In Fort McMurray, Holly Hashimi is constantly busy even after her day job with the Alberta government ends. She dedicates her free time to creating and selling bracelets and fidget toys at local markets, applying for grants, and organizing fundraising activities for Heartspark, a non-profit after-school club she founded to empower girls aged 9 to 13 in Fort McMurray.
Facing a challenging fundraising environment, non-profits in the region are struggling to secure funding due to economic uncertainties following the global oil price collapse in late 2014, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and a flood in April 2020. Grant competitions have intensified, and fewer donations are coming in, leading to a cutthroat fundraising landscape where some organizations are hesitant to disclose their future fundraising plans for fear of idea theft.
Karen Barker, the head of The Children’s Centre, a non-profit supporting families with children under five, is contemplating potential layoffs and program reductions as funding remains elusive. Reflecting on past successful fundraising efforts, Barker reminisces about a time when raising money was easier, highlighting the current challenges faced by non-profits in Fort McMurray.
Paula Galenzoski, executive director of the local United Way branch, notes a significant decline in fundraising success compared to previous years. The organization, which once exceeded its fundraising targets by a substantial margin, is now grappling with reduced contributions, prompting a shift towards more collaborative approaches to resource-sharing among non-profits in the community.
Suavek Bartosinski, the executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Fort McMurray, emphasizes the importance of adopting a business-oriented strategy to navigate the funding crisis. The club has implemented revenue-generating initiatives such as renting out their facilities and organizing market events to offset financial challenges. Despite making progress in reducing debt, the organization has downsized its staff significantly to adapt to the evolving financial landscape.
As non-profits in Fort McMurray embrace new revenue-generating methods and collaborative efforts, the community is witnessing a shift towards a more business-focused approach to ensure sustainability in the face of funding constraints.