Across the nonprofit and voluntary sector, organizations are being asked to use data more confidently to support planning, funding, evaluation, and community engagement. At the same time, many people working in volunteering, giving, and participation roles have limited opportunities to build practical data literacy in ways that feel relevant to their day-to-day work.
The Certificate of Completion in Data-Driven Engagement was created to support that learning.
This certificate recognizes sustained participation in a structured series of learning sessions delivered through the Data-Driven Engagement initiative, led by Volunteer Canada, Imagine Canada, the Association of Fundraising Professionals – Canada/AFP Foundation for Philanthropy – Canada, and Volunteer Management Professionals of Canada, with support and guidance from Statistics Canada.
At its core, the certificate is about making data feel more usable, more human, and more connected to the real work happening across communities.
What is the Certificate of Completion?
The Certificate of Completion in Data-Driven Engagement recognizes participants who complete a defined set of learning activities focused on:
- Understanding Canadian social data
- Interpreting Census and survey data responsibly
- Navigating the StatsCan website with confidence
- Applying data to real nonprofit and community contexts
- Case-study based learning
The certificate emphasizes applied learning and engagement, rather than technical or statistical specialization. It is designed to meet people where they are and support learning that can be taken back into organizations, teams, and communities.
It is intended to acknowledge the time, attention, and care participants invest in building confidence, literacy, and practical skills related to data use in the volunteering, giving, and participation sectors.
Who is this certificate for?
The certificate is designed for people who:
- Work or volunteer in nonprofit or voluntary organizations
- Manage or support volunteers
- Lead programs, strategy, or community engagement
- Use data for planning, evaluation, research, or funding applications
- Are new to working with national datasets and want a supported entry point
- Postsecondary students looking to increase their knowledge in nonprofits, giving, fundraising, and participation
No prior technical or statistical background is required. Curiosity, openness to learning are enough!
What is required to complete the certificate?
To earn the Certificate of Completion in Data-Driven Engagement, participants complete a 10-webinar learning pathway, made up of three connected components:
1. Statistics Canada webinars (6 sessions)
Participants attend six Statistics Canada–led sessions, which form the core foundation of the certificate. These sessions focus on understanding, accessing, interpreting, and responsibly using Canadian data, with an emphasis on practical relevance for the volunteering and giving sector.
2. Case Study Webinars (3 sessions)
Participants attend three Case Study Webinars, which complement the Statistics Canada sessions by showing how data, volunteer management practices, and evidence-informed decision-making are applied in real organizational and community settings.
Note on participation:
Individuals who are interested in attending one or more of the StatsCan or Case Study webinar sessions without completing the full certificate program are welcome to register for and attend any webinar of interest.
3. Summary and Group Reflection session (1 session)
Participants attend one summary session, led by the Data-Driven Engagement project team. This session brings the learning together, creating space to reflect on key themes, connect ideas across sessions, and think about how learning can be applied moving forward. The Date/Time of these sessions will be shared in April 2025.
Together, these ten sessions are designed to balance data literacy, practical application, and thoughtful reflection.
Eligible Statistics Canada sessions
The following Statistics Canada webinars count toward the certificate requirement. Please visit individual registration pages for exact timing details. Links will be provided 3 weeks prior to the session date.
February 24, 2026
Exploring Municipal and Rural Statistics on the Statistics Canada Website
An introduction to community-level and disaggregated data available for small and mid-sized communities, with a focus on practical local decision-making.
Registration Form: Exploring Municipal and Rural Statistics on the Statistics Canada Website
February 25, 2026
Exploring Municipal and Rural Statistics on the Statistics Canada Website (French)
French-language delivery of the webinar- introduction to community-level and disaggregated data available for small and mid-sized communities, with a focus on practical local decision-making.
May 26, 2026
Finding Indigenous Peoples Data on the Statistics Canada Website
An introductory session on locating Indigenous-related data, surveys, and reference materials, with an emphasis on responsible learning and contextual understanding.
July 28, 2026
Gender, Diversity and Inclusion Statistics Hub
An overview of Statistics Canada’s Gender, Diversity and Inclusion Statistics Hub, highlighting disaggregated and intersectional data relevant to understanding diverse populations.
September 22, 2026
Communicating Data Like a Human
A practical session focused on data storytelling, visualization principles, and communicating statistics clearly and accurately.
November 24, 2026
Inform or Fool: Use and Misuse of Statistics
A data literacy session exploring misinformation, disinformation, and how to critically assess data-based claims in everyday information environments.
Past Webinars:
January 27, 2026
Getting to Know Your Community: 2021 Census of Population
This session explores how Census data can support community profiling, planning, outreach, and service design for organizations working in volunteering, giving, and participation.
Missed Webinar – Getting to Know your Community: Data from the 2021 Census of Population – Please submit if you missed the webinar, and would like this webinar to count towards your Certificate of Completion
January 29, 2026
Getting to Know Your Community: 2021 Census of Population (French)
French-language delivery of the Census session, covering the same concepts and applications.
Eligible Case Study Webinars
Participants must also attend three Case Study Webinars, which focus on applied examples of data use, volunteer management, and evidence-informed practice.
Current and upcoming case studies include:
March 31, 2026
Agriculture Wellness Ontario and the Guardian Network
Case Study: Volunteer Management Supporting Rural Settings
June 23, 2026
Centre for Dreams
A Case Study in Volunteer Management and Fundraising Modelling
Additional case study webinars will be added over time and will be identified as certificate-eligible.
What does the certificate represent?
The Certificate of Completion signals that a participant has:
- Engaged in a sustained, multi-session learning pathway
- Built foundational data literacy
- Developed greater confidence working with Canadian-based survey data
- Learned from industry leaders about their experiences within volunteering, giving, and participating
- Learned how to apply data thoughtfully in planning, communication, and decision-making contexts
It can be used to demonstrate professional development, continuing learning, or internal capacity building.
How is participation tracked?
If you are interested in completing the Certificate of Completion in Data-Driven Engagement, please indicate your interest through the Expression of Interest – Certificate of Completion in Data-Driven Engagement form.
Participation is tracked through:
- Submission of the Expression of Interest form, and
- Attendance records from each eligible webinar registration.
Certificates are issued once all ten required sessions have been completed.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to datadriven@volunteer.ca. We’re excited about this offering and look forward to learning with you!
The Certificate of Completion in Data-Driven Engagement is a recognition of participation in a structured learning pathway. It does not represent an accredited credential, but acknowledges sustained engagement and applied learning aligned with sector needs.
