On June 16, Export Development Canada (EDC) held its 11th annual Community Investment (CI) Day, marking over a decade of employee volunteerism and community impact. Launched in 2016, the initiative has become one of EDC’s signature engagement events, bringing colleagues together each year to support organizations serving people in need. Organized in partnership with Volunteer Ottawa, this year’s event mobilized close to 2,000 employees from EDC’s headquarters, national and international offices in support of community organizations.
This year, EDC partnered with a broad range of charities and community organizations, from local organizations to national non-profits, creating opportunities for employees to contribute their time, skills and energy in meaningful ways. The scale and reach of this year’s impact is reflected in a few key highlights:
- Nearly 49,000 community members benefited from activities
- Nearly 2,000 employee volunteers, making this EDC’s largest Community Investment Day yet
- 63 volunteer opportunities supporting 36 charities and community organizations
- 62 blood and plasma donations made in partnership with Canadian Blood Services – an effort that will help to save 186 lives
- 900 sandwiches and over 7,000 snack bags delivered to The Ottawa Mission and the Care Centre Ottawa to help feed the unhoused
- More than 600 Sending Sunshine cards were delivered to bring positivity and joy to seniors facing physical and mental health challenges
- Skills-based volunteering that included mentoring newcomers to Canada, building advocacy tools, developing fundraising materials, accessibility training, and youth-financial literacy facilitation
- Over $36,000 pledged in corporate donations to participating charities
Beyond the numbers, EDC employees were active across Ottawa and its surrounding communities, cleaning shorelines, preparing food for foodbanks, planting gardens, and revitalizing outdoor spaces.
“Community Investment Day reflects the best of EDC – our employees coming together to support organizations that strengthen the communities in which we live and work” shared Alison Nankivell, President and CEO of EDC. “Seeing 2,000 colleagues contribute their time, energy and skills across the Greater Ottawa Area shows the meaningful impact we can have when we put our values into action. This day, in addition to our ongoing support to Community Investment initiatives at EDC, is a proud reflection of who we are as an organization.”
Participating charity partners shared their perspectives about the impact of EDC’s Community Investment Day:
Jessie-Lee Wallace, Executive Director, Volunteer Ottawa
“Volunteer Ottawa is honored to once again assist as EDC’s project partner in the region, helping thousands of volunteers do good, at scale. As a result, dozens of charities and causes that matter benefit: animals, the environment, Indigenous and diverse communities, affordable housing, food security and numerous important missions. CI Day is truly a force for good.”
Jennie Moushos, Interim CEO and COO, Ocean Wise
“It was incredible to see over 180 EDC employees come together across two shoreline cleanups in Ottawa, taking direct action to protect local waterways. In just one day, their efforts removed a total of 79.48 kg of litter and helped prevent pollution from reaching our oceans, showing how collective action can create immediate, tangible impact for our environment.”
Malik Ayass, Executive Director, The Door Youth Centre
“The Door Youth Centre has proudly participated in EDC’s Community Investment Day for many years and are always grateful for the dedication and enthusiasm EDC employees bring to our centre. This year, the EDC team spent the day deep cleaning our facility, helping us maintain a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for the youth we serve. Their generosity, hard work, and willingness to take on these important tasks allows our staff to focus more of our time and resources on supporting young people.”
Community Investment at EDC extends far beyond CI Day. Throughout the year, employees support causes that matter to them by using EDC’s paid Community Investment leave program, directing corporate donations to eligible charities, and taking part in onsite charitable initiatives.
