The Inspirit Foundation today announced $300,000 in grants for 15 community projects across Canada. The grants will help young people build inclusive communities by tackling issues of marginalization and discrimination.
The 15 projects awarded with an Inspirit Foundation Pluralism Grant bring together people aged 18-30 of different spiritual, religious and secular backgrounds to dispel stereotypes and discover what they have in common, while collaborating on a community project.
Projects include building a community garden in partnership with a shelter while learning how culture and religion inform Montreal’s rich culinary history; exploring the intersection of faith and LGBTQ communities through a camp in Ottawa; and engaging young people in Edmonton in discussions on social justice with Aboriginal Elders and community members through an initiative called Knowledge is Pow Wow.
“The assaults that took place in Ottawa and St-Jean-sur-Richelieu in October raise an important question for Canada. In times of crisis such as this, can we find positive ways to stand together and ensure that everyone feels included in our communities?” said Andrea Nemtin, President and CEO of the Inspirit Foundation.
“Inspirit believes in the power of young people as agents of change in tackling barriers to inclusion, such as the marginalization and discrimination that many see in our communities. Every year, I am inspired by the ingenuity of the young people involved in projects that have received a Pluralism Grant. Great things happen when young changemakers are supported.”
The organizations that will receive an Inspirit Foundation Pluralism Grant are:
- Alternatives - Montreal, QC
- East and Central African Association for Indigenous Rights - Fredericton, NB
- Faith & the Common Good - various cities, BC
- iHuman Youth Society - Edmonton, AB
- Immigrant Services Guelph-Wellington - Guelph, ON
- Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria - Victoria, BC
- Nature NB - Fredericton, NB
- PeerNet Association of BC - Vancouver, BC
- Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society - Surrey, BC
- Sikhs Serving Canada - Mississauga, ON
- SKETCH/YSI Collaborative - various cities, ON
- Ten Oaks Project - Ottawa, ON
- The Catalyst Centre/Regent Park Focus Youth Media Arts Centre - Toronto, ON
- Veith House - Halifax, NS
- Wesley Urban Ministries - Hamilton, ON
Want to know more?
Watch a video on what we are learning through the pluralism projects we support.
Subscribe to our mailing list at inspiritfoundation.org/signup or connect with us on Twitter @InspiritFdn and facebook.com/InspiritFoundation to receive updates on our Pluralism Grants.
About the Inspirit Foundation
We are a national, grant-making organization that supports young people aged 18 to 30 in building a more inclusive and pluralist Canada. One way we do this is by funding projects that foster engagement and exchange among young people of different spiritual, religious and secular backgrounds.
For more information:
Bandana Singh - bsingh@inspiritfoundation.org - 416-644-3600, ext. 8
