https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/Latest community news and updates.enMon, 09 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/government-of-canada-improves-access-to-sexual-and-reproductive-health-services/This past weekend, the Honourable Senator Dr. Kristopher Wells, on behalf of the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, announced an investment of almost $600,000 to support the delivery of inclusive, culturally sensitive SRH services and resources to the communities across the country that need them. The announcement took place at the Positive Light Gala in Edmonton, AB, held in support of building a more inclusive and accepting society for all, including people living with HIV.Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/government-of-canada-improves-access-to-sexual-and-reproductive-health-services/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/two-years-after-landmark-report-renewed-action-is-needed-as-homelessness-continues-to-rise/Two years after the release of her landmark report on homeless encampments, the Federal Housing Advocate continues to urge all levels of government to do more to address the human rights crisis of homeless encampments in Canada. The number of people experiencing homelessness in Canada continues to rise. Figures show the number of people living unsheltered has more than doubled in recent years – an increase of 107% between 2020-2022 and 2024. In Ontario alone, a report published in January by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario identified 85,000 people experiencing homelessness in the province in 2025. First Nations, Inuit and Métis people continue to be grossly over-represented in these numbers.Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/two-years-after-landmark-report-renewed-action-is-needed-as-homelessness-continues-to-rise/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/improving-the-health-of-men-and-boys-in-canada/The Government of Canada is engaging provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous partners and key stakeholders to develop a Men and Boys' Health Strategy. The goal is to create supportive and safe environments, challenge harmful stereotypes, reduce stigma and encourage men of all ages to seek help when they need it. Improving the health of men and boys is a shared effort. The factors that lead to poorer health outcomes for men and boys are complex and interrelated, and don't begin in adulthood. Complete the questionnaire by June 1, 2026.Mon, 02 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/improving-the-health-of-men-and-boys-in-canada/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/shifting-threshold-of-serious-non-compliance-in-canadian-charity-law/In Canadian tax law, being a “registered charity” is a mark of public trust and regulatory approval, granting the ability to issue official donation receipts. As the regulatory landscape evolves in 2026, there is growing concern that “serious non-compliance” is shifting from intentional wrongdoing to a focus on administrative accuracy. This trend prompts the question: must charities now not only pursue their social mission but also maintain impeccable internal controls and reporting?Fri, 27 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/shifting-threshold-of-serious-non-compliance-in-canadian-charity-law/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/money-available-for-communities-looking-to-develop-a-wildfire-prevention-plan/The program supports risk assessments, fuel management planning, and mitigation activities. Government is launching the Newfoundland and Labrador Community Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation Program and there’s money available for communities looking to develop a plan.Fri, 27 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/money-available-for-communities-looking-to-develop-a-wildfire-prevention-plan/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/red-cap-program-teaches-children-skills-to-prevent-bullying/Across the country, The Salvation Army runs Red Cap, a program for children between the ages of eight and 12 that provides participants with tools to understand and manage their emotions, helping prevent bullying.Tue, 24 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/red-cap-program-teaches-children-skills-to-prevent-bullying/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/canada-post-community-foundation/The 2026 application form will be available from Monday, February 9 to Friday, February 27, 2026, at 2 pm ET. The Canada Post Community Foundation is a registered charity distributing grants to Canadian schools, charities and community organizations that provide programming to children and youth (up to age 21). Every dollar raised goes directly to recipients – Canada Post covers all administrative costs.Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/canada-post-community-foundation/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/breakthrough-t1d-canada-mental-health-and-t1d-community-grants-2026/The Breakthrough T1D Canada 2026 Mental Health and T1D Community Grants Program is an incubator initiative that provides seed funding to organizations ready to transform innovative ideas into successful projects designed to support the mental health and wellness of people living with T1D and their informal caregivers (including parents or guardians, grandparents, partners, and other support networks).    The maximum amount per grant is $35,000. Grants will be a maximum of 18 months in length, with all project activities expected to be completed in that window.Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/breakthrough-t1d-canada-mental-health-and-t1d-community-grants-2026/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/provincial-government-highlights-strong-economic-impact-of-2025-jeux-du-canada-games/The Honourable Andrea Barbour, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, welcomes the significant economic benefits that the 2025 Jeux du Canada Games have brought to Newfoundland and Labrador, noting the event’s substantial and far‑reaching impact on the province.Tue, 10 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/provincial-government-highlights-strong-economic-impact-of-2025-jeux-du-canada-games/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/paralympic-foundation-of-canadas-paratough-cup-surpasses-3-million-raised-following-recent-calgary-stop/Over $114,000 was raised last Thursday at the ParaTough Cup, the signature fundraising event of the Paralympic Foundation of Canada, which supports Para athletes at every stage – from community programs to the podium.Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/paralympic-foundation-of-canadas-paratough-cup-surpasses-3-million-raised-following-recent-calgary-stop/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/secretary-of-state-long-announces-renewed-funding-for-tax-clinics-for-the-55th-anniversary-of-the-cvitp/Today, the Honourable Wayne Long, Secretary of State for the Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions, announced the renewal of the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) Grant for the next three years. This grant provides eligible community organizations with financial support to help offset the costs of hosting free tax clinics, making it easier for them to continue their important work.Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/secretary-of-state-long-announces-renewed-funding-for-tax-clinics-for-the-55th-anniversary-of-the-cvitp/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/community-tennis-grants-introduces-two-year-funding/After a year of record growth, the Game. Set. Equity. Community Tennis Grants, presented by National Bank, returns in 2026 with a new two-year grant available for past recipients, as Tennis Canada and National Bank’s investment grows to $125,000.Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/community-tennis-grants-introduces-two-year-funding/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/student-led-non-profit-initiative-hosts-free-thrift-event-for-those-in-need/Students from an Edmonton high school kept a non-profit charity initiative alive with a two-day event that provided free clothing and hygiene products to anyone who needs them. Christina Daniel founded Ross Sheppard High School’s Givology in 2024 as a Grade 11 student after learning one of her peers had been facing homelessness.Mon, 26 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/student-led-non-profit-initiative-hosts-free-thrift-event-for-those-in-need/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/four-charities-stories-to-watch-in-2026-including-two-happening-now/Goodbye, 2025: when it came to big announcements, 2025 was a relatively underwhelming year for Canada’s charities and non-profits. But what will 2026 hold for the sector? Below, we highlight four developments to keep an eye on in 2026. Already, two of these: the CRA’s move to “axe the fax” and the Lobbying Commissioner’s move to lower the registration threshold for organizations, are well underway.Tue, 20 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/four-charities-stories-to-watch-in-2026-including-two-happening-now/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/2026-the-four-digital-strategy-imperatives-for-canadian-nonprofits/For Canadian nonprofits, 2026 won’t be defined by a single trend, technology, or threat. It will be defined by how well organizations adapt to an environment where demand continues to rise faster than capacity, fundraising models are shifting, digital transformation is uneven, and donors are more diverse in identity and expectation than ever before. In our work at Salytics, we see these pressures playing out in every engagement, from small social service agencies to large federated institutions and they are reshaping how leaders set strategy.Mon, 19 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/2026-the-four-digital-strategy-imperatives-for-canadian-nonprofits/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/strike-out-cancer-goes-national-as-mortgage-industry-aims-to-raise-1m-in-2026/The mortgage industry is once again lacing up its bowling shoes and taking another spin in a collective effort to “Strike Out Cancer” in late February.Wed, 14 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/strike-out-cancer-goes-national-as-mortgage-industry-aims-to-raise-1m-in-2026/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/a-newcomers-story-of-strength-and-courage-watch/Isaac, a caregiver student originally from Kenya, shares his journey of coming to Canada in search of a better future for his family. Arriving in Canada with only one small bag and little support, Isaac faced intense isolation, cold weather, financial hardship, and emotional distress.Wed, 14 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/a-newcomers-story-of-strength-and-courage-watch/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/childrens-miracle-network-1b-health-for-all-kids-pledge/Children’s Miracle Network® (CMN), the charity that focuses solely on raising funds to support the health of all kids, launched The Health For All Kids Impact Pledge today to demonstrate its participation in providing the necessary resources to support the country’s pediatric healthcare demands amid unstable funding sources. The $1 billion, two-year fundraising initiative greatly accelerates the heritage of CMN’s contributions-to-date, as the organization has raised nearly $10 billion for its network of 170 children’s hospitals across the United States and Canada since its inception in 1983.Tue, 13 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/childrens-miracle-network-1b-health-for-all-kids-pledge/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/canadian-charity-opens-relief-hub-for-children-in-gaza/As advocates warn the world is turning away from the suffering in Gaza, a Canadian charity is opening a relief hub to give traumatized children in the enclave access to basic mental health supports and education. “The need is so urgent,” said Usama Khan, an adviser to the head of Human Concern International, a Muslim charity based in Ottawa.Tue, 13 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/canadian-charity-opens-relief-hub-for-children-in-gaza/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/january-2026-grants-for-black-led-nonprofits-and-charities/Welcome to a new year with a new set of Grants Black-led/ B3 Non profits and Charities. Whether you’re launching a new initiative, scaling your impact, or need support for infrastructure and capacity-building, here some current grants to help fund your Black non profit in Canada to check out this month:Tue, 06 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/january-2026-grants-for-black-led-nonprofits-and-charities/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/cnib-partners-with-the-ten-spot-to-launch-braille-nails-in-support-of-braille-literacy/January is Braille Literacy Month in Canada, a time to recognize braille as a cornerstone of literacy, learning, and independence for people who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision. That’s where your hands can help. Funds raised through Braille Nails will help support CNIB’s braille literacy programs, ensuring they have access to instruction, materials, and tools that allow them to learn to read and write independently. Just as we would never question the importance of print literacy for sighted children, children who are blind deserve the same foundation for success.Mon, 05 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/cnib-partners-with-the-ten-spot-to-launch-braille-nails-in-support-of-braille-literacy/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/12-dares-of-christmas-ns-man-finds-unique-way-to-raise-money-for-charity/Every holiday season, a Nova Scotia man has completed a dozen dares in honour of his late cousin. “We just finished up our 10th year of the 12 Dares of Christmas. Another successful year, lots of great donations, and lots of support from people sharing and liking videos, so, yeah, pretty happy with how this year went.,” said Eric Anstey of Lower Sackville. As part of the challenge, Anstey has gone paddle boarding in First Lake in the winter, rode around Mic Mac Mall dressed as the Grinch and even gotten a tattoo. One year, he was even dared to dress up as CTV News Atlantic’s Katie Kelly.Fri, 02 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/12-dares-of-christmas-ns-man-finds-unique-way-to-raise-money-for-charity/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/former-premier-darrell-dexter-musician-joel-plaskett-appointed-to-order-of-nova-scotia/Other Order of Nova Scotia recipients for 2025 include Cape Breton business and community leader Rankin MacSween, philanthropist and entrepreneur John George (Jack) Flemming and human rights advocate Carolyn G. Thomas, who won the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers in 2008. An investiture ceremony will be held at Government House in Halifax this spring. The Order of Nova Scotia, which was established in June 2001, has invested 132 members.Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/former-premier-darrell-dexter-musician-joel-plaskett-appointed-to-order-of-nova-scotia/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/tax-deductible-year-end-gifts-make-twice-the-impact-for-people-in-need/Many individuals seeking support have turned to The Salvation Army for food, clothing and practical assistance, with more than three million visits reported last year in Canada and Bermuda. Donors continue to play a crucial role in helping The Salvation Army provide essential services in 400 communities across Canada.Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/tax-deductible-year-end-gifts-make-twice-the-impact-for-people-in-need/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/canadians-giving-less-to-charity-now-than-before-study-finds/Charitable giving in Canada is on the decline, according to the Fraser Institute’s latest generosity index, which analyzed tax returns to track private donations across the country. The study shows that fewer Canadians are donating, and the value of donations has also fallen.Mon, 22 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/canadians-giving-less-to-charity-now-than-before-study-finds/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/canada-advances-first-nations-led-new-path-forward-on-long-term-reform-of-the-first-nations-child-and-family-services-program/The Government of Canada is committed to advancing long-term reform alongside First Nations across the country—so child and family services put children, families, and communities at the centre of care. Today, the Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services Canada, announced that the Government of Canada will be submitting a detailed plan to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) to reform the First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS) program — one that respects regional approaches while operating within a coherent national framework.Mon, 22 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/canada-advances-first-nations-led-new-path-forward-on-long-term-reform-of-the-first-nations-child-and-family-services-program/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/nl-awards-contract-to-build-40-new-affordable-housing-units-in-st-johns/A $17-million contract has finally been awarded to build a long-awaited affordable housing complex in the east end neighbourhood in St. John’s.Fri, 19 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/nl-awards-contract-to-build-40-new-affordable-housing-units-in-st-johns/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/protecting-fresh-water-canada-water-agency-invests-over-45-million-in-39-new-projects/Today, the Honorable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Nature and Minister responsible for the Canada Water Agency, announced over $4.5 million in funding for 39 new freshwater projects.Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/protecting-fresh-water-canada-water-agency-invests-over-45-million-in-39-new-projects/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/crew-of-hmcs-st-johns-makes-presentation-to-make-a-wish/A cheque presentation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation was made this morning on board HMCS St. The money was raised by crew members who participated in the annual Run the Rock charity campaign.Wed, 17 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/crew-of-hmcs-st-johns-makes-presentation-to-make-a-wish/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/charitable-giving-on-the-decline-in-canada/There would have been 1.5 million more Canadians who donated to charity in 2023—and $755.5 million more in donations—had Canadians given to the same extent they did 10 years priorTue, 16 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/charitable-giving-on-the-decline-in-canada/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/salvation-army-christmas-campaign-down-nearly-50-per-cent-as-kettles-go-unstaffed/Nine days before Christmas, the Salvation Army is launching a desperate appeal for volunteers. The agency reports its seasonal goal is off by nearly 50 per cent, simply because of a lack of people to staff its Christmas kettles.Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/salvation-army-christmas-campaign-down-nearly-50-per-cent-as-kettles-go-unstaffed/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/how-culture-shapes-volunteerism-in-canada/A recent Statistics Canada report shows differences in volunteerism rates by race and immigration status. About 70 per cent of racialized Canadians volunteered in 2023, compared with 74 per cent of white Canadians. Both groups were significantly more likely to volunteer informally, by directly helping people, than to volunteer formally with an organization.Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/how-culture-shapes-volunteerism-in-canada/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/canadian-donations-to-charity-take-a-hit-drop-to-all-time-low-study-shows/A new study from the Fraser Institute on Canadian generosity has found that the number of Canadians donating to charity dropped to the lowest point in two decades in 2023. The Canadian public policy think tank study showed that around one-in-six Canadians — or just under 17 per cent — are making charitable donations on their tax returns.Sat, 13 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/canadian-donations-to-charity-take-a-hit-drop-to-all-time-low-study-shows/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/some-provinces-are-selling-us-booze-again-with-a-holiday-twist-is-yours-one-of-them/How are Canadians feeling about buying American these days? Well, when it comes to U.S. alcohol, many are again raising a glass. But that doesn't mean their elbows are down.Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/some-provinces-are-selling-us-booze-again-with-a-holiday-twist-is-yours-one-of-them/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/charity-food-drives-are-they-the-answer-heres-what-calgarians-say/Is it time for Canada to consider something like government food stamps to address hunger? Atul Bir says 10 years ago, he would have said no. We’re looking out for each other. But today? Demand for food banks has soared, and that’s changing his mind.Wed, 10 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/charity-food-drives-are-they-the-answer-heres-what-calgarians-say/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/the-steelworkers-humanity-fund-distributes-300000-to-131-food-banks-across-canada/The Steelworkers Humanity Fund (SHF) is significantly ramping up its annual donations to food banks across the country this year. Faced by an uncertain economic environment marked by loss of employment, inflation and growing inequality, Canadians of all walks of life, including children, increasingly must use food banks to make ends meet. In this context, the SHF is contributing $300,000 to 131 food banks and community organizations across Canada in 2025.Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/the-steelworkers-humanity-fund-distributes-300000-to-131-food-banks-across-canada/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/gofundmes-2025-year-in-help-report-reveals-a-growing-community-of-global-helpers/GoFundMe today released its 2025 Year in Help report, offering a sweeping look at how individuals and nonprofits came together on the platform to support one another through crisis, milestones, and moments of opportunity.Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/gofundmes-2025-year-in-help-report-reveals-a-growing-community-of-global-helpers/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/its-hard-to-take-huge-haul-of-donations-destined-for-hurricane-ravaged-jamaica-stolen-from-mississauga-storage-unit/Mon, 08 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/its-hard-to-take-huge-haul-of-donations-destined-for-hurricane-ravaged-jamaica-stolen-from-mississauga-storage-unit/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/joint-statement-celebrating-international-volunteer-day/On International Volunteer Day, Canada recognizes the incredible volunteers in Canada and around the world whose efforts power not-for-profit organizations, charities and countless community initiatives.Fri, 05 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/joint-statement-celebrating-international-volunteer-day/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/salvation-army-makes-familys-first-christmas-in-canada-special/When Ouafaa Eladmi and her family moved to Canada three years ago, she knew they were embarking on a transitional period that might require some sacrifices, one of them being the Christmas season. The family, originally from Casablanca, Morocco, first had to adapt to their new surroundings. The move from a big city to a small town such as High River, Alta., was a significant change. With no family or many friends around, Ouafaa was expecting a toned-down Christmas.Thu, 04 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/salvation-army-makes-familys-first-christmas-in-canada-special/https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/bmo-real-financial-progress-index-reveals-65-of-canadians-plan-to-give-back-to-their-community-this-holiday-season/The BMO Real Financial Progress Index reveals 65% of Canadians plan to give back to their community this holiday season, despite rising costs and economic uncertainty. The Index was developed based on a survey of 2500 adults conducted by Ipsos in Canada and the U.S.Tue, 02 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500https://volunteernl.ca/community-news/bmo-real-financial-progress-index-reveals-65-of-canadians-plan-to-give-back-to-their-community-this-holiday-season/