Province Supports First Provincial Council for Non-profits

Non-profit and voluntary organizations are joining forces to better meet the needs of people and communities across Nova Scotia.

"The people who work in non-profits give so much to our communities," said Marilyn More, Minister of Labour and Advanced Education. "This workforce is 24,000 strong and is an important contributor to the province's economy.

"I've met with staff from various non-profits and they told me that, like other sectors, they are facing challenges with recruitment, training and retention."

The province is investing $450,000 towards a new Community Sector Council to help build stronger non-profit organizations. The sector council will bring non-profits together to learn from each other and share human resource and financial expertise, training practices, and research.

"The positive impacts of the Community Sector Council will be far-reaching," said Arlene MacDonald, chair of the Community Sector Council. "The province's support will help non-profit and voluntary organizations address staffing and training needs, as well as help them grow and prosper in our province."

"Non-profit organizations are an important part of our Workforce Strategy and jobsHere plan. We want to help ensure that they have the resources and training needed to continue their great work," said Ms. More.

Non-profit organizations provide a wide range of services to Nova Scotians, from child care to career counselling, to co-ordinating sports teams, running shelters for the homeless, to managing museums.

For more information on the Community Sector Council, visit www.gov.ns.ca/lae/volunteerism/ .