Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Fig Fund Foundation Inc. (FIG)

Fig Fund Foundation Inc., commonly known as The FIG Fund, is a community-based charitable foundation headquartered in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. Created in 2012 by community leader Adele Poynter and initially supported through the Community Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador, the fund has grown into an independent registered charity whose investment income is dedicated to ongoing grantmaking. Its core purpose is to provide financial and non-financial support to women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals who face barriers to safety, education, careers, physical health, and emotional well-being.

The FIG Fund focuses on project-based funding, offering grants typically ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, with occasional larger contributions when resources permit. Funding is directed to registered charities and non-profit organizations across Newfoundland and Labrador that run community programs benefiting women and gender-diverse people. Supported initiatives have included leadership development, mental health and wellness, newcomer integration, services for sex workers, community gardens, arts-based empowerment, and practical supports such as furniture, clothing, and skills training.

Each year, the FIG Fund issues a public call for applications, inviting eligible organizations in Newfoundland and Labrador to propose new initiatives or expansions of existing programs. Projects must be time-limited, beginning and ending within the stated funding year, and every funded project is expected to submit a report and, when possible, photos documenting impact for supporters and donors. This emphasis on storytelling and accountability helps demonstrate how relatively small grants can catalyze meaningful change in local communities.

Over more than a decade, the FIG Fund has awarded grants to a wide range of community organizations, including women’s centres, shelters, youth clubs, cultural groups, mental health associations, newcomer and settlement services, and Indigenous women’s networks. By prioritizing programs that help participants overcome significant obstacles and move forward with their life goals, the foundation plays a targeted role in advancing gender equity and social inclusion throughout the province.

The foundation is governed by a volunteer board made up of Adele Poynter’s family, friends, and community colleagues, supported by several standing committees: Executive, Finance and Investment, Governance, Grants, and Communication and Fundraising. This structure ensures sound oversight of investments, transparent grant selection, and active community outreach. The FIG Fund also acknowledges a network of corporate and individual donors at Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze levels whose contributions help sustain and expand its granting capacity.

With the endowment now exceeding $250,000, the FIG Fund aims to remain a permanent source of grants for women’s causes in Newfoundland and Labrador, continually channelling donor generosity into grassroots projects that foster resilience, confidence, and opportunity for women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals across the province.