Grants and Contributions

Through this 15-month systemic change project, The Courage to Act Foundation will scale “At the Root: A Systems Change Approach to Addressing Sexual Harassment in STEM-focused Experiential Learning” to advance the economic security and prosperity of women and gender-diverse individuals. It will address the urgent but oft-ignored issue of sexual harassment in experiential learning, particularly within STEM contexts. To accomplish this, the project will engage in focused resource creation, education and training, network building, and advocacy. It will scale a successful national research-to-action initiative at three levels: adapting national resources on responding to sexual harassment in experiential learning to address specific needs for STEM-focused programs; expanding learning labs for post-secondary staff and administrators across six provinces; and, tailoring educational activities to advocate for policy and legislative changes that were identified in national research.

Through this 15-month project, Black Queer Youth Collective will build stronger capacity of 2SLGBTQI+ community organizations and networks to advance 2SLGBTQI+ equality. It will address the need to develop an organization that supports Black Queer and Trans individuals. The project will focus on incorporating the organization; establishing a Board of Directors; developing protocols for Human Resources and Administration; and finalizing an annual operating budget. These activities build on the organization’s strategic plan.

The supplemental funding will be used to increase the human resources working on the project to ensure the activities are completed successfully.

Through this 15-month systemic change project, Prince Albert Métis Women's Association, will scale Ooshtaa: Building Capacity to Identify and Reduce Barriers to Economic Security for Indigenous Saskatchewan Women to advance women’s economic security and prosperity. It will scale to expand the project to rural and northern communities to address the systemic barriers disproportionately impacting Indigenous women. It will work to address economic security with partners organizations to improve outcomes for women and reduce systemic barriers affecting the economic security of Indigenous women in rural and northern Saskatchewan. To do so, the project will collaborate with industry, government and human service leaders to develop pragmatic, implementation-ready, evidence-based solutions using the Barrier Identification & Solution Protocol

Through this 27-month project, Fernie Pride Society will address the needs and barriers to equality for 2SLGBTQI+ communities. This will be achieved by mapping and compiling a comprehensive list of services, businesses, and resources available to the 2SLGBTQ+ community and allies in the Columbia Basin Region of British Columbia. This service and opportunity directory will be available in print and electronically and will allow community members to use this tool to find 2SLGBTQ+ and adjacent services and businesses in the region. The project will also engage partner organizations, research, record and document the disappearing Queer History of the Columbia Basin. Once documented, this history will be available online and in a book format.

Through this 28-month project, CAAT – Community Alliance for Accessible Treatment will address health equity needs and barriers faced by 2SLGBTQI+ immigrant and refugee communities impacted by HIV/HCV. This will be achieved by: 1) conducting a needs assessment with those with lived experience, service providers, and community organizations; 2) designing and piloting an intervention program; and, 3) conducting an external evaluation to measure the impact of the intervention and refine the program. The intervention program will comprise three key elements: training for service providers and frontline staff on how to provide culturally competent care; peer support networks for 2SLGBTQI+ immigrant and refugee communities to better advocate for themselves when facing barriers; and a comprehensive resource roadmap for navigating HIV/HCV and sexual health services. The organization will disseminate the evaluation findings and program resources through its website and across communities within Ontario.

Through this 16-month project, Beendigen Incorporated will build its capacity to advance gender equality. It will address the need to ensure the long-term capacity of this community organization which is dedicated to empowering Indigenous women to live a life free from violence and the need to make cultural inclusion a necessary everyday part of the organization. The previously developed strategic plan and program evaluations identified a gap and articulated that the incorporation of Grandmothers, Elders, and/or Knowledge Keepers throughout programs / services will enhance cultural connections improving programming and healing outcomes. The project will include the strengthening, implementation, and evaluation of an improved organizational cultural framework to strengthen its foundation, increase its internal capacity, and improve its ability to deliver on its inherent responsibilities as an Indigenous organization.

In this 28-month project, the Edmonton 2 Spirit Society will address the unique needs and barriers faced by Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ people in rural and urban Albertan communities. This initiative will empower participants to reconnect with their culture, history, ceremonies, and identities by employing traditional methods to document, share, and preserve personal narratives within a safe, inclusive setting. Through Indigenous Two Spirit teachings, mentorship from Elders, and the creation of individual Two Spirit lil koont (Winter Counts), participants will gain insights into the historical roles, responsibilities, and respected contributions of Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ and Indigiqueer people. The project will culminate in a community Two Spirit lil koont, which will be shared with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous audiences to foster education, reduce stigma and discrimination, and facilitate knowledge sharing around the often-overlooked history of Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ communities. This concluding event aims to strengthen understanding and respect across communities, creating a bridge of awareness for a more inclusive society.

Through this 16-month project, Cultura will build stronger capacity of 2SLGTBQI+ community organizations and networks to advance 2SLGTBQI+ equality. It will address the need to develop an organization that supports 2SLGBTQI+ newcomers, refugees, BIPOC and cultural minorities living in Toronto to express their culture and traditions through artistry. The project will include the incorporation of the organization, the development of an organizational structure and key governance processes, and investigation of options for long-term financial sustainability.

Through this 28-month project, Halifax Pride will address the needs and barriers to equality for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, specifically for the 2SLGBTQIA+ non-profit sector and the QTBIPOC community at large in Nova Scotia. This will be achieved by conducting outreach initiatives through surveys and interviews to gather information and identify gaps for both individuals and community organizations, and by creating public accessed focus groups related to skill development and access to professional opportunities regionally. At the end of the project, Halifax Pride will have developed anti-oppression and anti-racism guidelines and best practices for 2SLGTBQIA+ non-profit sector, and offer recommendations to improve skill development, access, and engagement for the QTBIPOC community.

Through this 16-month project, Shelter Movers will build its capacity to advance gender equality. This will be achieved by addressing fundraising skills gaps so the organization can secure sustainable funding to continue providing moving and storage services to women and children fleeing domestic abuse. Project activities will include restructuring and growing the national fund development team, creating and overseeing new volunteer roles, completing a SWOT analysis of current policies and procedures to identify risks and gaps, updating fundraising tools and database, and developing a 5-year strategic fund development plan. Ultimately, by improving fundraising skills and processes, Shelter Movers will be better equipped to increase its sustainability, and continue to help women secure their fundamental right to live in safety.