The WCPD Foundation has come on board as a Founding Partner and Sponsor of Ottawa’s first ever ‘Giving Guide’ , an annual publication seeking to unite the city’s robust philanthropic community.
The landmark guide is in collaboration with the Ottawa Business Journal (OBJ) and the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Ottawa Chapter. Published by OBJ every November, the Giving Guide will be a polished, oversized printed magazine with an online component. Ottawa’s inaugural comprehensive charitable resource, designed for coffee tables and board rooms, provides year-long visibility to non-profits in the nation’s capital, allowing them showcase their mission, goals, financials and governance.
But beyond that, the Giving Guide serves as a symbolic step in bringing together the city’s charitable forces towards the common good.
“OBJ is thrilled to welcome the WCPD Foundation, based right here in Ottawa, as a Founding Partner in our multimedia Giving Guide,” said Michael Curran, the newspaper’s publisher, who publically announced the upcoming publication at Leadercast Ottawa last week.
“We feel the Giving Guide has the potential to jump start corporate social responsibility initiatives in Ottawa’s business community. With the WCPD investment, they have underwritten the cost for local charities and foundations to participate in this campaign.”
While its unique to Ottawa, the concept is not entirely unfamiliar.
Crain’s Detroit Business, for example, puts out a well-known Giving Guide each year, as does many other major US cities such as Phoenix, Denver, New York and Los Angeles.
Here in Canada, OBJ becomes the first business journal to publish a dedicated and annual Giving Guide.
Peter Nicholson, Founder and President of WCPD Inc and the WCPD Foundation, said it was important to all the founding partners that the inaugural guide be as inclusive and representative as possible. Non-profits will have the chance to take out a two-page spread to tell their story and offer key actionable information for corporations and individuals.
“Any time we can do our part to strengthen the philanthropic community in which we live and work is a huge plus,” said Nicholson, who is also celebrating WCPD’s 30th year in business.
“Our company has always stood for innovation and new ideas, so the Giving Guide is a great fit. Together with our partners OBJ and AFP, we can’t wait to see this guide come to fruition.”
The rest of the Giving Guide features articles on best practices, corporate social responsibility and other content from sponsors, partners and AFP (Ottawa Chapter).
Kelly Lachance, the incoming AFP President for Ottawa, added that the Ottawa Chapter is delighted to partner in this initiative to highlight philanthropy in the corporate sector. Meanwhile, events like the Philanthropy Awards, she said, promote the importance and value of philanthropy, while enabling people and organizations to practice ethical and effective fundraising.
“The OBJ Giving Guide is another fantastic way to promote philanthropy in our community and feature the incredible corporate support that exists in Ottawa,” Lachance explained.
Over the years, WCPD has facilitated more than $100 million in giving and greatly increased its client’s donations via its philanthropic tax planning strategies. Drawing on the expertise of accountants and tax lawyers, along with its prestigious advisory council, the firm is committed to taking charitable giving to the next level.
As part of WCPD’s 30th anniversary celebration, WCPD will for the second year in a row serve as the Title Sponsor of this year’s 23rd Annual AFP Ottawa Philanthropy Awards, where the city’s best and brightest will be honoured. Paula Street, last year’s chair of the event, reported a noticeable uptick in attendance and declared it was “definitely one of the best Philanthropy Awards to date”.
OBJ, AFP and WCPD hope to build on this momentum when they officially unveil the inaugural issue of the Ottawa Giving Guide at the gala this November.
“I can think of no better place to launch what we hope will be a game-changing initiative for charities here in Ottawa,” Nicholson said.