How Nova Scotia’s nonprofit and business sectors lift each other through shared purpose
Whether it is feeding the hungry, providing comfort to those living unhoused, supporting people with disabilities, or providing safety to those fleeing intimate partner violence, the services and programs of Nova Scotia’s nonprofit sector has undoubtedly touched your family in some way, shape or form over the years.
This sector representing 2.5% of the province’s GDP generating 1 billion dollars annually and employing 20,000 Nova Scotians provides the social impact that the business community has come to rely on for keeping employees supported during disasters, disease, and unexpected turns of circumstances. Simply put, the non-profit sector provides programs and services that are generally not offered by governments or businesses while strengthening the social safety net.
With the exception of four years in politics, I have spent my adult working life in this giving space, and I wouldn’t have any other way. For many of us working in this sector, glory is not in the compensation to our bank accounts or in the non-existent work life balance. The glory comes from seeing others reach their full potential or simply offering a hand up during times of trauma and adversity. All of this is usually done through limited core funding and a constant quest to raise the dollars to “keep the lights on.”
This is where the symbiotic relationship between this sector and the business community is so special. We rely on each other for mutual benefit. In my career, I have been asked to provide training on intimate partner violence and its impact on the workplace. Others are asked to do accessibility audits to ensure workplaces are compliant with legislation. Our workplaces in both our sector and business community employ people navigating illnesses, natural disasters, traumatic events, and other life circumstances. Often our sector provides that one, specialized and specific service and support which will guide employees through that adversity and back to the workplace.
Reversely, the business sector supports our work through donations, sponsorships, employee volunteer initiatives, or in-kind contributions so vital to helping us maintain or expand our services to the wider community where we all benefit. We need each other. And because of that, our work lives, family situations, and neighbourhoods are better for it.
So, if you are looking to enrich your experience and give back to your community… lend your expertise to a Board Director position, arrange for your employees to volunteer for a few hours a month to paint in a shelter, bake cookies in a social enterprise, or collect donations for your favorite charity.
This year, Giving Tuesday is on December 2nd. Starting in 2012, Giving Tuesday was designed to counter the commercialism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday by creating a dedicated day to focus on generosity, charity, and community support. Many charities like Easter Seals Nova Scotia have matching donors, so your donations have twice the impact that day.
In every office I have ever worked at, I keep my favourite framed Maya Angelou quote close, so I can read it every day: “When we cast our bread upon the waters, we can presume that something downstream whose face we may never see, will benefit from our action even as we enjoy the gifts sent to us from a donor upstream.”
Be a part of the current. We all benefit.
