What would you do with $100,000?
THE iA EMPLOYEE FAVOURITE!
This year, we’re donating $500,000 to charities that promote education or school perseverance, or that propose a promising educational project.
Congratulations to the Winning Charities!
4 grand prize donations of $100,000
8 donations of $10,000
The contest aims to support Canadian charities working in the health, education, environment or social service sectors. Your charity’s primary mission does not necessarily have to be in education or school perseverance, but it must propose an educational project.
Selection CriteriaSelection criteria
To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be registered with the Canada Revenue Agency
- Operate in the health, education, environment or social services sectors
- Aim to improve Canadians’ quality of life
- Show that the donation would help charities whose mission, or a component thereof, is dedicated to education and school perseverance or charities who propose an educational project
- Provide assistance to individuals – we are not looking for organizations that help other organizations
- Demonstrate that the donation would be used for concrete initiatives starting in 2024 at the latest
Dates to remember
- September 12 to October 16: Contest entry period
- November 7 to 30: The 12 finalists are announced and public voting is open
- Week of December 11: The winners and donations are announced
The winners
Ontario
Winner of an additional $5,000
Trails Youth Initiatives, Inc.
4 Seasons-4 Years-4 LifeA donation of $100,000 would go towards The Four Seasons, Four Years, For Life program which is an outdoor, experiential education program for vulnerable youth from Toronto's at-risk communities. Training through the outdoors, Trails emphasizes growing and strengthening skills such as non-violent communication, conflict resolution, leadership, critical thinking, goal setting, stress management and reflection. With a focus on transference, participants build a positive engagement with the community, the outdoors, their peers and their authentic selves.
Starting at the age of 12, participants attend Trails for at least four years, with an optional fifth Leader-in-Training year. Our youth live in the highest risk and lowest income areas in the city. Our youth face a wide range of barriers, including race, single-parent families, recent immigrant families, educational challenges and exposure to risk factors including poverty, violence, poor education, low physical and mental health, lack of family support and isolated communities.
Charity’s missionTrails was built on the belief that all youth—especially those facing barriers based on race, income, education and neighbourhood—benefit from a long-term consistent approach to engagement, one that uses outdoor experiential learning to cultivate leadership, resilience, and conflict resolution, as well as physical and mental wellness. Our mission is to challenge and equip vulnerable youth from at-risk areas of Toronto to become contributing members of the community.
Western Provinces
Winner of an additional $5,000
PLEA Community Services Society of British Columbia
Prevention WorkshopsThe sexual exploitation of young people has been increasing. Law enforcement issued a press release noting a dramatic rise in the number of child/youth sextortion cases and noting the need for increased prevention efforts.
A donation of $100,000 would support the delivery of our prevention workshops which will reach 30,000+ youth and adults through 500+ workshops each year. We are the only organization in BC providing free educational workshops aimed at preventing sexual exploitation.
We reach young people in elementary, middle and high school settings as well as high-risk youth in care or in custody. We also reach parents and caregivers, educators, medical professionals, law enforcement and adults who work with children and families.
Charity’s mission
Our Children of the Street program works to educate young people to learn how to keep themselves and their peers safe from all forms of sexual exploitation while also supporting children and families already affected by this crime.
Atlantic Canada and Northern Canada
Winner of an additional $5,000
Community Care Network Society
Parker Street FoodA donation of $100,000 would go towards our educational project at the Parker Street Food Program which plays a pivotal role in alleviating food insecurity within our community. It enables us to provide not only nourishment but also essential food education to our clients. Your support ensures that individuals and families not only receive meals but also learn about proper nutrition, cooking techniques and sustainable food practices. By contributing, you empower us to equip our clients with the knowledge and resources they need to make informed, healthier choices, ultimately breaking the cycle of food insecurity and fostering self-sufficiency.
The target population for assistance comprises more than 11,000 residents representing diverse social and economic backgrounds. This dynamic and inclusive community encompasses individuals from various walks of life, spanning a wide spectrum of socioeconomic statuses, cultural identities and life experiences.
Charity’s missionParker Street Mission is a dedicated community organization committed to its mission of providing essential support to those in need. Through collaborative efforts, we offer food, furniture and emergency assistance to empower and uplift individuals facing challenging circumstances. Our unwavering commitment to our community ensures that no one is left without crucial resources and assistance during their time of need.
Quebec
Winner of an additional $5,000
Je Passe Partout: Services de soutien scolaire et intervention familiale
Welcome and SupportA $100,000 donation would allow us to support over one hundred young newcomers to Quebec and their families to integrate into the Quebec school system, learn French and take advantage of the resources available within their community.
In small groups, twice a week, the Je Passe Partout workshops will help young people develop their confidence in themselves, their curiosity, their ability to express themselves in French and their independence. We also work with families to identify their needs and help them meet those needs by using the resources available within their community.
Participants in Je Passe Partout programs are young people in vulnerable situations at risk of dropping out. These youth come from various backgrounds including single-parent families, new immigrants, social isolation, language barriers, poor relationships with school and low self-esteem.
Charity’s missionJe Passe Partout (JPP)’s mission is to encourage young people in difficult situations to succeed and prevent them from dropping out. The organization works together with parents, schools, social services and the school environment. Our vision is to act collectively, with a locally-based, humanist approach and in a personalized and creative way to help young people reach their full potential.