Ask not what Business can do for the Not for Profit Sector...

By Lola Rasminsky, Executive Director

If we are to take His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, seriously - the not-for-profit sector can give us all opportunities to be truly happy.

This past September, I had the privilege of participating in the Connecting for Change conference during his visit to Vancouver. He devoted a full day to bringing together 120 corporate and social leaders in an effort to promote dialogue between the two sectors.

The Dalai Lama attracted sold out crowds at GM Place, as he does wherever he goes. More than 18,000 people were only too glad to pay $100 each to be in his presence. What was most striking about the event was neither his radiant presence nor his words, but the looks of utter joy and inspiration on the faces in the audience.

What does he have to say that people need to hear? What is missing in the lives of so many of us that can be found in the teachings of this humble monk? In one of his books he speaks about the experience we've all had of being so certain that we've left something in a particular room that when we don't find it, we go back and look in the very same room, again and again. He suggests that when we are not happy, many of us think our outlook will improve if we make more money, or if we get a bigger promotion. We're convinced that all we need to do is to make more of an effort by continuing to do what we are already doing.

The Dalai Lama says that we are looking for the answer in the wrong place. Only those with an 'educated heart' - those who demonstrate compassion, understanding, and caring - can feel truly happy. I resonate with this message. My own life has felt more complete since having the chance to engage with young people whose circumstances don't afford them the same opportunities as many other children. By working together, we have begun to see new horizons for ourselves, we have introduced each other to new worlds and we've stretched ourselves beyond what we thought possible.

So what does all this have to do with the not-for profit sector helping the corporate world? When we show kindness to others, we illuminate our compassionate side. When this kind of activity becomes part of our lives - be it mentoring a child, preparing food for an Out of the Cold program, or connecting with a teen at risk - we feel better about ourselves. This energized feeling spills over into everything we do. We look forward to getting up in the morning. Many progressive corporations and professional service businesses already understand this. They encourage and support their employees' altruistic endeavours. They understand that people who are happy are more productive. These companies deserve to be celebrated, not just for being responsible corporate citizens, but for their enlightened self interest.

If the Dalai Lama is right, the happiest people are those who try to make the world a better place. He talks about 'silly selfishness' and 'wise selfishness'. The wisely selfish look after their spirit by including acts of kindness in their daily regime. Not-for-profit organizations can provide many opportunities for people to act in this way. And there are many 'brokers' who are overjoyed to bring together people with needs, and people who can help to satisfy those needs. It becomes a mutually rewarding relationship. It's not just about the duty to do the right thing. It's about doing the right thing to satisfy our own 'wisely selfish' needs.

A special thanks to all of AFC's most recent donors

Major Supporters $25,000 +

Anonymous Foundation (2)
HSBC Bank Canada

Platinum Supporters $15,000-$24,999

Telus Foundation

Gold Supporters $10,000 - $14,999

Frederick & Douglas Dickson Memorial Foundation
Ontario Arts Council
John and Ruth Crow Fund of Tides Canada Foundation
Toronto Arts Council

Silver Supporters $5,000-$9,999

Bees Knees Music Fundraiser
Kahanoff Foundation
Catherine & Ian Delaney
KBSH Spirit Foundation
Deutsche Bank Canada
Nancy McCain
Edelman Canada
Andrea Soler

Angels $1,000-$4,999

Eli Lilly Canada
Michina Pope
Kiwanis Club of Toronto Foundation
Société Générale
Merle Kriss
Toronto Star Fresh Air Fund
Laidlaw Foundation
Winberg Foundation

Benefactors $500-$999

CIBC Asset Management Inc.
Norm MacEachern

Lola Rasminsky in conversation with the Dalai Lama

Artist/Banker Andrea Soler supports AFC

AFC extends a special 'thank you' to the lovely and talented Andrea Soler, who chose Arts for Children of Toronto as the beneficiary of her premier art sale by offering 40% of the proceeds to our Outreach Program. Her generosity, and that of Société Générale - who provided a wonderful venue complete with catering and wait staff - will allow AFC to add 30 days of arts programming for schools and community centres in underserved areas of the GTA. Keep on painting, Andrea. The beauty of your work spreads beyond the canvas!

The Bee's Knees present a cheque to AFC's Julie Frost and Lisa Phillips

The Bee's Knees, a musical group geared towards preschool aged children, held a fundraiser for Arts for Children of Toronto that raised over $6,000 towards AFC programming! Please support this wonderful singing trio by visiting their website.

How You Can Help AFC!

Make a donation
Volunteer your time
Make a Tribute Gift (in honour of a friend, loved one or special occasion)
Host a fundraising event for AFC
Donate your rewards points from your credit or airmiles card
Consider a bequest when estate planning
Donate stocks, bonds or mutual funds to AFC and pay absolutely no tax on the increase in value

For more information on how to support AFC, or to make a donation please call 416-929-9314 x101 or email info@artsforchildren.org.

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Ask not what Business can do for the Not for Profit Sector... By Lola Rasminsky, Executive Director If we are to take His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, seriously - the not-for-profit sector can give us all opportunities to be truly happy. This past September, I had the privilege of participating in the Connecting for Change conference during his visit to Vancouver. He devoted a full day to bringing together 120 corporate and social leaders in an effort to promote dialogue between the two sectors. The Dalai Lama attracted sold out crowds at GM Place, as he does wherever he goes. More than 18,000 people were only too glad to pay $100 each to be in his presence. What was most striking about the event was neither his radiant presence nor his words, but the looks of utter joy and inspiration on the faces in the audience. What does he have to say that people need to hear? What is missing in the lives of so many of us that can be found in the teachings of this humble monk? In one of his books he speaks about the experience we've all had of being so certain that we've left something in a particular room that when we don't find it, we go back and look in the very same room, again and again. He suggests that when we are not happy, many of us think our outlook will improve if we make more money, or if we get a bigger promotion. We're convinced that all we need to do is to make more of an effort by continuing to do what we are already doing. The Dalai Lama says that we are looking for the answer in the wrong place. Only those with an 'educated heart' - those who demonstrate compassion, understanding, and caring - can feel truly happy. I resonate with this message. My own life has felt more complete since having the chance to engage with young people whose circumstances don't afford them the same opportunities as many other children. By working together, we have begun to see new horizons for ourselves, we have introduced each other to new worlds and we've stretched ourselves beyond what we thought possible. So what does all this have to do with the not-for profit sector helping the corporate world? When we show kindness to others, we illuminate our compassionate side. When this kind of activity becomes part of our lives - be it mentoring a child, preparing food for an Out of the Cold program, or connecting with a teen at risk - we feel better about ourselves. This energized feeling spills over into everything we do. We look forward to getting up in the morning. Many progressive corporations and professional service businesses already understand this. They encourage and support their employees' altruistic endeavours. They understand that people who are happy are more productive. These companies deserve to be celebrated, not just for being responsible corporate citizens, but for their enlightened self interest. If the Dalai Lama is right, the happiest people are those who try to make the world a better place. He talks about 'silly selfishness' and 'wise selfishness'. The wisely selfish look after their spirit by including acts of kindness in their daily regime. Not-for-profit organizations can provide many opportunities for people to act in this way. And there are many 'brokers' who are overjoyed to bring together people with needs, and people who can help to satisfy those needs. It becomes a mutually rewarding relationship. It's not just about the duty to do the right thing. It's about doing the right thing to satisfy our own 'wisely selfish' needs. A special thanks to all of AFC's most recent donors Major Supporters $25,000 + Anonymous Foundation (2) HSBC Bank Canada Platinum Supporters $15,000-$24,999 Telus Foundation Gold Supporters $10,000 - $14,999 Frederick & Douglas Dickson Memorial Foundation Ontario Arts Council John and Ruth Crow Fund of Tides Canada Foundation Toronto Arts Council Silver Supporters $5,000-$9,999 Bees Knees Music Fundraiser Kahanoff Foundation Catherine & Ian Delaney KBSH Spirit Foundation Deutsche Bank Canada Nancy McCain Edelman Canada Andrea Soler Angels $1,000-$4,999 Eli Lilly Canada Michina Pope Kiwanis Club of Toronto Foundation Société Générale Merle Kriss Toronto Star Fresh Air Fund Laidlaw Foundation Winberg Foundation Benefactors $500-$999 CIBC Asset Management Inc. Norm MacEachern	Lola Rasminsky in conversation with the Dalai Lama Artist/Banker Andrea Soler supports AFC AFC extends a special 'thank you' to the lovely and talented Andrea Soler, who chose Arts for Children of Toronto as the beneficiary of her premier art sale by offering 40% of the proceeds to our Outreach Program. Her generosity, and that of Société Générale - who provided a wonderful venue complete with catering and wait staff - will allow AFC to add 30 days of arts programming for schools and community centres in underserved areas of the GTA. Keep on painting, Andrea. The beauty of your work spreads beyond the canvas! The Bee's Knees present a cheque to AFC's Julie Frost and Lisa Phillips The Bee's Knees, a musical group geared towards preschool aged children, held a fundraiser for Arts for Children of Toronto that raised over $6,000 towards AFC programming! Please support this wonderful singing trio by visiting their website. How You Can Help AFC! Make a donation Volunteer your time Make a Tribute Gift (in honour of a friend, loved one or special occasion) Host a fundraising event for AFC Donate your rewards points from your credit or airmiles card Consider a bequest when estate planning Donate stocks, bonds or mutual funds to AFC and pay absolutely no tax on the increase in value For more information on how to support AFC, or to make a donation please call 416-929-9314 x101 or email info@artsforchildren.org.
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