Role of the Unifor Social Justice Fund in the funding ecosystem
The Unifor Social Justice Fund (SJF) is a registered charitable fund established in 2013 when the Canadian Auto Workers Social Justice Fund and the CEP Humanity Fund were merged at the creation of Unifor. Bargained at the collective agreement table and paid by employers on a cents‑per‑hour or lump‑sum basis, the Fund channels union solidarity into concrete financial support for community groups, charities, non‑governmental organizations, advocacy groups and trade unions in Canada and around the world.
The SJF’s mandate is to strengthen democracy, improve labour and human rights, promote equitable development, reduce poverty and economic insecurity, and provide humanitarian assistance in times of crisis. Over the past decade it has supported more than 290 projects in over 60 countries, including extensive work across Canada.
Funding themes and typical beneficiaries
- Human and workers’ rights: support for trade unions, migrant and informal workers’ organizations, legal aid and labour‑rights advocacy, including projects in Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe.
- Gender equality and women’s rights: initiatives that combat gender‑based violence, expand economic opportunities for women, improve occupational health and safety, and promote women’s leadership.
- Education and youth: programs improving access to schooling and skills training for children and youth, including Indigenous youth in Canada and girls and boys in countries such as Afghanistan, Somalia, Vietnam and others.
- Health care and disability inclusion: projects that enhance primary health services, reproductive health, and rehabilitation, often in partnership with specialized organizations working with people with disabilities.
- Community development and water justice: support for local development, clean water infrastructure, WASH initiatives and environmental sustainability in rural and marginalized communities.
- Humanitarian aid and disaster relief: emergency funding after earthquakes, floods, wars and other crises, delivered through experienced humanitarian agencies providing food, shelter, medical supplies and reconstruction support.
Funding approach and selection process
The SJF is governed by a Board of Directors made up of Unifor leaders and prominent community figures, and is guided by principles of social unionism and international solidarity. While the Fund does not always run open calls for proposals, organizations can submit donation requests and project concept notes by email. Concept notes that align with the Fund’s priority themes may be invited to develop full proposals, which are then reviewed for impact, feasibility, and alignment with the Fund’s social justice objectives.
Support is provided through a mix of multi‑year project funding, annual grants, and one‑time donations. The Fund also makes recurring contributions to food banks, women’s shelters and community services across Canada, and publishes annual reports that detail the number of projects, countries reached, total funds allocated, and examples of partner organizations.
Publics served and global impact
Beneficiaries of SJF‑supported initiatives include workers in precarious or dangerous jobs, Indigenous communities, women and girls facing discrimination, youth experiencing homelessness, migrants and refugees, people living with disabilities, and populations affected by conflict or natural disasters. Projects span every major region of the world and many Canadian provinces, reflecting both Unifor’s national base and its international solidarity commitments.
Through this portfolio, the Unifor Social Justice Fund acts as a significant labour‑movement donor in the global funding ecosystem, complementing government and philanthropic programs with a distinct focus on workers’ rights, equity and collective action.
