Appreciation

Ontario announces 1st Annual Nonprofit Appreciation Week

It’s happening! After close to 15 months of advocating for the need to recognize Ontario’s Non-profit sector, Bill 9- An Act to Proclaim A Week of Appreciation for the Nonprofit Sector passed unanimously with the support of all parties in the Ontario Parliament. Thanks to MPP Daisy Wai’s passionate and strategic leadership, the support of United Way Greater Toronto, and the Ontario Nonprofit Network and the endorsement of more than 300 organizations and individuals, the third week of February will be celebrated as Nonprofit Appreciation Week in perpetuity!

Honouring the Nonprofit sector for its economic and social contribution to Ontarians begins this year- February 14-20 2022! Isn’t it fitting that in this, our first year, it will fall on Valentine’s Day? After all, nonprofit organizations and their staff and volunteers are the heart of every community across the province…..

Appreciation Week Videos

Thank you to the many organizations that submitted videos for the 2022 Week of Appreciation

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Celebrating the Mission-Driven Dedication, Ingenuity

Nonprofit Appreciation Week helps close the recognition gap for a critically important but overlooked sector. Though nonprofit professionals are highly skilled, well-educated, and widely credited with ensuring the well-being of Ontarians, especially the most vulnerable in our communities, they often go unrecognized for their contributions. That changed in December 2021!. We are delighted to celebrate the 58,000 mission-driven organizations in Ontario’s nonprofit sector and the 1 million exceptional individuals and 5.2 million volunteers who work in them, with the Province, MPP Daisy Wai and our partners, Ontario Nonprofit Network and United Way Greater Toronto.

Meet the Woman behind the Week

You might be wondering about the incredible woman who ardently championed Bill 9 and the Nonprofit Sector Appreciation Week.

MPP Daisy Wai of Richmond Hill is currently the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. She is passionate about the nonprofit sector and their role in helping vulnerable people through the pandemic.

“A Non-profit Sector Appreciation Week will provide Ontarians with a week-long opportunity to express their gratitude and encouragement to the non-profit workers who play vital roles in building our communities.” — MPP Daisy Wai

MPP Daisy Wai speaking in the Ontario Parliament.

A Special Thank You!

Those featured (in the images above) are among some of the people who brought the Ontario Week of Appreciation for the Nonprofit Sector to life!

We are grateful for your efforts! Without you, we could not have made this week happen!

Nova Scotia planning next Nonprofit Day of Recognition

Preparations are underway for Nova Scotia’s 2nd Annual Day of Recognition for the Nonprofit Sector scheduled for April 29, 2022.

Nova Scotia was the first province to lead the charge by proclaiming a Day of Recognition for the Nonprofit Sector on October 14, 2020. The Province, United Way Halifax, the Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia and the Bhayana Family Foundation worked together to host this historic event.

You can watch the ceremony here, as well as award-winning musician Sean McCann’s performance to all the “Good People” who work in Nova Scotia’s nonprofit organizations.

Next stop – Alberta Bound!

United Way Calgary and the Bhayana Family Foundation have begun the process of creating an Alberta Day of Recognition for the Nonprofit Sector. Want to help make it happen? Email us that you would like to be involved.

Ontario MPPs unanimously support Nonprofit Week of Appreciation

“We all need to appreciate the hard-working professionals in the nonprofit sector, especially during the pandemic period when its services are so much needed and volunteers and donations have dropped,” said Daisy Wai, MPP for Richmond Hill. “The Nonprofit Sector Appreciation Week will help ignite the passion and the performance of workers who are understandably exhausted and feeling burned out. We need to celebrate these Invisible Champions in our communities. Their sense of dedication, powered by their personal vision and mission has supported them through many challenges, but our appreciation and support for them will go a long way.”

According to Raksha M. Bhayana, CEO of the Bhayana Family Foundation, “The staff of Nonprofits are extraordinary. They are deeply caring, guided by a mission to enhance the quality of life of individuals and communities. Staff in the sector are driven by the best parts of the soul and a passion for social impact. MPP Daisy Wai’s passionate championing of Bill 9 ensures that the sector is honoured for its economic and social contribution to society – making the invisible champions visible.”

Cathy Taylor, CEO of Ontario Nonprofit Network observed: “We are delighted to see that the Ontario Legislature, through the leadership of MPP Daisy Wai, has acknowledged the breadth and diversity of the nonprofit sector in Ontario and is committed to championing its role. Nonprofits and charities are essential to the health and vitality of our communities and have been at the forefront of supporting Ontarians throughout the pandemic. A Nonprofit Week of Appreciation is a crucial step of recognition. We look forward to celebrating!”

Dan Clement, CEO of United Way Centraide Canada remarked: “Every day, frontline workers and professionals are delivering essential community services to ensure that all Ontarians receive the support they need. United Way Centraide Canada has worked alongside the Bhayana Family Foundation, local United Ways and the Ontario Nonprofit Network and hundreds of organizations and individuals who supported this important recognition.”

Planning for the Ontario Week of Appreciation has just started. Here's what is being planned thus far:

1. There will be an official hybrid ceremony at Queen's Park with flag raising and remarks from Premier Ford and other politicians. We are hoping for a broad attendance from Nonprofits, Think Tanks, Corporates and people who have benefited from Nonprofits.

2. Social Media Recognition of Staff of the Nonprofit Sector highlighting what they do.

a) Let us know at raksha.m@bhayanafoundation.org if you would like to spotlight someone. Also we are inviting amplification of the posts.

b) This will include Videos from a cross section of Ontario talking about the Value of the Nonprofit Sector .

Stay tuned - we will be updating regularly Please let us know if you have ideas for the Celebration.

2. Nova Scotia Day of Recognition for the Nonprofit Sector

a) Preparations are underway for Nova Scotia's Second Annual Day of Recognition for the Nonprofit Sector scheduled for April 29 2022

b) Nova Scotia became the First Province to lead the charge by proclaiming the First Ever Day of Recognition for the Nonprofit Sector October 14 2020. The Province, United Way Halifax and the Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia and the Bhayana Family Foundation worked together to host this incredible event. Please watch the Video:

3. United Way Calgary and The Bhayana Family Foundation have begun the process of creating an Alberta Day of Recognition for the Nonprofit Sector.