Impact Stories

Honouring the Pause

Through moments of reflection and the Healing Justice Sabbatical, Melina Laboucan-Massimo confronts burnout and redefines activism, emphasizing the importance of self-care and collective healing.

Indigenous food systems are providing pathways to generational healing and sustainability in British Columbia

Braden Etzerza gained his appreciation for harvesting and sharing traditional foods through the Matriarch of his family on his Ts’msyen side. He is is now bringing that love of his homeland foods that he learned through generational knowledge transfers from his great grandmother to his work with MakeWay’s BC Program.

How A New Initiative is Building Connections and Supports for Guardians Across the North

Designed and led by Indigenous northerners, the Northern Indigenous Stewardship Circle was established in 2021 to build connections and facilitate information-sharing amongst Indigenous guardians and environmental stewardship programs across northern Canada.

A Key Moment in the Fight for a Toxic-Free Canada: How the Dragonfly Fund and Coalition for Action on Toxics helped us get here

We sat down with Coalition for Action on Toxics (CAT) to discuss the work they’ve done over the last few years. This is a key moment in the fight for toxics reduction in Canada. Bill S-5, legislation to modernize the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), has just passed its second reading in the House of Commons, a major milestone CAT has been working since it was established in 2016.

How Looking for ‘Another Way’ Sparked a 15-Year Partnership

In 2008, Annabelle White was looking for a way to give that aligned with her own values and decided to open a Donor Advised Fund at MakeWay called The Dragonfly Fund. Almost 15 years later, The Dragonfly Fund has granted over $10.7 million to community-led initiatives.

Clearing the path to ‘right relations’

This article was originally written by Amy Romer and published in The Philanthropist Journal. After a decade of baby steps towards correcting power in conventional philanthropy, the Right Relations Collaborative is a leap forward.

Community-led hunter/harvester programs are a food sovereignty solution in Nunavut

The role of the hunter in Inuit culture expands beyond providing food: hunters contribute to family, community, the maintenance of traditions, language, skills, and knowledge. They are stewards of land and culture, connecting many threads of the fabric of Inuit society.

How Gitanyow is asserting their vision for their land with a new Indigenous Protected Area

When the Gitanyow First Nation realized a large abundance of salmon were spawning in an area under threat, they took matters into their own hands, and into their own laws.

Empowering and encouraging employee giving: a different kind of Donor Advised Fund

MakeWay hosts over 140 Donor Advised Funds (DAF). When operated with a purpose-led giving approach, DAFs are an effective way to direct funds to support community-led change.

Braiding knowledge to protect Átl’ḵa7tsem: Howe Sound Marine Reference Guide launches on World Oceans Day

With four First Nations, nine local governments, and dozens of other stakeholders, there were already several maps of various parts of Howe Sound/Átl’ḵa7tsem, although no one single resource covering the whole biosphere. The Howe Sound/Átl’ḵa7tsem Marine Reference Guide sets out to change that.

Digital NWT supports digital literacy and Indigenous sovereignty in Northern communities

With internet access becoming more ubiquitous and accessible, what does that mean for a community that hasn’t had digital literacy training, or where it isn’t widely accessible? DigitalNWT is answering these questions.

Advancing equitable access to birthing supports: advocates launch Northern Birthwork Collective

The Northern Birthwork Collective, a new project on MakeWay’s shared platform, is bringing equitable birth access to parents in Yellowknife.

Remote communities lead solutions to ensure wellbeing in the face of Covid-19

Covid-19 presents unique and urgent challenges for remote communities across Canada, particularly remote Indigenous communities.

The Akpaliapik program builds resilience in young girls and teens in Northern communities

The Akpaliapik pilot program will bring opportunities and support to girls in the North, focusing on developing well-being and identity through connection and pride in their culture, language, and heritage.

Partnering with Patagonia to support grassroots environmental action in British Columbia

From a personal connection with Patagonia’s founder more than a decade ago, MakeWay has earned a vital role in how the brand funds environmental projects in Canada.

Supporting community-led initiatives through COVID-19: MakeWay Rapid Response Fund for Changemakers

The purpose of the Rapid Response Fund for Changemakers was to quickly distribute financial support to community-led projects on the MakeWay shared platform.

A Collaborative Theory of Change: How we work is just as important as what we do

It began as a pilot in 2013 and became a fully-realized collaborative in 2014. An essential part of our journey as a Collaborative was documenting our methodology in a Theory of Change and describing our collective efforts and the community-led vision for change. Over the course of seven years, we’ve discovered that how we work is just as important as the work that we do.

Taking the Nawalakw Culture Project from Vision to Reality

Creating a connection with land and language is helping restore pride and dignity to First Nations youth, and creating economic opportunities for the local community. Partnerships with Sea to Cedar and MakeWay are facilitating the fast growth of this important project.

Moore Foundation: Saving salmon runs and coastal rainforests in British Columbia

For almost 20 years, MakeWay has helped the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to fund impactful environmental action in Canada.

A donor makes a remarkable gift

Toni Frisby passed away in 2017, age 60, leaving a generous – and surprise – gift to MakeWay in her estate. We talk to some of the people closest to her to learn more about the remarkable woman she was, and what might have inspired her generosity.

Northern spirit of innovation is alive in EntrepreNorth’s first cohort

Handcrafted soaps made with bowhead whale oil, earrings adorned with dentalium shells and moosehide, and sage “smokeless smudge” spray inspired by traditional Dene medicine – these are just some of the products created by the nine Northerners that made up EntrepreNorth’s first ever cohort of entrepreneurs.

Digital Justice Lab Builds a More Equitable Future

Q&A with The Digital Justice Lab’s Project Director Nasma Ahmed on their mission to build alternative digital futures, in Canada. By working alongside technologists, community activists, and policymakers to shape a better understanding of technology and its impact on communities across the country.

The Dragonfly Fund: a story of strategic philanthropy for a toxic-free Canada

We talk to an anonymous donor of The Dragonfly Fund about her partnership with MakeWay and how she became involved in the issue of toxics in Canada.

The NWT On The Land Collaborative brings together diverse partners to support programs that connect people and place

The Collaborative brings together diverse partners to support on the land programs, connecting people with their land, culture, and community.

Together Project helps Government-Assisted Refugees find support

Together Project connects newcomers and Canadians for friendship and support as part of an effort to build stronger, more inclusive communities.

Powered by Data maximizes the availability and impact of data for public good

With a mission to maximize the availability and impact of data for the public good, Powered by Data blends data policy and data strategy to enable the social sector to better share, use, and learn from data.

Mike Robbins: Ecotourism consultant and philanthropist

How can tourism be sustainable and empower local communities and their economies? We chat to Mike Robbins about how his work and giving back align.

Great Bear and MakeWay: An Uncommon Origin Story

MakeWay’s birthplace is one of the most unique places on Earth—the globally significant and biologically rich Great Bear Rainforest.

Jane’s Walk: Staying local, going global

Jane’s Walk is one of the longest-running projects on MakeWay’s shared platform. It is a unique, citizen-powered movement that promotes informed participation in civic life through free, locally organized, walking tours.

Interview: Jess Housty

Grantee partner Jess Housty shares her thoughts on leadership, indigenous stewardship, and how philanthropy can support First Nations.

Ontario Indigenous Youth Partnership Project: A unique platform for youth

What issues might Ontario’s Indigenous youth want to tackle if they had the resources? A question MakeWay asked the community as we worked together to grow projects that promote environmental, social, spiritual, and physical well-being.

Eyes and ears on the Pacific Coast

The Coastal Stewardship Network supports local Guardian Watchmen programs led by First Nations communities on the North and Central Coast.

Leonard Schein: Independent cinema founder and philanthropist

You may recognize Leonard Schein as the former owner of much-loved independent cinemas in Vancouver, including the Fifth Avenue Cinemas, the Park Theatre, and the Ridge Theatre.

Inspiring a new generation of leaders in the North

Dene Nahjo is a new generation of leaders and community builders working to promote indigenous leadership.

Na-tas-kek: Reconnecting with mother earth

Amazing things can happen when people in communities rediscover their connections with each other and food.

East Scarborough Storefront: Building community together

In East Scarborough, local residents and organizations have come together to build a thriving community in the face of adversity.

The food that binds us

MakeWay learning trip participants discover the food that is at the heart of two northern Manitoba communities.

Fostering social innovation through shared spaces

In the heart of Toronto’s Regent Park neighbourhood on 585 Dundas Street, you’ll find the home of the Centre for Social Innovation Regent Park.

Healing a Great Lake

Lake Erie Alive is facilitating a comprehensive and lasting solution to the lake’s harmful algal blooms via a collaborative, coordinated effort.

Building knowledge, sense of belonging, through the Koeye River fish weir

We highlight an initiative that seeks to deepen our understanding of the Koeye River and the resources that it supports.

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