Excel Family and Youth Society

Project Name: Transformational Capacity Building

Calgary, AB

Excel Family and Youth Society is a unique and grassroots organization in Calgary, Alberta. With a focus on service for East African community members, Excel acts as a “bridge to connect newcomers to government services and benefits,” according to Dr. Girma Lulu, Executive Director. Excel is not a large organization but is integrated through deep roots within the community they serve. The services Excel provides are for the community and by the community – often in members’ native languages.

Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative (SBCCI) granted Excel Family and Youth Society $33,000 to improve their social media presence and database system. Using the funding to develop a centralized database through CanadaHelp has made a substantial time-saving difference for this organization; volunteers man

95% of operations. They can easily send emails and reminders to their membership, establishing a much easier flow to their work. Excel has reaped the benefit of this database system in engaging members for their Christmas fundraising campaign. The grant funding has also allowed the organization to hire an accountant and establish proper accounting systems and programs. Excel plans to use the remainder of the SBCCI funding to hire a marketing and media consultant who will train volunteers and leaders in their organization to increase their reach through information technology and media public relations.

The SBCCI funding is so meaningful to facilitate the critical work of Excel Family and Youth Society to be accountable, accessible, and available for their community members.