Introduction
Nonprofits play an important role in EL and offer students important opportunities for exploring opportunities in human service, arts and culture, and community development. This module identifies some of the particular considerations that should be taken into account around EL opportunities in service learning that are grounded in nonprofit values and community engagement. It explores some of the additional responsibilities and oversight that may be required within the culture of care, professionalism, and activism of nonprofits. The module also offers guidance in identifying internal and external resources that can be accessed to help effectively facilitate student learning at a nonprofit.
This module has been designed for all audiences.
How does EL happen in the nonprofit sector?
Examples and Artifacts
list Definitions
This document provides definitions for key terms used in this section.
list Requirements
External Links
image Canada’s Social Sector
Explore this infographic to learn about the size, scope, and economic contribution of charities and nonprofits across Canada.
link Canada boasts second largest nonprofit sector in the world
This 2005 article, published by Charity Village, helps to shed light on the nonprofits in Canada, a vital segment of the economy that, for the most part, is not recognized as such by government or the general public.
link What makes nonprofits special?
This 2012 article, published by John Hopkins University, discusses the opportunities and challenges facing nonprofits.
How can nonprofits support EL?
Examples and Artifacts
table EL options for nonprofit organizations
Experiential learning includes a variety of site-based opportunities including internships, service learning, field placement and practicums. This document includes a number of definitions of types of EL.
External Resources
link senco
senco is an initiative of Georgian College Centre. They work with social enterprises, social entrepreneurs, organizations, intermediaries and community leaders to support innovative economic approaches to strengthen communities. Their goal is to be the bridge to new knowledge, resources, and supporting business practices to achieve financial growth and sustainability through social enterprise.
table What unique contributions can your nonprofit organization provide?
table What is community service learning?
Community service learning is a form of EL that integrates community service with instruction and reflection opportunities that enrich the learning process, teach civic responsibility and strengthen communities. Students contribute to community well-being, while using the community as an opportunity for learning. It benefits both the student and the community organization. Students often have an agenda that fulfills their learning outcomes and work with the organization to facilitate programming or assistance in a way which compliments the nonprofit.
Examples and Artifacts
image Volunteers and organizations
This infographic discusses some of the impact of having volunteers involved in an organization.
quotes Benefits and opportunities
The following quotes discuss some of the benefits and opportunities of having volunteers.
External Resources
link Organization Classification Description
The International Classification of Nonprofit Organizations system, developed by the Johns Hopkins Comparative Nonprofit Sector Project, and modified for use in Canada, groups organizations into 15 major activity categories.
link Starve the Stigma
The Community Impact Lab at the Georgian College tasked student teams with examining a regional narrative around Food (In)Security. The goal was to “see” this systemic issue through the lens of our Community Partners’ clients and from there, ideate possible futures with plausible solutions to close the gaps. The end result was #NOURISH, an open collection of projects, ideas and initiatives.
Planning and development worksheet
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