I've spent 25 years working for smaller charities, and I can tell you exactly what it feels like when you need help and there's nowhere to turn.
You're the IT person troubleshooting the database at 11pm. You're also the volunteer coordinator, the major gifts officer and the person shopping clearance bins at Staples. You're wearing seven hats, making it work with sheer determination and coffee.

When I needed to research vendors or implement new systems, I did it alone—on my own time, with no guarantee I was making the right choice. When I needed strategic guidance, fractional consulting came with costs I often couldn't justify.

There was no Project Launchpad (PLP) to turn to. No one who'd already done the heavy lifting. No trusted hub that said, "We've researched and vetted this, negotiated rates and here's what will actually work for you."

That's the gap Project Launchpad was built to close and when Imagine Canada, the backbone of Canada's charitable sector said "yes" to partnering with us, it validated everything we'd been building toward.

I sat down with Bruce MacDonald, President and CEO at Imagine Canada to understand what's at stake for smaller charities and why the conversation boards should be having isn't "what do we get?" but "what do we become?"

Why Imagine Canada said YES

LG: Imagine Canada has been supporting Canada's charitable sector for decades. What made you say "yes" to partnering with Project Launchpad, a brand-new initiative?

Bruce: The simple reason is that we have an interest in making sure that small and mid-sized organizations have access to resources and feel supported. If you look at the structure of the sector, most organizations are small and mid-sized. I think it's really important that special attention acknowledges their unique characteristics and that services are available that meet their unique needs.

LG: What specifically about PLP's approach convinced you that it would actually move the needle?

Bruce: Two things. First, it felt like a holistic approach rather than just looking at one particular aspect of the way an organization functions. There's a variety of services that speak to the whole of the organization. Second, it's a partnership approach. Rather than being reliant on one organization, one entity, one business, it's a collaboration. I think that provides a bit more stability.

The Gap: What smaller charities are up against

LG: You work with organizations of all sizes. What unique challenges do you see facing charities that raise less than $500K?

Bruce: Size often works against organizations that want to access existing services with fee-for-service models. Smaller organizations simply can't afford them, so they sit on the sidelines, unable to access what others can. Also, they don't necessarily have dedicated paid talent for many functions. They struggle to do everything from strategy to board governance to fundraising, marketing, and sometimes a smidge of programs as well. That's hard to hire for and it's also hard to find excellence in all those different areas. Sometimes organizations are challenged to progress because one or two people are trying to do everything.

The Solution: Grant Connect and beyond

LG: Imagine Canada's Grant Connect is typically a paid service. Why did you decide to provide free access to PLP members?

Bruce: It goes back to the first point. We want to make sure small and mid-sized organizations can access resources to help them thrive. Also, it's consistent with our approach on Grant Connect. The community edition is available through a network of public libraries and community centers across the country. We've been looking for partners and access points so organizations who struggle to pay a monthly fee but could benefit from the service, have access to it. This fit right into our outreach strategy.

LG: For charities that have never used Grant Connect before—what's the one thing they should know about how it can transform their funding strategy?

Bruce: They can leverage the research tool for more focused asks to the right audience that will result in a higher probability of success.

LG: Beyond Grant Connect, what other Imagine Canada resources should small charities be tapping into?

Bruce: Probably the most frequently accessed resource is around research and data. Many organizations don't have the financial heft, time, or energy to be doing broad data work. And yet they need evidence-based, data-informed conversations with prospective funders. They want to compare to other organizations, understand shifts and trends in society. When you're just surviving month-to-month or year-to-year, it's hard to do that work.
Organizations tell us they understand it's national data, but they can find their place in it and say, "We're ahead of the curve and should be celebrating with funders," or "We're way behind and we've got work to do." It helps frame the context and their conversations with funders, donors, and volunteers.

Why PLP is different

LG: As smaller charities struggle to grow, how confident do you feel about PLP based on what you know?

Bruce: PLP is actually designed for and customized for small organizations. What we often see are services available to all, but often they skew towards large organizations. This design has been reverse-engineered. It's built with the small organization at the center of the model, with services designed to support their unique aspects. I think that's why it's got a higher probability of success.

What do we become?

LG: If you were advising a board that's on the fence about joining PLP, what would you tell them?

Bruce: What I find is that many organizations look at cost, independent of the opportunity. For me, the question is, how can we strengthen our overall organization with a minimal investment? The gain is not immediate. There's sweat equity that goes into this but the opportunity is for a stronger, better organization delivering on the mission and impact in communities down the road. These types of investments require a longer lens. They require a conversation that says, okay, yes, there's a fee, but rather than just "what do we get," it's "what do we become?" How does it change us? How does it support us?

Hope

LG: What gives you hope for the future of Canada's smaller charities right now?

Bruce: Ironically, small organizations with lower cost structures are more nimble and agile when the economy is disrupted. When we think about services being delivered on the ground, many of those organizations are the ones providing it. As our economy continues to be affected by our neighbours south of the border, the agility of small organizations to weather financial storms will be necessary... they did it in '08-'09. They did it in the pandemic. They're getting ready to do it again.

Ready for lift-off

Project Launchpad officially launches October 28, 2025. If you're ready to stop figuring it out alone and start operating with the strategic support your charity deserves, now is the time.

Join our waitlist and be first to access PLP when doors open.

Questions? Reach us at: hello@projectlaunchpad.ca | projectlaunchpad.ca | LinkedIn | Instagram

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