The American Exception
America is not coming to the rescue.
Years ago I was just getting to know a charity that was in significant financial trouble. Their charismatic leader assured me that they were about to launch programming in the United States that would surely bring in massive amounts of funding. It proved too difficult to accomplish, it never developed, and the golden goose remained elusive.
Not long after that, I helped support a Canadian organization when their American counterpart office unilaterally imposed new policies that undermined their relationships with all their international field partners and would have required the Canadian office to operate in ways outside our law. Within a short time the whole thing fell apart, with lots of damage to all involved. (The Canadian organization has persevered and worked diligently to restore international trust, but the American agency ceased operations amidst significant debt and governance collapse).
These are just two of many examples I could share of the difficulties inherent when Canadian charities depend on American operations for their sustained wellbeing.
As much as the national cultures are quite similar (and it pains me as a Canadian to admit that); the painful reality is that the legal structures of charities, the behaviours of donors, and some distinctives around leadership styles, marketing, and human resources policy make crossing the world’s largest undefended border more challenging than it may appear.
And in the current political climate we sadly have to wonder if that border will remain undefended.
Perhaps it’s mostly attributable to the sheer difference of size and influence. We should not expect American leaders to understand Canadian law and culture when it often has so little relevance for them.
But there are common errors we can prepare to avoid:
The U.S. isn’t eagerly waiting for your charity to arrive with their arms and wallets wide open. Expansion there may be a good strategy but it’s not a bail out for the problems you haven’t been able to solve domestically.
International governance requires much more than goodwill. You absolutely must ensure that your agreements and operations satisfy Canada Revenue Agency’s directives, even if they seem restrictive to your American colleagues. This is one of those times when paying for expertise is essential. And clarifying expectations is even more important when there are also other nations involved. It may be time to shift authority away for the global operations away from the US office.
Understand the “little brother” reality. Canadians care (and think) a lot more about Americans than vice versa. With few exceptions there is no reason to expect the US office to consider how best to operate in this country. It’s our job to advocate, inform, and maintain the legal, cultural, and operational priorities that are relevant here.
Something is shifting. The current president and administration are changing foreign policy (as well as domestic norms) at an unprecedented rate and with seemingly little careful consideration of the long term implications. USAID may not be the only dramatic transition that will affect those in need globally. In a time of such instability we need to manage risk differently, shore up other relationships, and understand that previously reliable partners and commitments may be far more vulnerable than we ever believed. There is need and opportunity for others to step up as America steps away.
Our American peers are stressed. The division in their country is dramatic and it has risk for them both professionally and personally. This is a good time to reach out with some encouragement, offer a listening ear, and affirm what remains of our shared ideals. Let’s not allow politics to destroy our care for people.
This isn’t meant to be a political statement, but a practical one. As charity leaders in Canada we need to learn from the past and recognize the current reality; relying on the USA for programs, partners, or supporters was never a sure thing and it’s probably getting more difficult. So be wise, be bold, and be deeply rooted in your values and mission.
As Bono has said, “The world needs more Canada”.