Honouring Islamic Heritage Month

Honouring Islamic Heritage Month

It’s Islamic Heritage Month and we’re reflecting on all of the incredible Muslim change leaders and organizations in our networks. Their work deepening relationships and creating positive impact in and outside of their communities is critically important.

As you know, one of Inspirit Foundation’s primary areas of focus is addressing Islamophobia. We believe that treating people with dignity means celebrating their strengths in addition to meaningfully addressing the ways they are systemically marginalized. With this in mind, we’re spending this month asking Muslims in our network why Islamic Heritage Month matters to them and how we can all reflect on this time. We’re starting the month with ChangeUp grantee and filmmaker, Tusma Sulieman.

In this quarterly newsletter you’ll also be hearing about Kwi Awt Stelmexw, one of our latest Media and Arts Impact grantees; the brilliant change leaders we’re supporting to attend Banff Forum; a new funding stream; and more!

Andrea Nemtin
President and CEO

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Grantee InFocus: Kwi Awt Stelmexw

We are very proud of all our incredible grantees passionately and powerfully creating more inclusion across Canada. In this issue, we’re pleased to introduce you to Kwi Awt Stelmexw. KAS is one of the latest recepients of the Media and Arts Impact Grant.
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 Kwi Awt Stelmexw’s Reclaiming Place is a three-year interactive art project designed to engage the public in investigating & re-examining their relationship to Sḵwxw̱ ú7mesh (Squamish), Coast Salish territory by creating and sharing innovative art practices. They will be receiving a $60,000 grant over two years
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Meet the Banffers:  Ilyas, Kluane, Max, Sarah

The Banff Forum is an annual gathering bringing together emerging and leading thinkers to discuss topics of national importance, invigorate public debate, and help uncover ways to strengthen our country. Inspirit Foundation is thrilled to support four brilliant change leaders’ attendance: Ilyas Gora (Edmonton), Kluane Adamek (Whitehorse), Max FineDay (Toronto), and Sarah Jama (Hamilton). Keep an eye on Instagram to learn more about them in the coming weeks!

Announcing the Doc Impact Fund!

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Leveraging the power of film, Inspirit has launched a new funding stream focused on impact documentary. We’re looking to support 3 documentary film outreach and engagement projects that seek to either support reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples or address Islamophobia in Canada. Selected projects will be awarded $25,000 each. Learn more here.

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What’s in Your Equity Toolkit?

Work around inclusion can be as challenging as it is important, and we are aware of how these efforts can sometimes be emotionally and mentally draining. We asked change leaders Toota Hassanien, Asad Chisti, Rizwan Mohamed and Sakinah Hasib about the tools and reminders they use to stay grounded, focused and well. 

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 Additional Highlights

• We took some time to mark Eid al-Fitr with change leaders, board members, foundations, and friends.
• Several change leaders shared their calls to action for a more inclusive Canada to add nuance to the conversation around #Canada150. Hear from Justin, Sanaa, Jordyn and Leslie
• We’re thrilled to announce three new Media & Arts Impact grantees–these groups are incredible and we are honoured to support their work: Theatre of the Living, This is Worldtown, and Kwi Awt Stelmexw. Learn more about them on our site 

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 News & Resources

• Inspirit Foundation CEO Andrea Nemtin, alongside Mark Sevestre, and Peter Chapman are looking to corporations to advance reconciliation. Read about it in the Edmonton Journal.
• Wendell Adjetey, an Inspirit Foundation Board member, wrote for The Walrus about parallels in American and Canadian race relations, and how we need to act on the opportunity to bridge divides.
• Our Stakeholder Engagement and Communications Manager, Rudayna Bahubeshi, spoke with the CBC alongside Justin Wiebe about #150waysfwd, a campaign to crowdsource ideas to build a more equitable future.
• Jory Cohen, Director of Social Finance and Investment, shares Part 2 in his journey of building a personal 100% impact investing portfolio
• On behalf of ChangeUp grantee Black Lives Matter Toronto Freedom School, Leroi Newbold writes about the importance of creating safe and supportive spaces for Black students.
• The first week of October is Mental Illness Awareness Week. Rudayna wrote for the CBC about why it’s critical to bring an equity lens to the conversation on mental health care access.
• What is an Investment Policy Statement (IPS) and why does it matter? In a one-minute video, Jory explains why an IPS is critical to developing a 100% impact portfolio.
• We love these 12 Lessons (Un)Learned from McConnell Foundation.

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Saying Goodbye to Gwen!

After five years at Inspirit, our Director of Grants and Evaluation is leaving to pursue another opportunity. As a founding team member, Gwen’s contribution to Inspirit’s granting programs, strategic direction and evaluations framework has been immeasurable. Beginning in 2012, she not only designed and administered our earliest granting programs but also helped shape what Inspirit is today.

“Her insights, positivity, and leadership created a culture of learning and collaboration for the organization. I look forward to seeing her succeed in a new and exciting role,” says our CEO Andrea Nemtin. We wish her all the best.