E-BOOK EXPLORES CANADA’S CHARITIES AND NONPROFITS
The first comprehensive resource about Canada’s voluntary sector was published today by The Muttart Foundation.
Intersections and Innovations: Change in Canada’s Voluntary and Nonprofit Sector is now freely available online here. Users are able to download the full 600-plus-page e-book or individual chapters. The material has been published under a Creative Commons licence allowing free, non-commercial use.
The publication was spearheaded by Susan Phillips, professor at Carleton University and director of the Master in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership program – the only master’s-level program in Canada that focuses on the 170,000 organizations that make up Canada’s voluntary sector.
With co-editor Bob Wyatt of The Muttart Foundation, Dr. Phillips compiled 36 chapters, written by 52 authors, a group composed of academics and sector leaders.
“This is an amazing new resource for those studying or interested in Canada’s voluntary sector,” said Dr. Phillips. “The authors have explored topics ranging from fundraising to governance, the sector’s history to its work in affecting public policy.”
Mr. Wyatt explained that the project was initiated as one of the projects to mark Muttart’s 65th anniversary in 2018. “It took us a bit longer than planned, but we wanted to ensure that we were covering a wide variety of topics and in a way that is useful and readable. It was worth the wait.”
The co-editors believe that the work has value for a variety of disciplines. There are chapters that will provide useful information for those studying sociology, business, organizational development and behaviour, and many more. And because the material is available freely, it is more accessible than a traditional textbook would be.
In launching the publication, Muttart’s President, Malcolm Burrows, said: “The Muttart Foundation has spent many years focusing on building the capacity of charities in this country. The publication of this collection is another contribution to that effort. By understanding more about itself, the sector can continue to develop and find new ways to serve Canadians and those in need outside our nation.”
Mr. Burrows congratulated the co-editors on their accomplishment, and thanked all of those involved in its production. “We are particularly pleased that the authors have generously offered to keep their material updated,” he said. “The world is changing more rapidly, and that includes the voluntary sector in our country. This commitment by the authors will help ensure the work remains up-do-date, and the format will allow for expansion as necessary.”