EDMONTON, February 26, 2008 — Five charity leaders in Edmonton have received up to $2,500 each as part of the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Leadership Grants program. As part of the PwC Canada Foundation the program supports the leadership and professional development of existing and emerging charity leaders, which is an acutely under-funded area for charities.
"For many charitable leaders, professional development opportunities are not always within their organization's budget," says Barry James, PwC Edmonton Managing Partner. "The aim of our Leadership Grants program is to invest in charity leaders — maximizing their potential by giving them the management tools and skills necessary to successfully lead their organizations into the future."
Recipients can apply the funding to a formal educational program or development opportunity of their own choice that will help them build their skills and gain experience. In turn, recipients will be able to apply their learning to improving their delivery of programs and services to the communities and people most in need.
PwC conducted a poll inviting employees to choose the causes that mattered most to them. Children and youth, poverty, education and the environment were selected the top causes, and as a result, organizations in these categories received the majority of grants this year.
The grants given in Alberta include:
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Edmonton
- Dogs with Wings Assistance Dog Society
- Habitat for Humanity Wood Buffalo
- Pilgrims Hospice Society
- St. Michael's Extended Care Centre Society
The following are a few examples of opportunities the Edmonton grant recipients will pursue:
- Habitat for Humanity Wood Buffalo, Allan Vinni, Board Chair, will apply the grant to attend the Leadership Wood Buffalo program. It is a nine-month program that trains people to be more effective community leaders. The program is administered by a board of community-minded people, and the participants meet once a month to discuss current issues, analyze problems and hear from community leaders about the challenges their community is facing.
- Pilgrims Hospice Society, Catherine Yuill, Executive Director, will use the funds to attend the National Hospice and Palliative Care Management and Leadership Conference in Washington, DC. This is one of the only professional development opportunities available in the hospice field that focuses on management and leadership skills in addition to the health and wellness aspects of hospice care.
- St. Michael's Extended Care Centre Society, Christine Teterenko, Director, Fund Development and Communications, will apply the grant to attend the Association of Fundraising Professionals International Conference in San Diego.
The mission of the PwC Canada Foundation is to make a positive, lasting change in Canadian communities through the sharing of time, expertise and resources. The Foundation offers multiple programs that provide financial resources to numerous charitable organizations and also encourages and supports the community involvement of PwC's staff and partners. To learn more, visit http://www.pwc.com/ca/foundation.
About PricewaterhouseCoopers
PricewaterhouseCoopers (www.pwc.com) provides industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory services to build public trust and enhance value for its clients and their stakeholders. More than 146,000 people in 150 countries across our network share their thinking, experience and solutions to develop fresh perspectives and practical advice. In Canada, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (www.pwc.com/ca) and its related entities have more than 5,200 partners and staff in offices across the country.
“PricewaterhouseCoopers” refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an Ontario limited liability partnership, or, as the context requires, the PricewaterhouseCoopers global network or other member firms of the network, each of which is a separate and independent legal entity.
