Community foundations receive award for 'driving positive community change'

OTTAWA, Aug. 14, 2012 /CNW/ - Canada's community foundations have been honoured by the U.S.-based Community Indicators Consortium (CIC) for their leadership on Vital Signs, a nation-wide program that measures quality of life in Canadian communities. The Impact Award goes to projects "that best demonstrate the power of indicators to drive positive community change."

Ground-breaking community research projects from Australia, Minnesota and Cincinnati were also recognized by the CIC, a global leader in community data work.

"Vital Signs gives Canadian communities the data they need to set priorities that are strategic and responsive to local needs and opportunities," said Ian Bird, President and CEO of Community Foundations of Canada. "Our network is honoured to receive this recognition."

Vital Signs data has acted as a catalyst for action on many fronts from innovative responses to homelessness in Victoria to new active youth programs in Toronto.

More than 30 communities participate in Vital Signs, with local and national reports released annually. The reader-friendly reports compile research from numerous sources to help communities make connections between issues and trends in different areas.

"This is a particularly proud day for the Toronto Community Foundation, which established Vital Signs in 2001 and helped other community foundations replicate its success.  Their model has also been adopted by communities in Brazil, Australia, the United Kingdom, Bosnia, and Herzegovina," said Bird.

Community Foundations of Canada is the national network for Canada's more than 180 community foundations, which help Canadians invest in building strong and resilient places to live, work, and play. www.cfc-fcc.ca

SOURCE: Community Foundations of Canada

Skana Gee
Communications Coordinator 
P: 902-466-7191
E: [email protected]