Strengthening CommunitiesThroughVolunteer Program Development

Volunteering to Support Fundraising

- Manual for VolunteersJanuary 2017

Funded by:

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Contents

Who is this manual for?..................................................................3Acknowledgements........................................................................3Fundraising at CNIB. What we do...................................................3Volunteering to support fundraising...............................................4The cause.......................................................................................5Where your money goes................................................................6CNIB's fundraising goals in Ontario..............................................10Fundraising activities for volunteers............................................12What kind of role would you like?................................................15What's involved?..........................................................................18Appendix #1 - CNIB's Philosophy of Fundraising and Philanthropy

.............................................................................................21Appendix #2 - Spirit of partnership..............................................24Appendix #3 - CNIB's philosophy on volunteerism......................25

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Who is this manual for?

This document has been written for people who would like to become volunteers to support fundraising. We have provided information for those who are interested in holding or supporting fundraising events and campaigns. We have also provided background for those who would like to join the CNIB Philanthropy team which works to generate Major Gifts (over $5,000.00).

This manual is available as a WORD document at the bottom of the page. We have done this to make the material as accessible as possible - and to allow people from different organizations to be able to adapt and tailor the manual for their needs. If you do so, please provide an acknowledgement that CNIB created the original document.

Acknowledgements

Providing input into this document was a Working Group of volunteers and CNIB staff, including Alain Saumur, Dana Levanto, Eyre Purkin Bien, Ian Mason, Joe Eydt, Leila Verheyen, Lisa O'Bonsawin, Michelle Sadler, Monique Pilkington, Penny Bagnell, Perpetua Quigley and Rehana Jemani.

Volunteers and donors who shared comments and stories with us included Carly Ross of Thunder Bay, Dana Levanto, CNIB Volunteer, Northern Ontario Regional Board, Jane Beaumont of Ottawa, Malak Sound of Ottawa, Margaret Noel of Newfoundland, Murry Hogarth, who supports the CNIB Lake Joseph Centre, Rob Wojtasik of Hamilton Region and Xin Sun of Kingston. Our sincere thanks go out to all of them.

Special thanks to Susan Ellis, founder of Energize, Inc. who provided valuable insights and to the Strengthening Communities Through Volunteer Program Development Core Project Members – Jennifer Spencer, Kat Clarke, Marilyn McGale and Susan Cheeseman (all of CNIB).

Fundraising at CNIB. What we do.At CNIB, we do three things:

1. We improve lives by providing programs and services to ensure people with vision loss have the confidence, skills and opportunities to fully participate in life.

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2. We build stronger communities by educating and advocating to break down barriers and create an inclusive society in which people with vision loss can thrive.

3. We raise funds so we can improve lives and build stronger communities.

Volunteering to support fundraising

You are exploring the possibility of being a volunteer to support our fundraising efforts. You may already be a financial donor yourself and if you are, we thank you!

At CNIB we consider fundraising as important as the programs we offer and the advocating we do, because without it, we wouldn't be able to achieve our mission – to ensure all Canadians who are blind or partially sighted have the confidence, skills and opportunity to fully participate in life.

Dana Levanto, CNIB Volunteer, Northern Ontario Regional Board

"I first became aware of CNIB and the many services that they provide through a close friend who has benefitted from their support throughout his lifetime. As our relationship grew closer I saw first-hand the impact that the support and services CNIB provides had on the family. I began to volunteer with CNIB to directly give back for that assistance and to further support my friend and his family.

However, the more I learned about CNIB and the wider range of vital services that they provide, the more aware and appreciative I became of the overall impact that CNIB has in our communities. I also became cognizant of the fact that CNIB relies on the support of its volunteers, not only to directly provide those services, but to raise the necessary funds to sustain that support.

I am proud to be both a donor and a volunteer for CNIB because I have experienced the difference it makes in the quality of life for those who are blind or partially sighted. I am happy to help others to raise funds for CNIB because I have experienced the feeling of pride and empowerment that comes with giving back to an organization that does so much, for so many."

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The causeCNIB's mission is to ensure all Canadians who are blind or partially sighted have the confidence, skills and opportunity to fully participate in life.

We work every day to improve the lives of people with vision loss by providing programs and services to ensure the people we serve are equipped to manage their lives as they would like. We also educate and advocate to break down barriers and create an inclusive society in which people with vision loss can thrive. There are far too many barriers in the way of people with vision loss and an unlimited number of issues to be addressed.

Consider the following:

Half a million Canadians live with significant vision loss

o 52 per cent of CNIB’s clients are over the age of 80

o Percentage of Canadians 65 or older to double in the next 25 years

5.5 million Canadians have one of the four major age-related eye diseases – age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts

Higher prevalence of obesity and diabetes also places more Canadians at risk of developing vision loss in the future

Almost one third of Canadians with vision loss under 25 years

Only 65 per cent of students with vision loss graduate from high school, compared to 81 per cent of the sighted population

Only one third of working age people with vision loss are employed

50 per cent of people with vision loss have annual incomes of $20,000 or less

Living with vision loss presents considerable risks. Compared to the sighted population, people with vision loss have:

Up to five times as much difficulty with daily living5

Three times as much clinical depression

Twice as much social dependence

Twice the risk of falls and premature death

Four times the risk of serious hip fractures

Additional demonstrations of the impact of vision loss on quality of life:

People with vision loss are admitted to nursing homes three years earlier on average.

62 per cent of older adults with vision loss report they seldom leave their homes for recreation or leisure.

Children and youth who are blind or partially sighted are significantly less fit and physically active than their sighted counterparts in the population.

Murry Hogarth, Fundraising Volunteer and Supporter of CNIB Lake Joseph Centre

"There are a lot of people living with vision loss who would not be able to enjoy summer camp experiences if the Lake Joe Centre wasn’t there. That’s the reason why we raised the funds to rebuild the camp.

Any program like the one CNIB has at the Lake Joe Centre needs ongoing support. We want to make sure they‘re able to carry on with the camp programming."

Where your money goesIf you decide to volunteer to help us with our fundraising efforts, the donations you generate will most likely be used to support our Foundation.

What's the Foundation?

CNIB has three pillars in Ontario:

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1. Post-Vision Loss Rehab Therapy, almost entirely funded by the provincial government.

2. The Foundation, 96.6 per cent funded through charitable donations.

3. Deafblind Services, funded by the provincial government, to serve this specific population.

Primarily funded by the provincial Ministry of Health, our Rehab pillar provides people who are blind or partially sighted with the tools and skills they need to live independently.

The CNIB Foundation's programs have been designed to complement and enhance our rehab services, picking up where rehab leaves off. These charitable programs are deeply needed. People with vision loss have significant practical and psycho-social needs beyond the needs addressed by our rehab programs that are covered by the provincial healthcare system.

Social and Emotional Needs

To effectively meet the needs of people who are blind or partially sighted, you have to consider the whole person, including the person’s social and emotional needs. Unless these needs are addressed, it may be impossible to address other, more physical needs. While a person is grieving their loss of sight and is angry or depressed, he or she may not be able to concentrate on learning a new way of living. Although the need for technical assistance or support may be similar among a group of clients, social and emotional needs are individual and personal.

Foundation's Programs and Services

Support & Self-Help Groups

o Peer support, service outreach, recreation/leisure and skills development

SCORE (Skills, Confidence and Opportunities through Recreation and Education)

o Group-based programs for children and youth that develop skills, confidence and opportunities through recreation and education

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CNIB Lake Joseph Centre

o Fully accessible lakefront facility located in the Muskoka region, offering recreation and rehabilitation summer programs

CNIB Eye Van to provide access to eye health care for remote northern communities

Public Education and Advocacy

o To make our communities more inclusive and accessible

Literacy-Related Services

o Accessible format production, support for accessible reading technology, literacy programs

Program Outcomes

The funds we raise allow our dedicated specialists and volunteers to work with people of all ages in their own homes, communities or local CNIB offices.

For thousands of Canadians, these services make it possible to lead a full, independent life after a serious loss of sight.

Charitable donations also enable us to work hand-in-hand with Canadians who are blind or partially sighted to advocate for a barrier-free society and to strive to address sight loss with world-class research.

79 per cent goes directly to programs and services

15.5 per cent goes to fundraising costs

3.5 per cent goes to administrative costs

What your money can do

$10 per month helps people learn how to live fully with their vision loss.

$50 provides a subscription to provide books for people with vision loss in public libraries.

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$60 provides a CNIB Readasaurus kit to help a child with vision loss learn to read.

$1,300 pays for a client to attend a week-long CNIB camp at Lake Joseph.

The impact of your donations

Each year, Canadians who are blind or partially sighted receive almost one million hours of vital support from CNIB, helping them build their independence and fully participate in life.

Every year, CNIB helps more than 10,000 children and youth build their daily living skills, improve their confidence and overcome the challenges of growing up without vision.

Each year, CNIB peer support groups welcome 29,000 attendees across the country, sharing skills, support and knowledge to lessen the isolation of vision loss.

Malak Sound, Singer/Songwriter, Ottawa

Some people who might not have money to donate, are happy to donate services or products to support the cause. CNIB has developed a relationship with Inner Wheel Club Ottawa, and through it, with Malak Sound – a unique performer and singer/songwriter. When Malak released her recent EP, she donated the profits to CNIB in collaboration with Inner Wheel Club Ottawa.

"I was connected to CNIB through Inner Wheel Club Ottawa. I had been working closely with the club for a couple of years since their inception, performing at their events and galas…. I learned that the charity they would be donating their funds to for 2016 would be CNIB. I attended an information session with a CNIB representative…. I found it be very inspiring.

What really attracted me about CNIB was that it not only offers support and services to people suffering from vision loss, but it also empowers them by teaching them how to be independent. That, in my opinion, is one of the most valuable and rewarding forms of charity.

From what I have learned, CNIB makes vision loss into less of a

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disability and more of just a different way of life. I am grateful that such an organization exists and I think it is a model to build on for other organizations aiding people with disabilities."

CNIB's fundraising goals in OntarioCNIB's goals for fundraising are changing as we approach our 100th birthday in 2018. Our advocacy efforts to obtain full funding for post-vision loss rehabilitation therapy (Rehab) from the provincial ministries of health has begun to be successful. In Ontario, we have secured an agreement with the provincial government for full funding for Rehab by 2018.

For the first time in almost 100 years, the specialized rehab services necessary for people with vision loss in Ontario to live a healthy, safe and independent life will no longer be reliant on charitable donations.

That means from now on CNIB's fundraising efforts will be focused on expanding existing and creating new programs and services under our Foundation that complement our rehab services to improve the lives of the people we serve.

New donations for our Foundation's programs and services will extend our reach into the community and will provide support for the overwhelming and increasing number of Canadians affected by vision loss.

The Foundation's programs are deeply needed. People with vision loss have significant needs beyond the Rehab that is covered by the provincial healthcare system.

We are busy expanding the existing programs under the Foundation and developing new programs, focused on youth, adults and seniors, to address the practical and psycho-social needs of people with vision loss that are not addressed by rehab therapy:

o Identifying and meeting the emotional needs of the people we serve and those of their families so they can move beyond coping with vision loss, to overcome their barriers and achieve their full potential as contributing and valued members of society.

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o Creating community connections and building self-confidence to break down the social isolation and loneliness that often accompanies vision loss.

o Providing guidance to students and their families/advocates as they navigate the education system – from kindergarten to post-graduate – so more students complete their studies. Today only 65 per cent of students with vision loss graduate from high school compared to 81 per cent of the same age group without disabilities.

o Preparing people – youth and adults – to enter the labour market so they find and maintain meaningful employment. And working with employers to educate them on the value and ease of employing people with vision loss. (Only one-third of working-age Canadians with vision loss are employed and approximately half of Canadian adults with vision loss are struggling to make ends meet on $20,000 a year or less.)

o Teaching advocacy skills, whether for self-advocacy or organized advocacy campaigns, to break down barriers – both internal and external – and create a more inclusive society.

o Educating organizations to foster the inclusion of people with vision loss in their community programs and to break down the stigma associated with blindness.

o Developing and supporting the growth and availability of recreation, social and sports programs by partnering with other organizations.

With the help of donors and the volunteers who assist us with fundraising, we will change what it is to be blind today in Canada and level the playing field for people who are blind or partially sighted.

Rob Wojtasik, Associate Consultant, Investors Group – Hamilton Region

"For a number of years, the Investors Group – Hamilton Region has partnered with CNIB to support youth with vision loss in our community. This falls in line with our region’s mission to help children in our own backyard who may be underprivileged or face

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challenges. CNIB’s Child and Family Services is a perfect match because it is an incredible program with incredible people making a significant difference in the lives of children who are blind or partially sighted."

Fundraising activities for volunteers

The Fundraising team at CNIB, which includes both paid staff and volunteers, consists of a number of people with different areas of specialty. Some concentrate in Community Giving – working with communities (individuals and groups) to organize events and programs to raise funds for the cause. The people who support those events contribute relatively small amounts of money, but those small donations add up to significant dollars that fund many of the programs and services we provide.

Other members of the team focus on Major Gifts – donations over $5,000 from both individuals and organizations (companies, foundations, government ministries, etc.).

Both approaches to fundraising are important. You may find that one appeals to you and the other doesn't. That's fine with us.

Xin Sun, Kingston

"I would like to share with you, an exceptionally unforgettable evening I had at the CNIB Night Steps in Kingston, Ontario. I became a client at CNIB just a little over a year ago. With their support, I now feel that I have a community that I belong to. I feel more capable and stronger than I ever felt before. I can be just as confident and independent as anyone else. That is why I help fundraise for CNIB – to help more people living with vision loss. I feel great about being able to give back to CNIB and to the community that has helped me to become a more confident and independent person. I feel proud that I am able to help someone else. Because I was able to participate and donate the funds my friends and family gave by sponsoring me, CNIB Night Steps gave

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me one of the most meaningful and memorable nights of 2016, and of my life."

Fundraising activities include:

Community Giving often consists of fundraising events. CNIB's events not only enable us to generate revenue for our programs and services, but they also help to raise awareness about what we do and establish a sense of community spirit – engaging people in fun, fundraising activities right in their own backyards. Community Giving presents endless opportunities for volunteers to be involved.

o Night Steps, CNIB's signature event, is a one-of-a-kind fundraising event, bringing families, friends and communities together for a five-kilometre walk under the stars. Participants take part in a family-focused night walk and community barbecue with local musicians.

Night Steps demonstrates the power of pledge-based fundraising. You can participate in a CNIB Night Steps event. Alternatively, you can hold a Night Steps My Way event on your own or with a select few people. We have tools to get you started. To learn more about Night Steps and volunteering, visit cnibnightsteps.ca.

o Third-Party Events: You can hold a fundraising event of your own choosing to support CNIB's Foundation. These events are only limited by your own imagination and can include anything from a car wash or a bake sale, or even a black-tie gala. To learn more about third-party events and volunteering, visit cnib.ca/fundraise.

One of our most popular third-party events is "Dining in the Dark". This can be held in your own home or in a community setting such as a local restaurant. Dinner guests pay for a ticket and enjoy a delicious meal without the benefit of sight – either by turning off the lights or supplying blindfolds for the guests. To learn more about how to organize a Dining in the Dark event, visit cnib.ca/dininginthedark.

Team CNIB is a fundraising initiative designed to capitalize on the many athletic events and challenges that are open to the public across

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the country. To join Team CNIB, you register for an established event in your community, such as a marathon, walk-a-thon or boat race. You set up a Team CNIB online donation page and collect pledges from your friends, family and others to sponsor you for the event. To learn more, visit cnib.ca/teamcnib.

Major Gifts is the program that involves our Fundraising team members cultivating relationships with individuals and corporations that give significant gifts (over $5,000.00) to partner with organizations like CNIB in order to make a difference. We work with these donors to develop partnerships that are mutually beneficial. Volunteers can assist this effort by sharing their networks and partnering with our staff to reach out to prospective donors.

Lotteries and Gaming provide CNIB with another revenue source. Through these programs, CNIB uses its official gaming license to sell lottery products at 72 Walmart stores and we operate kiosks in 19 shopping centres across Ontario, Manitoba and Atlantic Canada. Volunteers can help by promoting our kiosks and lottery products in shopping centres.

To learn more in general:

Call us 1-800-563-2642

Send us an email at info@cnib.ca

Or fill out an online application at cnib.ca/en/about/CNIBForms/Pages/NewVolunteers.aspx

Carly Ross, Thunder Bay

"I’ve seen firsthand what CNIB can do for local residents who are blind and partially sighted. Dining in the Dark is a fun way to get people intrigued and we can give them the added information about the services and supports the CNIB staff and programs offer to the local residents. CNIB is a community within a community.

Hosting an event as a volunteer of CNIB was made easy [by working] alongside wonderful, helpful, and knowledge staff and other volunteers. That [team approach] made the experience that much more rewarding for all involved. Hosting the event gave me the opportunity to meet influential leaders within Thunder Bay and

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the region including media representatives, optometrists, dentists, teachers, and others to create a collaborative environment. The experience was very rewarding and inspiring!"

What kind of role would you like?

Think about how much time you want to contribute, how long you are able to commit, and what kind of volunteer involvement is the best fit for your skills, experience and passion.

How to learn more or arrange to be contacted

You might find it helpful to follow the links below to learn a bit more about the different ways volunteers support fundraising at CNIB.

Or you can call 1-800-563-2642 and let the person you speak to know you are interested in volunteering in the fundraising area; they will connect you with the right person to begin a conversation.

Or you can fill out an online application, if that is your preference, and we will contact you after we receive it. cnib.ca/en/about/CNIBForms/Pages/NewVolunteers.aspx

Or you can just send us an email at info@cnib.ca and we will respond.

Different fundraising volunteer options

Hold an event, for example a Dining in the Dark event, a block party, a garage sale, a community walk, run, bike or dance, etc. The possibilities are endless!

For a list of event ideas, visit cnib.ca/en/get-involved/fundraise-for-us/getting-started/Fundraising-Ideas/Pages/default.aspx

For tips about planning events, including developing sponsors, visit cnib.ca/en/get-involved/fundraise-for-us/getting-started/Pages/Fundraising-Tips.aspx

To register your event with CNIB, visit cannib.convio.net/site/TR?fr_id=1270&pg=entry

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For tips about promoting your event, visit webmedia.cstonecanada.com/ImageGalleryPro/mediaobjects/CNIB/FundraiseForUS/ENGLISH%20-%20CNIB%20Fundraise%20for%20Us%20Guide.pdf

To learn how to create a fundraising webpage, visit cnib.ca/en/get-involved/fundraise-for-us/create-a-fundraising-page/Pages/default.aspx

For a list of Frequently Asked Questions about holding your event, visit cnib.ca/en/get-involved/why-get-involved/Pages/Getting-Involved-FAQs.aspx

To learn how to get your company involved, visit cnib.ca/en/get-involved/get-your-company-involved/Pages/default.aspx

Other ways you can help

Assist before or at an event

Fundraise in memory of a loved one

Provide professional office support

Share your contacts of potential donors/sponsors

Volunteer in one of our stores

Promote our lottery kiosks and products in shopping centres

Conduct face-to-face fundraising

The above list is just a number of examples of ways you can contribute. If you have other suggestions, we would love to hear them!

o Call us at 1-800-563-2642

o Send us an email at info@cnib.ca

o Or fill out an online application at cnib.ca/en/about/CNIBForms/Pages/NewVolunteers.aspx

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Margaret Noel, Newfoundland

Margaret Noel is a proud aunt of a niece who is a CNIB client. She is also an active volunteer with our family camp and supporter of our fundraising.

"The family camp [where Margaret volunteers] has a mascot. His name is Max. Max made his first appearance at camp three years ago, showing up on t-shirts, hats and camp certificates. He is the creation of my niece Holly Bennett. Holly … has just started her first semester in the Visual Fine Arts program at the Grenfell campus in Corner Brook. Of the 400 applications for the program only 25 students are accepted each year and Holly was one of them. Who would have thought a legally blind little girl could grow up to become an artist? Well CNIB, Holly and her parents believed it. Max is the embodiment of what supporting these programs can make possible and proof of the impact they can have on the life of the individual fortunate enough to have gotten the opportunity to participate.

Don't think of supporting the CNIB as just a charitable donation because it is so much more than that. It is an investment in individuals, helping them develop the skills to be productive members of their communities. It's great for the individual giving them their independence, a better quality of life, and pride in their abilities. This has the spinoff effect of being good for the economy which in turn is great for our province. It truly is a win-win situation. You may never see the impact your donation can have but take it from someone who has, it can be life changing."

What's involved?

How much time do you want to give?

Everyone has different expectations of volunteering. We want to make sure we know and meet yours.

What kind of a time commitment can you make?

o Do you want to try something one time?17

o For a few weeks?

o For a few months?

o Six months?

o More?

Do you want a regular schedule – once a week, every two weeks, once a month? Or do you want to be on call? Or be able to set your own schedule?

Do you want to come in person to serve or are you interested in an online assignment that you can do on your own time online?

What hours are you available? Usual office hours? The opposite of that? Something in between?

What you should expect

You are considering donating your time to help us raise funds.

There are some major differences between donors of money and donors of time. In actual fact, donating money is fairly easy (for the donor, once they have made their choice of the cause they want to support and the recipient they want to enable). In a matter of minutes, their gift for the year may be done.

But for you to give your time as a volunteer, there is a process to go through – set up for your benefit and for CNIB's:

An application process. It is easy and we'll help you with it. We've streamlined our application and screening process to make it as quick and comfortable for you as possible.

A role to select. There is a lot to choose from – it is up to you – we will help with that, too.

Training to ensure you know what to do. We provide training for the roles that require it. Some roles do and some don't.

Carrying out the role itself – whether it is a one-time commitment of an hour or a long-term commitment to spend several hours a month or a week.

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Being supervised. We will be checking in with you frequently to answer your questions, make sure you are enjoying your role and to give you feedback about your impact.

The application process

You can list your expectations and preferences on an application, or you can talk about it with us if you prefer a phone conversation (call the CNIB Contact Centre at 1 800 563-2642), you can email us at advocacy@cnib.ca, or come to a meeting/interview or an orientation/information session.

It begins with an application form. Most volunteers fill these out. You can fill out our online application form or you can fill out a form in person if you come to one of our locations.

You may be asked to meet with us so we can get to know you and learn about your skills and interests. That way we will be more likely to line you up for a role that really suits you and you can get a better idea of what we have to offer. This can be conducted over the phone or in person in one of our offices.

You can attend an orientation/information session. We hold these sessions for potential volunteers regularly in our offices and in the community. They allow you to learn more about the cause, meet some people who use our services (as well as people who share your values and also want to volunteer) and hear about the various volunteer roles available. Orientation sessions are usually held in the early evening.

Personal and professional reference checks are sometimes required if you are taking on a position of trust. It depends on the role you choose. You provide us with some names and contact information and we make the contacts.

In some cases, a Police Record Check is required, for example, if you will be handling money. Vulnerable Sector Checks are required for volunteers who will have close contact with a vulnerable person, such as a consumer of our programs. In addition, there are specific requirements and policies for volunteers who have access to corporate technology and who drive as part of their duties.

Once you are all ready to begin, we will work with you to give you any training you might need. This can include formal training sessions for

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some roles, or it might be informally explained to you on your first day. But rest assured, you will receive the information you need in order to handle the role you have chosen.

We are delighted you want to volunteer with us and we welcome you with open arms. Come on in!

Jane Beaumont, Leadership Volunteer, Past Chair of CNIB National Board, and Donor, Ottawa

"I’m truly passionate about CNIB. I give one-time donations and have joined the monthly giving program. It’s not about the amount of money; it’s also about showing that you support the organization’s commitment to Canadians with vision loss.

I have also included CNIB in my will because I believe that what we give to charity is an important part of our wills."

Appendix #1 - CNIB's Philosophy of Fundraising and Philanthropy

The terms "fundraising" and "philanthropy" are often used interchangeably, but they are actually not the same.

Philanthropy is a desire to do good with one's money – it is a motivating force.

Fundraising is the act of raising money, but philanthropy is the motivation that drives donors' decisions to invest.

At CNIB, we do both. We provide people with the opportunity to donate through our fundraising efforts. We also work closely with individuals to help them discover the motivation to invest and to match them to the right programs to meet their needs.

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Giving Feels Good!

People give for as many reasons as there are people, but for everyone, there needs to be some sort of benefit. It could be as simple as feeling good about yourself for having helped someone else. Many studies show that people who give without an expectation of a reward are more satisfied with their lives than people who expect payment for their efforts.

Investment in the community

When money donors choose to give to an organization such as CNIB, we must remember that they are making an investment in the community – not solely in CNIB. In that case, each donor is an investor and should be treated as one. Just think about all the research an investor does before deciding on a stock, and the amount of feedback an investor receives about the performance of their investment. Like an investor, the donor needs to see a return on the investment, but in the case of philanthropy, that is measured in outcomes and impact – improvements to the quality of life of the people we serve.

When CNIB raises funds, it is important to remember:

The gift is not to CNIB; the gift goes through CNIB to the people we serve. CNIB is the connection or the conduit to the community where the gift is needed.

Saying CNIB needs the funds doesn't work. Donors care that the needs of the people we serve are being met – that the work we do creates positive and important results in the community.

The process: values, causes, stories and partnerships

There are so many organizations that try to raise funds. Donors have lots to choose from and we all compete for their attention. At CNIB, we know that people tend to donate to organizations whose values they share.

How do donors choose? It works the same way for individuals and organizations. They need to find the right cause – something that fits with their values. For the process to begin, the cause needs to be clearly stated so that it resonates with people (or organizations) whose values make them

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receptive.

How do we communicate our values and our cause? We communicate our cause most effectively when we tell the personal stories of the people we serve and the people who give. The stories we share capture the hearts and minds of the people who engage with us, making them want to become characters in the story. Our job is to give them a role in the story and a chance to improve the story's outcome.

Because we are in a partnership with our donors (just as with our volunteers), we understand there is an expectation of dialogue and feedback. We fulfill this by showing donors how their role has changed the story for the better and by offering opportunities for them to do more. We recognize that it isn't about the amount of money – it is about what the money does.

We believe that all the people we encounter should be considered as possible partners in giving to the cause – whether they are people in the community, representatives of organizations, volunteers, staff or even clients.

We feel proud, not apologetic, when asking – whether it is for money or time or services donated in kind.

We believe that we present opportunities, not obligations. We recognize people have a need to give – and we can fulfill their need.

We believe in establishing long-term relationships with donors.

We understand that people who give need to know the impact of their gifts.

We say thank you. Anyone who gives us a gift – whether small or large – will be thanked.

We follow the Code of Ethical Standards of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Volunteerism expert, Susan Ellis

"We need to make sure … organizations see that money donors and time donors are closely intertwined – and that people move in and out of both roles over a lifetime."

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Appendix #2 - Spirit of partnership

Partnership. Nothing defines CNIB's culture more accurately. In 1918, after the end of World War One, a group of about 200 Canadian veterans, blinded in the war, realized there was a need in the community to improve the lives of Canadians with vision loss, and that they could best meet that need by working together. They created CNIB in the spirit of partnership.

We still strive to operate that way now, almost 100 years later. At this point in time, millions of Canadians have been touched by CNIB – and it isn't only people with vision loss. Over the years, CNIB has partnered with countless volunteers, donors, community organizations, health and medical groups, and governments to support our mission: to ensure all Canadians who are blind or partially sighted have the confidence, skills and opportunity to fully participate in life.

We have come to understand that we can achieve our mission only by working together. The mission is the cause that we have in common with our partners. Partnering is a strategy – it is a key part of how we will achieve the mission. The programs we provide to people with vision loss are the tools we will use to make it happen.

As we approach our 100th anniversary, we know that there is still much to be done to achieve our mission and to perfect our approach to partnership. Our commitment to partnership is an acknowledgement that we are all interdependent and our power lies in our ability to be good partners, to partner with people whose values and ambitions align with ours, and to maintain our partnerships over the long term as they shift and develop.

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Appendix #3 - CNIB's philosophy on volunteerism

“Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much.” Helen Keller

No matter how skilled and dedicated our paid employees are, CNIB recognizes that the people we serve require and deserve a wide variety of service options, resources and approaches that cannot be offered by the staff alone. We see volunteers as a huge community talent pool – with diverse backgrounds and limitless potential to contribute varied talents to expand opportunities for people who are blind and partially sighted. Volunteers are time donors (and often financial donors, too) who serve side-by-side with paid staff, and who can connect with people in a unique way. In many cases, it is the fact that they are not paid that resonates so profoundly with community members.

To be successful, we must treat every volunteer as a valued partner. Because volunteers choose to partner with us, we are able to serve larger numbers of people. But more than that, the generous natures of volunteers and their gifts are deeply appreciated by the people we serve, as well as by our staff and other partners. We know that volunteers bring their unique points of view that have resulted from their personal experiences, relationships and values. Many of our time volunteers have been recipients of our services. Others have been money donors and want to find an additional way to give. They bring scope, depth, knowledge, connections and more. In other words, they enrich and expand our thinking, not just our reach.

Our philosophy of volunteerism is also very much influenced by our dedication to breaking down barriers and building inclusive communities – both within CNIB, as well as in the towns and cities where we live. It is important to us to provide an accessible workplace and to include people with vision loss and other disabilities on our staff and among our volunteers and other partners.

We know that being a good partner requires attention and care. Our first priority is to be welcoming, to listen to each potential volunteer, honour their level of commitment and ensure they have the training and support they require once they have been accepted.

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We respect that volunteers need to do their research to be sure we are the right fit for them – that our values (passion, empowerment, respect, innovation, professionalism and dedication) align with theirs and the environment and culture we have created allows them to achieve their personal goals. And once they make the choice to join us, we do our best to find the volunteer roles that suit them. We endeavour to present them with many opportunities and ways to make their precious gifts.

We understand that after a volunteer has joined us, they need to feel their time spent with us is worthwhile. Volunteer engagement is a core competency for our staff, ensuring volunteers feel comfortable and respected at CNIB. Evaluation is built into every program and role description because we know how important it is to regularly tell time volunteers (and staff and financial donors, too) how their investment has had an impact. We all need to see the link from our contribution to the achievement of our mission. And we all have a need to know we have been heard. Volunteers must also have the opportunity to provide us with feedback on their experience during their time with the organization. That feedback, whether positive or negative, is another valuable gift that helps us continually improve.

We need volunteers who understand our mission and are willing to make a firm commitment. Our first priority is to provide excellent service. We need volunteers who share that view.

The years have taught us to accept that even though a person may be volunteering with us now, that might change. In the future, they might want to take on more responsibility or be less involved, or give in a different way. What matters to us is that their experience with us is one they will remember proudly and fondly – that they will feel they were valued and they made a positive difference in people's lives.

Every volunteer is an ambassador for CNIB, whether formal or not. We hope our volunteers will share their impressions with the people in their lives. Who knows? Maybe someone they talk to about their experience will decide to partner with us as well, as a volunteer, or a donor, or a client or a member of our staff. And our work will continue.

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