We’re trying something new this year. We’re enlisting our supporters, networks, and community to help select the 2022 Project Change Foundation grant recipient.

Our team spent the last month reading about the invaluable work being done by dozens of Canadian organizations committed to improving life for people or protecting the environment.

“It was challenging to get the short list down to five, because there are so many non-profits in Canada that deserve support, and that are doing vital and incredible work in their communities,” said Joe Kelly, Project Change Foundation board member. “Thank you to everyone who applied! We welcome you to apply again next year.”

After much deliberation, we’ve narrowed the list down to five potential recipient organizations working on community or environmental projects:

• Be the Change Earth Alliance Society
• Courage in Action
• Employ to Empower Foundation
• Surfrider Foundation Canada
• The Period Purse

Read more about the short list below.

Here’s where you come in. Until September 30, people can vote for the organization they feel should receive support in 2022.

Voting has closed. Read about the winning organization here: https://projectchangefoundation.com/2021/11/08/announcing-2022-recipient/

You can only vote once so make it count! Consider sharing the voting link with your network to help us raise the profile of all these hard-working, committed charities.

Your vote will help one of these deserving organizations win a $2,000 grant and mentorship from Project Change Foundation’s board in 2022. This support makes a positive difference for the recipient organization.

“The support we received was so valuable — not just the money but also the advisory support from their board,” says Anna Godefroy, director of the Binners’ Project, the 2018 recipient.

Meet the short list

Project Change Foundation provides small grants and mentorship to new or emerging Canadian charities that are focused on improving the communities they work in, or the environment. Aside from a grant, our board provides mentorship and leadership based on the organization’s unique needs.

Our shortlist this year features two environmental organizations, and three committed to supporting people in concrete and meaningful ways.

Be the Change Earth Alliance Society

Be the Change Earth Alliance provides youth with empowering, hope-inspiring education that enables them to turn their climate grief into meaningful action. If selected, Project Change Foundation’s grant will go toward a new initiative called Youth for Climate Action, which will empower 3-4 high school teams in Vancouver to design and implement equity-informed climate action projects that measurably reduce their community’s ecological footprints.

Courage in Action

Courage in Action helps women courageously move beyond their circumstances and take action to create a better life for themselves and their families. It is a volunteer-run charity with a goal to positively impact 10,000 women across Canada. If selected, Project Change Foundation’s grant will go toward education, specifically tuition and books.

Employ to Empower Foundation

Employ to Empower Foundation works in the Vancouver Downtown Eastside to positively impact the community through employment, entrepreneurship and self-advocacy. If selected, Project Change Foundation’s grant will go toward building capacity for four entrepreneurs by providing basic business fundamentals courses that will teach skills like elevator pitching, market research, financial management, and digital marketing.

Surfrider Foundation Canada

Surfrider Foundation’s mission is the protection and enjoyment of the ocean, beaches, and waves, for everyone. The Canadian chapters of the US-based Surfrider Foundation work in BC coastal communities to help eradicate plastic pollution and regenerate coastlines. If selected, Project Change Foundation’s grant will go toward SFC’s Affiliation Project, as it can only open new chapters across Canada if it affiliates from the US and operates autonomously.

The Period Purse

The Period Purse is a non-profit that strives to achieve menstrual equity and reduce the stigma surrounding periods. The organization is volunteer run and delivers free menstrual products to people in need. If selected, Project Change Foundation’s grant will go toward creating a Moontime Period Book, a free educational book created by the Indigenous aunties and youth translated in their language. It will help reduce the stigma of periods and increase menstrual health knowledge.

Voting has closed. Read about the winning organization here: https://projectchangefoundation.com/2021/11/08/announcing-2022-recipient/