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Let’s Make Impact, Together

Discover how Impact Organizations of Nova Scotia is helping to build a more equitable Nova Scotia

IONS advocates for, supports and amplifies the shared voice and work of the community impact sector. We offer capacity building opportunities and resources to organizations making a positive impact in their communities.

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What's Happening in the Impact Space

Join us for the 2023 Community Impact Sector Day of Recognition

This year’s theme, “Below the Surface: Celebrating the Depth of Impact” recognizes the influence of the sector’s work which reaches every corner of Nova Scotia. Our goal is to surface the essential role that impact organizations play in innovating this province, pushing for change, and improving collective quality of life. On Friday May 12th, we’ll be celebrating you and your work with a full day of activities, performances, and awards.

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What's Happening in the Impact Space

Now in Audio Format – What’s Your Biggest Weakness: Reimagining the Traditional Interview

Has the interview process changed over time? What opportunities are there to shift how power and people interact in the workplace? In our newest IONS Ideas blog: “What’s Your Biggest Weakness” Reimagining the Traditional Interview”, Lydia Phillip begins to unpack the hiring process and shares some people-centered practices IONS has implemented. Listen to February’s blog.

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What's Happening in the Impact Space

The New Non-profit Workplace: Considerations and Solutions

HaCheck out this great article by The Philanthropist Journal about the future of work and workplace considerations for the Community Impact Sector. IONS Executive Director, Annika Voltan, discusses retention, hybrid and remote work, trust-building, and governance as considerations for decent work practices in organizations.

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What's Happening in the Impact Space

The Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia is now Impact Organizations of Nova Scotia (IONS)

Just like any organization, IONS has experienced our share of change and restructuring as community needs evolved over the years, but especially when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, there was critical need for impact organizations across the province to step in and address the needs of vulnerable Nova Scotians.

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Discover how you and your organization can benefit from IONS resources

Learn more about our current programming and services, purpose-led careers, available grants and funding for the Community Impact Sector, and access content through our comprehensive, searchable Resource Library.

Sector Services

Events & Programs

RESOURCE
LIBRARY

FUNDING
OPPORTUNITIES

What’s Exciting at IONS 

A photo of three people working and sorting donations
PROGRAM

Sector-wide Employee Group Benefits Program 

Services
IONS IDEAS

Resisting a Rest: How Urgency Culture Polices our Work 

blogs
NEW TOOL

Community Impact Sector Network Map 

DISCOVER

See why the Community Impact Sector is vital in creating a better future for all.

Nova Scotia’s Community Impact Sector is made up of over 6,400 impact organizations, consisting of registered nonprofits, charities and Community Interest Companies (CICs). These organizations fill gaps not covered by businesses or government, serving communities across the province through a wide range of scopes and supports. Some organizational missions include poverty reduction, advancing social inclusion, promoting health and mental wellbeing, and environmentalism. The fastest growth has been in social services and housing. Since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, impact organizations have innovated as the need for programs and services increased. This diverse sector is an essential pillar in addressing systemic inequities and in creating the conditions for everyone to have the highest quality of life possible. 

DISCOVER THE SECTOR

Volunteer hours annually, one of the highest rates in Canada, translating to 30,000 full-time jobs.

Economic value of volunteer hours, equivalent to 3.4% of Nova Scotia’s GDP.

4.5% of Nova Scotia’s labour force works in the Community Impact Sector.

%

Of people working in the sector are women. The sector is more diverse than any other.

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There are many ways to create impact. Partner with us to spark change.

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