Grants and Contributions

John’s will scale both YWCA Canada’s Born to Be Bold and Synergy projects to advance women’s economic security and prosperity.

This 33-month project, expanding the “Providing Culturally Relevant and Responsive Career Pathways for Black Women in Ontario” regional initiative, aims to enhance the economic participation, security, and prosperity of Black girls and women in Ontario’s education system and labor force. Specifically, Future Black Female (FBF) will tackle systemic barriers that impede Black women aged 16 to 22 from succeeding in high school, entering post-secondary education, and securing prosperous employment. FBF will mobilize community partners, businesses, and enterprises to address these barriers and improve economic security. By facilitating knowledge exchange and translation, FBF will advocate for significant change through stakeholder and employer-focused workshops in sectors where Black women are under-represented. Additionally, FBF will provide tools, resources, and spaces for Black girls and women to drive systemic change as community advocates. Black-focused Affinity Groups and Clubs in educational institutions will set goals to promote culturally relevant care and leadership opportunities. FBF will also foster ongoing collaborations with community and corporate organizations to mitigate barriers to the economic security and prosperity of Black women in Ontario.

With the supplemental funds and extension provided in early 2026, the Future Black Female will: 1) establish a Black Women’s Economic Mobility Data Hub, 2) implement employer accountability frameworks in the technology and entrepreneurship sectors, and 3) pilot institutional policy-to-practice models with education and workforce partners. Through this, they will further advance Gender Equality.

Through this 32-month project, the London Abused Women’s Centre (LAWC) will build its capacity to advance gender equality. It will address the need to fulfill the organizational mission and effectively support staff while increasing in size through the addition of a residential facility to support young women who have been sexually exploited and/or trafficked. The project will include 1) the development and implementation of a strategic plan to guide the organization throughout its expansion over the next five fiscal years; and 2) the focus on staff well-being, development and retention by building organizational capacity and related in-house resources through professional development and trainings.

With the Supplemental funds and extension provided in early 2026, LAWC will 1) develop an Advocacy Strategy to drive systems change; 2) review and update organizational policies procedures to create an Employee Handbook; and 3) create a Survivors Advisory Committee Framework to amplify survivor realities within the work of the organization. Through this they will further advance Gender Equality.

Through this 32-month project, Un toit pour elles will build its capacity to advance women’s equality, particularly for women wanting to leave prostitution. The project will address the organization’s need to develop stronger governance tools and a suitable strategy for action, ensure its sustainability by diversifying its funding, and improve its visibility. The project will include developing a strategic plan as well as revenue diversification and communications strategies. The project will also enable the organization to expand its partnerships to fill gaps in shelter services and ensure the consistency and continuity of services.

With the supplemental funds and extension provided in early 2026, Un toit pour elles will be able to deploy and consolidate its organizational and clinical tools, implement its training plan, structure its financial, accounting and human resources management, and develop its three-year strategic plan. Through this, they will further advance gender equality.

With the Supplemental funds and extension provided in early 2026, the Asian Women for Equality Society will develop a skills training program, develop a strategy to reach the wider Asian community to recruit and retain volunteers, strengthen relationships with organizations in Winnipeg, address fundraising inadequacies and enhance technology infrastructure.

Additionally, the project will expand collaborative efforts within Canada’s provinces and territories by establishing volunteers in each region.

The project will 1) conduct needs assessments and gather data on the barriers faced by women with disabilities in Durham and the GTA; 2) implement a networking and mentorship program designed to advance leadership opportunities for women with disabilities; 3) establish a network of male allies through community dialogues and consultations; and 4) deliver DEI training informed by a feminist disability perspective to organizations in Durham and the GTA.

To do so, the Empowering Women to Create Change project will tailor the focus of the framework to give a voice to marginalized Red River Métis women, support positive engagement and advocate for department level policy change addressing educational barriers by establishing a Women’s Council; facilitating needs assessments, surveys and consultation sessions with 16 Northwest Métis communities; and by developing a mentor and referral program to provide leadership skill-building opportunities for women within the Northwest region.

Through this 33-month project, Ethnocultural Council of MB (ECCM) will help advance women’s representation in leadership and decision-making roles through systemic change. Specifically, the project will address systemic barriers within women’s representation and strive to develop an equity audit framework that will ensure fair representation of women and gender diverse peoples in leadership roles.

This will be achieved by conducting a literature review/environmental scan of the community at large in MB, by organizing community consultations with ECCM’s member organizations and women in the community and data analysis to understand the barriers in representation and identify themes emerging from community feedback. As such, the organization will hire a consultant to develop an Equity Audit Framework and Operational Standards and a guide to be used by the community members, implement a soft launch of the framework with 5 identified organizations, and develop the final document to implement with the wider community of Ethnocultural organizations.

An external evaluator will monitor and assess the project’s impact and effectiveness throughout the lifecycle of the project.

With the supplemental funds and extension provided in early 2026, Vancouver Women’s Health Collective will develop a mentor toolkit and a peer leadership workbook, develop and implement Indigenous cultural learnings, as well as improve monitoring and evaluation of programs. Through this they will further advance gender equality.