Do Great Things: Blog For Changing The World!
Blog Home All Blogs

Playing the Long Game: How to Donate

Posted By Administration, March 17, 2025
Text

Estimated reading time: 15 minutes


It’s difficult to describe, but there’s a feeling you get after you make a donation. You know—that warm and fuzzy sensation that makes your heart swell. And no matter if you’ve donated for the first time—or the hundredth, that warm and tender feeling manages to tiptoe its way back every time.

Where does it come from? Maybe it’s from knowing that your contribution is changing the lives of those in need, advancing social justice, or righting environmental wrongs. Or, maybe it comes from the simple pleasure of finding your new life’s purpose. Regardless of the reason, it’s a reminder that donating even a bit of extra pocket change can change your life—and someone else’s too.

With so many ways to donate, it’s easy to feel lost. Don’t worry, we’re here to help! In this chapter of our Continuum of Civic Engagement series, we’re laying out three proven donation strategies to help you find your footing and sponsor the causes that truly strike a chord with you. So let’s get started.

Strategy 1: Set Up Recurring Monthly Donations
Making a monthly donation to a charity, non-profit, or community-led group is sort of like subscribing to a streaming service. Every month you can pitch in a small budget-friendly amount, and in return you get to enjoy the impact that organization makes—like a Netflix account but more philanthropic.And unlike bulky, unplanned donations, streamlined monthly payments offer you a bird’s eye view into how much you’re actually spending.

So, you can cut out the guesswork when someone asks if you have anything else to spare. But the benefits don’t stop there—your cause has a lot to gain from monthly donations too.That’s because when non-profits have the safety net of predictable and recurring income, they’re better able to plan for the future, allowing them to continue lifting up the communities that depend on their services.

Strategy 2: Name Non-Profits in Your Will
What if you’ve been donating to a non-profit month-after-month for years? You’ve gotten to know the organization's team, maybe you’ve volunteered with them, and over time you’ve become woven into the organization’s fabric. And now, you want to help them deliver on their mission—even after you’re gone.

This is where leaving your charitable donations in a will can be an effective strategy - it’s another way to help an organization plan out their future. n the process, the organization’s ongoing success becomes part of your legacy. It can also have significant tax benefits because your donation may be deducted from your overall estate after your pass, making it a win-win solution for your cause, and your family.

Strategy 3: Contribute to Your Corporate Matching Program
If you only have so much to give, and want to stretch it even further, a corporate matching program may be your best bet. Corporate donation matching is exactly what it sounds like. It’s when your employer matches your charitable donations—dollar for dollar. A quick flip through your employment contract or corporate policy agreement, or even a visit to HR, is all you need to see if a matching program is already in place.

Even if there isn’t anything in writing—it never hurts to ask. Floating the idea over to your management team could be all it takes to spark a wider conversation, and architect a donation matching program for the future.


Final Thoughts
It’s no secret that charities, non-profits, and community-led groups are the sturdy footing our communities stand on. But without thoughtful and structured charitable giving, that foundation would slowly crumble and the people they serve would fall through the cracks. In many cases how we contribute is just as important as if we contribute.

Strategies that play the long game, like setting up a monthly donation schedule, naming organizations in your will, and sifting through paperwork to uncover a corporate matching program you didn’t know existed, are most effective. If you want to learn more about more ways to impact your community, you can always visit our Continuum of Civic Engagement to learn more.

Tags:  City of Toronto Development  give back  helping the homeless  How to give back  Human Rights  LGBT Rights  Make a Difference  Meals on Wheels  Toronto  Toronto volunteers  torontofoundation  used clothing  volunteer  volunteer for a clothing drive  volunteer in Toronto 

PermalinkComments (0)
 

NVW 2025 Community Member Spotlight: Creating Waves of Change

Posted By Cara Eaton, March 4, 2025
Updated: April 25, 2025
 
 National Volunteer Week 2025, Volunteers Make Waves with Volunteer Canada Logo

 

   Happy National Volunteer Week!

This year's theme, Volunteers Make Waves, is about volunteers contributing to making a change, no matter how small or big - the actions of the collective come together to create a wave of change in our community.National Volunteer Week is annual celebration of volunteers and how they give back to our community. This National Volunteer Week, the theme is Volunteers Make Waves. We've sat down with Alexander Paul Burton, a community member giving back and creating waves everyday.

 

The Power of Giving Back
For me, giving back is not just about making a donation—it’s about showing up for others, sharing what I can, and inspiring others to do the same. Over the years, I’ve supported mental health organizations like the Centre for Grief and Healing in Mississauga and have volunteered in a variety of capacities. Volunteering for mental health is especially close to my heart because it’s a reminder that we all have a role to play in supporting one another.

 

"Volunteering has been a grounding force in my life. It reminds me of the importance of being present and of the incredible impact that even small acts of kindness can have."

 

“The world can often feel divided, but it’s in those moments of giving, of showing up, that we realize we are stronger together. I want to inspire others—especially within my community—to take action and give what they can. Even the smallest gesture can make a difference.”

- Alexander Paul Burton

 

 

Why I Give
Volunteering at Allan Gardens Food Bank has also been a deeply rewarding experience. This food bank is an amazing resource for those in need, offering not just food, but also a sense of community for individuals who may feel isolated or forgotten. I’m proud to support such a remarkable organization that does so much good in the heart of Toronto. But beyond the financial donation, being there in person, helping hand out food and talking with people, has shown me the true power of community and how important it is to give what we can.


Mental Health and Volunteering: A Personal Connection
Mental health has been a key focus in my advocacy work, and volunteering in this space has helped me just as much as it’s helped others. As someone who works in an industry that can often feel isolating or stressful, I’ve learned that giving back provides a sense of purpose and connection that is vital to my well-being. Helping others who are struggling with mental health challenges allows me to better understand my own, and it gives me an opportunity to make a meaningful impact, even in small ways.

 

This winter, as the need for support increases, I encourage you to think about how you can give back. Whether it’s donating your time, resources, or simply spreading kindness, there are many ways we can all help others during this season. Even a small action can create a ripple effect of positivity that touches many lives.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Let’s all continue to make a difference, together!

 

With warmth and gratitude,

Alex (He/Him)

 

Alexander Paul Burton has contributed to fundraising initiatives for various causes, including medical research and community development. He advocates for volunteerism and community engagement, encouraging people to participate in local initiatives. He volunteers at the Allan Gardens Food Bank in Toronto, assisting with food distribution and community support services. 

 

 

Are you a LGBTQ+ Artist looking to amplify your music and advocacy? The OUTLINE award celebrates meaningful contributions to LGBT+ advocacy and artistic excellence, no matter where an artist is based. LGBTQ+ award for marginalized and underrepresented musicians called OUTLINE

Apply by June 1, 2025 for consideration!


 

Tags:  applying to volunteer  give back  How to give back  How to start volunteering  Make a Difference  National Volunteer Week 2022  Toronto  Toronto volunteers  types of volunteer positions  volunteer  volunteer in Toronto  Volunteering  Ways to volunteer 

PermalinkComments (0)
 

Celebrating the Contributions of Black Volunteers in our History

Posted By Volunteer Toronto, February 18, 2021
Updated: February 21, 2024
 
 Volunteering with Kids

Estimated reading time: 15 minutes

 

Volunteerism has taken many forms in our history, and continues to evolve. For many Black people in Canada, volunteering has taken the form of fighting for human rights, advocating for equity, forging networks for mutual aid, and filling gaps in social services for Black communities, to highlight just a few.  Their stories are a part of Canada’s diverse history, as are the contributions of so many Black individuals that have been unjustly wiped from our historical records.

Read about 10 notable Black volunteers, advocates and community organizers who have helped shape Ontario and Toronto’s heritage below (Source: Government of Canada):

  

The Honourable Jean Augustine

Jean Augustine is a trailblazing politician, social activist, and educator. She was the first African-Canadian woman to be elected to the House of Commons, the first African-Canadian woman to be appointed to the federal Cabinet, and the first Fairness Commissioner of the Government of Ontario.

Born in 1937 in Happy Hill, Grenada, Augustine overcame personal and economic adversity from an early age to excel academically, and began her career as a teacher. After arriving in Canada in 1960, she advanced her education and career prospects, participated in grassroots organizations to strengthen minority and women’s rights, and served her community and the City of Toronto with great passion and charisma. Augustine carried her roots and convictions in community service, education, and advocacy as she entered politics in 1993 as a Member of Parliament. In 1995, her proposed motion before Parliament to recognize February as Black History Month passed unanimously, thereby establishing a lasting tradition of celebrating the important contributions of Black Canadians to Canada’s history, culture, development, and heritage.

 

Mary Bibb

Born a free person in Rhode Island, Mary Bibb became an abolitionist, teacher, dressmaker, activist and co-editor of the Voice of the Fugitive. In 1854, Mary Bibb also founded the Windsor Ladies Club, also referred to as the Mutual Improvement Society. Mary, along with her husband Henry, was also instrumental in managing the Refugee Home Society and distributing aid to incoming Underground Railroad travelers. They provided newcomers with food, clothing, housing, but also job training and protection from slave hunters. This was in addition to establishing a school for young people who were excluded from the local public school due to discrimination. It was in 2002 that Mary, along with her husband Henry, was recognized as a Person of National Historic Significance in Canada.

 

Lucie and Thornton Blackburn

Lucie and Thorton Blackburn, like many of the Underground Railroad refugees, headed for the towns and cities where they could find work and where they would help mould the character of their new homes.

The Blackburns were fugitives from Kentucky who escaped slavery and settled in Detroit. However, their former owner tracked them down there and tried to return them to slavery. In a highly publicized escape that left Detroit engulfed in riots, the Blackburns were able to make it to Canada. The Canadian Courts defended them against the threat of extradition. This was seen nationally and internationally as a symbol of Upper Canada’s role as a safe haven for Black refugees.

The Blackburns settled in Toronto and, in 1834, built their home on what are now the grounds of the old Sackville Street School. Thornton operated the first cab in the young city of Toronto. The Blackburns worked tirelessly in their new community for the abolition of slavery and to help other Underground Railroad refugees settle in Canada.

 

Dionne Brand

Dionne Brand is an accomplished poet, writer, filmmaker, educator and social activist. Born in Trinidad, Brand immigrated to Canada in 1970 and earned her BA in English and Philosophy at the University of Toronto and MA in the Philosophy of Education from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education.

Brand has published poetry, fiction, essays, and other writings exploring themes of gender, race, sexuality and feminism, white male domination, injustices, and the “moral hypocrisies of Canada.” She has also taught and continues to teach literature, creative writing, and women’s studies at various universities across North America.

Brand’s political and social work includes chairing the Women’s Issues Committee of the Ontario Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, helping to organize the Black and Native Women’s Caucus of the International Women’s Day Coalition, working for Toronto’s Black Education Project, and serving on the board of the Shirley Samaroo House, a Toronto shelter for battered immigrant women. She has also worked as a counselor at the Immigrant Women’s Center and an Information Officer for the Caribbean Peoples’ Development Agencies.

 

Rosemary Brown

Rosemary Brown came to Canada from her native Jamaica in 1950 to attend McGill University in Montreal. First elected to the British Columbia legislature in 1972, she served until her retirement in 1986. She also ran for the leadership of the federal New Democratic Party in 1974.

A feminist and public advocate, Rosemary Brown dedicated her life to helping others. Over the years, she served her fellow citizens as the Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission (from 1993 to 1996), and was a founding member of the Vancouver Status of Women Council and the Canadian Women’s Foundation. 

 

Senator Anne Clare Cools

Senator Anne Clare Cools was born in 1943 in Barbados, West Indies. She was educated at Queen’s College Girls School, Barbados, Montreal’s Thomas D’Arcy McGee High School, and McGill University, from which she holds a Bachelor of Arts.

Senator Cools is a Senator from Ontario. Recommended by Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau, she was summoned to the Senate in January 1984, becoming the first Black person in the Senate of Canada. Senator Cools was a social worker in innovative social services in Toronto. A pioneer in addressing domestic and family violence, in 1974 she founded one of Canada’s first women’s shelters, Women in Transition Inc., and was its Executive Director.

 

Afua Cooper

Afua Cooper is a distinguished and internationally recognized educator, historian, performance artist, and poet. In her poetry, she incorporates African rhythms and vibes of the Black diaspora which carry a strong sense of history and place, as well as an underlining feminist sensibility. Cooper is a founding member of the Toronto Dub Poets’ Collective, founder of the Black Canadian Studies Association (BCSA), and the third James Robinson Johnston Chair in Black Canadian Studies in the Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology at Dalhousie University.

Born in Jamaica to a family of nine children, Cooper immigrated to Canada in 1980 during a period of great political unrest in Jamaica. She proceeded to become one of the most influential and pioneering voices in the Canadian dub poetry and spoken word movement. She currently resides in Toronto, and teaches sociology at Ryerson University.

 

Kathleen “Kay” Livingstone

Kathleen “Kay” Livingstone (1918-1975) was born in London, Ontario, in 1918. During the Second World War, Kay Livingston worked at the Dominion Bureau of Statistics in Ottawa. It was in Ottawa that she began a career as a radio host with "The Kathleen Livingstone Show." In 1942, she married George Livingstone, and they moved to Toronto where they raised their children.

Livingstone worked to break down prejudice and promote equality of individuals of all origins and contributed to the development of a more tolerant society. She was deeply involved in expanding a collective awareness and pride in the Toronto Black community in the post-Second World War period. As well, she worked with the United Nations Association – Toronto Branch Women’s Auxiliary, the local YWCA Foreign Affairs Committee, the National Black Coalition of Canada, the Canadian Council of Churches, the Legal Aid Society, and Heritage Ontario.

Livingstone was a founder of the Canadian Negro Women’s Association (1951). An early Canadian Negro Women's Association (CANEWA) undertaking, and one which would continue throughout the group's existence, was the provision of scholarships to deserving Black students. Later activities included the organization of the Calypso Carnival (forerunner of the Caribana Festival) as a fundraiser for other service projects.

 

Mary Ann Shadd Cary

Born free in Delaware, Mary Ann Shadd became the first Black woman to publish a newspaper in North America when she established the Provincial Freeman. She was also a teacher, who established a racially integrated school for Black children in Windsor, in addition to writing educational pamphlets promoting settlement in Canada, including A Plea for Emigration; or Notes of Canada West which was written in 1852. Mary was also an activist for numerous causes including the abolition of slavery, temperance and education. She also became increasingly vocal about women’s rights, becoming a women's suffragist. Not only did she promote these issues in the Provincial Freeman, she also spoke about them on lecture tours.

 

Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman, a formerly enslaved individual from Maryland, became known as the “Moses” of her people and the “conductor” who led hundreds of enslaved Blacks to freedom along the Underground Railroad. In 1850, when the far-reaching United States Fugitive Law was passed, she guided runaway enslaved people further north into Canada. When angry slave owners posted rewards for her capture, she continued her work despite great personal risk.

St. Catharines, Ontario (a town close to the border with the United States) was on the route and offered employment opportunities, making it a common destination for the former fugitives, including Harriet Tubman, who lived there from 1851 to 1857. Many of the people she rescued were relatives of those already in St. Catharines including her own parents, brothers and sisters and their families.

Later, Harriet Tubman became a leader in the Abolitionist movement. During the Civil war she worked as a nurse and served as a spy for the Union forces in South Carolina.   

 

Read the biographies of more notable Black individuals who have helped shape Canadian heritage and identity here.

Tags:  Activism  Black History Month  City of Toronto Volunteers  grassroots leaders  Toronto volunteers  volunteer leaders  volunteerism  volunteers 

PermalinkComments (0)
 

10 Places You Can Volunteer to Support Mental Health

Posted By Volunteer Toronto, December 15, 2017
 Text: 10 Places to Support Mental Health with smiling sun graphic on left side

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

Mental health affects people from all walks of life and in countless ways. While confronting mental health can be overwhelming, there are many ways to support mental health as a volunteer and make an impact in other’s lives. Check out these Toronto organizations and find out how you can give your time, skills and abilities to support mental health programs across Toronto:

 

Davenport-Perth Neighbourhood and Community Health Centre is a multi-service agency in Toronto’s West End, providing health and community support services for infants, children, youth and seniors.

  • Location: Davenport Road and Old Weston Road 
  • How you can volunteer: As a Community Dining Assistant, you’ll help with set-up, clean-up and cooking for Wednesday community dinners.

 

Distress Centres of Greater Toronto is a crisis support call centre available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They provide emergency support, emotional support, suicide prevention, and more.

  • Location: Yonge Street and Adelaide Street 
  • How you can volunteer: Provide immediate support to others in their time of need as a help line operator.

 

Family Service Toronto helps people facing a variety of life challenges, by assisting families and individuals through counselling, community development, advocacy and public education programs.

  • Location: Numerous sites across Toronto
  • How you can volunteer: As an Options Program Tutor and Life Skills Coach, you’ll maintain a supportive, friendly relationship with individuals who face mental health challenges. 

 

Abiona Centre is an infant and early childhood mental health organization supporting pregnant and parenting adolescents, aged 13-25, and their babies. Their programs include pre-and-post natal residential care, primary health care and maternal infant mental health.

  • Location: Broadview Avenue and Danforth Avenue
  • How you can volunteer: Parent Relief Volunteers provide basic child care while young mothers take much-needed breaks or run errands. 

 

Senior Persons Living Connected (SPLC) provides programs and services that meet the diverse needs of older adults and their caregivers. Services include seniors housing, counselling and social, recreational and fitness programs.

  • Location: Warden Avenue and Finch Avenue
  • How you can volunteer: Friendly Visitors spend time with seniors, engaging in conversation and leisure activities. 

 

SickKids Centre for Community Mental Health (formerly The Hincks-Dellcrest Centre) combines prevention, treatment, research and education to support children, youth and families facing mental health challenges.

  • Location: Keele St. and Sheppard Avenue West or Jarvis St. and Wellesley St. East
  • How you can volunteer: Research Assistants contribute to CCMH’s inter-disciplinary, evidenced-based mental health treatment and support system. 

 

The Gatehouse provides support, community and resources for individuals impacted by childhood sexual abuse, including an Investigation Support Program, Art Therapy and the Transforming Trauma Conference.

  • Location: Lakeshore Blvd. and Kipling Avenue
  • How you can volunteer: Give your time as a Peer Support Group Facilitator, supporting those impacted by childhood sexual abuse. 

 

Victim Services Toronto provides immediate crisis response, intervention and prevention services to individuals, families and communities affected by crime and sudden tragedies. Programs include The Trauma Dog Program, High Risk Support Services and Teens Ending Abusive Relationships (TEAR).

  • Location: Yonge St. and College St.
  • How you can volunteer: Crisis Counsellor Volunteers work alongside professional crisis counsellors to support victims in Toronto. 

 

Yorktown Family Services is dedicated to providing effective, accessible, quality mental health treatment, prevention and outreach services to children, youth, women and families. The agency is divided into a Child and Family Centre and a Shelter for Women and their children, fleeing abusive relationships.

  • Location: Dufferin St. and Eglinton Avenue West 
  • How you can volunteer: Walk-In Clinic Counsellors bring their professional counselling experience to the Family Centre and Shelter, on a monthly or bi-monthly basis. 

 

CAMH is Canada's largest mental health teaching hospital and one of the world's leading research centres in its field.With a dedicated staff of more than 5,000 physicians, clinicians, researchers, educators and support staff, CAMH offers outstanding clinical care to more than 38,000 patients each year.

Is your perfect volunteer role not in this list? Most of these organizations have multiple volunteer opportunities, so make sure you visit their websites to find out more.

 

If you still can’t find the right fit, search Volunteer Toronto’s database, selecting the "Health and Mental Health" category, or contact a Volunteer Advisor at 416-961-6888 x 232 or advisors@volunteertoronto.ca.

 

Tags:  Abuse Stories  Activism  Activists  Anti-Bulling  Frequently Asked Questions  friendly visitor  Give Back  health care volunteer positions  How to give back  How to start volunteering  how to volunteer  How to volunteer in Toronto  Leadership  Make a Difference  Mental Health  Mentorship  Questions about volunteering  skilled volunteering  Skills  Toronto volunteers  types of volunteer positions  Volunteer  Volunteer in Toronto  volunteer leaders  Volunteer questions  Volunteering  volunteering in Toronto  Volunteerism  Ways to volunteer 

PermalinkComments (0)