Shifting power to the community

New upstream fund removes barriers for grassroots groups

In 2022, we began to  decolonize the way we work with community, and how we invest in the community  . We put more than $2 million into improving the health and wellbeing of First Nations, Inuit and Métis, African Caribbean and Black-identifying, racialized, and other communities who continue to face discrimination and systemic barriers. What makes this process different is that we didn’t lead the process - the community did, we just provided support.

The upstream fund model is an innovative, community driven funding approach for systemic change. The funding model shifts power to community by directing investments to community-led organizations and removing barriers. Funding is allocated by a group of community members to organizations led by and serving Indigenous, Black, racialized and other communities facing discrimination.

The upstream fund began with gatherings in cultural centres, community centres, libraries and boardrooms. Executive directors of organizations, grassroots activists, community leaders, and curious people brought big ideas for how to improve our community for all. Regional staff in attendance quickly learned to put the presentations and charts away, and to come as people.

After the first sessions, participants remained on the sidewalks lingering into the late evening, talking about their shared hopes and goals for a better community for all. We intended these events to be about collaborating, building relationships, dreaming, and sharing information. They became all that and more.

These conversations and one-on-one meetings that followed were just the beginning. After these discussions, communities impacted by harm gathered to make decisions on how to distribute the upstream fund. It is clear that communities themselves know best how to address the root causes of harm in their communities.

Click "play" to hear Oluseun Olayinka with Adventure4Change talk about her experience with the process.

Forty-one grassroots organizations, groups and individuals received funding to continue, expand, or sustain their important work in the community. The recipients work focuses on healing, on how to build confidence and skills, and how to develop a sense of belonging among children, youth and adults facing discrimination. We look forward to offering support alongside their work on the ground as they positively impact the lives of the people they serve.

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