THEME: Real World Connections, Social Responsibility and Leadership
Lesson: Define nonprofit organizations and identify some Saskatchewan or
Canadian nonprofit organizations.
Learning Outcomes
 Students will understand the concept of a nonprofit organization.
 Students will learn ways in which nonprofits give back to the community.
Essential Questions
 What is a nonprofit organization?
 Can you name some Saskatchewan or Canadian nonprofit organizations?
 What services do these organizations provide?
 Who are their target populations?
Level
 Grade 9
Time
 4 x 15 minutes
Materials
 Write Essential Questions on the board
 Handout:
o Community Nonprofit Organizations
o EXAMPLES: Community Nonprofit Organizations
 Transparency: “Types of Nonprofit Organizations”
 Access a list of some Canadian nonprofit organizations at:
o http://www.mun.ca/research/funding/nonprofit-can.html
Procedure
 Discuss the first Essential Question.
 Define the term nonprofit organization.
An NPO is a club, society or association that is organized and operated solely for social
welfare; civic improvement; pleasure or recreation; or any other purpose except profit.
 Explain how a nonprofit differs from a for-profit institution. Explain tax-exempt status.
A NPO is a club, society or association that is not a charity as defined in the Canadian
Income Tax Act; that is, organized and operated solely for social welfare; civic improvement;
pleasure or recreation, or any other purpose except profit. A NPO is exempt from tax under
Part I of the Act on all or part of its taxable income for a fiscal period if it meets all of the
above requirements for that period.
 Pair students, distribute the “Community Nonprofit Organizations” handout and ask them to
complete as much as possible.
 As a class discuss the responses to the “Community Nonprofit Organizations” handout. Fill in
blanks, either from your own knowledge or from the “EXAMPLES…” handout
Evaluation
 Choose an appropriate Rubric from Assessment and Evaluation.
Extending
 Ask students to compare the services of two different nonprofits, the similarities and differences in
the way they present themselves. Would you donate money or volunteer at these organizations?
Why or why not?
 Ask students to research and make a list of socially responsible and socially irresponsible
businesses.
 Have each student pick one company from each list then ask them to research each company
further. What makes a company socially responsible? What makes a company socially
irresponsible? What are the different criteria? What are the criteria that you value most in a
company? Are these the same criteria that your classmates value?
TYPES OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
Homeless Shelters
Homeless shelters are temporary residences for homeless people. Similar to emergency shelters, they are
often located in urban neighborhoods, but are generally open to anyone, regardless of need. Some
shelters do limit their clientele by gender or age. Most homeless shelters expect guests to stay elsewhere
during the day, returning only to sleep, or if the shelter also provides meals, to eat; people in emergency
shelters are more likely to stay all day, except for work, school, or errands. Some homeless shelters,
however, are open twenty-four hours a day. There are also daytime-only homeless shelters: an option for
those who cannot stay at their night shelter during the day.
Animal Shelter
An animal shelter is a facility that houses homeless, lost, or abandoned animals, primarily a large variety
of dogs and cats. The animal is kept at the shelter until reclaimed by its owner, adopted by a new owner,
placed with another organization, or euthanized. In the past, these shelters were more commonly referred
to as “dog pounds,” a term that originated in the pounds of agricultural communities, where stray cattle
were penned until claimed by their owners. Some animal shelters humanely euthanize animals that are
not adopted within a set period of time; others have a policy of only putting down animals that are in
distress due to age or illness.
Performing Arts Centers
Often abbreviated with PAC, a performing arts centers is a multi-use performance space that may be used
by various types of performing artists, including dancers, musicians, and actors. Many PACs have
performance halls designed for specific purposes such as symphonic music or chamber music.
Senior Centres
A senior centre houses elderly residents who need some level of assistance. Senior centers offer a variety
of social and support services that help older people adjust to the changes the aging process brings,
restores their sense of usefulness, aids in learning new skills, eliminates isolation, and expands their role
in the community.
Youth or Community Centres
Youth or community centres are public locations where community members may gather for group
activities, social support, public information, and other purposes. Within the greater community, they are
often open for specialized groups, such as youths. Specialized programming may include recreation
leagues and tutoring.
EXAMPLES: Community Nonprofit Organizations
Arts and culture:
Name: Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Centres
Service: Umbrella organization for Saskatchewan performing arts organizations
Target Population: Saskatchewan residents, artists and performing arts organizations
Animal shelter:
Name: Regina Humane Society
Service: Improving the welfare of animals through programs and services in sheltering,
education, protection, and advocacy
Target Population: Animals in need, citizens of Regina and area
Cultural:
Name: Canadian Race Relations Foundation
Service: The Foundation is committed to building a national framework for the fight against
racism in Canadian society. Will shed light on the causes and manifestations of racism; provide
independent, outspoken national leadership; and act as a resource and facilitator in the pursuit of
equity, fairness, and social justice. Started by the Canadian Government
Target Population: Canadians, government
Education:
Name: Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
Service: Facilitate the development of public policy on higher education and to encourage
cooperation among universities and governments, industry, communities, and institutions in
other countries. Provide services to member universities in public policy and advocacy;
communications, research and information-sharing and scholarships and international programs
Target Population: Member schools, universities and colleges
Environmental:
Name: Atlantic Salmon Federation
Service: Promotes the conservation and wise management of wild Atlantic salmon and their
environment.
Target Population: Wild Atlantic Salmon consumers, businesses associated with fisheries.
Foundation:
Name: EJLB Foundation
Service: Provide grants for environmental and scientific research; and community grants to
mental health organizations.
Target Population: Researchers in science and environment, mental health organizations
Health:
Name: Alzheimer Society of Canada
Service Improve the quality of life for Canadians affected by Alzheimer's disease and advance
the search for the cause and cure.
Target Population: Canadian families suffering from Alzheimers
Homeless:
Name: Souls Harbour Mission
Service: Serves meals, emergency hampers, clothing, furniture and provides an accessible place
for people to go for help
Target Population
Senior Centre:
Name: Saskatchewan Senior Mechanism
Service: bring together Saskatchewan seniors’ organizations to promote a unified voice; research
and action on issues affecting seniors; and awareness and coordination of resources and services
to seniors.
Target Population: member organizations and seniors
Relief:
Name: Canadian Red Cross
Service: Disaster relief, education programs
Target Population: Everyone
Religious:
Name: Carmichael Outreach
Service: Carmichael Outreach began as an outreach project of Carmichael United Church in
1988. After the church closed in 1995, the need for the outreach continued and dedicated
volunteers have kept the centre running and helping as part of their faith-based community.
Target Population: Disadvantaged, poor and vulnerable members of the community
Youth:
Name: Kids Help Phone
Service: Telephone help, 24-hour with qualified professional counsellors for kids with any
problem.
Target Population: Young people
Community Nonprofit Organizations
Nonprofit
Arts and culture:
Animal shelter:
Cultural:
Education:
Environmental:
Foundation:
Health:
Homeless:
Senior center:
Relief:
Religious:
Youth:
Name
Service
Target Population