- CANIE Micro-Grants Winner Announcement,
- Meta’s Work,
- The 2022 CANIE Awards,
- UPS Members Opportunity,
- Startup Canada Mentorship Program,
- Cupid Sting Annual Safety For All Event,
- BDC,
- Our Team.
The Foundation creates a monthly newsletter to keep you up to speed with our programs and initiatives, share information about tools and services in the market that could be of use to your business, and to celebrate innovation and entrepreneurship. Please sign up HERE. And don’t hesitate to let us know how we can make the newsletter better and what other information would be useful to include.
February 2022
Hi there
As I sit here pondering how to begin our newsletter for this month I feel I must acknowledge the devastating situation in the Ukraine. We are thinking of, and praying for the people of Ukraine, the many Ukrainian-Canadians and Ukrainians around the world.
CANIE Micro-Grants Winner Announcement!
As many of you know IEF ran our first round of Micro-Grants over the last couple of months with our partners UPS and sponsors, Alexandra Horwood & Andrew James Labbad Fund.
Our adjudication panel included over 12 judges from our board and stakeholders to ensure a fair and unbiased process was used. We had over 1200 applications from across the country in all sorts of market sectors, sharing brilliant initiatives and compelling stories. The common thread that weaves its way through the submissions was of the grit, determination and innovation used to navigate through the many challenges of recent times. It has moved and fueled us, and we commit to finding more ways to support and celebrate your work in every way possible.
To learn about the recipients of the micro-grants click here.
Meta’s Work
We were able to spread the word with the additional support of Meta Platforms, Inc., (formerly known as Facebook, and the parent organization of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, among other subsidiaries). They generously supported our digital advertising strategy allowing us to reach many new audiences across Instagram and Facebook. We are immensely grateful for this support as it will help us grow our network in everything we do moving forward.
Interested in running ads on Instagram and/or Facebook? Get started with Meta’s Blueprint resources for business here, where they provide free online courses and certifications to help build your digital marketing skills.
The 2022 CANIE Awards
We are excited to share that applications for the 2022 CANIE Awards will open on Monday 28th March. Look out for announcements and more information on our social media platforms and on our website.
UPS Members Opportunity
In addition to being our valued partners for both the Micro-Grants and the CANIE Awards, UPS has extended their membership program to the IEF community and network. As members of our community you can take advantage of exclusive discounts on UPS Small Package shipments and Brokerage by signing up for a UPS Account or linking their existing UPS Account. Whether you send one package a week or 50, you save right from the start. No minimums. No hassle. Click here for more information!
And if that wasn’t enough they are also running a competition you need to know about. Here are the details:
Paul Gaspar is the Director of Small Business for UPS Canada and when I asked him why UPS supports programs and initiatives like the ones we run, he told me “UPS has a strong part to play in the success of today’s and future business leaders. By supporting your programs and initiatives, we can ensure that we bring value and what’s really needed to support our business community.”
Startup Canada Mentorship Program
In other news, we are delighted to announce that our very own, Natasha Morano will be a mentor for @Startup Canada’s Startup Women program this year. If you are interested in booking 1:1 time with her to discuss the power of partnerships within the private and public sector, sign up here- https://startupwomen.mentorly.co/en/mentors/5260
Cupid Sting Annual Safety For All Event
On March 23, 2022 from 1-2 pm (EST), Cupid’s Sting Non-Profit will host its second annual Safety for All event. Their focus this year is Breaking Down the Barriers to Accessibility. This event explores inclusivity and accessibility within the gender-based violence sector including the gaps, barriers, and solutions. This year’s event will be a conversation about accessibility to domestic violence resources for those with non-visible disabilities.
This conversation will address the definition of “disability,” including the complexities and diversity of invisible disabilities. They will also explore the barriers women experiencing domestic violence have in accessing assistance, and highlight solutions.
Attendees will come away with a better understanding of:
- What constitutes a disability;
- The experience of women living with disability affected by domestic violence; and
- Tools to increase accessibility and inclusivity of domestic violence resources.
This event is open to all!
Please reach out at hello@cupidssting.org if you require special accommodations.
The link for tickets is: https://safetyforall.eventbrite.ca.
Did you know BDC has a wealth of resources and programs to help you and your business?
BDC has many free programs and resources to help you navigate your business at every stage of a business’s life cycle. Below are links and descriptions to a variety of examples:
General
Details about everything you need to know when starting or purchasing a business from financing, business planning and marketing to franchise opportunities in Canada.
Online Course
In this learning space you will find free courses designed to increase your knowledge and skills as a business leader so you can manage your company with success.
Strategy
Advice and what you need to know about how to build your business plan whether you are still at the idea stage through to continuing to run your established business.
Commercial
Offers step by step advice about how to build a business development plan to ensure growth and sustainability.
Finance
Take this free, 2 minute quiz for entrepreneurs and find out what your banker is looking for when assessing your business for a loan.
Operations
The B Corp assessment is a free, confidential online questionnaire to examine your company’s environment, social and governance (ESG) performance, and the impact of its products or services. The assessment is part of the B Corp certification process.
People
Everything you need to know to successfully build and maintain your team through effective planning regardless of the size or stage of your business.
Our Team
Our small but mighty team (supported by our Board, contractors, our partners and sponsors) are excited about the Spring and everything it brings. While we continue to work remotely we are hopeful we’ll soon be able to meet and work in person. And with the CANIE Awards just around the corner as well as the fresh Round Tables and new Micro-Grants, we are so proud to continue supporting and celebrating you and small business owners within marginalized communities across our country.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out with your feedback or questions or ideas. We love hearing from you and wish you a safe and prosperous March.
Sally D & The Foundation Team
Sally J M Douglas
Executive Director
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