Adult Education, Environment, Housing, News

November 9, 2022

The Catherine Donnelly Foundation grants $225,000 to 25 BIPOC-led and BIPOC-serving organizations

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The Catherine Donnelly Foundation grants $225,000 to 25 BIPOC-led and BIPOC-serving organizations

September 15, 2022

The Catherine Donnelly Foundation is pleased to announce that 25 organizations have received $225,000 from a special grant pool dedicated to BIPOC-led and BIPOC-serving organizations.

The organizations work in our three core funding areas of housing, the environment and adult education and call eight provinces across Canada home.

Grants ranged between $7,500 and $15,000 and aim to build capacity and foster relationships with smaller and grassroots organizations. These by-invitation grants were offered with low-barrier application and reporting requirements.

“BIPOC-led and BIPOC-serving organizations have received a disproportionately small amount of funds from Canadian philanthropy,” says Catherine Donnelly Foundation Executive Director Claire Barcik. “The pandemic has encouraged the Foundation to be more intentional about collaborating with these communities and we’re very pleased to initiate or deepen relationships with those receiving funds.”

That pledge to strengthen communities extends to encouraging reciprocal relationships with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples that spark greater understanding, trust, and mutual benefit. Earlier this year, the Foundation gifted $1 million to support Indigenous Peoples and communities as they respond and heal from the intergenerational trauma of residential schools.

Among the more than two-dozen groups receiving grants are Fredericton’s Under One Sky Friendship Centre, Montreal’s DESTA Black Youth Network, the Greater Toronto Area’s EnviroMuslims, Winnipeg’s Fearless R2W and Bella Bella B.C.’s Qqs Projects Society.

“Thank you for giving us the opportunity to provide much-needed support for our tenants,” responded Toronto’s Nishnawbe Homes on the unsolicited funds. “Your understanding that most not-for-profit organizations do not have the readily available funds to respond to unusual situations and unforeseen expenses serves to indicate your realization of the enormity of the issues we face.”

A full list of those receiving funds:

Adult Education ($8,333 grant)

Black Women in Motion |Toronto, ON

Apathy is Boring | Montreal, QC (national)

DESTA Black Youth Network |Montreal, QC

Afro Women and Youth Foundation | Sudbury, ON

RARICA Now |Edmonton, AB

Ubuntu – Mobilizing Central Alberta | Edmonton, AB

Under One Sky Friendship Centre | Fredericton, NB

Inner Activist | Vancouver, BC

Delmore Buddy Daye Learning Institute | Halifax, NS

Environment ($7,500 grants)

Qqs Projects Society | Bella Bella, BC

Swiilawiid Sustainability Society | Haida Gwaii, BC

MEJA – Mother Earth Justice Advocates | Regina, SK

Black Environmental Initiative | Vancouver, BC

ENRICH | Halifax, NS

Community Climate Council | Peel Region, ON

Enviromuslims | Brampton, ON

Shake Up The Establishment | Hannon, ON

Youth Climate Lab | Ottawa, ON

Poplar Movement | Toronto, ON

BIPOC2COP | Montreal, QC 

Housing ($15,000 grants)

R.E.S.T. Centres | Brampton, ON

Flin Flon Aboriginal Friendship Centre | Flin Flon, MB

Fearless R2W | Winnipeg, MB

Wiigwamen | Toronto, ON

Nishnawbe Homes | Toronto, ON