Purposefully 2025-10-11 Purposefully 2025-10-11

AI and Grantwriting: What Charities Need to Know

This summer, Purposefully conducted an informal, exploratory survey with grant writers in Vancouver to explore how AI is transforming grant writing. While our sample was small and our questions were broad, survey responses revealed both the promise of AI tools and the challenges we face in creating efficiencies in our work.

Purposefully 2023-09-26 Purposefully 2023-09-26

Why Events Should Be Part of Your Purpose Story.

A busy week for Purposefully, as I attended two client events - one as a co-organizer and the other as a sponsor. Attending these events on behalf of organizations with very different missions, I have a new- found (renewed, perhaps?) appreciation for community events as a way to magnify your mission.

Purposefully 2023-06-28 Purposefully 2023-06-28

What’s the worst working relationship you’ve experienced?

The worst working relationship I ever had? Prior to starting my own company Purposefully, I had a series of relationships I stumbled – and actually fell – while trying to build.

Sheila Kern 2023-01-11 Sheila Kern 2023-01-11

2022: The Good, the Bad and the Beautiful

I am not one to celebrate a new year with much gusto, instead devoting my energy to a more festive time - my birthday (I am a Pisces). For this year past, though, I will pause and reflect.

Purposefully 2022-12-09 Purposefully 2022-12-09

Are there barriers to volunteering?

We know that volunteering is often one of the best ways to give back to the community and make a difference. Volunteering can have a tremendous positive impact, but studies have shown that it remains largely a practice of "higher-status" individuals.

Purposefully 2022-12-02 Purposefully 2022-12-02

Do funders favor charitable efficiencies over effectiveness?

“What percentage of your budget goes to administrative costs?” While Revenue Canada’s guidelines use 35% as a benchmark, external charity monitoring agencies like the US-based Charity Navigator note charities that keep overhead costs between 5 and 12.5% will receive top marks for efficiencies.

Are organizations' efforts to minimize overhead also minimizing impact?

Purposefully 2022-11-22 Purposefully 2022-11-22

Young and Type1 Turned 10 on World Diabetes Day

On November 14, 2022 – World Diabetes Day – the BC Diabetes Research Network gathered diabetes stakeholder organizations to celebrate the 10th anniversary of a group of changemakers – all living with type 1 diabetes and to host the Vancouver premiere of The Human Trial.

Sheila Kern 2022-06-22 Sheila Kern 2022-06-22

One Year

It was one year ago when I launched Purposefully, and what a year it’s been.

Purposefully 2022-06-06 Purposefully 2022-06-06

Unrestricted Funding Amplifies Change in Non-Profit Organizations

Imagine Canada’s Trust & Impact report follows the foundations and corporate funders who changed funding models to be more responsive and less restrictive. The report shares the conclusion that, in order for nonprofits to maximize their impact, unrestricted funding is necessary.