Douglas-Coldwell Foundation - Grants

ACORN Canada, in just 3.5 years has grown to be one of Canada's largest and most successful networks of community organizations, with more than 15,000 low and moderate income members organized into 19 neighborhood chapters in 3 cities across Canada.

ACORN members come together to improve our communities, by tackling pressing concerns in our neighborhoods, cities and the country. Members choose what issues to address—from traffic problems or lack of police protection, to nationwide concerns such as increasing affordable homeownership and raising the minimum wage. They take action to get decision-makers to make real changes.

Priorities include: better housing for tenants, living wages, more investment in our communities from banks and governments, addictions services funding, financial literacy and better jobs in our communities.

Our structure has the neighbourhood chapter as its structural cornerstone; our organization is built organically by and for the membership. Our community organizers go door to door every day reaching hundreds of families per week. All our chapters have democratically elected leadership chosen by our membership in the area.

Our history began in 2004 when ACORN Canada was founded with the goal of representing and championing the interests of Canada's low and moderate-income urban communities on the critical issues of social and economic justice. We believe that transforming the conditions that adversely affect millions of Canadians can best be achieved with an active national membership – members deeply invested in their organization and focused clearly on lasting socio-economic change.

Our Victories include securing regulation of the payday lending industry in British Columbia, winning $250,000 in rent abatements for tenants living in 2 run down buildings in the Weston rd. community in Toronto, getting a motion to license landlords in Toronto introduced at City Hall, winning tens of thousands of dollars in investment in social housing in Ottawa and much more!

"The need for independent channels of information and interaction is always critical for a free society, but particularly so at times like these. It is no exaggeration to say that the hopes for a decent world rest substantially on the success of the kind of work that rabble.ca has been carrying out with such distinction and dedication."

rabble.ca - a snapshot
rabble.ca was created in 2001 by a group of inspired media and community activists who recognized a need for more spaces for alternative news and views. Now in its seventh year rabble has become Canada’s most popular source for online independent media.

Original news and columns by established and emerging writers from across Canada (and beyond)
Reprints of articles by leading columnists, including the best of the left from mainstream columnists
Editor selected links to stories on social movement and union websites (our in cahoots section), as well as links to news stories elsewhere netted news.
Dozens of podcasts (rabble podcast network) on topics ranging from politics (local, regional, national, international) to DVD reviews, to cooking advice. rabble has its own flagship show rabble radio which can also be heard on a number of community radio stations across Canada.
A moderated discussion board (babble) where you can always find dozens of threads on politics, culture, and the happenings of the day filled with insight, wit and passion.
A unique book section (the book lounge), featuring original and reprinted book reviews, a listing of book events across Canada, book themed podcasts, an online bookstore, and an online book club.
3 minute action listings, a quick, but important, action you can take online to affect change (such as signing a petition).
A Canada-wide event calendar (what’s up), featuring events, workshops, speakers and more. This is a free service (to list and to read)
A free weekly email “announce” highlighting the stories and features of rabble for the week.

And coming soon rabble will be offering videos, blogs, rss feeds and other new features with a redesigned look to make the site even easier to use and even more interactive.

Mission:
Apathy is Boring is a non-profit organization that uses art and technology to educate youth about democracy and encourage community engagement.

Apathy is Boring’s ‘Youth in Democracy’ Goals are:
• Increase youth volunteerism
• Increase youth voting rates in federal elections
• Build sustainable dialogues between community leaders and youth
• Increase consideration of youth issues by decision makers

History:
Apathy is Boring was founded in January 2004 by three young Canadians who were tired of seeing their peers feel disconnected from our democratic system. Using a website, digital media technology, concerts, and a media outreach campaign, Apathy is Boring was able to reach over 500 000 young people in Canada in less than four months. After an extremely well received ‘get out the vote’ campaign in the 2004 federal election & another in 2006, Apathy is Boring has continued its work on democracy projects that create dialogues between youth and community leaders.

Since that initial campaign, Apathy is Boring has established itself as a respected voice on issues relating to youth and Canadian democracy. Through its interactive website, workshops, concerts & events, and cutting-edge programming, Apathy is Boring reaches un-engaged youth and provides them with tools to get involved in democracy.