1. Environmental Charities and Political Advocacy: Donor Opinions By Sarah May msrh0013@humbermail.ca

2. Agenda Part I Background Research Research Question Part II Research Survey Results Part III Conclusions Sarah May msrh0013@humbermail.ca

3. Advocacy Chill Climate of fear in charitable sector. Environmental groups have received the most attention, but the chill affects all charities Many misconceptions about what charities are allowed to do Result: Only $1 of every $10,000 is spent on political advocacy (source: Mark Blumberg) Sarah May msrh0013@humbermail.ca

4. Advocacy Chill Only 7 environmental charities are in the list of top 50 who spent the most on political activity: #1 Ducks Unlimited #12 Environmental Defence #25 Tides Canada Initiatives Society #32 Ecojustice Canada Society #39 Canadian Wildlife Federation #42 Ecology Action Centre #43 The David Suzuki Foundation (Source: Mark Blumberg) Sarah May msrh0013@humbermail.ca

5. Advocacy Chill Environmental Defence: Mission: We are Canada's most effective environmental action organization. We challenge, and inspire change in government, business and people to ensure a greener, healthier and prosperous life for all. http://environmentaldefence.ca/ % Spent 10 8 6 4 % Spent 2 Sarah May msrh0013@humbermail.ca 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 0

6. Advocacy Chill Tides Canada Initiatives Society: Mission: Provide uncommon solutions for the common good by leading and supporting actions that foster a healthy environment and just Canadian society. http://tidescanada.org/ % Spent 2.5 2 1.5 1 % Spent 0.5 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 0 Sarah May msrh0013@humbermail.ca

7. Advocacy Chill Ecojustice Canada Society: Mission: Ecojustice is a national charitable organization dedicated to defending Canadians right to a healthy environment. Our lawyers and scientists set legal precedents and strengthen environmental laws that protect and restore the environment, both today and for the future. http://www.ecojustice.ca/ % Spent 2.5 2 1.5 1 % Spent 0.5 0 Sarah May msrh0013@humbermail.ca

8. What do these charts mean? Even the most political environmental charities are not spending as much as we might assume on advocacy WHY? Sarah May msrh0013@humbermail.ca

9. What do donors think? The biggest risk charities face if they become more political is that they may have their government funding cut Environmental groups are facing these cuts anyways (75% reported cuts in 2003*) *Source: 2003 NSNVO Sarah May msrh0013@humbermail.ca

10. What do donors think? Only 7% of Canadians give to environmental charities (according to Statistics Canada) And yet, 15% of the revenue reported came from individual donors* Plus another 35% came from fees for goods/services and memberships* *Source: 2003 NSNVO Sarah May msrh0013@humbermail.ca

11. The Bottom Line? DONOR OPINIONS MATTER Sarah May msrh0013@humbermail.ca

12. The Survey Target audience: Canadians who donate to environmental charities Surveyed: 77 people completed the survey Survey distributed through social media, friends, family, colleagues. Many people in my circle are supporters of environmental charities but most of them live in Ontario Sarah May msrh0013@humbermail.ca

13. Results Age Range of Survey Participants 65-74 4% 55-64 20% 18-24 17% 25-34 15% 45-54 26% 35-44 18% Sarah May msrh0013@humbermail.ca

14. Results In the past year, have you donated to a Canadian environmental charity? 0% Not Sure 5% Yes 47% No 48% Sarah May msrh0013@humbermail.ca

15. Results How much have you donated? 0% $1-30 23% $101-300 30% $31-100 40% Sarah May msrh0013@humbermail.ca

16. Results To the best of your knowledge, are the environmental charities that you support involved in political activity? Not Applicable 24% Yes 44% Not Sure 28% No 4% Sarah May msrh0013@humbermail.ca

17. Results Do you agree that environmental charities should be allowed to spend 10% on advocacy? Not Sure 12% Too Much 6% Yes it is perfect 41% Should be more 41% Sarah May msrh0013@humbermail.ca

18. Results 71% of those surveyed feel environmental charities should be allowed to advocate for: -Getting toxic substances out of household products -Reducing emissions -Regulating or disallowing oil sands pipelines -Protecting and conserving land -Regulating industry Sarah May msrh0013@humbermail.ca

19. Results Would you maintain your support of the organization if they increased their political activity? Not Applicable 17% Not Sure 22% Yes 58% No 3% Sarah May msrh0013@humbermail.ca

20. Summary of Results About half of those surveyed donate to environmental charities; few are major donors Majority believe that environmental charities should be political and would continue to donate if these charities decide to become more politically active. Sarah May msrh0013@humbermail.ca

21. Continuing the Research Next step would be to take this survey to an environmental charity who can send it to their donor list Goal would be to get the opinions of major donors and people who pay for membership fees and goods/services Sarah May msrh0013@humbermail.ca

22. In Summary Many Environmental charities have a responsibility to be politically active They must relate any advocacy to their mission and follow the CRA rules They need to diversify revenue sources so that government funding is not relied upon Use political advocacy as a way to engage volunteers and supporters. Get them active! Donors will support your role in their communities. Sarah May msrh0013@humbermail.ca

23. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION! Sarah May msrh0013@humbermail.ca

24. Sources Bridge, R. (2002). The law governing advocacy by charitable organizations: The case for change. The Philanthropist, 17(2), 1-33. Retrieved September 22, 2013, from http://sectorsource.ca/resource/file/law-governing-advocacy-charitable-organizations-case-change. Bridge, R., & Gilbert, N. (2005). Helping charities speak out: What funders can do. The Philanthropist, 20(2), 153-157. Retrieved September 22, 2013, from http://thephilanthropist.ca/index.php/phil/article/view/30. Canada Revenue Agency. (2013, Apr 4). Charities listings. Retrieved from http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/chrts-gvng/lstngs/menu-eng.html. Grandy, J. (2013). Environmental charities in Canada. Toronto, ON: Charity Intelligence Canada. Retrieved September 22, 2013, from http://www.charityintelligence.ca/environmental-charities. Wyman, K. (2013, Sept 23). Melt the charity chill [Webinar]. In CEGN Shared Learning Opportunities. Retrieved from http://sustainabilitynetwork.ca/. Melt the charity chill - Hilborn, October 16th 2013, Janet Gadeski http://www.charityinfo.ca/articles/Melt-the-charitychill?utm_source=eNews%3A+October+17%2C+2013_&utm_campaign=Oct+17+eNews&utm_medium=email Statistics Canada. September 2004. Cornerstones of Community: Highlights of the National Survey of Nonprofit and Voluntary Organizations. Cat. 61-533XIE. Ottawa. http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/chrts-gvng/chrts/cmmnctn/pltcl-ctvts/slf-ssmnt-tl-eng.html?utm_source=charities&utm_medium=eml CRA Political Activity Self-Assessment tool Which Canadian Registered Charities Spent Money on political activities and how much did they spend? Mark Blumberg; 2012 http://www.globalphilanthropy.ca/images/uploads/Which_Canadian_Charities_Spent_Money_on_political_activities_and_how_much_did_they_spe nd.pdf How accurate are the T3010 charity returns when it comes to political activities? By Mark Blumberg Apr 2008 http://www.canadiancharitylaw.ca/index.php/blog/comments/how_accurate_are_the_t3010_registered_charity_information_returns/ http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/11-008-x/2012001/article/11637-eng.pdf Sarah May msrh0013@humbermail.ca