Introduction
The Canadian Women’s Foundation is Canada’s public foundation for gender justice and equality, supporting community programmes, advocacy and partnerships that advance the safety, rights and opportunities of women, girls and gender-diverse people. Its work focuses on economic security, preventing gender-based violence and strengthening youth leadership.
Through charitable grants and organisational support, the foundation connects donors with community-led responses to gender inequality across Canada.
History and Background
The foundation’s origins date to 1986, when Nancy Ruth and Susan Woods began discussing how philanthropy could advance gender equality nationally. Their conversations developed into a collaborative effort involving women from community and advocacy networks.
The Canadian Women’s Foundation officially launched in 1991, supported by eight founding women. An initial C$50,000 contribution from the NaRuth Foundation helped establish the organisation.
Its founding approach centred on directing charitable resources towards grassroots organisations working with women and girls. This community-based model remains central to its activities.
Mission and Purpose
The foundation’s vision is for every woman, girl and gender-diverse person to have the power, safety, support and rights needed to thrive.
Its approach combines feminist philanthropy, community partnerships, leadership development and knowledge sharing. It seeks both practical improvements in people’s lives and changes to the systems that sustain inequality.
Funding prioritises people facing overlapping barriers, including Indigenous, Black and racialized communities, people with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, newcomers and migrants. The foundation also identifies truth, reconciliation and ending systemic discrimination as commitments guiding its work.
Governance and Structure
The Canadian Women’s Foundation is a registered Canadian charity, with registration number 12985-5607-RR0001. Its national office is in Toronto, Ontario.
Its published leadership includes Mitzie Hunter as president and CEO and Meenu Sikand as board chair. The board brings experience across community services, accessibility, law, finance, business and public policy.
Annual impact reports and financial disclosures provide information about its activities, spending and results. The foundation’s reporting describes both community programme support and its wider work to advance gender equality.
Funding and Grants
Funding comes through philanthropic support, government grants and investment income. Donors can contribute through individual gifts, monthly donations, planned giving and corporate partnerships.
For 2024–2025, the foundation reported C$12.79 million in revenue and C$10.66 million in grants and charitable programme expenses. The latter includes grant management, advocacy, capacity building and evaluation, alongside grants.
Grant support includes annual and multi-year funding. General eligibility covers incorporated nonprofit organisations with a valid charitable number and First Nations Bands recognised as qualified donees. The foundation does not provide direct grants to individuals or fund projects outside Canada. Applications are accepted only during designated periods.
As of 2 November 2026, its Feminist Futures programme is accepting Letters of Intent for grants of C$50,000 annually for four years, totalling C$200,000 per award. Approximately 20 grants are planned, with Letters of Intent due 29 November 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Gender-Based Violence and Economic Security
The foundation funds community organisations addressing violence and economic barriers. Its grant priorities emphasise collaboration with the communities served and an intersectional feminist approach. A Northern strategy provides another dedicated area of gender equality funding.
Feminist Futures
Introduced in October 2026, Feminist Futures builds on the foundation’s longstanding youth programming.
Its Shifting Futures stream supports healthy, respectful relationships among young people of all genders aged 13–29. Next Waves supports confidence, leadership and a strong sense of self among girls and gender-diverse youth aged 9–17. Both streams can support direct programming and collaborative work strengthening youth-serving organisations.
Signal for Help
Launched with partners in April 2020, Signal for Help is a one-handed gesture indicating that someone needs a safe check-in and support. The foundation complements it with responder guides, a free online mini-course and educational resources about supporting people experiencing abuse.
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
The foundation reports investing more than C$290 million in over 3,500 community programmes since 1991. Its current website also reports 300,140 people reached through 109 funded programmes in the preceding reporting year.
In 2024–2025, the Girls’ Fund supported 24 community programmes reaching more than 7,000 girls and gender-diverse youth. One example is Nous aussi on peut le faire at L’Oasis des enfants de Rosemont in Montréal, which uses activities addressing gender stereotypes, confidence, belonging and resilience.
Beyond grantmaking, the foundation reports that Signal for Help has been shared in nearly 50 countries and 20 languages, illustrating the international reach of its public education work.
Conclusion
The Canadian Women’s Foundation combines community grants, donor engagement, public education and advocacy to advance gender justice. Organisations seeking support should review the relevant funding stream, confirm eligibility and demonstrate how their work responds to community priorities and barriers to equality.
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