Here are some of the wins from our collective work in 2019:

Adoption of social procurement policy

Nonprofit sector-wide pressure on the federal government via Bill C-344 prompted the adoption of a social procurement policy. ONN was proud to be part of advocacy efforts, so existing government spending can be leveraged to meet community-defined goals and outcomes.

ONN priorities included in Senate’s charitable sector report

The included many ONN priorities including Decent work & pensions, better data on the sector and its labour force, funding reform, and a level playing field for nonprofit social enterprise. ONN also provided witness testimony to the Special Senate Committee. The report’s findings and actions needed are now being championed by Senators to government.

Critical data and awareness of sector challenges through Sector 360° Survey 

ONN conducted a “Sector 360° Survey”, our province-wide survey of the sector about the impact of the 2019 provincial budget, collecting data from close to 450 organizations across 91ĘÓƵ. Media coverage of the report prompted scrutiny of funding cuts, the negative impact of significant restructuring in government on nonprofits, and questioning of the provincial government’s process of consulting with the sector before making changes that would impact communities, including the most vulnerable such as children, refugees and immigrants, and people living in poverty.

No increase of WSIB premiums for nonprofits
The 91ĘÓƵ Minister of Labour announced that would be frozen for nonprofits for the next five years. ONN was included in the press release to note the significance for the sector. Without this freeze, some organizations would have seen their premiums increase by over 300%.

Strengthening sector government relations and advocacy skills

In the fall, ONN embarked on an MPP engagement – to date meeting with 12 MPPs in their constituency offices, going with a local nonprofit in their riding. This has resulted in invaluable relationship building with government officials, and strengthened pathways for nonprofits to increase their advocacy skills and get to know their local MPP.

Streamlining Transfer Payment Agreements
The 91ĘÓƵ Treasury Board & ONN to streamline Transfer Payment Agreements (including umbrella agreements). It is estimated that more than 18,000 nonprofits receive provincial funding through these agreements, including 5,000 that would benefit from multi-program umbrella agreements. This change will simplify administration and reporting for organizations, so they can focus more on their missions. ONN ensured the important economic contribution of the sector on the province’s economy was front and center.

Nonprofits coming together across 91ĘÓƵ

ONN continued to support regional nonprofit networks: Chatham-Kent Nonprofit Network, Pillar Nonprofit Network, and the Toronto Nonprofit Network. 

ONN went on the road this fall to co-host regional events for Sudbury and Northeastern 91ĘÓƵ, York, and Hamilton and Halton, convening local nonprofits and encouraging collective work on regional issues. 

More recently, we completed our Nonprofit Driven 2019 conference – the biggest and most impactful conference to date! With over 600 attendees, the conference included inspiring keynote speakers, collaborative breakout sessions, and opportunities for the sector to connect and form collaboration strategies for 2020.

New submissions to government and resources for nonprofits
This year, ONN made over 10 submissions to government on a range of legislation that would impact the nonprofit sector. 

ONN also continued to strengthen the advocacy capacity of nonprofits with new resources, including: 

• Supporting the participation of nonprofits in the provincial budget process, creating how-to resources, and hosting an online town hall to share subsector perspectives on the impacts of the 2019 Budget
• Creating an advocacy toolkit and tipsheet for nonprofits to engage their communities, and co-creating an online with Imagine Canada for the federal election, to ensure nonprofits and charities are aware of rules when advocating, but not intimidated by them.
• Furthering a decent work movement in the nonprofit sector: new resources such as a guide to reduce the gender wage gap, a policy brief to increase maternity and parental leave benefits in Employment Insurance, 10 solutions to decent work for women, a toolkit to be a decent work ally, more signatories to our Decent Work Charter, along with inspiring case studies of nonprofits adopting Decent Work practices

We look forward to building on these wins and strengthening our collective work with the sector in 2020. Join us in our efforts by becoming a member, , and leading decent work in your organization.  

-The ONN Team

From a Board Director’s liability to fundraising events, nonprofit organizations and stakeholders are exposed to unique risks. Directors & Officers Liability Insurance is one solution to help minimize these risks. Nonprofit Directors and Officers Liability Insurance, also known as D & O Coverage, helps cover the cost of damages and settlements if a Board Director or Board Officer is subject to allegations of breach of duties or if they have statutory liabilities imposed by federal or provincial laws. 

Does your nonprofit need D & O Coverage? Most likely.

If you are a charitable or nonprofit entity, a nonprofit Director or Officer, or a member or volunteer of a charitable or nonprofit entity – you need D & O.

What happens if I don’t have D & O Coverage?

Roughly 10% of nonprofits have no insurance coverage because of the high cost to secure it. Many of these organizations will have limited resources to indemnify directors and officers or respond to potential litigation, settlements or damage awards. Without D & O coverage, nonprofits are putting the personal assets of directors and officers at risk, as well as the assets of the organization.

What does D&O Coverage include?

• Any actual or alleged negligent act, error, omission, misstatement, misleading statement, neglect or breach of duty arising from the discharge of the duties and responsibilities of the directors, officers, members and volunteers and of the entity itself
• Legal and defense costs
• Damages
• Settlements and judgments
• Regulatory and criminal defense

Are there other types of insurance my nonprofit needs?

Every nonprofit is unique and so are the total products and solutions needed to managing risk. Depending on your organization’s structure and services offered, you may also want to consider property insurance, professional liability insurance, general liability insurance, and home and auto insurance. 

Finding time for insurance

ONN has done all of the homework, so you can focus on serving your mission. As part of ONN’s membership program,  they offer an exclusive insurance program designed specifically for registered not-for-profit corporations operating in 91ĘÓƵ. Through this program, you can be automatically approved, save up to 30% on insurance packages, and ask questions of experts from HUB International, ONN’s insurance partner, to get a custom-tailored insurance program to suit the needs of your nonprofit. 

Have questions about your nonprofit’s insurance needs? to learn more about the ONN Insurance Program and speak with a nonprofit insurance expert from Hub International.

Nonprofits are focused on fulfilling their missions, but also want to strengthen their organization’s governance, reduce costs and protect their organization, staff and volunteers. ONN’s insurance partner, offers an exclusive insurance program designed specifically for registered not-for-profit corporations operating in 91ĘÓƵ.

Nonprofits have different insurance needs than for-profit businesses. ONN has done all the homework for you.

ONN insurance program

Protect your organization with the right insurance coverage, at a cost-effective price

Whether you’re staging a special event, offering community support or care to vulnerable individuals, managing a substantial endowment, or serving a group united by a common interest, your nonprofit organization could face a variety of strategic challenges. Those challenges can range from competing for funding and attracting and retaining employees or volunteers to balancing budgets and promoting sound governance. Yet, as a busy decision-maker, you seldom have the time — and might not have the expertise or resources — to proactively manage the many risks associated with such activities and the services you deliver. Without expert guidance, your organization’s nonprofit insurance could provide less-than-airtight protection while remaining one of your largest expenditures.

Since 2014, ONN has worked exclusively with  to provide commercial insurance solutions for our members. HUB works with multiple insurance companies for ONN’s program to ensure the right coverage and best rates in the industry. HUB can help you reduce your nonprofit insurance costs and enable you to focus on your mission. As an extension of your team, HUB will work with you to:

• Identify threats to assets and reputation
• Recommend practical and cost-effective risk management strategies
• Provide hands-on program management, counsel, education and advocacy that maximizes the value of every insurance contract and benefit offering
• Craft broad risk-transfer solutions
• Promote compliance

HUB’s dedicated Nonprofit experts have experience in all areas of the sector and will partner with you to develop a cost-effective solution to meet your needs. Coverages include:

• Property
• Commercial General Liability
• Cyber and Privacy Liability
• Directors & Officers Liability
• Special Event Liability
• Abuse Coverage
• Professional Liability
• Automobile Liability
• Umbrella/Excess Liability

Resources for Nonprofits from HUB Insurance

1. Professional Liability – When Your Business and Reputation Are on the Line
2. 5 Cyber Insurance Myths Debunked
3. Building a Comprehensive Nonprofit Insurance Program
4. Why Nonprofits Can’t Afford to Ignore Cyber Risk
5. Nonprofit Fundraising in the Digital Age: Risk Management Tips For a New Frontier
6. “But We Don’t Own Any Vehicles” – Four Simple Steps to Surmount Non-owned Auto Risk
7. The Expanding Minefield Of Nonprofit Fiduciary Liability
8. 5 Best Practices to Manage Nonprofit Risk and Insurance
9. Do You Have the “Right Stuff?” – Building Blocks of a Nonprofit Insurance Program
10. Nonprofit Risk Management and Insurance Solutions
12. 2023 Bulletin: Risk Services Nonprofit News

Testimonials

“The experience has been nothing but positive. First, our insurance costs are less than half of what they were previously – more than covering the ONN annual membership fee. Second, Paul Spark is very responsive to our needs. He always returns emails on time and gets us any certificates or documentation we require. We would very much recommend all ONN members take advantage of this benefit.“

– Lillian, Manager of Operations – Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC)

Ever since I first met Paul Spark at a 91ĘÓƵ Nonprofit Network Conference some years ago, I can state unequivocally that his advice, service, and competitive savings on the Cyber Privacy Insurance Policy our Society has through Paul has been exemplary. Paul ensures that we are well served and provides current pricing and information and is always available to offer advice and support when required.

– Betsy, Alzheimer Society London and Middlesex, London, ON

Our agency is very pleased with the service that we received. We are paying less for even more coverage than we had previously, which is quite impressive! What’s more, we were guided through the entire process with a phenomenal level of customer service from Paul Spark, the Commercial Account Executive assigned to us. Paul took the time to answer all of our questions and offered great advice. The higher level of coverage, cost savings and exceptional customer service resulted in a very positive experience for our agency.

– Carol, Career Foundation, Toronto, ON

The insurance program provided through the ONN with Paul Spark has been really great for us. I contacted Paul and he quickly answered my many questions. He managed to increase our coverage and decrease our costs. We recently hosted our very first conference and he worked hard to make sure we were covered without adding too much additional cost.

-Shauna, Executive Director, EFAO (Ecological Farmers of 91ĘÓƵ), Guelph, ON

HUB International is an absolute pleasure to work with, Paul took the time to ensure we fully understood every aspect of the coverage we were seeking, and with his industry knowledge gave us valuable information on what would benefit us as a nonprofit organization the most. Choosing Hub International was the best solution for our organization, and as a result of his work on our behalf, he was able to offer us substantial savings versus what our previous insurance company had offered. I encourage any nonprofit organization who needs to renew their Commercial insurance to contact Paul and see what he can do for your organization.

– Sudip, Windsor Women Working with Immigrant Women, Windsor, ON

Paul from Hub International has consistently been able to expand our level of coverage while containing and in most cases reducing our costs. This has been particularly valuable in the area of Cyber Privacy, a specialized form of coverage that we could not find elsewhere and something important to our work. Paul also has a deep commitment to the non-profit sector and has been incredibly patient with our multiple inquiries, funder requests and ongoing demand for certificates. I encourage anyone looking for better quality insurance at a highly competitive price to give him a call.

– Sue, Findhelp, Toronto, ON