2010 Winter Games legacies continue to produce lasting benefits for Canada

International Olympic Committee (IOC) legacy study of 2010 Legacies Now provides recommendations to future host cities

To view the Social Media Release, click here: http://smr.newswire.ca/en/lift-philanthropy-partners/2010-winter-games-legacies

VANCOUVER, May 18 /PRNewswire/ - On the heels of its launch in February 2011 during celebrations marking the one-year anniversary of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, LIFT Philanthropy Partners, formerly 2010 Legacies Now, is the subject of the second in a two-part legacy study commissioned by the IOC.

'The Evolution of 2010 Legacies Now - A Continuing Legacy of the 2010 Winter Games through Venture Philanthropy' examines how 2010 Legacies Now leveraged the Games to create social change in communities throughout British Columbia, while also providing analysis of its transition to become a national venture philanthropy organization. The IOC study highlights the philosophy that Games legacies can endure beyond the event itself, as well as LIFT's approach to work with not-for-profit organizations to create scalable, measurable and lasting social impact in the communities they serve.

Recognized as a thought-leader in legacy development around the Games and other mega-events, LIFT continues to share the knowledge and expertise it acquired leading up to the 2010 Winter Games with bid and host organizations around the world. Yesterday, LIFT's Chief Executive Officer, Bruce Dewar, spoke to approximately 150 international delegates at the World Union of Olympic Cities' Seminar on Legacy Planning in Lausanne, Switzerland. 

"We are pleased the IOC chose to examine 2010 Legacies Now's approach to developing and delivering social, economic and community legacies by using the power of the Olympic Movement as the catalyst," said Mr. Dewar. "Each host region will have its own unique approach, but we hope the analysis of our transition to venture philanthropy seeds the idea for future hosts, so legacies can live beyond the Games and increase their impact over time."

The IOC offers robust transfer of knowledge programs to help host and bid cities discover how to extend the benefits of hosting the Olympic Games beyond sport competitions and cultural showcases to include the wider socio-economic fabric of the host region and country.

Gilbert Felli, the IOC's Executive Director for the Olympic Games, said, "At the IOC, we work very closely with Games organizers on the topic of legacy, providing them with guidance and past-Games experience so that they can maximize their own legacies. The case study looking at 2010 Legacies Now provides a very tangible example of how the Games can be used as a catalyst for change. I have no doubt that the initiatives put in place by this organization will influence the efforts of future host cities for many years to come."

'The Evolution of 2010 Legacies Now - A Continuing Legacy of the 2010 Winter Games through Venture Philanthropy' offers recommendations for future bid and host cities on building effective legacy programs, along with a summary of the impact 2010 Legacies Now created across the sectors of sport, healthy living, arts, literacy, volunteerism and accessibility. The study also details LIFT's venture philanthropy model that seeks to create a continuing legacy of the 2010 Winter Games to benefit communities across Canada.

The study provides an update on the document published in 2009 entitled 'Catalyst, Collaborator, Connector: The Social Innovation Model of 2010 Legacies Now.'

The two IOC case studies are available at liftpartners.ca via the following links:

• The Evolution of 2010 Legacies Now - A Continuing Legacy of the Games through Venture Philanthropy,  Mr. Joseph Weiler, 2011
• Catalyst, Collaborator, Connector: The Social Innovation Model of 2010 Legacies Now, Mr. Joseph Weiler and Mr. Arun Mohan, 2009

LIFT Philanthropy Partners is a Vancouver-based venture philanthropy organization that accelerates the growth and impact of not-for-profit organizations to create measurable social change in the areas of sport and healthy living, and literacy and lifelong learning. LIFT selects not-for-profit organizations with an established record of success and provides them with business planning and management support to develop growth strategies, improve effectiveness, and enhance performance. Through its investments, LIFT aims to contribute to the social well-being and economic prosperity of communities in Canada. Visit liftpartners.ca for more information.

LIFT is an evolution of 2010 Legacies Now. Visit 2010andBeyond.ca for highlights and stories of the social legacies 2010 Legacies Now helped to create leading up to the 2010 Winter Games.

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/NOTE TO EDITORS: Media Assets accompanying this story are available as follows:

Photo:  http://smr.newswire.ca/media/articles/1293/cat00000.photo-bruce-dewar.jpg

Video: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/mmnr/smr/CAT00000.LIFT_video.flv

SOURCE 2010 Legacies Now Society (LIFT Philanthropy Partners)