Winter 2021 (Volume 31, Number 4)
Update on the CRA Foundation (CRAF)
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In August, we advised of the plan to establish the Canadian
Rheumatology Association Foundation (CRAF), in
order to establish legal charitable status and provide
financial viability for the organization. The establishment
of the CRAF will not only help to fund some of the current
activities of the Canadian Rheumatology Association, such
as the CIORA and summer studentship program, but it will
also expand support to future initiatives through new funding
opportunities. The Canadian Rheumatology Association
will continue to be the organization that serves the
members and will remain the voice of rheumatologists in
Canada.
Over the past few months, we have been working with
our consultants to advance this project and have made
quite a bit of progress.
In early September, we submitted our Charitable Status
application to the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA). This
process can take up to six months for approval by the CRA.
We have also engaged with consultants, including The Discovery
Group (governance consultants) to develop a value
proposition, and The Dennis Group Inc. (TDG) to refine
the operational plan, create supporting documents and
develop a foundation budget.
The interim Board of Directors of the CRAF (referred to
as the first Board) will hold a meeting at the end of the year
to formalize recruitment of the Foundation Board Members
and appoint officers. A soft launch of the Foundation is
planned for early 2022, when they will unveil the new website,
branding of the foundation, and giving opportunities.
The establishment of the CRAF will allow us to build
financial sustainability to fund activities that are in-line
with our mission, which is focused primarily on serving
and representing rheumatologists, so they can continue
delivering the best care.
For more information on the process or how you might
be able to support the CRAF, please contact Ahmad Zbib,
by email at azbib@rheum.ca or by telephone at 905-952-0698 extension 8.
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