Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Pride and Remembrance Foundation

The Pride and Remembrance Foundation is a charitable organization incorporated in Ontario that operates as a public foundation and serves as the charitable arm of the Pride & Remembrance Run. Established in 2010 by the Pride and Remembrance Association, it exists to transform the fundraising power of the annual Pride & Remembrance Run into sustained financial support for 2SLGBTQ+ communities across Canada. Rather than running programs itself, the Foundation focuses on fundraising and making charitable gifts to other registered Canadian charities.

Each year, the Foundation receives and receipts the charitable funds raised through the Pride & Remembrance Run. A significant portion of these proceeds is disbursed to charities selected as run beneficiaries, while another share is retained so the Foundation can operate its own modest granting program. Since the mid‑1990s, this ecosystem has enabled almost $3.7 million in gifts to over 35 charities.

Through the Pride and Remembrance Run Grants, the Foundation provides project-based funding to registered Canadian charities that benefit 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Priority is given to initiatives that foster health and wellness, education, social connection, culture, inclusion and community well-being. Funded projects may include services, activities or specific initiatives delivering health, educational, legal, social, athletic or cultural benefits.

The program has a national reach, supporting organizations across Canada while maintaining a strong commitment to projects that serve the Greater Toronto Area and reflect the spirit of pride, remembrance and unity. Past beneficiaries include festivals, community organizations and senior services that advance 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion, well‑being and visibility.

The Foundation runs an annual call for proposals, detailed in its Granting Guidelines and Application materials. These resources explain the program’s objectives and provide both a downloadable and an online fillable application form. The Foundation encourages bold, community‑driven, and creative projects that produce tangible, lasting impact, reduce barriers, build organizational capacity and strengthen leadership in 2SLGBTQ+ communities.

As a lean, volunteer‑run organization with three volunteer directors and no paid staff, the Foundation operates a modest but targeted granting program. Its grassroots character allows it to support not only well‑established organizations but also smaller, innovative initiatives that may receive less attention or funding from larger institutions.

The Foundation’s mandate encompasses a wide range of 2SLGBTQ+ communities across Canada, including youth, seniors, cultural and artistic groups, and organizations working on health, mental health, legal support, sport and recreation. By channelling the energy and generosity of Pride & Remembrance Run participants into structured grantmaking, the Pride and Remembrance Foundation provides ongoing financial support that extends far beyond race day and contributes to more inclusive, healthier and connected communities.