UNICEF Canada Nonprofit Organization: At a Glance
UNICEF Canada proudly celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2005. It all began in 1955 when the Canadian UNICEF Committee was formed to organize the first Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign. This campaign, which now raises over $3 million a year, has become a time-honoured tradition – so much so that October 31 is National UNICEF Day by declaration of the Government of Canada.
Through the decades, UNICEF Canada has grown into a recognized national symbol for the world’s children and the most visible United Nations presence across the country. UNICEF Canada’s mandate is to raise funds in support of UNICEF’s work for children in more than 150 countries and territories and build awareness among Canadians about the issues facing the world’s children.
One of UNICEF Canada’s cornerstones is its Education for Development programme, which works through schools, special projects and the Internet to engage children and youth in international development issues such as HIV/AIDS, girls’ education, children and war, child labour and children’s rights.
Through media and promotion, strong national corporate partnerships, celebrity relations and innovative fundraising strategies, UNICEF Canada mobilizes individuals, businesses, governments and foundations to support UNICEF’s work. Major fundraising initiatives include the Global Parent monthly donor programme; Gifts of Magic symbolic donations; and UNICEF’s on-line cards and gifts shop at www.shopunicef.ca.
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Adelaide Sinclair (left) and 11 year old Robert Leblanc present a cheque for $260,000 – representing the 1960 Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF collections of Canadian children – to UNICEF Executive Director Maurice Pate at the United Nations.
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