Grassroots Accelerator Program
What is the Grassroots Accelerator Program (GAP)?
GAP is a collaborative initiative between Centre for Race and Culture (CFRAC), Gateway Association (Gateway), and Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies (AAISA) which supports grassroots organizations led by and serving equity-deserving communities across prairies and northern territories: Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories.
Grassroots organizations, particularly those working with migrant women, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, racialized people, individuals with disabilities, youth, and seniors, are often serving newcomers in their communities. The aim of the GAP is to strengthen the capacity of grassroots organizations to increase their participation in the newcomer-serving sector.
Through funding, coaching, and tailored supports, the GAP will help grassroots organizations to:
- Strengthen their internal organizational systems
- Increase their ability to deliver community-informed programs for newcomers
- Build connections and long-term sustainability for grassroots organizations
Qu’est-ce que le programme Grassroots Accelerator Program (GAP)?
Le GAP est une initiative collaborative entre le Centre for Race and Culture (CFRAC), l’association Gateway (Gateway) et l’Association albertaine des organismes d’aide aux immigrants (AAISA), qui soutient les organisations locales dirigées par et au service des communautés en situation de vulnérabilité dans les Prairies et les territoires du Nord : l’Alberta, la Saskatchewan, le Manitoba, le Nunavut et les Territoires du Nord-Ouest.
Les associations grassroots, en particulier celles qui travaillent auprès des femmes migrantes, des personnes 2SLGBTQIA+, des personnes issues de minorités ethniques, des personnes en situation de handicap, des jeunes et des personnes âgées, viennent souvent en aide aux nouveaux arrivants au sein de leurs communautés. L’objectif du programme GAP est de renforcer les capacités des associations locales afin d’accroître leur participation au secteur de l’aide aux nouveaux arrivants.
Grâce à des financements, à un accompagnement et à des aides sur mesure, le programme GAP aidera les associations locales à :
- Renforcer leurs systèmes organisationnels internes
- Accroître leur capacité à mettre en œuvre des programmes adaptés aux besoins de la communauté pour les nouveaux arrivants
- Tisser des liens et assurer la pérennité à long terme des associations locales
GAP has two components:
The Grassroots Collective
An open network for all grassroots organizations in the region.
- Connect with other Grassroots
- Share knowledge and resources
- Learn from each other’s experiences
If you are a grassroots organization in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nunavut, or the Northwest Territories, big or small — you are welcome here.
Join the CollectiveFunding Stream
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED!
Applications for this funding stream are officially closed. However, funding is only one piece of the puzzle. We invite all grassroots groups to join the Grassroots Collective above, to network, share resources, and collaborate with peers across the region.
Supporting Grassroots in the PNT region
Meet the 15 organizations funded through the Grassroots Accelerator Program
We are excited to share the 15 grassroots organizations receiving funding through the Grassroots Accelerator Program (GAP).
The funding portion of this program was created to support community-led organizations doing vital, often under-resourced work. We received over 65 applications for the funding stream. Each of these organizations works in advancing equity, care, and community wellbeing, and are a vital part of the newcomer-serving ecosystem.
While only 15 organizations could be selected for funding, the selection reflects a range of community-driven work, across the Prairies and Northern Territories (PNT) region. All grassroots organizations are still encouraged to connect with each other and with GAP through the Grassroots Collective. See below for more information.
We are honoured to work alongside the following organizations in the funding stream:
Alberta region
- Alberta Workers Association for Research and Education (AWARE)
- Bow Valley Connections Centre
- Bright Lights for Africa (BLFA) *Francophone
- Cochrane Immigrant Services Committee (CISC)
- Connecting the Dots Diversity and Inclusion Council (CDDIC)
- Filipinos Rising (FRIENDS)
- Sahelian Punjabi Women’s Society (SPWS)
Saskatchewan region
Manitoba region
Northern region
Why this work is important:
Grassroots organizations are powerful pioneers of systemic change in their trusted communities. Compared to larger or more established organizations, grassroots groups often have less access to stable funding, training, and other supports. These barriers can affect their ability to expand and to support newcomer communities whose needs are diverse and constantly changing due to things like world events, political changes, or crises.
The Grassroots Accelerator Program (GAP) was created to help address these systemic challenges. GAP provides tools, resources, and systems to help grassroots organizations strengthen their work and continue supporting newcomer communities in meaningful, lasting ways.
The Grassroots Accelerator Program (GAP) is a collaborative initiative between Centre for Race and Culture (CFRAC), Gateway Association (Gateway), and Alberta Association for Immigrant Serving Agencies (AAISA).
