In today’s digitally connected world, we have unprecedented access to news from around the globe. While staying informed is essential, continuous exposure to negative news content can have profound effects on mental health, leading to increased anxiety, feelings of powerlessness, and overall psychological distress. Understanding News Avoidance News avoidance—the deliberate decision to disengage from news consumption—is on…
Author: Jessica Ratushniak
Beyond Utility: Designing for Beauty, Experience, & Human Flourishing
In my research for this piece, I uncovered a scientific rationale for my love of old European architecture and beautifully designed everyday objects. More than just an aesthetic preference, research increasingly affirms that our surroundings profoundly shape our mental well-being. Every element of our built environment—from the trash cans on a street corner to the…
Investing in Our Community: A Look at 2024
At Viewpoint Foundation, we are proud to partner and support exceptional organizations driving meaningful change in our community. In 2024, these organizations provided programs and initiatives that strove to create a more resilient, equitable, and thriving society. In this month’s article, we are going to look back at these organizations and highlight some of the…
Community Bonds: Bridging Social Impact & Financial Investment
In last month’s issue of Invested, I explored the ethics of philanthropy and the potential issue of an imbalance of power between philanthropic funders and the organizations they support, highlighting the need for approaches that empower community and charitable organizations. One such approach is the use of community bonds—an innovative social finance tool that enables…
The Ethics of Philanthropy: Balancing Power & Responsibility
Philanthropy plays a vital role in addressing pressing social issues, funding essential services, and supporting innovation where the public sector falls short. At Viewpoint Foundation, we believe it has the potential to spark transformative change. However, philanthropy also raises ethical questions, particularly regarding the power dynamics between donors and recipients. The question we are attempting…
Crisis to Care: The Role of Trauma-Informed Design in Mental Health Emergency Rooms
Last month, I wrote about community-based mental health care, highlighting the Recovery Café model. We are thrilled to announce that this model has inspired the creation of a new peer-led mental health support space at Mount Royal University (MRU), set to launch this month as students return to campus. Collaborating with the MRU team has…
Recovery Cafes: Nurturing Mental Wellness Through Connection
Last year, I wrote a series of articles on the programs and approaches that the Viewpoint Foundation champions within the mental health sector. This month, I’m taking a closer look at one of these initiatives: the Recovery Café. This community-based program, which offers an alternative to emergency departments (EDs) for people in crisis, has been…
Maximizing Impact: Ensuring Your Multi-Year Donations Keep Their Value
I recently spoke with an associate from a charitable organization supported by Viewpoint Foundation, who introduced me to the concept of multi-year donations that account for inflation. The current rising costs of living, rent, and utilities impact non-profit organizations just as much as the individuals they strive to assist. Shelter costs in Canada for example…
Trust-Based Philanthropy: Redefining the Dynamics of Giving
Last month, we delved into “strategic philanthropy,” where funds are allocated based on predefined goals and monitored outcomes. However, the philanthropic sector has recently undergone a transformative shift with the emergence of trust-based philanthropy. This innovative approach redefines the traditional donor-recipient relationship, placing a strong emphasis on mutual respect, transparency, and long-term collaboration. In a…
Philanthropy’s Corporate Makeover: Strategy in Charity
Effective giving is its own unique discipline because it typically involves addressing the very challenges that have defied market or government solutions. (Buchanan, Giving Done Right, 2019)In previous issues of Invested, we have explored the intersection of business and philanthropy. From social enterprises and impact investing to ethical consumerism, we’ve seen philanthropic efforts increasingly adopting…