Many assistance needs are felt throughout Quebec, such as housing accessibility, support for disadvantaged populations, economic development, preservation of the environment, promotion of our culture, support of the agriculture and health…
All of these varied challenges share one thing in common: a vast network of non-profit organizations (NPOs) supports and advances them.
Recent years have been challenging for many organizations, causing financial losses or difficulties due to suspensions of activities. Inflation reduces the resources available to provide services to the population and to pay employees well.
Despite government promises of increased financial support, the gap between needs and resources continues to widen, highlighting the limits of public funding. It is utopian to think that grant programs will meet all the needs of the non-profit sector. Quebec’s development ecosystem is weakening every day, and this worries us greatly.
In 2023, the overall portrait of organizations during the second edition of our multi-sector study on the remuneration of NPO managers does not reassure us about the future. Nearly half (49%) lack salary structures for their management, 40% have stable budgets, or even decreasing for some. In addition, 48% do not offer group insurance and 54% do not offer a retirement plan. The majority (83%) of directorates-general work overtime, but very few of them (22%) receive remuneration for these hours.
Knowing that these managers have their organization at arm’s length, how long will they be able to hold out under such conditions?
We firmly believe that to develop and be able to face the next challenges, we need to support the base of our system and the individuals who make it up. We must invest in NPOs so that they accomplish their mission. Let’s help them become professional, take care of their employees and prosper so they can do more, and do it better.
When something goes wrong, they are the ones we turn to, they are the ones who open their arms to us. Let’s give them the means to welcome us.
Whether you are agents of change, responsible citizens, people with a legacy to bequeath, business leaders, students… in short, each and every one of you: contribute.
Give generously to causes that matter to you. Support the initiatives of organizations in your region, participate in events and festivals. Get involved in your professional association, on the board of directors of your children’s sports club or that of a cause that concerns you. Your skills and talents will be used. A friend asks you to give time for a cause dear to his heart? Go for it. Even an hour feels good. Share publications from organizations you follow on your social networks to give them more visibility.
And to entrepreneurs, know that your donations, your sponsorships and the involvement of your teams with organizations count a lot. You gain a great opportunity for recognition from your employees, in addition to refining your employer brand (CSR).
Together, we can support collective non-profit organizations to build a promising future for the Quebec of tomorrow and for future generations. Take action now to make a difference.
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