Congratulations to our 2021 grant recipients, finalists, and nomination prize winners!

Fallen Mountain Soap of Alberta creates small batch hand-poured artisan soap bars, in addition to a range of personal self-care products that incorporate traditional Cree and Metis culture and teachings...

Owner Lauren Moberly, a member of the Aseniwuche Winewak people (or ‘Rocky Mountain people’), is proud to share her people’s traditional heritage as a path to reconciliation.

“This is the main way that I see my business helps Canadians. Also, I have had several successes and recognition in my business, and I hope that other young people in my community can see by my success that it’s possible to work traditionally and earn an income.”

“We believe that good community development is action that helps people to recognize and develop their ability and potential...”

“We want to challenge outdated traditional home building methods,” says Reto Steiner on the driving vision behind InGreen Systems. The company was nominated for the... contest by an employee. InGreen Systems designs and manufactures efficient, cost effective structural insulated panels for walls, roofs and floors in residential homes. “We searched for a better way, and discovered the aha! moment.”

InGreen Systems has helped build attainable housing for several First Nation communities in Alberta. Reto projects that his company’s homes will last 30+ years, a major boost in lifespan from those currently on First Nation reserves.

“We believe that good community development is action that helps people to recognize and develop their ability and potential and organize themselves to respond to problems and needs which they share.”

“I wanted to contribute to the well-being of people living with conditions similar to my mom. In addition, it was also my way of contributing to society.”

Chantal Brisson was inspired to start Jonick after her mother’s diagnosis of dementia. “Following her placement in an institution and the progression of her condition, I... realized that the morning task of dressing her was becoming more and more difficult, both for her and for the orderlies. It was then that I realized the need for suitable clothing for people with these conditions.”

Chantal did extensive research before designing customized apparel that reflected the unique needs of people with reduced mobility. The drive to make a difference dovetailed perfectly with her passion for entrepreneurship. “Ever since I was young, I've always wanted to be an entrepreneur and own my own business. Jonick is the result of this ambition.”

“On every corner of our city and province we have something to be proud of.”

Mike’s Hydraulics performs critical repairs and service to hydraulic components and equipment in the farming, construction and mining industries. Owners Abe Eazadi... both mechanical engineers, immigrated to Canada in 2013 and purchased the existing business soon after.

Mike’s has been growing ever since. It now also manufactures hydraulic machines, as well as supplies parts and components through a chain of suppliers in Canada and the U.S. It also exports to the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Africa.

There’s much to be proud about in the company’s success, but its focus on their employees that continues to be especially gratifying to the founders. “We have a very diversified workforce here, from First Nations to immigrants. We are paying good salaries, and encouraging them to get millwright training. Using local businesses as our main suppliers for our production line has been on our focus, so we can support the community.”

“We are constantly thriving to improve our practices, but even so, there are no other companies in Canada that match our ethics and sustainability.”

Sisterly Swim was founded in the midst of the pandemic as a response to the difficulty of finding swimwear that fits all body types properly, at a reasonable price...

Siblings Isabelle and Olivia Leger are constantly tweaking design and manufacturing practices to make their products match both their goals and ethics. Each item is crafted with size-inclusiveness and sustainability in mind. Materials are derived from recycled fishnets and carpet fluff at the end of their usable life. Even packaging is compostable and/or plantable.

The company works with local artists for its designs, most recently with an Indigenous artist. A portion of the company’s revenue go to an Indigenous charity of the artist’s choice.

“We are now seeing and better understanding the important role of community and belonging plays in our children’s well-being and happiness.”

Skateboards For Hope founder Betty Esperanza Grosz has always been involved in community work, and is committed to advocating for children's rights...

She has been collecting and donating used skateboards for over 15 years. Betty is part of the TED Talks brand, and a Radio Canada documentary “L’Esperanza de Cuba” tells her story. Her good work also provided her the opportunity to meet Oprah in 2013. She has also been recognized with a Maria Brown Humanitarian Award for her commendable community work.

The mission of Skateboards For Hope is to break the cycle of poverty experienced by young people from socio-economically disadvantaged communities. The project achieves its goals in a number of ways. Betty and her co-founders provide recycled skateboards to young people and teach them how to skateboard, boosting their confidence, well-being and physical capacities in the process.

The pandemic made their work even more critical as school-aged children experienced mental health issues at higher rates than any other age group.

“As human beings, we rely on cooperation to survive and thrive,” says Betty. “...We are now seeing and better understanding the important role of community and belonging plays in our children’s well-being and happiness.”

“Coffees coming from small communities in small countries allows them a platform and opportunities to control their prices to improve both quality of coffee and life.”

Thien Pham grew up at a coffee farm in Vietnam and moved to Canada at the age of 17. Thien started Tasse Coffee three years ago, at the age of 23. “As a member of... Visible Minority and LGBTQ2S+ groups, I always think I have to work harder than anyone to make this possible to help my communities.”

Tasse Coffee offers customers a wide range of roasted and green coffee beans from Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar.

“The beans are imported directly from farms. Coffees coming from small communities in small countries allows them a platform and opportunities to control their prices to improve both quality of coffee and life. In the coffee industry, they all live by each other and for each other.”

While Tasse Coffee is currently a local Winnipeg-based business, Thien sees potential in expanding to more markets in Canada, and even internationally. With expansion comes more opportunity for Tasse Coffee to unite and help others.

“Helen Keller once wrote, ‘Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much’. This quote represents our vision and goal very well!”