces the evolution of income security programs for seniors and children in Canada, looking at patterns to see what we can learn about reforming income security for working-age adults.
Click here to download a full copy of the report.
Click here to see coverage of John Stapleton's paper in Saturday's Star - November 8, 2008.
The paper builds upon the recommendations outlined in John’s 2007 Metcalf report, Why is it so tough to get ahead? It also expands upon a framework for income security reform put forward to the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology Subcommittee on Cities investigating urban poverty (see June 2008 Senate report entitled Poverty, Housing and Homelessness: Issues and Options).
We hope that this paper will contribute to public policy dialogue and further inform governments' work to eliminate poverty.

Poverty Comes with a Price Tag in Ontario
The first ever cost-benefit analysis on povery reduction in Canada entitled The Cost of Poverty: An Analysis of the Economic Cost of Poverty in Ontario has been released by the Ontario Association of Food Banks. The collaborative report developed with the support of eminent Canadian thinkers will "put a price tag on poverty" in Ontario highlighting the substantial savings and gains the provincial government could achieve if its poverty reduction strategy focuses primarily on attacking roots of poverty.

Coalition Releases Plan to Address Housing Poverty
The proposal, A Housing Benefit for All Ontario: One Solution for a Poverty Reduction Strategy, recommends a new income benefit that will help low-income, working age renters with high shelter-to-income burdens in communities across Ontario. The proposal would add a necessary affordable housing component to Ontario’s highly anticipated Poverty Reduction Strategy, which is expected to be released in December. The proposal was prepared by a coalition of private, public and nonprofit housing associations, community organizations, academics and foundations.
The housing benefit would produce a number of positive outcomes, including: increasing housing affordability for many households and therefore preventing hunger and homelessness; providing housing assistance to the working poor, who currently are not eligible for such assistance; helping people get off welfare and into work by making assistance available to those moving into the labour force; and helping low-wage workers live and work in the same community, reducing stress on transit systems and mitigating against potential labour shortages in high cost cities such as Toronto and Ottawa.

To learn more see the following documents:

Housing Benefit for All Ontario

Housing Benefit for All Ontario - Summary

Housing Benefit Q & A

Housing Benefit for All Press Release

Toronto Star Article - Benefit for 'hungry' renters urged - Nov 17, 2008.
Toronto Star Article - A new proposal to pay the rent - Nov 17, 2008.

New Polling on Canadians' Perceptions of Poverty
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives recently commissioned a poll from Environics Research about Canadians perceptions of poverty. What they found was that the majority of Canadians believe Canada should try to distinguish itself in the world as a country where no one lives in poverty. The national poll reveals 90% of Canadians say they would be proud if their Premier took the lead in reducing poverty in their province; 88% want Canada to be a leader in poverty reduction; and 77% say a recession is all the more reason to act now.
The poll, funded by Metcalf and the Atkinson Foundation found that amongst other things:
• 90% of Canadians say it’s time for strong leadership to reduce the number of poor people
• 92% say if countries like Great Britain and Sweden can do it, so can Canada
• 86% believe if government took concrete action, poverty could be greatly reduced

The national polling results can be found in Ready for Leadership.
To review the polling results for Ontario please click here.

Smart Growth and Climate Policy in Ontario
The Pembina Institute, with funding from the Metcalf Foundation, has just released the latest in a series of provincial Smart Growth Progress Reports. This report, Smart Growth and Climate Policy in Ontario, reports on government progress between September 2006 and February 2008, and has a particular focus on how urban planning policies consider the Ontario government’s climate change targets announced in June 2007. The report also incorporates findings from a Pembina Institute study that measures indicators of sprawl in Ontario’s communities against measures of smart growth and examines gaps in legislation and policy.

A full pdf copy of the document can be downloaded here.

For the Greener Good
With funding from the Metcalf Foundation, Environmental Defence has published For the Greener Good: Steps we can all take to achieve sustainable communities in the Greater Golden Horseshoe. This report focuses on changes we need to make in the Greater Golden Horseshoe Region of Ontario to steer this region on to a green path. The recommendations included in For the Greener Good aim to put forward a common basis from which green communities can grow and evolve.

A full pdf copy of the document can be downloaded here.

New Executive Director for CEGN [2008-09-29]

We are pleased to announce that Pegi Dover will be the new Executive Director of the Canadian Environmental Grantmakers’ Network, effective October 1, 2008.
more >

Pegi goes to CEGN from her current position as Executive Director of Project CANOE, a charitable organization that helps youth who face economic, social, and behavioural barriers in their lives to build positive futures. Her previous employment includes 15 years as Director of Communications with World Wildlife Fund Canada and four years as a Program Officer with the Donner Canadian and Max Bell Foundations. Pegi holds an MA in Journalism from Northwestern University, Illinois, as well as an MA in Political Science from Carleton University. Her past volunteer work includes Board positions with Nature Canada and the Families with Children from China Charitable Fund. Pegi lives in Toronto with her husband Philip Jessup and daughter Beth and looks forward to starting her work with CEGN.

We wish Pegi the best of luck in her new position. For more information on CEGN, please visit: www.cegn.org.
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Will Allen Named MacArthur Fellow [2008-09-29]

We are pleased to announce that urban farmer Will Allen, a past Metcalf City-Builder-in-Residence, has been named a 2008 MacArthur Fellow. This award is granted by The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and provides Fellows with $500,000 in no-strings-attached support over five years. more >

Will Allen is transforming the cultivation, production, and delivery of healthy foods to underserved, urban populations. In 1995, he began developing farming methods and educational programs that are now the hallmark of the non-profit organization Growing Power, which he directs and co-founded. Guiding him in his effort is the recognition that the unhealthy diets of low-income, urban populations, and such related health problems as obesity and diabetes, largely are attributable to limited access to safe and affordable fresh fruits and vegetables.

Allen’s holistic farming model incorporates both cultivating foodstuffs and designing food distribution networks in an urban setting. Through a novel synthesis of a variety of low-cost farming technologies – including the use of raised beds, aquaculture, vermiculture, and heating greenhouses through composting – Growing Power produces vast amounts of food year-round at its main farming site, two acres of land located within Milwaukee’s city limits.
(br />We would like to congratulate Will on this prestigious honour. For more information, please refer to the MacArthur website: www.macfound.org.
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Metcalf Fellow John Stapleton presents at Queen’s [2008-09-02]

Metcalf Fellow John Stapleton recently presented a session at the Queen’s University School of Policy Studies International Institute on Social Policy. The Institute, entitled The New Poverty Agenda: Reshaping Policies in the 21st Century explored the changing nature of poverty in Canada today, assessed policy responses, and the implications for key social programs. Participants also explored the role of engaging networks of public, private and community groups at the local level to create change. more >

John presented on the impacts of high Marginal Effective Tax Rates and intersecting government benefit rules on low income people as they struggle to pathway out of poverty. The presentation was based on John's Metcalf paper “Why is it so tough to get ahead: How our tangled social programs pathologize the transition to self-reliance”. To review John’s presentation and all the Institute proceedings click here.
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Food Alliance seeks Director [2008-08-12]

The new Ontario alliance for healthy food and farming, is seeking a Director to provide leadership at this significant time for local, sustainable food systems in the province. This new position will work with a diverse, nascent network to lead the development of a province wide, cross-sectoral alliance to promote healthy food and farming. more >

The mandate of this new alliance is to increase the capacity and impact of non-governmental, cross-sectoral organizations by working together on intersecting issues related to healthy, local food and farming; and to promote innovative, collaborative and effective policy approaches in Ontario that support a healthy local food system.

The alliance will foster networking and collaboration amongst partner organizations to create connected solutions, strengthen the ability of members to act on these solutions, mount campaigns for policy change across government ministries, and identify, facilitate and find resources for research that can support policies and campaigns.

Reporting to the Steering Committee, the Director will play a central role in shaping and leading this emerging network of diverse groups and individuals. Director responsibilities and opportunities include:

Coalition/network building:
- Wide consultation and engagement of diverse stakeholders
- Identify intersecting issues and strategic partnerships
- Strategic consensus building
- Create and facilitate a process to develop strategies for, and implementation of, collective action, campaigns, cross-sectoral research and collaborative initiatives

Alliance development and administration:
- Develop purpose, functional and legal structures for the alliance (such as mandate and goals development, decision making structure, steering committee development, engagement of partners)
- Work in partnership with the alliance to develop and implement multi-year strategic, financial and operational plans
- Oversee alliance operations and activities
- Facilitate and support steering committee and partner engagement
- Report regularly to the steering committee on key issues and factors affecting the organization
- Report regularly to the Sage Centre* in compliance with Memorandum of Understanding
- Manage the fiscal health of the organization, including budgeting, setting and following financial controls, meeting revenue and expense goals, and maintaining accurate and timely reporting

Building and engaging partner organizations:
- Help to facilitate policy informing and stakeholder engagement opportunities for member organizations
- Assist in identifying programs/services of the alliance to enhance value of membership
- Maintain a working knowledge of developments and trends in local sustainable food systems, and assist in identifying strategic research issues of benefit to the alliance and its members

Fundraising and development:
- Assist in developing financial goals and implementing fund-raising strategies in collaboration with the alliance
- Fundraise for and facilitate common projects (e.g. campaigns, group initiatives etc.)
- Manage preparation of funding/grant proposals, liaise with donors/supporters, and fulfil reporting requirements

* The Ontario Alliance for Healthy Food and Farming is a project of the Sage Centre, which exercises full governing, legal, and fiduciary control over the project.

Skills and Qualifications
- Very strong facilitation, consensus building, and interest-based negotiation skills
- Ability to encourage collaboration and develop strategic partnerships
- Ability to engage and bring together a diverse range of stakeholders and work cross-sectorally
- Understanding of policy development and political influence and process
- Personal creativity, strategic judgment and vision
- A high level of personal and professional integrity
- Strong skills in strategic thinking and planning, with an ability to identify challenges and opportunities, create effective plans, and deliver results
- Self-directed, exceptional time management skills, and the ability to work autonomously
- Experience establishing an organization or alliance preferred
- Experience with non-traditional alliance / cross-sectoral networks
- Strong grant writing and fundraising skills within a non-profit setting
- Demonstrated management and administrative skills in a not-for-profit setting, including sound budgeting and financial management
- Campaign development and implementation
- Experience and comfort implementing telecommunications and interactive, social networking web technologies and programs
- Media communication skills and experience
- Minimum Bachelor’s Degree with 5 – 10 years of relevant work experience

Location: negotiable within southern Ontario
Salary: salary commensurate with qualifications and experience
Status: 1 year renewable contract subject to review. While the position of Director is a full-time contract, we would be pleased to negotiate a part-time position.

Please submit your letter of application, resume, and salary expectations no later than 5:00 PM on Friday 12 September 2008 to:

Ruth Richardson
Environment Program Director
Metcalf Foundation
174 Avenue Road
Toronto, ON, M5R 2J1
ruthr@metcalffoundation.com

For more information on the alliance’s background please see Food Connects Us All on the Metcalf Foundation website at metcalffoundation.com.
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2008 Field Internships Awarded [2008-06-04]

Five Internships have been awarded to individuals interested in entering the field of land use work in Southern Ontario. 2008 Field Interns are: Asumani Serugendo, Centre for Land and Water Stewardship and Toronto Environmental Alliance; Emily Van Halem, Local Food Plus and FoodShare; Alexandra English, Ontario Farmland Trust and FarmStart; Ian Aley, FoodShare; and Joe Crowley, Ontario Nature. Congratulations! more >

Metcalf’s Field Internship program is intended to cultivate new leaders, encourage organizations to reaffirm their commitment to the future, and increase the diversity of the field. Through structured internships we create productive entry points to mentoring and training so that the rich experience and specialized knowledge that exist in the field will guide the development of the next generation of leaders.
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CEGN seeks Executive Director [2008-06-04]

The Canadian Environmental Grantmakers’ Network (CEGN) is seeking an Executive Director to provide leadership during this pivotal time for environmental philanthropy in Canada. more >

The Canadian Environmental Grantmakers’ Network (CEGN) is seeking an Executive Director to provide leadership during this pivotal time for environmental philanthropy in Canada. Currently based in Toronto, CEGN has a vibrant, non-profit membership of over 50 private, community, public government and corporate foundations and programs that provide over $60 million in annual environmental grants in Canada.

Created in 1995 by several leading foundations, CEGN has grown into a well-established and highly regarded agency, with a defined mission to expand the scope and effectiveness of grantmaking to help advance proactive solutions in addressing Canadian environmental issues. CEGN facilitates information-sharing, collaboration, training and professional development, research, and communications, in addition to hosting a flagship annual conference that poses provocative questions about the philosophy and practice of environmental grantmaking.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director of CEGN will play a central role in shaping and leading the diverse and expanding network. ED responsibilities and opportunities include:

Strategic Leadership
- Work closely with the Board of Directors, to provide leadership regarding CEGN’s long-range goals and policies, and to ensure the organization has a long-range strategy that addresses its mission and goals.
- Work in partnership with the Board of Directors to develop and implement multi-year strategic, financial and operational plans.
- Build links to the environmental grantmaking community through strategic partnerships and participation in collaborative events and initiatives.
- Assist in developing financial goals and implementing fund-raising strategies.
- Identify strategic research issues of benefit to CEGN and its members.
- Represent CEGN in the funding and non-profit community.

Organizational Management and Administration
- Oversee all CEGN operations and activities.
- Conduct all affairs according to CEGN’s by-laws, maintaining official records and documents, and ensuring the organization is in compliance with government regulations.
- Report regularly to the Board on key issues and factors affecting the organization.
- Recruit and supervise an administrator, interns and consultants.

Member Relations
- Work in partnership with the Board in developing and maintaining membership.
- Act as a conduit between the larger CEGN membership base and the Board to ensure the organization’s relevancy, accountability and transparency.

Financial and Administrative Management
- Manage the fiscal health of the organization, including budgeting, setting and following financial controls, meeting revenue and expense goals, and maintaining accurate and timely reporting.
- Manage preparation of funding/grant proposals, liaise with donors/supporters, and fulfil reporting requirements.

Program Development and Delivery
- Provide guidance, leadership, and coordination of the annual national conference.
- Develop and implement programs/services to fulfil CEGN’s mission and goals, and to enhance value of membership.
- Facilitate and assist with various meetings of Board members, committees, and affinity groups
- Maintain a working knowledge of developments and trends in environmental grantmaking, and undertake or oversee research initiatives related to environmental grantmaking.

Communications and Outreach
- Develop and implement an ongoing communications strategy, including, website development, member publications, listserv, and promotional materials.
- Manage the production of all CEGN publications, including the Issues and Updates e-bulletin.

Skills and Qualifications
- Personal creativity, strategic judgment and vision.
- A high level of personal and professional integrity.
- Minimum Bachelor’s Degree with 5 – 10 years of relevant work experience.
- General understanding of, and commitment to, environmental issues in Canada.
- Knowledge of, or direct experience with, environmental grantmaking preferable.
- Strong skills in strategic thinking and planning, with an ability to identify challenges and opportunities, create effective plans, and deliver results.
- Proven effectiveness in establishing and maintaining strong partnerships and relationships with a broad array of individuals and organizations.
- Experience in fund-raising within a non-profit setting.
- Strong facilitation and presentation skills.
- Demonstrated management and administrative skills in a not-for-profit setting, including sound budgeting and financial management.
- Exceptional written and verbal communications skills, including an ability to synthesize and edit documents of varying technical detail.
- Proven ability to develop and manage projects, including a range of qualitative and quantitative research initiatives.
- Self-directed, exceptional time management skills, and the ability to work autonomously.
- Bilingualism (English/French) a definite asset.

Location: CEGN’s offices are currently based in Toronto.
Salary: CEGN offers a competitive salary, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Status: The position of Executive Director is permanent, full-time; however, CEGN would be pleased to negotiate a four-day position.

Please submit your letter of application, resume, and salary expectations no later than Wednesday 18 June 08 to:

Julie King, HR Consultant
4-112 Bernard Ave, Toronto ON, M5R 1S3
j_konkamking@yahoo.ca

More information on CEGN is available at www.cegn.org.
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Tasting Tour [2008-06-04]

The Metcalf Foundation recently hosted a field trip to Prince Edward County with the Canadian Environmental Grantmakers' Network. This “tasting tour” was designed to see the connections being developed in that area’s local sustainable food system from production through to processing, distribution and consumption. Participants had the opportunity to meet farmers, producers, economic development officers, restaurateurs and others working together in one of Ontario’s oldest communities to build a local sustainable food system and realize the benefits that such a system can generate.

New Grants Manager for the Foundation [2008-05-12]

We are pleased to welcome Heather Dunford to the Foundation. Heather joins us from the School of Toronto Dance Theatre and will be assuming the new position of Grants Manager supporting the work of the Program Directors. more >

Heather is a graduate of the University of Waterloo with an honours degree in arts administration. She has worked at The School of Toronto Dance Theatre since July 1999; prior to her time at the School, she spent three years with the Toronto Children’s Chorus.

We are happy to have Heather and look forward to her contributions to the Foundation’s work. < less

Culture and Politics - January 30 [2008-01-07]

In conjunction with a variety of arts funding bodies, the Metcalf Foundation is pleased to present a special presentation by John Holden on January 30. Admission for this exciting presentation is free, and all are encouraged to attend. more >

Culture and Politics: Creative Change

Wednesday, January 30, 2008; 4:00 pm
OCAD Auditorium; 100 McCaul Street, Toronto

In order to establish support for culture at the political level, the arts must first create a greater legitimacy with citizens and find new ways to build democratic consensus about its importance. John Holden, author of Cultural Value and the Crisis of Legitimacy, asserts that establishing a different alignment between culture, politics, and the public will require courage, confidence, and radicalism. Drawing on his recent publications, Holden will show how different groups in society value culture in different ways, and he will examine how the changing role of the arts and culture in contemporary society can influence public policy.

For more information about John Holden and his work, click here.

RSVP to sbrand@laidlawfdn.org.
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2007

Leader Renewal 2007-12-18

Pat Thompson, Metcalf Innovation Fellow, is exploring how leaders renew themselves and their sense of purpose. She is looking for professional practices that generate energy and enable individuals to have satisfying careers in the voluntary sector. From a practitioner’s perspective, she is also reflecting on how their causes, organizations and networks benefit when they do.

Pat and her collaborators are:

• reviewing the literature and investigating related initiatives, including a case study of an innovative American program for teacher renewal

• conducting one-on-one interviews and facilitating conversations with leaders from arts, environment and community networks across the Greater Toronto Area

• convening interested individuals to reflect on findings, distill learnings, and take the most promising ideas forward

Pat is interested in hearing your stories of professional renewal. To participate in this research, contact her at pat@patriciathompson.ca.

How Might We See the World Differently? 2007-11-30

“We are not what we know but what we are willing to learn” – Mary Catherine Bateson

Over the last several years the leadership landscape in the nonprofit social services sector has experienced significant changes. These changes have resulted in a series of different initiatives intended to nurture new leaders. In a recent article published by the Philanthropist, staff of the Metcalf Foundation and United Way of Greater Toronto ask: what does nonprofit leadership for a change look like in a city as diverse and dynamic as Toronto? How can we support new forms of leadership for change in the social services sector? What shifts in our present practices are required to support leadership for a change?

They approach answers to these questions through an experience with the Emerging Leaders Program, a nonprofit management training and leadership development initiative of the Metcalf Foundation, United Way of Greater Toronto, and the Schulich School of Business at York University. To learn more click .

Ralph Thornton Community Centre builds networks 2007-11-30

In fall 2006, Ralph Thornton, a community centre located in downtown east Toronto launched the Riverdale Community Action Project with the goal of encouraging local networking and leadership in finding solutions to emerging issues and problems related to poverty reduction, social marginalization, and environmental threats. Using a series of creative techniques including conversation circles, community sweeps, Playback Theatre, and community forums, Ralph Thornton engaged a wide range of residents and organizations in a dialogue about the changing neighbourhood and barriers to building an inclusive community.

To learn more about the process they undertook click here.

CEGN Thoughtleaders Series Continued [2007-11-28]

With funding from the Metcalf Foundation, the Canadian Environmental Grantmakers' Network has released its fifth and final article in its Thoughtleader Series, "Winning the Race Against Time: How to make environmental grantmaking work better right now" by Mark Sarner, which includes articles by five of Canada's leading thinkers on their views of the issues, needs and gaps in funding within Canada's environmental sector.

The purpose of the Thoughtleader Series is to inform and stimulate strategic thinking, discussion and debate among environmental grantmakers and others, and to enhance their individual and collective focus on high priority and high impact grantmaking.

By inviting a range of broad thinkers with a sector-level perspective who are engaged with the environment in various ways, the resulting series is intended to present a variety of approaches and diverse thinking to encourage lively discussion and debate within the environmental community.

The five articles in the series are being launched one-by-one over a twelve-month period, beginning last October 2006. Previous articles in the series include:

"Bridging Gaps: Building Diversity, Resilience and Connectivity" by Dr. Ann Dale

"Coping with Reality: Key Issues Facing Canada's Environmental Sector in 2006" by Michael Robinson

"New Strategies to Confront Climate Change" by Andrew Heintzman

"Future Directions for Funding: Environmental Challenges and the Need for Integrated Problem Solving" by Dr. Frances Westley

Articles in the Thoughtleader Series are available on CEGN's website at http://www.cegn.org/thought_main.html (English) and http://www.cegn.org/francais/thought_main_fr.html (French).

Ontario Community Sustainability Report [2007-10-18]

With funding from the Metcalf Foundation, the Pembina Institute has released its Ontario Community Sustainability Report.

This study provides a snapshot of the sustainability of selected communities across Ontario in recent years. The study employs 33 indicators in three broad categories (smart growth, livability and economic vitality) to develop an overall community sustainability index for 27 Ontario municipalities. The municipalities include major cities, regional municipalities and medium- and smaller-sized cities from across the province. The objective of the report is to inform and provide a basis of measurement for communities and the province for urban sustainability policies and program development. Download the report here.

Food Connects Us All [2007-10-18]

An open letter to the citizens of Ontario, big city, small town, rural and in-between. more >

Once upon a time everyone thought the world was flat. Figuring out that it was round changed how we saw everything. Now the next revolution in perspective has taken hold – the world is not just round, it is connected. The Global Village – Marshall McLuhan’s phrase for the connected world created by new communications technologies – has arrived, and not just in communications but also with food and foodways. We think this global food village must be connected by conscience and fairness – to the other villagers, to our environment.

The way we grow, market, process, manufacture, and distribute our food here in Ontario reveals connections across the global village. Ontario’s working landscapes, farms, rural communities, and cities are linked in a web of complex exchanges. But our food policies to date have usually ignored that web, dividing rather than connecting. If we are going to build a healthy and sustainable village, we have to make the connections.

This letter is supported by, and represents the initiatives of, a network of organizations working on many aspects of food policy in Ontario. We are working together because we believe that food is connected to every major problem being raised in the current provincial election campaign –rising medical costs, poverty and hunger, declining farm incomes, the paving-over of farmland, wildlife protection, urban sprawl, youth unemployment, and communities at risk.

These problems will only be solved when we connect the dots.

Local farmers’ markets, community and school gardens, food co-ops, urban gardens, food access centres – all of these emerging possibilities support healthier, tastier food for all villagers. As this happens, everyone benefits and communities become stronger and more inclusive.

Provincial politics have become increasingly stuck in a frustrating gridlock. We have separate ministries for agriculture, health, economic development, community development and the environment, as well as a multiplicity of non-governmental organizations, each focused on a single piece of the problem. We are at risk of missing many of the potential connections and the benefits they could generate.

This letter invites you to help us propose elegant solutions to the complicated problems embedded in today’s food system. It takes food to raise a better village.

Connect to us and a month of local food events at alphabet-city.org and share your ideas by joining the conversation here. Ideas that will call on everyone’s talents, abilities, and resources. Ideas that are financially viable, ecologically responsible, and socially equitable.

This is not about partisan politics: We’re asking each of the political parties to respond to this imperative. This Open Letter asks for an open mind from all of Ontario’s citizens and its politicians. We ask you to engage with these issues, and to work together to find long-lasting solutions to our food policies.

Signed by: Alphabet City
Alternative Grounds
Alternatives Journal
The Brick Works Farmers’ Market
Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy
Canadian Personal Chef Association
Canadian University Press
Cava – Doug Penfold
Cava – Chris McDonald
Centre for Urban Health Initiatives
City Bites Magazine
Community Action Resource Centre
Contact Photo
Culinary Historians of Ontario
Delta Waterfowl Foundation
Drake Hotel
Dufferin Grove Farmer’s Market
Dufflet – Dufflet Rosenberg
Edible Toronto Magazine
Evergreen
FarmStart
Food Secure Canada
FoodShare Toronto
Friends of Riverdale Farm Farmers’ Market
Grape Growers of Ontario
Green Living Magazine
Green Thumbs / Growing Kids
guerrilla gourmet
Hamilton Eat Local
Health Providers Against Poverty
Local Food Plus
Meal Exchange
Metcalf Foundation
Mountain Equipment Co-op
murmur
Multistory Complex
Ontario Farmland Trust
The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association
Ontario Nature
Ontario’s Greenbelt
PlanLab Ltd.
Pound Magazine
Quince – Michael van den Winkel
Real Food for Real Kids
Rouge Park Alliance
Rouge Park Alliance – Gord Weeden
School of Urban and Regional Planning, Ryerson University
Shameless Magazine
Slow Food London
Slow Food Toronto
The Stop Community Food Centre
Tamarack Community
This Magazine
Toronto Environmental Alliance
Toronto Food Policy Council
Toronto Green Community
The Walrus Magazine
Women’s Healthy Environments Network < less

Food [2007-10-18]

Alphabet City, with the help of the Metcalf Foundation, has launched the FOOD festival. FOOD is one in a series of Healthy City Festivals which provide a “platform for thinking” by tackling a single word each year dealing with the long-term issues facing Toronto's health through their flagship anthology series with the MIT Press as well as through works of visual art, literature, music, and other forms, all in an effort to engage the entire city in a discussion about the best ways to imagine Toronto's future and to migrate the city towards comprehensive ecological sustainability. more >

FOOD addresses new patterns of food production and consumption that implicate us in world-wide systems of transport and trade; reflects upon our expanding tourist and immigrant-influenced palettes; and challenges our notions of food politics, science and ecology. It captures how essential food is to our sense of self, community and belonging. FOOD is available through the MIT press and select local retailers. < less

News About Interns [2007-10-11]

The Foundation is always happy to hear how interns, funded through our Professional Development program, are doing after they finish their placements. Here are some updates. more >

Livia Berius, who did her internship with the Playwrights Guild of Canada, has founded her own shadow puppet company called The Maboroshi Orchestra, which performed in a variety of Toronto parks during the summer of 2007 and is touring to Labrador this November. She also works as an actor/director/writer with the female collective, Pink Jellybeans Productions.

The Canadian Music Centre adapted the workplan for intern Sean Corcoran in order for him to assume additional part-time responsibilities for the Canadian League of Composers. His work for the League has continued since the completion of his CMC internship.

Loree Lawrence, a 2005/06 intern at , is beginning an interdisciplinary project that involves establishing a store-front arts centre and gallery in the Junction area of Toronto.

After his internship with the Gallery Players and the Niagara Symphony, Allen McCreath became Outreach Coordinator for Carousel Players in St. Catharines.

Alice Toyonaga stayed at The School of Toronto Dance Theatre for three years after the completion of her internship, then she became a consultant for the Arts Presentation Canada program of Canadian Heritage. In addition to her work at Heritage, Alice is currently a member of the advisory committee for the Professional Development program at the Metcalf Foundation.

Several other interns remained with the organizations that provided their mentorships; many of them continue to play important roles for those companies.

• Orenda Cahill has become a valuable member of the permanent production team as Costume Co-ordinator at the Canadian Opera Company.
• Marjorie Chan has become an Associate Artistic Director at Cahoots Theatre; her newest play, a nanking winter, will be premiered in a Cahoots/Nightwood Theatre co-production in February 2008.
• The National Arts Centre – English Theatre created the position of Education and Outreach Coordinator for former Metcalf intern Martina Kuska.
• The Red Barn Theatre offered Stefan Lenzi the permanent position of General Manager.
• Joe Mebrahtu remained at the Ottawa International Children’s Festival in the role of Director of Sponsorship and Development.
• Necessary Angel Theatre Company kept intern Daniel Nyman in the role of Associate Producer.
• Following her internship, the National Youth Orchestra hired Karen Osmond as Operations Manager. < less

New Director for the Arts Program [2007-08-30]

The Foundation is pleased to have Michael Jones as our new Program Director for the Performing Arts. more >

Michael is a proven arts administrator with almost twenty years of experience in senior level positions, primarily with small and mid-sized operations. Most recently he has been the General Manager of The School of Toronto Dance Theatre. Michael has also continued to pursue his interests in music and musical theatre in a variety of venues.

Michael is familiar with the work of the Foundation, as a recipient of both Strategic Initiatives and Professional Development grants for his organizations, and in his role on the evaluation advisory committee for the Performing Arts program.

We are happy to have Michael and look forward to advancing our work in sustaining the vibrancy of the professional performing arts in Ontario. < less

Pat Thompson - New Metcalf Innovation Fellow [2007-07-25]

As a Metcalf Foundation Innovation Fellow, Pat is exploring the renewal patterns and practices of leaders engaged in social change work. She is also identifying ways to help leaders sustain their professional vitality and capacity for innovation over the course of their careers. more >

Pat’s focus on the ‘person in the profession’ is new to many of us interested in organizational and civic renewal. It emerges from evidence that many non-profit leaders are becoming less able to creatively negotiate the divide between original ideals and current realities. A growing number are experiencing the progressive loss of energy, commitment and sense of purpose commonly described as burnout. Information about how organizations adapt to an increasingly complex environment and related skills are not necessarily preventing this slide into cynicism, frustration and ineffectiveness.

Is disillusionment in social change work inevitable? Is there more to professional renewal than replenishing our stores of energy and acquiring information or skills? You are invited to contribute your experience and views on these and other questions about renewal. For more information on ways to participate or stay connected to this work, contact pat@patriciathompson.ca.
< less

Reflections on a 3-Year Journey [2007-07-20]

Any organization that receives a Strategic Initiative grant embarks on a multi-year journey – on a path toward a strategic goal they themselves have identified. Because both the work and the environment are complex, there are often surprising and unexpected discoveries over a three-year period. Sometimes, organizations are significantly changed by what they learn. Sometimes, individuals within a company are profoundly affected by the work they have chosen to undertake. more >

Since 2001, the Foundation has funded a diverse range of explorations. Now, we are happy to share the thoughts and reflections of organizations that have completed their grants.

The Danny Grossman Dance Company was funded in the first round of the program in 2001. Their challenge: how to approach legacy and transition in a mature, founder-led organization. Their discovery: Who Owns the Dances?

Who Owns the Dances?
by Christina Loewen
Managing Director, Danny Grossman Dance Company

The Danny Grossman Dance Company received our SI funding to explore appropriate models for our future. Recognizing that our founder was now a senior artist, we wanted to transform our company from one that created and presented Grossman’s body of work into one that could use its diverse repertory and expertise to present, preserve, and build a legacy for modern dance in Canada.

We began our work by researching similar models in the United States: the Martha Graham Foundation, the José Limón Foundation, and the Paul Taylor Dance Company. By the end of our second year we had chosen a similar path – to create a collection of works, carefully documented, that could be promoted, licensed, and taught to other companies.

At the outset of the third year, however, we faced a dilemma in determining the copyright ownership of Danny Grossman’s works. We learned that, regardless of historical intent, the copyright for all works that had been created by Grossman since the start of the company belonged to the corporation, and not to Danny himself. The corporation held this copyright because Grossman had always been in an employee relationship with the company. While this may not seem like a problem at first glance since it meant that we were entitled to license the works to other companies, it left Danny, as the creator, completely out of the equation. This was in stark contrast to our company’s values and beliefs.

The final year of our SI project involved a great deal of work at the Board level related to copyright, and, as an interesting aside, we found it uncomfortable but necessary to consider Danny and the company as separate persons. We struck a special subcommittee to engage in lengthy, and sometimes difficult, discussions about the true intent of copyright ownership, and the corporate benefits and drawbacks of retaining copyright. We finally decided that Danny should own the copyright to the works that he created while he was employed by the company. A newly drafted employment contract would retroactively specify this, effectively relinquishing copyright ownership to Danny and his estate, but the company would retain exclusive license to these works.

This decision was based on a number of factors. The company wanted the right to promote and/or perform Danny’s work regardless of whether Danny was currently employed, had retired, or had passed away. We also wanted to treat Danny fairly and with what we believed had been the original intent of the company regarding copyright. Our intention was that Danny should benefit financially from his works throughout his lifetime, and that the company should be granted exclusive license to his works while he is employed by the company and for a period thereafter.

As of 2006/07, we are halfway through our next three-year artistic plan, which will see a new activity centre emerge – the preservation, promotion, and sub-licensing of Grossman repertory to other companies and to schools. Further SI funding from the Metcalf Foundation is allowing us to develop a series of rehearsal manuals to accompany each dance. These manuals will act as a repository of essential information that is currently only held in the collective minds, bodies, and memories of the many artists who have rehearsed and performed Grossman works.

This is a unique project in Canada, and possibly even in North America. To our knowledge, no other company has set out to document not only the complete dance, but also the method of rehearsing the dance and bringing it to performance level. We will shortly announce the Grossman Collection available for licensing, including such titles as Endangered Species, National Spirit, Nobody’s Business, and La Valse. < less

Emerging Arts Professional Network [2007-05-14]

The EMERGING ARTS PROFESSIONAL NETWORK is now online: eapnetwork.ca

EAPN is an online community network for arts professionals across Canada. The EMERGING ARTS PROFESSIONAL NETWORK is an online career resource and community network for arts administrators, managers and artists who are at the start of their careers. EAP offers opportunities to gain valuable access to online mentors and insight into the possible directions in which to forward careers in the arts. The EAP site has discussion forums, blogs, Mentor and EAP of the Month, links, news and events. more >

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
EAP offers access to existing professional development opportunities in the arts. In addition we are currently developing a new evening series of informal professional development workshops and networking opportunities due to launch in the fall. Stay tuned for more details...

SUPPORT SERVICES
EAP also offers subsidized management services to a small roster of emerging artists. < less

Emerging Arts Professional Network [2007-07-09]

The EMERGING ARTS PROFESSIONAL NETWORK, an online community for arts professionals across Canada, is now online at www.eapnetwork.ca.
more >

The EMERGING ARTS PROFESSIONAL NETWORK is an online resource and community network for arts administrators, managers, and artists who are at the beginning of their careers.

The Network offers opportunities to gain valuable access to online mentors and insight into possible means of advancing a career in the arts. The EAP website has discussion forums, blogs, Mentor and Emerging Arts Professional of the Month, links, new, and events. EAP also offers access to existing professional development opportunities in the arts, and they are developing a series of informal professional development workshops, to be held evenings beginning in the fall. EAP will also provide subsidized management services to a small roster of emerging artists. < less

Rethinking Non-Profit Ontario [2007-06-14]

Metcalf Innovation Fellow Lynn Eakin recently released an update to her report, Advancing the Non-Profit Sector. Eakin discusses further recommendations and observations based on her consultations within the sector.

Street Health Report 2007 [2007-10-11]

The Street Health Report 2007 is a community-based study on the health of homeless people in Toronto conducted by Street Health. It presents findings of a survey of 368 homeless adults in Toronto on their health and access to health care. This study was conducted in the winter of 2006/2007 by Street Health, a community-based health care organization working with homeless and under-housed people in downtown Toronto with funding in part from the Metcalf Foundation. more >

The report reveals a picture of homelessness in Toronto that is troubling and speaks to the need for changes to policy and practice to improve the health of homeless people and to ultimately seek long term solutions to homelessness and inequality. < less

Networks and Community Change [2007-07-19]

Networks are emerging a promising strategy to create change. Networks help us look beyond formal organizations and arrangements to understand the value and importance of informal relationships. Networks can be flexible and adaptable, build connections between people with diverse ideas and perspectives and enable many small overlapping projects and experiments around common purposes. more >

We are learning that to support networks that work across sectoral or organizational boundaries requires conscious thinking and resources to ensure they do not languish for lack of attention and input. Recently the Foundation has had the opportunities to participate in a series of conversations about how to nurture effective networks. At one event, Lisa Kimball shared five ways to strengthen self-organized networks:

• Make the WHOLE visible to everyone – to ensure people have a sense of who is part of the network (such as through photos)

• Create LINES of Site to every part of the system – to enable people to be more aware of possibilities and ways they can connect with others (for example through network maps, newsletters, or electronic bulletin boards)

• Leave TRACKS and FOOTPRINTS everywhere – to anchor and ground the work of the group, and make it visible to others (such as through documenting stories)

• Catalyze rich CONVERSATIONS – to help generate new ways of people thinking and interacting with each other

• Amplify ENERGY – support people to recognize patterns and promising practices to affect change

At yet another event June Holley spoke about the role of a “Network Weaver”, a person who is willing to take responsibility for making the network more effective by increasing the quality and quantity of connections and relationships between people. This is done in part by bringing in new ideas, resources and perspectives into the network and helping people to do something together.

To learn more about Lisa and June’s ideas about networks go to:

www.groupjazz.com
www.networkweaving.com
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Reflections on a 3-Year Journey [2007-04-07]

Any organization that receives a Strategic Initiative grant embarks on a multi-year journey - on a path toward a strategic goal they themselves have identified. Because both the work and the environment are complex, there are often surprising and unexpected discoveries over a three year period. Sometimes organizations are significantly changed by what they learn. Sometimes individuals within a company are profoundly affected by the work they have chosen to undertake. more >

Since 2001 the Foundation has funded an incredibly diverse range of exploration. Now we are happy to share the thoughts and reflections of organizations which have completed their grants.

Queen of Puddings Music Theatre was funded in the first round of the program in 2001. Their challenge? Finding singers who could handle the theatre, movement and other artistic demands of contemporary opera. Their solution? Specialized training to broaden the pool of qualified talent. Their discovery? A surprising impact they never anticipated.

Since 1995, Queen of Puddings had been evolving a visionary and unique genre of music theatre. Their art form makes intense vocal and physical demands on singers: analysis and performance of contemporary music, diverse vocal styles, movement, dance, mime, acting, and mask. In the company's experience, singers trained in the old classical conservatory model, based in 19th century vocal pedagogy, were ill-equipped to handle the kind of work they do.

Rehearsal time is limited and valuable. It is not productive to have to use so much of it to provide training for artists, at the expense of developing the work. At the time of application, this was identified as an obstacle which regularly confronts and limits the company.

With SI funding for three years, Queen of Puddings launched an annual three-week summer training program for singers, specializing in developing the contemporary music theatre skills so critically important to the company's aesthetic.

Dairine Ni Mheadhra, Artistic Director
Queen of Puddings:

As you will remember, the most important reason for launching this new summer training program was because we were having to train a new group of singers in theatre and movement skills for every new production. It was costing us enormous amounts of time and money and frustration and we felt that the company couldn't advance further without addressing this issue.

After three years I'm very happy to tell you that in our 04/05 season, we are producing a new Canadian Opera The Midnight Court which needs 10 singers. Eight of them will have been through the program over the last three years. This is exactly the result we wished for when we applied.

There has been another wonderful development which we could not have foreseen three years ago, a development which is a radically different approach to the opera art form as we know it. Having seen our brochures, you will be familiar with Suba Sankaran, the training program's South Indian singing teacher. We were deeply moved by the profound tradition that Suba so beautifully presented in her teaching. The presence of such an extraordinary practitioner in our midst, bringing to light a centuries-old tradition, created within us a desire for combining this tradition with our own Western classical music tradition in a new opera with Suba as the central character. We commissioned this opera from Montreal composer Michael Oesterle, and the first development workshop took place in August 2004.

At this stage, in February 2007, the opera is almost completed and ready for a world premiere. We're delighted with this turn of events. < less

Innovation Fellow John Stapleton [2007-04-02]

The Somali Community Centre of Etobicoke in partnership with Innovation Fellow John Stapleton are working on an initiative to generate ideas and practical solutions to key problems facing lone parents and persons with disabilities who try to attain self sufficiency while in receipt of multiple social benefit programs or subsidies. They are focusing on adults who receive Ontario Works, ODSP, other subsidies and who live in public housing. more >

As John states “Working age social assistance recipients and public housing residents in Ontario live with disincentives - the more they make, the more they lose; when they tell the truth they are punished. The programs within the social assistance and housing systems don't work together well - they often charge more rent or reduce their support based on the same dollar of earned income… All of the programs have understandable rules considered in isolation one from the other. It is their interaction ‘on the ground’ that often results in the unintended consequence of reducing or eliminating incentives to reduce dependency on the programs.”

Together they hope to make a significant contribution to a pervasive problem by:

* Highlighting and making understandable to policymakers and the public that the uncoordinated removal of subsidies in Ontario creates a major barrier to self-sufficiency of recipients of these programs
* Developing a process of documenting this issue that can be replicated in other communities
* Acting as a change agent to reform governance models within governments to pay more attention to the effects of their overlapping policies and procedures that create disincentives
* Changing individual policies that create unnecessary barriers and unintended consequences. < less

Call For Healthy Lands Proposals [2007-06-25]

The Metcalf Foundation will be accepting Healthy Lands applications on or before 14 September 2007. The Healthy Lands program is focused on ensuring the ecological integrity of Southern Ontario’s natural and working lands. It is designed to draw in initiatives which aim to benefit both land and people through long-term solutions and informed discussion, and to seek out organizations that are pioneering new, creative, inclusive approaches to tough land use issues. Please contact Ruth Richardson or refer to our environment program guidelines for further information.

Field Internships Awarded 2007-06-25

Five Internships have been awarded to individuals interested in entering the field of land use work in Southern Ontario. In 2006, Metcalf’s Environment Program initiated the Field Internships to cultivate new leaders, encourage organizations to reaffirm their commitment to the future, and increase the diversity of the field. Through structured internships we create productive entry points to mentoring and training so that the rich experience and specialized knowledge that exist in the field will guide the development of the next generation of leaders. Our current Field Interns are: Erin Elliott, Alternatives Journal; Ivan Lee, Ontario Farmland Trust; Claire Malcolmson, Environmental Defence; Chris McIlhinney, Wye Marsh; and Sherry Shen, Citizens’ Environment Watch. Congratulations!

Good Advice for Intern Candidates [2007-06-25]

Every year the Foundation meets with the interns we’re funding. We learn a lot from these discussions. Among other things, we ask them what someone who wants to be an intern can do to contribute to a successful internship. Here’s their advice:
• do your research, on the company and your mentor, to ensure a good fit
• be very clear about what you want to learn and experience
• it’s a negotiation, so speak up
• once you’re there, be open and flexible – but be committed
• don't be afraid to ask questions
• be prepared for feedback, good and bad, and seek it out
• remember it’s a gift, this opportunity – make the most of it

The next Field Internship application deadline is Friday 18 January 2008. Please contact the Foundation if you have any questions about the program.

Environmental Priorities for Ontario [2007-06-25]

With Metcalf Foundation support, 13 of Ontario's leading environmental organizations have come together to develop a set of key environmental policy priorities that can help steer Ontario in a new and healthier direction. more > These interconnected priorities cover a wide range of issues including boreal forest protection, toxics, energy, Great Lakes protection, waste and recycling, urban sprawl and the Greenbelt. These priorities point Ontario in another direction - toward smart decisions that make respect for the environment the basis of good decision-making. They are outlined in detail at www.prioritiesforontario.ca. The 13 groups are: Environmental Defence, Pollution Probe, Greenpeace, Conservation Council of Ontario, Sierra Legal Defence Fund, Great Lakes United, Wildlands League, Forest Ethics, Pembina Institute, Canadian Environmental Law Association, Ontario Nature, Sierra Club of Canada and Ontario Clean Air Alliance.

Winterizing Growing Power [2007-05-01]

Will Allen and his daughter Erika, a Chicago art therapist-turned community garden organizer, beat back the winter blues with winter greens when they gave several public lectures and workshops for Toronto food, planning and community agencies at the invitation of the Metcalf Foundation.

To grow coldly where none have grown before is the new mission of Will Allen, the basketball star-turned urban agriculture visionary who's increasingly paying attention to the opportunities of growing winter salads in greenhouses that go “beyond carbon-neutral” in the ways they reduce global warming.

Will Allen and his daughter Erika, a Chicago art therapist-turned community garden organizer, beat back the winter blues with winter greens last week when they gave several public lectures and workshops for Toronto food, planning and community agencies at the invitation of the Metcalf Foundation.

The winterizing opportunities that the Allens create will give a major assist to localistas, who recognize that concern about going without basic fruits and vegetables gives most people cold feet about moving toward strictly local food purchases. Say what you want about learning to wait for food treats in that one month when they're in prime form, or rediscovering neglected turnips and other root veggies that store well through the winter, or gaining skills in preserving, the idea of living without basic salad greens for six months leaves most people cold. Thanks to the Allens, and four-season pioneers such as Elliot Coleman of Maine and David Coldmeyer of Cookstown, Ontario, locavores can jump that wintry hurdle with a wide range of cold-hearty arugula, spinach, kale, corn mache, bok choy and cabbage - dark greens that are packed with nutrients and distinctive taste.

Allen came to the rigors of winter late in his life. Son of a South Carolina sharecropper, he was the first Afro American to break the color line in Florida college basketball during the 1960s, and went on to play professionally in Europe, where Belgian farmers introduced him to the joys of small farms linked to nearby communities. Many years after retiring from basketball to take up farming near Milwaukee, he developed a national reputation during the 1990s as the founder of Growing Power, with a Milwaukee greenhouse that's fast becoming a shrine to the ways urban ag can link community development, leadership training for minority youth and environmental stewardship. (For purposes of full disclosure, Will and I have worked closely together for several years on the board of the Community Food Security Coalition.)

Growing Power recycles waste - standing 6 feet seven inches tall, Allen delights in cuddling his "millions of employees," tiny red wiggly worms that convert leftovers from restaurants and brewers into nutrient-rich castings - a symbol of his grassroots strategy for growing transformational power from humble and overlooked assets within dispossessed communities. With his new winter focus, Allen will soon be using food waste to grow electrical and motor power to fuel his own operation while eliminating a major source of pollution and global warming.

Winterizing food production is central to the new community-based food system Allen envisions.

First, Allen argues, transporting food from areas with warm winters to areas with cold winters adds thousands of refrigerator truck miles to everyone's daily commute. Reducing winter food commutes could take a major slice - likely in the area of ten per cent -- out of global warming emissions.

Second, Allen feels, a local food system can't be built on fair-weather friendships. Local food systems, unlike a long-distance supply chain that moves massive amounts of food commodities through an anonymous but predictable infrastructure, depends on personal relationships, so relationships with suppliers and retailers need to be ongoing and reliable. I can't tell the guy from the local organic beer company who delivers me waste mash that I can only take it in summer, Allen says. Ongoing year-round relationships are just as important for retaining loyal customers, and even more important for growing consistent and reliable relationships with the youth who work and do internships on urban ag projects.

Third, local food, almost by definition, has to be grown in or near the cities where the local customers live. High land prices in and near cities means that land can't be left idle for half the year, with no production or cash flow. There has to be a steady stream of products, activities and cash flow for urban and near-city farming to flourish.

Allen already has experience turning year-round necessities into opportunities, and has long grown year-round at his 2.2 acre headquarters and greenhouse in Milwaukee.

Not that we should let anyone get away with doing a snowjob on winter hardships and impossibilities. Most highly-populated cities in wintry climes of North America are at a latitude closer to southern than northern Europe, which means that access to light, a severe limit on food production, isn't a huge problem. Winter sunlight carries warmth, and can usually heat the daytime air in greenhouses to well above freezing levels. And the earth always acts as a huge storage battery for heat. Fairly simple barriers, such as low-cost plastic sheets and low-lying leafy plants, can prevent the escape of that heat into the open skies and help plants make it through the night. None of these elements will work for coconuts, oranges or bananas, but they're all grist for the mill of many herbs and veggies.

Whenever possible, Allen works with natural systems to turn up the heat. First, he takes full advantage of the natural heat that's generated as compost breaks down, a process that can bring some compost piles close to the temperature for spontaneous combustion. A two-foot thick bedding of woodchips and wormy food scraps acts like a 24/7 toaster oven for the roots of winter salads. A pile of compost at the end of each bed row gives off 24/7 heat, which is trapped at night by a pup tent that's put tight around the crop to keep the heat in. It's not as toasty as a sleeping bag, but it's warm enough.

There's one use of fossil fuel, and that's natural gas to heat the water for the 4000 tilapia that provide fish manure (if that's what it's called) for the greens, as well as high-value and nutritious sales to local restaurants. The heat from the fishing pools is also used to heat the greenhouse.

That's the fossil fuel and $35,000 a year cost that Allen wants to get rid of. And he's just got himself a $400,000 anaerobic digester as a research pilot that will let him take even more food scraps from the city; without access to oxygen, the rotting scraps give off methane, which can be burned as a natural gas equivalent. He'll not only provide clean and renewable heat and other products from this gassy digestive system; he'll eliminate the need to use fuel to truck food waste away to landfills, where the organic material rots and gives off methane, 22 time more potent than carbon dioxide when it comes to global warming gases.

That's a variety of winter green benefits that long distance imports will find hard to beat.

Adapted from NOW Magazine, April 12-18, 2007 < less

Rethinking NonProfit Ontario [2007-06-14]

Metcalf Innovation Fellow Lynn Eakin recently released an update to her report, Advancing the Nonprofit Sector. Eakin discusses further recommendations and observations based on her consultations within the sector.

Environment Program Changes [2007-05-15]

The Foundation's Environment Program has been focused on ensuring the ecological health and integrity of our natural and working lands through people and organizations pioneering new, creative, inclusive approaches to tough land use issues. Over the past 5 years, we have made 135 grants totaling approximately $8,300,000 to a wide variety of projects in the Boreal Forest, Northern Appalachians and Southern Ontario regions from the development of ecosystem-based conservation plans to the promotion of coordinated and comprehensive regional policy development to agricultural land preservation and food system reform.

Throughout this period we have struggled with the disjunction between the quality and quantity of requests for support and our limited grants budget. We have continually assessed: organizational uptake of the program; the collective impact of our grants; our place on the funding landscape; and our ability to take advantage of opportunities to add value to our grant-making beyond providing financial support. After review and much consideration, the Board has concluded that due to issues of scale, approach and proximity, we can be a more dynamic, informed and useful funder by narrowing the focus of our grant-making to a single region.

We are extremely proud of the tremendous work undertaken by those whom we have supported across our geographic areas of interest and would like to emphasize that this change in strategic direction is in no way a reflection of the laudable efforts of organizations working in the Boreal Forest and Northern Appalachian regions. The people and organizations we have supported have secured protected areas, advanced provincial policies, strengthened their organizations, provided invaluable planning assistance to communities and brought greater coordination and collaboration to conservation efforts. We are honoured to have been a helpful partner in those endeavours and wish them continued success.

While we regret that we will no longer be direct supporters of these groups, we look forward to the opportunities proffered by our new emphasis. By making this shift, we are able to make a more significant and sustained investment with our limited dollars in the work that we are seeding and encouraging in Southern Ontario. We will be able to use the Intern and Fellowship Programs to reinforce the vigour and innovation of the region. It will also result in better leverage of both our staff expertise and advisory networks, and more cogently integrate the work of the Environment Program into the Foundation's overall goals.

Inaugural Field Fellowships Awarded [2007-05-15]

The Metcalf Foundation is pleased to announce that John Riley, Chief Science Officer and National Director of Conservation Strategies at the Nature Conservancy of Canada has been awarded an inaugural Metcalf Foundation Field Fellowship. The purpose of the Field Fellowship is to acknowledge, develop, and strengthen the contribution of exceptional individuals working on land use issues in Southern Ontario. Through this fellowship program, we hope to realize the benefits that can accrue - to leaders, their organizations, their communities and their work - from periods of professional development, reflection and renewal. more >

John Riley has worked for over two decades on natural heritage policies and programs in a variety of organizations including the Royal Ontario Museum, Ontario Geological Survey, Federation of Ontario Naturalists, and Nature Conservancy of Canada. Through his fellowship, John will pursue “a year’s rejuvenation through writing” by exploring new ideas and taking a sabbatical for personal revitalization. His proposed project “assembles the earliest descriptions of the Great Lakes region and its neighbourhood by explorers, missionaries, settlers, tourists and surveyors. The outcome will be an engaging book that describes what the region was like at the point of discovery and settlement, through the eyes of its earliest observers … For more than 10 years, I have assembled some of the earliest descriptions of the Great Lakes region. This is a fascinating literature, describing wildlife and fisheries, woodlands and prairies, birds and plants that can only be vaguely imagined now, given our modern converted, simplified, down-sized and homogenized landscape.”


It is our privilege to celebrate and support this inaugural recipient of The Metcalf Foundation Field Fellowship, and we appreciate your interest in learning more about this outstanding individual and their successful and innovative work. < less

Town Hall on Viable Urban Agriculture [2007-04-07]

In partnership with Ryerson University, The Metcalf Foundation is pleased to announce the 3rd in its City-Builder-in-Residence series. City-builders Will Allen and Erika Allen from Growing Power (Milwaukee and Chicago IL) will be here during the first week of April to talk to Toronto about urban agriculture as a vehicle for social and ecological change. more >

“From the Ground Up: How Viable Urban Agriculture Can Empower Citizens and Feed Them Too” will be the subject of a Town Hall on Tuesday 3rd April at 7:00 PM at Innis Town Hall located at 2 Sussex Avenue, University of Toronto. At this public talk Will and Erika will share their experiences using urban agriculture as a tool to advance food security and to build stronger, more inclusive, sustainable communities. All are welcome.

For more information about our city-builders Will and Erika or about Growing Power please visit www.growingpower.org. For more information about this event, please contact Pamela Robinson, School of Urban and Regional Planning, Ryerson University, 416-979-5000 ex. 6762.
< less

Advancing the Non-Profit Sector [2007-02-16]

Metcalf Innovation Fellow Lynn Eakin recently released a report, Advancing the Non-Profit Sector, that explores promising strategies for creating change in the regulatory and financing of non-profit organizations in Ontario. Eakin argues that the challenges facing the non-profit sector's health are so critical that those interested in its long-term viability must explore new ways to act to influence shifts in the financing and regulatory environment. She provides a pragmatic approach to organizing the sector in Ontario based on a review of non-profit organizing efforts in regional, national and international contexts.

2006 Renewal Fellowship Awarded [2007-01-19]

The Metcalf Foundation is pleased to announce that Bill Worrell, Program Manager at LAMP Community Health Centre has been awarded a Renewal Fellowship. The purpose of the Renewal Fellowship is to support, celebrate and strengthen senior leaders in Toronto's community based sector by offering a sabbatical opportunity for professional development, reflection and respite. more >

Bill has worked for over twenty years in community development within the non-profit sector in a variety of positions including at the National People First Project and Beat the Street. Bill will use his sabbatical to engage in research and reflection on the state of the community development field and in particular, self-advocacy for people who are labeled as disabled. He will undertake a literature review and connect with colleagues involved in the self-advocacy movement in such places as Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Tennessee and Pennsylvania.

Bill states, “My progression through the non-profit sector has been driven by a desire for inclusive communities and social justice. Having worked in management and senior management, reconnecting to my roots of community development will enable me to reflect on my past practice, update myself on the state of community development today, and work with other practitioners on developing new lessons learned from recent practice. My connection to my passion will re-energize and focus me as a leader in the non-profit sector.” < less

Building Connections [2007-01-18]

The Institute in Management and Community Development will be holding its 14th annual Summer Program at Concordia University, in Montreal, from June 11th to 16th, 2006. The Summer Program offers an opportunity for people and organizations from across Canada, United States and the global south to come together to share skills, strategies, and resources to advance work in the areas of community development, community organizing, and community economic development. To learn more about the Institute and the Summer Program agenda please go to http://instdev.concordia.ca.

Creating Change in the Food System [2007-01-18]

In March the Foundation approved $540,000 in support of Local Flavour Plus' innovative approach to the creation of a local sustainable food system. Using an eco-label for food, Local Flavour Plus cultivates sustainable agriculture by reaching out to farmers and farm organizations through the development of both standards for, and educational materials about, the benefits of producing food in environmentally and socially responsible ways. By telling a story about where food comes from and how it is produced, Local Flavour Plus connects people to their food and lays the basis for deeper connections between consumers and their local community, and between consumers and the natural environment.

Incubating Connections [2007-01-18]

The Metcalf Foundation hosted a meeting for those associated with the Southern Ontario component of its Healthy Lands program. The list of invitees included current and potential grantees, advisors, and a few “friends of” the Foundation. The meeting was deliberately informal and sought to bring together people and organizations working toward the health of Southern Ontario’s natural and working lands to discuss current issues, opportunities and challenges; animate the Foundation’s Healthy Lands Program; and learn from one another about the approaches, strategies and synergies of our work. The discussion ranged from systems thinking to the crisis in agriculture, from representation to dialogue, from the role of civil society to the scale at which we work. Click here [PDF] for a brief summary of the meeting.

Monitoring the Moraine Project [2007-01-18]

Monitoring the Moraine - a collaborative project between Citizens’ Environment Watch, Save the Oak Ridges Moraine and Centre for Community Mapping (University of Waterloo) - is designed to engage and sustain community volunteers in environmental and policy monitoring across the Oak Ridges Moraine. This $360,000 Metcalf Foundation grant will enable the collaborative to develop and implement collaborative solutions to Oak Ridges Moraine community-based monitoring, determine whether the objectives of the Oak Ridges Moraine Act and Plan are being achieved, build partnerships with other moraine-based communities of practice and inform decision-making through new models for environmental and policy monitoring and reporting.

2007 Deadlines Announced [2007-01-18]

Next year's deadlines for the Performing Arts Program have been announced. All prospective applicants are encouraged to contact Michael Jones, Arts Program Director, before they submit a proposal to the Foundation. 2007 Deadlines

Good Advice for Intern Candidates [2007-01-18]

Every year the Foundation meets with the interns we’re funding in the arts program. We learn a lot from these discussions. Among other things, we ask them what someone who wants to be an intern can do to contribute to a successful internship. Here’s their advice: more >

* do your research, on the company and your mentor, to ensure a good fit
* be very clear about what you want to learn and experience
* it’s a negotiation, so speak up
* once you’re there, be open and flexible – but be committed
* don't be afraid to ask questions
* be prepared for feedback, good and bad, and seek it out
* remember it’s a gift, this opportunity – make the most of it

Please contact the Foundation if you have any questions about the program.
< less

News About Interns [2007-01-18]

The Foundation is always happy to hear what interns are doing after they finish their placements. Here are some updates. more >

Jennifer Archibald, 2005 intern at the Gallery Players and the Niagara Symphony, is now Director of Marketing and Development at Opera Ontario.

Shelley Heebner finished her 2005 placement in props at CanStage and went on to become Props and Wardrobe Coordinator at Red Barn Theatre.

Toronto Dance Theatre's 2005 intern Ainsley Kendrick has been accepted into the Arts Work/Study Program in dance stage management at the Banff Centre.

Two of Shaw Festival's previous music director interns, Jason Jestadt and Sasha Luminsky, were part of the musical team for Lord of the Rings at Mirvish Productions.

Alexis Buset, technical intern at the Grand Theatre in 2005, was hired by the Blyth Festival for the summer 2006 season. < less

Shared Space: The Communities Agenda [2007-01-18]

Metcalf Innovation Fellow, Sherri Torjman of the Caledon Institute of Social Policy has recently published a new paper called Shared Space: The Communities Agenda. This paper is the first chapter in a forthcoming book that explores the application of the concept of ‘resilience’ in order to develop a framework to build strong and vibrant communities. Sherri identifies key factors in individuals and communities that enable them to cope and thrive in the face of tough problems and continual change. more >

She adapts the concept of economic cluster based development to the social dimension of communities, explaining there are four inter-connected resilience clusters that together comprise the substance of the Communities Agenda. They include: the sustenance cluster which comprises the foundation for human security such as adequate income an and affordable housing; the adaptation cluster, concerned with basic coping skills such as empathy, problem-solving, literacy proficiency and early childhood education; the engagement cluster which is concerned with active participation in society; and the opportunity cluster which focuses on the building of robust livelihoods through asset and work-related investments. Within each cluster there are a wide-ranging set of actions that fall into two different streams - individual capacity and community capacity. Sherri argues that investments must be made in both strengthening individual and community infrastructure within each cluster as well as to ensure that there are strong interconnections between all of the clusters in order for societies to thrive.

To receive a copy of this paper please go to www.caledoninst.org
< less

Strengthening the Voice of Community in Regent Park [2007-01-18]

Ensuring that communities have strong voices and vehicles to participate in issues affecting their lives is important for positive community change. more > In Regent Park, this is a priority for residents, particularly in light of the redevelopment of the neighbourhood over the next 10 years. Regent Park Neighbourhood Centre is therefore undertaking a project to train 36 local residents in the areas of data collection, workshop facilitation, story-telling and documentation. Youth, adults and seniors from diverse ethno-cultural and linguistic communities will participate, building leadership across generations and cultures. The project will help ensure that there are opportunities for engagement and participation in local social planning, the redevelopment process and in other issues that are of importance to local residents. < less

Emerging Leaders 2006 Kicks Off [2007-01-18]

In April, the second year of Emerging Leaders: A Middle Management and Leadership Program began with 23 participants from diverse social service organizations in Toronto. more > This dynamic program seeks to build the management skills and capitalize on the inherent leadership abilities of middle managers in the social service sector who are the next generation of leaders. The longer-term goal of the program is to assist the entire sector with succession planning and leadership diversification. This program is offered over nine months in partnership with the United Way of Greater Toronto and the Schulich School of Business. Click here to see this year’s participating organizations, the faculty and an overview of the curriculum. < less

Emerging Leaders Accepting Applications for 2007 [2007-01-18]

The next generation of non-profit leaders will come from a diverse group of managers in the social services sector. To strengthen the skills and scope of these exceptional individuals, the Metcalf Foundation and United Way of Greater Toronto have created a unique certificate program called Emerging Leaders. more > Offered in partnership with the Schulich School of Business at York University, the program focuses on leadership development, core management skills and sectoral analysis. Offered over 23 days through a combination of retreats, in-class sessions and off-site learning activities.

We are now accepting applications for the 2007 Emerging Leaders program. Information sessions about the program will be held on Monday, October 30, 1:30-3:30 pm at North York Seniors Centre, 21 Hendon Avenue (Yonge St./Finch Ave) and on Tuesday, October 31st, 1:30-3:30 pm at United Way of Greater Toronto, 26 Wellington Street East 11th Floor.

For further information please contact the Non-profit Management and Leadership Program at the Schulich School of Business at (416) 736-5092. You can also visit the “What's New” section at www.schulich.yorku.ca/nmlp.nsf to download an information brochure and application. < less

Transforming from Social Service to Social Change [2007-01-16]

Neighbourhood based organizations can play a vital role in building healthy communities. They are on the front-lines of ameliorating the worst effects of poverty such as hunger, unemployment and homelessness. more > Yet, given the growing complexity of tough social issues, how do these organizations contribute to creating systemic, long-term change? Through a multi-year grant three North York organizations, Jane/Finch Community & Family Centre, North York Community House and Delta Family Resource Centre are working together to explore how individually and collaboratively they can integrate social change strategies such as resident leadership, community mobilization into their organizations in order to take collective action on issues of poverty in their neighbourhoods. < less

TRASH + FOOD [2007-01-12]

The Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art and Alphabet City have joined forces, with the help of the Metcalf Foundation, to collaborate on a two-year initiative called The Healthy City Festivals. more > The festivals provide a "platform for thinking" by tackling a single word each year dealing with the long-term issues facing Toronto's health through their flagship anthology series with the MIT Press as well as through works of visual art, literature, music, and other forms, all in an effort to engage the entire city in a discussion about the best ways to imagine Toronto's future and to migrate the city towards comprehensive ecological sustainability.

2006's word is TRASH. In the TRASH pocketbook Anthology copublished by MIT press, artists and writers investigate the proposition that we are what we thrown away. The TRASH festival presents innovative works through a range of formats - publications, visual art exhibitions, performing arts events, public policy lectures, workshops, and debates. For instance, the Drake Hotel shows contemporary art works by Ed Burtynsky and others; the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art hosts a fashion show of works made from found materials; Canadian composer and sound artist Scott Wilson presents "Müllmusik: A Graveyard of Unwanted Sounds;" mezzo soprano Ariana Chris sings trashy tunes from opera repertoire; mayoral candidates debate their ecological visions for the city at MaRS; and a town hall attempts to answer the question "What should Toronto do about its Garbage?"

In 2007 MOCCA and AbC will tackle FOOD with the proposition that "food is heaven - food is our world." FOOD will address new patterns of food production and consumption that implicate us in world-wide systems of transport and trade; reflect upon our expanding tourist and immigrant-influenced palettes; and challenge our notions of food politics, science and ecology. It will capture how essential food is to our sense of self, community and belonging. < less

2006

Environment Program Changes

The Foundation's Environment Program has been focused on ensuring the ecological health and integrity of our natural and working lands through people and organizations pioneering new, creative, inclusive approaches to tough land use issues. more >

Over the past 5 years, we have made 135 grants totaling approximately $8,300,000 to a wide variety of projects in the Boreal Forest, Northern Appalachians and Southern Ontario regions from the development of ecosystem-based conservation plans to the promotion of coordinated and comprehensive regional policy development to agricultural land preservation and food system reform.

Throughout this period we have struggled with the disjunction between the quality and quantity of requests for support and our limited grants budget. We have continually assessed: organizational uptake of the program; the collective impact of our grants; our place on the funding landscape; and our ability to take advantage of opportunities to add value to our grant-making beyond providing financial support. After review and much consideration, the Board has concluded that due to issues of scale, approach and proximity, we can be a more dynamic, informed and useful funder by narrowing the focus of our grant-making to a single region.

We are extremely proud of the tremendous work undertaken by those whom we have supported across our geographic areas of interest and would like to emphasize that this change in strategic direction is in no way a reflection of the laudable efforts of organizations working in the Boreal Forest and Northern Appalachian regions. The people and organizations we have supported have secured protected areas, advanced provincial policies, strengthened their organizations, provided invaluable planning assistance to communities and brought greater coordination and collaboration to conservation efforts. We are honoured to have been a helpful partner in those endeavours and wish them continued success.

While we regret that we will no longer be direct supporters of these groups, we look forward to the opportunities proffered by our new emphasis. By making this shift, we are able to make a more significant and sustained investment with our limited dollars in the work that we are seeding and encouraging in Southern Ontario. We will be able to use the Intern and Fellowship Programs to reinforce the vigour and innovation of the region. It will also result in better leverage of both our staff expertise and advisory networks, and more cogently integrate the work of the Environment Program into the Foundation's overall goals. < less

New Thoughtleader Series Launched

With funding from the Metcalf Foundation, the Canadian Environmental Grantmakers’ Network has launched its new Thoughtleader Series which includes articles by five of Canada’s leading thinkers on their views of the issues, needs and gaps in funding within Canada’s environmental sector. more > The purpose of the Thoughtleader Series is to inform and stimulate strategic thinking, discussion and debate among environmental grantmakers and others, and to enhance their individual and collective focus on high priority and high impact grantmaking. By inviting a range of broad thinkers with a sector-level perspective who are engaged with the environment in various ways, the resulting series is intended to present a variety of approaches and diverse thinking to encourage lively discussion and debate within the environmental community. The five articles in the series will be launched one-by-one over the next five months: the first article is by Andrew Heintzman entitled “New Strategies to Confront Climate Change”; the second article is by Michael Robinson entitled “Coping with Reality: Key Issues Facing Canada's Environmental Sector in 2006”. < less

Emerging Leaders 2006 Kicks Off

In April, the second year of Emerging Leaders: A Middle Management and Leadership Program began with 23 participants from diverse social service organizations in Toronto. more > This dynamic program seeks to build the management skills and capitalize on the inherent leadership abilities of middle managers in the social service sector who are the next generation of leaders. The longer-term goal of the program is to assist the entire sector with succession planning and leadership diversification. This program is offered over nine months in partnership with the United Way of Greater Toronto and the Schulich School of Business. Click here to see this year’s participating organizations, the faculty and an overview of the curriculum. < less

Innovation Fellowships Awarded

Four Innovation Fellowships have been awarded to individuals working to explore creative solutions to issues of poverty. more > In 2005, Metcalf’s Community Program initiated the Innovation Fellowships to provide individuals with vision, a passion for their issue and intellectual rigour the opportunity to investigate powerful ideas, models and practices that have the potential to positively benefit low-income communities. Our current Fellows are: Sherri Torjman, Caledon Institute for Social Policy; Gabriella Micallef, St. Clare’s Multifaith Housing Society; Lynn Eakin, Lynn Eakin & Associates; and Tom Zizys. Issues they are tackling range from using the concept of “resilience” to advance understanding about how to improve the quality of life in local communities; developing a new model of mixed tenancy, supportive housing; to exploring the feasibility of a social enterprise operating as a deconstruction business. < less

Leaders in the Field Program Launched

We are pleased to announce the launch of Leaders in the Field. This new environmental funding stream is intended to develop, strengthen and celebrate exceptional leaders working on land use issues in Southern Ontario, the Boreal Forest and Northern Appalachians through two parallel steams: more >

* Field Fellowships will offer senior leaders, who can benefit from periods of professional development, reflection and renewal, the flexibility to pursue opportunities not available under regular workplace demands
* Field Internships will cultivate new leaders by creating productive entry points to mentoring and training so that the rich experience and specialized knowledge that exist in the field will guide the development of the next generation of leaders < less

Building Movement in Toronto

How do community-based non-profit organizations help or hinder movement for social change? How within the current funding environment do they carve out space to work with their constituents to address systemic change as well as personal change? On October 25th and 26th, 2006 the Metcalf Foundation hosted a visit from the New York based Building Movement Project to explore these issues. more >

Building Movement has been working for the past five years to strengthen the role of US non-profit organizations as sites of democratic practice and to advance ways non-profits can significantly contribute to building movement for progressive social change. Building Movement will engage with a range of constituents to jointly advance learning about community building, social services and social change, and emerging leadership in the non-profit sector. Over the course of their visit, Frances Kunreuther and Linda Campell of the Building Movement Project will meet with social service agencies, Metcalf Foundation grantees and local government and foundation funders. Frances and Linda's bios are below.

For more information about Building Movement please go to www.buildingmovement.org.

Frances Kunreuther is the Director of the Building Movement Project, working to support social change organizations in the United States. Housed at Demos, the project has developed strategies for movement capacity building and has conducted a study of generational differences in social change organizations. Before bringing the project to Demos, Kunreuther spent five years at the Hauser Center for Non-profit Organizations at Harvard University where she was a Practitioner Fellow. In addition to developing the Building Movement Project, her work at the Center focused on bridging the practice/academic divide such as convening a seminar series for faculty and practitioners on social change and social movements, organizing a conference on governance and accountability, and chairing a committee on teaching about the role of unions as non-profit organizations. In 1997, Kunreuther was a fellow at the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Prior to the fellowship, she was the Executive Director of the Hetrick-Martin Institute, a multi-service agency for lesbian and gay, homeless, and HIV-positive youth. For over twenty years, Kunreuther worked in non-profit organizations in New York City addressing the needs of homeless youth, immigrant groups, domestic violence and sexual assault survivors, and crime victims and defendants in the criminal justice system.

Linda S. Campbell is an Independent Consultant providing consulting and technical assistance to non-profit organizations in strategic planning; program planning and development; non-profit start-up; board training and leadership development. Prior to her consulting work, Linda served in a variety of senior and executive positions in the non-profit and government sector. She has provided technical assistance in capacity building to a variety of community and faith based non-profit organizations. Linda served as Executive Director for one of NYC oldest AIDS service organizations, Minority Task Force on AIDS; and as Senior Director at the Michigan Public Health Institute and the National Center for Health Education. She has also served as a founding board member for several community based non-profits beginning in 1985, and during the past two years, has provided planning assistance and to local African American health institute initiatives in Michigan. Linda holds a Masters Degree in Public Health from the University of Michigan. < less

Building Connections

The Institute in Management and Community Development will be holding its 14th annual Summer Program at Concordia University, in Montreal, from June 11th to 16th, 2006. more > The Summer Program offers an opportunity for people and organizations from across Canada, United States and the global south to come together to share skills, strategies, and resources to advance work in the areas of community development, community organizing, and community economic development. To learn more about the Institute and the Summer Program agenda please go to instdev.concordia.ca < less

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George Cedric Metcalf
Charitable Foundation
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Toronto, ON
Canada M5R 2J1
 
Telephone: 416-926-0366
Fax: 416-926-0370

www.metcalffoundation.com