{"id":267111,"date":"2019-04-08T10:30:32","date_gmt":"2019-04-08T14:30:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/policyoptions.irpp.org\/issues\/cwhl-struggles-sign-changing-non-profit-landscape\/"},"modified":"2025-10-07T22:29:02","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T02:29:02","slug":"cwhl-struggles-sign-changing-non-profit-landscape","status":"publish","type":"issues","link":"https:\/\/policyoptions.irpp.org\/fr\/2019\/04\/cwhl-struggles-sign-changing-non-profit-landscape\/","title":{"rendered":"CWHL’s struggles a sign of changing non-profit landscape"},"content":{"rendered":"

The impending shutdown of the Canadian Women\u2019s Hockey League<\/a> (CWHL) in early May 2019 is not the result of a new phenomenon. In the past ten years, a number of worthwhile not-for-profits and charities have struggled, from health organizations to churches. It\u2019s a sign of a changing landscape. For the next number of years, as alternative business models for societal change go mainstream because of shifts in demographics, donation behaviour and technology, you can bet that we will see another wave of not-for-profits experiencing serious struggles.<\/p>\n

The engine warning light came on some time ago, but we ignored it. It\u2019s time to pay attention.<\/p>\n

The problem is that many of our not-for-profit business models were designed for a different era. Now we are trying to squeeze a radically better society from models that weren\u2019t designed to do much more than deliver services. They weren\u2019t designed to be surplus-generating, or data-driven, or to accept impact investment.<\/p>\n

Not-for-profit organizations are a powerful engine for societal transformation. There are countless examples in Canada, from Saint Elizabeth Health to the National Association of Friendship Centres. We should be incredibly proud of our country\u2019s civil society landscape. It is the envy of many countries around the world. Canada\u2019s not-for-profit business models have strong elements of volunteer management, donor stewardship, advocacy and program delivery. Along with an appreciation and celebration of these elements, there is increasing consensus that societal transformation requires not-for-profit business models that are fit for a world that\u2019s changing faster than ever.<\/p>\n

Not-for-profits can adapt to a changing landscape, and it could mean incorporating a few features that you may already recognize in the worlds of business, labour and technology.<\/p>\n

First, 21st-century not-for-profit business models require diversified investment\u2014beyond the typical fundraising drives and sponsorships that organizations such as the CWHL relied on<\/a>. In particular, impact investments are growing in Canada. Impact investments are investments made in companies, not-for-profit organizations and funds with the intention of generating measurable social and environmental impact alongside a financial return\u2014a key ingredient for sustainability. Impact investments can be made in social-purpose technology, products, experiences, services or \u2014 the most popular type \u2014 real estate. Impact investing<\/a> in Canada now totals $14.75 billion, an 81 percent increase over a two-year period.<\/p>\n

Second, these models require a modern talent attraction and retention practice. This includes paying market wages, investing in employee professional development and offering a comprehensive suite of benefits. The average not-for-profit salary<\/a> in Canada is just over $31,000 per year, and entry-level positions start at about $27,000. In the CWHL, players mostly earned between $2,000 and $10,000 a season<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And third, just as innovation in the business world drives new and improved products and services, innovation and experimentation can also help not-for-profit organizations generate significant and rapid advancements in services and solutions that enhance lives. However, currently only a small proportion of not-for-profit organizations intentionally and consistently incorporate a wide range of new knowledge (like insights into how the brain works), new technologies (like machine learning) or new processes (like human-centred design) all of which can help not-for-profits be more responsive and adaptive to their stakeholders<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the thing: Canada is not just the country of transportation, energy and technology wonders. It\u2019s also a country that is full of ingenuity to enhance societal well-being. From our arts and sports to our education and newcomer settlement, we are the country that created the world\u2019s first registered disability savings plan and the globally replicated Women\u2019s Institutes and jump-started the cooperative movement.<\/p>\n

As we look ahead to the next decade, there is no doubt that we\u2019ll have more not-for-profits voice their struggle, but we also have a pivotal opportunity to prepare for a great transition that supports organizations working to accelerate advancements in well-being. Canada can lead the world in providing the best social outcomes.<\/p>\n

Photo: Calgary Inferno\u2019s Zoe Hickel (left) celebrates with Rebecca Johnston (centre) and Katelyn Gosling after scoring her team\u2019s fourth goal against Les Canadiennes de Montreal, during third period action in the 2019 Clarkson Cup game in Toronto, on March 24 , 2019.THE CANADIAN PRESS\/Chris Young<\/span><\/p>\n

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The impending shutdown of the Canadian Women\u2019s Hockey League (CWHL) in early May 2019 is not the result of a new phenomenon. In the past ten years, a number of worthwhile not-for-profits and charities have struggled, from health organizations to churches. It\u2019s a sign of a changing landscape. For the next number of years, as […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":275527,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","ep_exclude_from_search":false,"apple_news_api_created_at":"2025-10-08T02:29:04Z","apple_news_api_id":"86cf29e3-e523-4997-91e7-d4d14ac113e5","apple_news_api_modified_at":"2025-10-08T02:29:04Z","apple_news_api_revision":"AAAAAAAAAAD\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/w==","apple_news_api_share_url":"https:\/\/apple.news\/Ahs8p4-UjSZeR59TRSsET5Q","apple_news_cover_media_provider":"image","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_cover_video_id":0,"apple_news_cover_video_url":"","apple_news_cover_embedwebvideo_url":"","apple_news_is_hidden":"","apple_news_is_paid":"","apple_news_is_preview":"","apple_news_is_sponsored":"","apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":[],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false},"categories":[9362,9357,9372],"tags":[8467],"article-status":[],"irpp-category":[4245,4251],"section":[],"irpp-tag":[],"class_list":["post-267111","issues","type-issues","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-economie","category-politiques-sociales","category-recent-stories-fr","tag-not-for-profit-fr","irpp-category-economie","irpp-category-politique-sociale"],"acf":[],"apple_news_notices":[],"yoast_head":"\nCWHL's struggles a sign of changing non-profit landscape<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/policyoptions.irpp.org\/fr\/2019\/04\/cwhl-struggles-sign-changing-non-profit-landscape\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"fr_FR\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"CWHL's struggles a sign of changing non-profit landscape\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The impending shutdown of the Canadian Women\u2019s Hockey League (CWHL) in early May 2019 is not the result of a new phenomenon. 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