The nonprofit sector holds immense potential to catalyse a conversation about decent work, exploring its implications for both the sector and Canadian communities. Amidst the ongoing transformation of Canadian workplaces and workforce, issues such as precarious work, the disappearance of pensions and benefits, demographic shifts, and challenges faced by highly skilled immigrants are becoming increasingly prominent. These changes have created a complex landscape where reconciling diverse generational and demographic perspectives with employee and employer needs is crucial to meeting emerging expectations.
The nonprofit and charitable sector, often overlooked in discussions about the future workforce, is grappling with these new realities while striving to provide high-quality, responsive services. With over 2 million people working in nonprofits and charities across Canada, including more than 1 million in Ontario alone, the sector represents a significant labour market, larger than many traditional industries such as mining and automotive. Nonprofits and charities rely heavily on the passion and dedication of their staff and volunteers to deliver essential services, including social services, mental health support, housing, food banks, newcomer assistance, sports and recreation, arts and culture, education, childcare, senior programs, and faith communities.
Despite the critical role of nonprofits in maintaining healthy and vibrant communities, there is growing concern about the sector's ability to attract and retain talent. Young people, in particular, are hesitant to pursue careers in the nonprofit sector due to concerns about job security and financial stability. The Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) recently highlighted this issue, with 63 percent of surveyed youth indicating they would not consider a career in nonprofits due to fears of not earning a sustainable living. This trend poses a significant challenge, as the sector needs to compete for professional talent in an increasingly complex regulatory and economic environment.
Youth and Philanthropy Initiative
The Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) was founded in 2002 by Julie Toskan and formally established by the Toskan Casale Foundation, creators of MAC Cosmetics. Rooted in the values of the MAC AIDS Fund, YPI aims to strengthen support for local social issues by empowering young people to determine the allocation of grant dollars in their communities. This model of community development through youth engagement aligns with evidence-based research and theoretical frameworks for positive youth development.
Over the past eighteen years, YPI has grown into an internationally recognised social service programme, directing over $17 million in grants to charities across Canada, the United Kingdom, and New York, through the choices of over 500,000 secondary students. Each year, YPI Canada grants hundreds of thousands of dollars to community-based social service charities, with funding decisions made entirely by high school students participating in a school-based youth philanthropy project.
The process
YPI is offered to secondary schools with the requirement that it is provided inclusively to all students across a grade level, as part of a mandatory course. In teams, students learn about social issues affecting their community, select a charity to research and visit, and present their findings to their peers. The top presentations advance to the school's YPI Final, where a youth-led panel of judges selects one team to win a $5,000 grant for their chosen charity. This process gives students authentic responsibility and decision-making power, fostering real-world engagement and funding for local social service charities.
The nonprofit sector plays a crucial role in supporting Canadian communities, yet it faces significant challenges in attracting and retaining talent. Initiatives like YPI demonstrate the sector's potential to engage and empower young people, promoting careers in nonprofits and ensuring the continued delivery of essential services. By fostering a conversation about decent work, the nonprofit sector can advocate for better working conditions and sustainable career opportunities, benefiting both the sector and the wider community.
Connecting to goal 8 - decent work and economic growth
The challenges and opportunities faced by the nonprofit sector align closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8, which promotes decent work and economic growth. By focusing on creating sustainable employment opportunities and improving working conditions, the nonprofit sector can play a pivotal role in achieving this goal. Efforts to engage youth and address job security concerns through initiatives like YPI are essential steps towards building a resilient and inclusive workforce. Through continued advocacy and innovative programmes, the nonprofit sector can contribute significantly to the economic growth and social well-being of Canadian communities, ensuring that decent work becomes a reality for all.
More information: https://goypi.org/
Youtube credits: https://www.youtube.com/@ypiCARES
Image credits: https://goypi.org/