About

A world where nature and communities thrive together

At MakeWay, we’re leading with purpose and building momentum for change.

Mission

MakeWay builds partnerships and solutions to help nature and communities thrive together.

Mission

MakeWay builds partnerships and solutions to help nature and communities thrive together.

Our Story

In 2000, a small group of changemakers and philanthropists asked: how can we foster a healthy planet and a just society? They created MakeWay (then Tides Canada)—a national charity and public foundation—to provide innovative supports for environmental and social change initiatives across the country.

Our journey began on the west coast in the Great Bear Rainforest supporting historic First Nations-led conservation agreements. Since then, we have cultivated incredible partnerships and diverse programming from coast to coast to coast.

Today, we hold deep trust-based relationships in small towns and big cities from Iqaluit to East Scarborough. To our partnerships, we bring a nimble Swiss Army Knife toolkit of expertise and solutions that support community-led transformation. We are clearer than ever before on our purpose and strategic priorities.

Today, there are over 450 staff team members working in almost every province and territory in these lands known as Canada. Each year MakeWay mobilizes approximately $14 million in grants to more than 300 community partners.

In partnership with many, we’re building momentum towards a world where nature and communities thrive together.

Learn more about our approach

Learn more in our strategic plan

Values

Our core values form the foundation of MakeWay and guide us in all that we do. Together, they spell the acronym P.L.A.C.E., grounding us as we strive to help nature and communities thrive together.

Partnership

We are stronger when we work together. because we believe that we are all connected, we build trust through reciprocity and transparency, seeking opportunities to share and learn from our partners.

Listening

Listening and being open helps us find the best solutions. Hearing out different perspectives helps us build empathy and makes us better colleagues, partners, and collaborators.

Action

We are committed to helping our partners solve problems and achieve their visions for change. We think innovatively and efficiently, work hard to fill gaps and find creative solutions.

Courage

We are not afraid to do things differently—to experiment to accelerate change. We take on complex challenges with courage and compassion. Rather than fall prey to fear and polarization, we choose optimism and perseverance.

Equity

Social, environmental, and economic equity is the essence of lasting positive change. We recognize that many people and communities face injustice and we believe that a healthy environment is a matter of social justice. We are committed to the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

Organizational Structure

We are made up of two legal entities – MakeWay Foundation and MakeWay Charitable Society – operating externally as MakeWay.

Operates externally
as MakeWay

Closer Look