30 per cent of Albertans expect to access charitable services to meet their basic needs in the next six months

An annual survey of nearly 1,500 Alberta nonprofits shows the sector is bearing the weight of increased demand for its services, at the same time nonprofits are dealing with rising hate and anger, and unprecedented effects of climate change.

Leaders from Alberta nonprofits gathered in Calgary on Wednesday to hear the results of the Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations (CCVO)’s annual State of the Sector Survey. Alberta’s nonprofit sector spans everything from food and mental health to childcare, seniors care, housing, immigrant settlement, recreation, environment, and the arts.

“We had a record-breaking response to our 2023 survey and gained valuable insights about what is impacting nonprofit leaders and employees, from climate change to safety concerns,” says Karen Ball, President & CEO of the Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations.

“While there are certainly challenges ahead, we recognize that nonprofits have been proactive in working collaboratively and sustainably for the benefit of all Albertans. The nonprofit sector is vital. We contribute $5.5 billion to Alberta’s economy annually, employ nearly 300,000 Albertans, and touch the lives of every single Albertan.”

Notable highlights of the annual CCVO State of the Sector Survey include:

• Just over 1/3 of CCVO survey respondents experienced a big impact from rising hate and anger in 2023. This is concerning as people are less likely to volunteer for causes that they are passionate about if they are worried about their own safety.

• 74% of CCVO survey respondents felt climate change had impacted their operations in 2023. Smokey skies across the province this past summer led to cancelled programming and fundraising events.

• A startling 30% of Albertans expect to access charitable services to meet their basic needs in the next 6 months according to a recent survey from Ipsos-Reid. This is the highest that this number has been and most of these folks have never had to rely on charitable services before.

The full State of the Sector report can be found at www.calgarycvo.org/facingthe-storm.

“It’s important that we acknowledge times are tough for our sector, and although revenues are beginning to stabilize, we are facing the hard realities of skyrocketing expenses impacting our operations and increasing demand for our services,” says Ball.

“We continue to work together to provide essential supports for Albertans and to collaborate with governments and stakeholders on needed reforms to support more of what we already know works.”

CCVO is an advocate and champion of the nonprofit sector, providing leadership on cross-cutting nonprofit policy issues, convening nonprofit leaders, and giving voice to critical issues affecting the sector.