Remembering Tracy Friesen

Inspirit Foundation is saddened to learn of Tracey Friesen’s death, at the age of 58. 

Tracey was a bright light in the Canadian media industry. She built connections with people across the screen, radio, non-profit, social and environmental justice sectors. She brought them together to strengthen collective efforts towards a more inclusive world.  

Tracey’s collaborations with Inspirit over the past decade had a tangible impact on the Foundation’s work.  

In 2014, she researched and produced a report for Inspirit on the emerging field of social impact media. This, and additional research, resulted in her book, Story Money Impact: Funding Media for Social Change. She then founded the groundbreaking non-profit organization, Story Money Impact, an Inspirit grantee since 2020.  

Her work helped set the stage for Inspirit’s Doc Impact Fund, which ran between 2017-2020, and influenced the Foundation’s strategic direction in funding media and narrative change. Along the way, Tracey was always there to provide guidance and advice to our team. 

Along with Sue Biely and Bill Weaver, Tracey also facilitated Media that Matters workshops at Hollyhock Center during the 2010s. These workshops brought together media makers, funders and social change activists to foster collaboration among folks working in different but aligned fields. Inspirit sent delegations of young changemakers to Media that Matters over the years, and participants have gone on to produce social impact films, lead campaigns and start their own organizations to advance inclusion in the media industries. 

Tracey’s work set in motion first-of events like Good Pitch Vancouver, which Inspirit helped bring to Canada. These efforts to connect the power of media with community changemakers continue to be carried out through Story Money Impact’s ongoing programming.  

Tracey was generous with her time, encouragement, and enthusiasm. She was a huge champion of Inspirit and our broader community. We will miss her dearly.