Distinguished Merit Award: Implementation of the 2020 / 2021 CNL Employee Crowdfunding Program

Philip Kompass

For the implementation of the 2020 / 2021 CNL Employee Crowdfunding Program.

Building on experience of similar funding initiatives – Philip mounted the 2020 / 2021 program as an approach to past Canadian National Energy Alliance (CNEA) staff appreciation events. What makes this accomplishment special is that it engaged staff from across the organization, connected CNEA / CNL with regional communities and cast the organization in a positive and generous light – focused on employee prioritized causes and distribution of funds to worthwhile recipients.

CNEA, our parent company, in recognition of CNL’s outstanding performance in 2020/21 fiscal year, provided the funds for this program. CNL staff were then given an opportunity to direct investment of these funds towards causes, ideas and community initiatives of their choosing.

As a result of this inaugural event, 29 ideas were funded through CNL’s first “crowdfunding” campaign.

Following a week-long ‘idea submission’ stage which generated over 90 ideas, a review team then shortlisted and condensed the ideas into 53 which then moved forward to the investment stage. Each CNL staff member was provided $250 to invest into the ideas of their choosing. In only four days, we reached our goal of $180,000 of fully funded ideas (committed funds).

While a handful of ideas were submitted which directly benefit CNL and the work environment on our sites, the majority of ideas submitted and funded are for improvements in the quality of life in local communities – investments in schools, in park and outdoor trails, in mental health and homelessness, in the protection of animals, and aid for those in need to name a few. CNL staff should be proud of the contribution they have made towards their local communities.