When the Heiltsuk people had the opportunity to build a wellness centre in their territory, they turned to their own people and their own culture to define what the word means for them. Launched this summer, the Kunsoot Wellness Centre offers a lesson in how to take a more rooted and honest approach to well-being.
The Haíɫzaqv have built a stunning new health and wellness centre near Bella Bella. A video takes you inside its making.
Just a boat’s row away from Waglisla, or Bella Bella, lies the First Nations reserve of Kunsoot. Waglisla is itself a reserve and home to about 1,300 Haíɫzaqv (Heiltsuk) people on the central coast of British Columbia. Kunsoot is a place where Haíɫzaqv families used to travel in summer to catch salmon and otherwise practice their culture.
To realize the deep systemic change that America is demanding, philanthropy must reorganize to build and demonstrate a trust-based culture, invest in community leadership capacity-building, and open up decision-making and information-sharing structures.
Charity work is already a noble move. Rescuing charities takes nobility up a notch. Today, Douglas Nelson talks to Paul Latour, a motivational speaker and the creator of HeroWork Society, a program that inspires people, communities, and companies to come together to help renovate charities. Paul talks about how he formed HeroWork, its benefits, actions, and values. Paul’s four Cs to a successful event and step-by-step guide for infrastructure renewal have guided them not just physically transform organizations but psychologically transform them as well. Learn how Paul and his team have helped evolved a group to a community that lifts up each other for a greater cause.
IT’S THE BEGINNING of September, and at Vancouver’s Southlands Riding Club, a group of adults wearing helmets and face masks are gathered in a large outdoor horse ring just south of the riding track. Strewn across the soft mulch are rows of objects—jumping poles laid in zigzag formations, plastic cones, flags, hoola hoops, and balls. Some of the adults present are training to become facilitators for Urban Horse Project’s (UHP) Learning with Horses programs for at-risk youth. Others are community partners who’ve been invited to experience equine-assisted learning.
Empowering people to manage their own money with a one-off cash payment could have an enduring impact on homelessness, if the “beautifully surprising” results of a Canadian initiative are anything to go by.
The New Leaf Project, a scheme led by Vancouver-based Foundations for Social Change (FSC) saw a one-off payment of CAD7,500 (around $5,600) given to 50 homeless adults, compared to a control group of 65 homeless people who did not receive any money.
Power To Give fosters connection amongst the organizations we fund. These connections have been even more important during the pandemic, requiring adjustments to ensure we are safely gathering. The bonus has been the incredible collaborations that have grown out of these connections, heightening the impact on our communities.
With in person meetings no longer an option, Power To Give began holding regular virtual gatherings via Zoom. Early discussions centered on the pandemic, the impact on organizations, and what we could do to continue to provide services to our communities. Resources and stories were shared, some heartbreaking and some inspiring. Over time, a wonderful network was strengthened and the ability to amplify each others’ work continues to be astounding.
In September 2020, a window in the pandemic waves allowed for a small, in person gathering. We took great care to follow public health guidelines, keeping a safe distance from each other. Oh, how we reveled in spending time together, learning and sharing. Under the insightful guidance of our friends at The Roy Group, we dug deep into issues and workshopped challenges. We are so grateful that we had this respite in what has been an incredibly difficult year.
While our online connections continue, we look forward to the time we can again gather in person.
Last year saw the social impact sector pop up in every section of the newspaper. Whether tax changes, Canadians being generous or Mackenzie Scott directing even more of her fortune to causes north of the border, it’s pretty heartening to see these stories take centre stage. As we always say, generosity is infectious. And it’s the one time when being a “super-spreader” is a good thing.
PEOPLE
In the sometimes-flashy world of pro sports, Tyson Barrie is the epitome of quiet generosity. Every time we have a big idea to make a difference in peoples’ lives, he’s game (pun totally intended). With his help – and that of the good folks at MLSE, Rogers Sportsnet, and Chilly Ones – Power to Give was able to create an unforgettable experience for our inspirational friend, Jaxson Creasey.
“That’s what I’ve always been about. How can I help with what ability I have. That’s what gave me the idea I want to be a GM one day.” (Jaxson)
PLACE
We love remarkable places. They inspire, energize and connect us as humans. But sometimes, we just like to sit back at home and listen to stories of people doing great things. For tales of companies profitably changing the world, we have been turning to Victoria entrepreneur Marco Pimentel’s podcast “Someone Like You”.
“Could you build a business that’s better for the planet? That’s the question I set out to answer.” (Marco Pimentel)
PURPOSE
When Patagonia founder, Yvon Chouinard, “gave his company away” we all wondered how it would actually work. Turns out, his new one-of-a-kind corporate structure has been busy, giving away nearly $80 million in profits since September 2022. The money is flowing quickly and challenging conventional ways of doing things – just like Chouinard has all his life.
“One of the principles is that all the money that we get every year is supposed to be spent. So, we’re in constant spend down mode.” (Greg Curtis)
IMPACT
UPCOMING
AS ALWAYS
If you have:
INSPIRATION
I was honoured to receive BC’s Good Citizenship award last month and appreciated the landslide of congratulations and warm wishes that I received from the Power to Give family. I continue to be inspired by all of you.
Minister Lana Popham, Tim Cormode, Minister Sheila Malcomson
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With Immense Gratitude,
Tim Cormode (He/Him)
Founder and CEO
Power To Give Foundation
C: 250.507.5972
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish people on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play.
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Just over a decade ago, Giving Tuesday began as a project by the 92nd St Y in New York. Since then, this “global generosity movement” has activated billions of dollars in donations and given charities a high-profile engagement platform. By coordinating as a sector, they are able to achieve far more than on their own.
Collaboration is a force multiplier – especially when it involves big ideas and groups that might not normally be partners. As Giving Tuesday approaches on November 28, we encourage you to consider how your impact can be broadened, deepened and lengthened through radical collaboration. And if we can help, we’d love to hear your big ideas.
PEOPLE
Perhaps you read about Chuck Feeney when he gave away the last of his $8 billion fortune in 2016. Or when he passed away in October of this year. But you likely didn’t hear much about his generosity before then – which is how he wanted it. Living in a rented apartment and wearing a $10 watch, Feeney’s final years were spent quietly eschewing his past life as a billionaire – while living a new, purposeful life as one of America’s greatest living philanthropists.
“Chuck has set an example. A fellow who is my hero and Bill Gates’ hero. He should be everybody’s hero.” (Warren Buffett)
PLACE
The “Healing our West Coast Collective”* leverages and amplifies the incredible talents of organizations like Salmon Coast, Clayoquot Action and Swim Drink Fish to bring attention to the dangers of fish farms in BC’s critical coastal waters. By encouraging and facilitating such collaboration, we hope to arm communities with resources to match the challenges they face.
“It’s so refreshing to find collaborations and partnerships with people who are also trying to heal the coast.” (Amy Kamarainen – Salmon Coast)
PURPOSE
By now, many of you have seen “UnCharitable”, either through our screenings or in theatres. We have been delighted to see our community of funders and non-profit leaders having both “Heck yeah!” and “A-ha!” moments together. If you would like to support the ongoing rollout of the film through donation or investment, please reach out and we will connect you.
“The next time you are thinking of investing in a charity, don’t ask about the rate of their overhead, ask about the scale of their dreams” (Dan Pallotta)
IMPACT
UPCOMING
AS ALWAYS
If you have:
INSPIRATION
Our kind of person: “A cross between Mother Theresa and Hollywood super-agent Ari Emanuel”
If you found this informative and useful, please forward to a friend.
_________________________________________________________________
With Immense Gratitude,
Tim Cormode (He/Him)
Founder and CEO
Power To Give Foundation
C: 250.507.5972
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish people on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play.
Confidential Notice
This message is confidential and for the intended recipient only. If you’ve received this message in error please disregard its contents, delete all forms of it and notify the sender. Thank you.
June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada, a time to recognize the rich history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. In every facet of our work, we are reminded of how much we have learned – and still must learn – from the Indigenous communities, organizations, and leaders we are privileged to know. We hope your journey is similarly rich, reflective, and filled with gratitude.
PEOPLE
Jessica Wadhams-Mountain, a member of the ‘Namgis First Nation, looks back on her Antarctic expedition with Students on Ice. Both SOI and Jessica’s sponsor organizations (Nawalakw and Sea to Cedar) are longtime members of Power to Give’s Social Impact Portfolio.
“Everyone had a different impact on me throughout the trip and being with them made me feel like I just heard my favourite song for the first time.”
PLACE
Founded by the three Indigenous families on Vancouver Island (Coast Salish, Kwakwaka’wakw, Nuu Chah Nulth), Tsow-Tun Le Lum (“Helping House”) has offered trauma-informed, culturally based healing programs to Indigenous People since 1988. This month, they will move to their new location on Cowichan Tribes territory near Duncan, BC, which we are honoured to support.
“All of us as human beings – no matter who we are – need to heal. Because there’s been so much trauma in this world. And we know that hurt people… hurt people. So, we like to lift people up.”
PURPOSE
Across Canada, thousands of people in rural and remote areas are impacted by inefficient supply chains, with Indigenous communities disproportionately affected. In this video, Helicopters Without Borders shows how their innovative approach bridges this gap – and fosters trust – by transporting essential supplies, services, and healthcare personnel to these communities.
“It’s an opportunity with our skillset – aviation – to see where we can practice reconciliation. We’re really trying to mold ourselves to how First Nations want to work with us and the way they see partnership.”
IMPACT
UPCOMING
AS ALWAYS
If you have:
INSPIRATION
Turns out, gratitude really is good for you.
If you found this informative and useful, please forward to a friend.
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“We don’t have a word for philanthropy. But how I see it now is that we’re the original philanthropists. Giving and sharing is something that we’ve been doing since time immemorial.” – Liz Liske, Yellowknives Dene First Nation
With Immense Gratitude,
Tim Cormode (He/Him)
Founder and CEO
Power To Give Foundation
C: 250.507.5972
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish people on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play.
Confidential Notice
This message is confidential and for the intended recipient only. If you’ve received this message in error please disregard its contents, delete all forms of it and notify the sender. Thank you.
