$800,000 Invested in the Non-profit and Voluntary Sector

Voluntary sector and non-profit organizations across the province are improving their operations to better serve their communities with help from government funding.

The Voluntary Sector Professional Capacity Trust has been distributed to 43 organizations to help build and maintain a strong and healthy workforce in the sector. The funding is for projects such as developing human resource policies, business planning, and assessing the needs of their organizations.

"These organizations provide a wide variety of invaluable services to Nova Scotians. They also employ a very passionate and talented part of our workforce," said Marilyn More, Minister of Labour and Advanced Education. "This funding helps build capacity for these organizations, and the sector as a whole, to provide good jobs and grow the economy while preparing for the opportunities and challenges ahead."

The $800,000 trust is managed by a board that was appointed earlier this year. This board independently created the criteria, reviewed the applications and delivered the funding.

"This was a very thorough and objective review process that considered all aspects of the criteria. Applications were evaluated by each of the trustees then reviewed by the board through a consensus process," said Ruth Schneider, co-chair of the board of trustees. "We are very pleased with outcome of this process."

"The applications revealed that our voluntary sector organizations serve Nova Scotians in a variety of ways, and they share a commitment to strengthening the sector in order to enhance and sustain the quality of life for Nova Scotians," said Jim Ellsworth, co-chair of the board of trustees.

The voluntary sector employs more than 24,000 people in Nova Scotia. This initiative helps grow the province's economy by supporting the sector as it explores new ways to invest in its employees.

Funding for the Voluntary Sector Professional Improvement Initiative is through the Community Development Trust, a federal program originally designed to help communities experiencing economic challenges.

For a full list of recipients and a description of their projects, visit www.gov.ns.ca/lae/volunteerism/publications/TrustRecipients.pdf