The Canadian Women's Foundation is taking letters of intent for Feminist Futures, its new youth strategy, which funds Canadian charities and non-profits running programs for young people. Each grant pays $50,000 a year for four years, from 2027 to 2031, across two streams: Next Waves, for programs that build confidence and leadership among girls and gender-diverse youth aged 9 to 17, and Shifting Futures, for programs that help young people of all genders aged 13 to 29 build healthy relationships free from violence. About 20 grants will be made, 10 per stream.

What you get:

• $50,000 a year for four years, $200,000 in total, for one program or collaborative project
• Funding for project salaries, honoraria, participant supports such as childcare and transport, materials, space, training, translation and related technology
• A place in national evaluation activities and an online community of practice, about 6 to 8 meetings a year
• Travel and accessibility costs covered for one representative at one or two in-person gatherings during the grant

What you'll do:

• Submit a 400 to 600 word letter of intent through the Foundation's online grants portal by 29 November 2026
• If shortlisted in mid-January 2027, submit a full proposal with a budget, proof of incorporation and financial statements by 25 February 2027
• Run the funded program for four years: Next Waves programs meet at least weekly for 14 weeks or more; Shifting Futures programs run 10 to 14 weeks a year with the same group
• Or lead a regional or national collaborative project with at least two partner organisations and a practical component beyond research

Key dates:

• Information webinar in English: 9 November 2026, 1:00 p.m. ET
• Information webinar in French: 10 November 2026, 11:00 a.m. ET
• Letter of intent deadline: 29 November 2026, 5:00 p.m. ET
• Invitations to submit a full proposal: mid-January 2027
• Full proposal deadline (by invitation): 25 February 2027, 5:00 p.m. ET
• Funding decisions: June 2027; first payments summer 2027
• Funding period: 2027 to 2031

More information:

• Applicant Guidelines: https://canadianwomen.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/CWF_2026_FeministFuturesGrants_Applicant_Guidelines_EN.pdf
• Instructions and FAQs: https://canadianwomen.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/CWF_2026_FeministFuturesGrants_Instructions_FAQ_EN.pdf
• Eligibility questions: nextwaves@canadianwomen.org

• Incorporated non-profit organisation with registered charitable or qualified donee status (a First Nations Band designated as a qualified donee qualifies), or a partnership with a registered charity that holds fiscal responsibility
• Significant experience working with youth and strong relationships with the communities served
• Project must take place in Canada and focus on gender equality for women, girls, trans, Two-Spirit and non-binary people
• Next Waves programs serve girls and gender-diverse youth aged 9 to 17; Shifting Futures programs serve young people of all genders aged 13 to 29
• Not eligible: individuals, for-profits, social enterprises, governments, public or educational institutions (except as a charitable partner), academic research, one-time workshops, one-on-one mentorship, programs focused mainly on self-defence
• One letter of intent per stream, for different programs; at most one full proposal per organisation
• Programs funded in both the 2016 and 2020 cycles of the same stream are not eligible again