Collaborations
We believe that every individual, institution, and sector has a vested interest in helping to create a more inclusive and pluralist society, where people are safe from all forms of discrimination. As such, we seek to develop respectful and mutually beneficial relationships with like-minded partners.
Going Home Star Reception and Panel Discussion
Toronto, Ontario, 2016
Going Home Star, produced the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, is the first major artistic project to come out of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Given the power of the arts and meaningful conversation, we sponsored the post-show dialogue featuring Chief Isadore Day, Artistic Director André Lewis, Associate Producer Tina Keeper, and Composer Christos Hatzis.
Canadian Public Opinion on Aboriginal Peoples and 2016 Survey of Muslims in Canada
Canada-wide, 2015/2016
In order to both deepen and track our understanding of our priority issues (Islamophobia and Reconciliation), we partnered with Environics Institute to conduct two surveys: Canadian Public Opinion on Aboriginal Peoples; and the 2016 Survey of Muslims in Canada.
Ontario Indigenous Youth Partnership Project
Canada-wide, 2016
The Ontario Indigenous Youth Partnership Project is an initiative that provides young Indigenous changemakers with the resources, support, and networks required to continue making a positive impact in their communities. The project’s philosophy is rooted in capacity, reciprocity, and shared ownership.
Partners: The Circle on Philanthropy and Indigenous Peoples; The Counselling Foundation of Canada; Laidlaw Foundation; Ontario Trillium Foundation; The Sprott Foundation; TD Bank; Tides Canada; YouthREX.
So You Want to Be an Impact Producer?
Toronto, Ontario, 2015
The So You Want to be an Impact Producer? workshop, hosted by Hot Docs, brought together aspiring producers to discuss the growing importance of impact producing and the shared interests between filmmakers, foundations, and philanthropists. Participants identified key skills, goals, and strategies for partnership building, creating and measuring successful campaigns, and transforming passion for social change into a viable career.
Spirit of Social Change: National Conversation Series and Film
Couchiching Institute on Public Affairs, 2015
Spirit of Social Change is a series of conversations held in universities across Canada, with the goal of igniting discussions pertaining to the role of spirituality and belief within social justice movements. The project culminated in the screening of the film Spirit of Social Change by filmmaker Tendisai Cromwell, featuring activists Nayani Thiyagarajah and Simon Black.
Cinema Politica: Documentary Dialogues
Canada-wide, 2012–2015
Documentary Dialogues, hosted by Cinema Politica, uses documentaries to spark conversations about belief and diversity. The project supports the delivery of 30-40 documentary screenings, followed by panel discussions and open forum dialogues delivered by young changemakers on campuses across Canada.
4Rs Youth Movement
Canada-wide, ongoing
The 4Rs Youth Movement stands for respect, reconciliation, reciprocity, and relevance. The movement was conceived as a collaboration of five national youth-serving organizations, five national Aboriginal organizations, and four national charitable foundations in Canada. These organizations came together with a common vision of bringing young changemakers (Indigenous and non-Indigenous) together to advance reconciliation.
Partners: Assembly of First Nations; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada; Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada; Community Foundations of Canada; Congress of Aboriginal Peoples; The Counselling Foundation of Canada; J.W. McConnell Family Foundation; Métis Association of Friendship Centres; Métis Nation BC; The Native Women’s Association of Canada; Pathways to Education Canada; YMCA Canada; YWCA Canada.
Documentary Impact: Social Change through Storytelling
Toronto, Ontario, 2014
Documentary Impact: Social Change through Storytelling is a report that examines five contemporary, independently produced, and widely distributed feature films by Canadian and U.S. filmmakers that have achieved a significant impact. The report was created in collaboration with Hot Docs and examines tools for defining, identifying, and evaluating the social impact of documentaries.
The New Canada Conference
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, 2014
In partnership with Government of P.E.I., we hosted The New Canada Conference, which brought together 100 delegates from across cultures, regions, and faith groups. These young changemakers explored Canada’s past, the issues the nation is presently facing, and how we can create a better future together. Their ideas were compiled in a conference book.
The Elements Experiment
Inspirit Office, Artscape Youngplace, Toronto, Ontario, 2014
The Elements Experiment was initiated by graduate students at the University of Toronto’s Department for the Study of Religion. The purpose of this project was to open conversations about faith (religious and secular) within both the academic and public spheres. In addition to supporting the project with a National Impact Grant, the Inspirit Foundation provided hands-on support by hosting the project at our then-new Artscape space, amplifying the content and call for submissions across our media platforms, and providing speakers at the inaugural conference.
Canadian Impact Media: Research Report
Toronto, Ontario, 2014
In 2013, the Inspirit Foundation commissioned a study to investigate the feasibility of creating a mechanism to support documentary films that contributed to social change. The final document contains considerable examples, case studies, and measurement tools, which point to the power of media to affect social change.
Be the Change Dialogue
Vancouver, British Columbia, 2013
The Inspirit Foundation worked in collaboration with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and a group of young changemakers from British Columbia to host a panel called Be the Change Dialogue. In addition to exploring the intergenerational impacts of the Residential School system, the conversation included other young leaders who spoke about similar negative impacts resulting from the Chinese head tax, the Holocaust, and the Japanese internment during World War II.
