Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Together We Stand Foundation (TWS)

Together We Stand Foundation (TWS) is a Canadian public foundation focused exclusively on the needs of military and veteran families. Incorporated under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act and registered as a public foundation, it raises funds from individuals, corporations and other foundations and redistributes them through targeted programs that combine emergency financial assistance, in‑kind support and national awareness initiatives.

The organization operates at the national level, working in partnership with the Canadian Armed Forces and military communities across the country. Its portfolio of programs is designed around three pillars: educating the public about the realities of military life, honouring the sacrifices of serving members and veterans, and providing concrete support to their families.

A flagship initiative, Operation Emergency Fund provides rapid-response financial aid to military families facing acute crises, such as threats to housing stability, food insecurity, emergency childcare or access to mental health services. Through an official partnership with the Canadian Armed Forces, TWS aims to deliver emergency funding within 72 hours, and reports having distributed more than $730,000 to over 2,300 families since 2021.

Through Operation Care Package, the foundation offers care packages filled with meaningful gifts, messages of thanks and gift cards to families experiencing a deployment. Since 2017 more than 19,000 families have received packages, representing over $8.3M in cash and in‑kind gifts. This in‑kind and voucher-based assistance complements the direct cash support provided through the emergency fund.

Other initiatives, such as Operation Fallen and Operation Military Family Appreciation Day (#MFAD), focus on recognition and public education. They channel messages of support, customized commemorative flags and national campaigns that highlight the contributions of military families, indirectly leveraging donated funds to build community resilience and awareness.

TWS serves approximately 93,000 active Canadian military families and hundreds of thousands of veteran families, with a focus on spouses, children, siblings and parents who often bear the logistical and emotional burdens of service. The foundation emphasizes timely, dignified assistance, working closely with a Military Family Advisory Committee to ensure programs respond to real, on‑the‑ground needs.

Impact is documented through audited financial statements and an annual report, which together outline how donations are converted into emergency grants, gift-based support and national outreach campaigns. By combining direct financial aid with recognition and education, Together We Stand occupies a distinct niche in Canada’s funding ecosystem for military communities.

The foundation publishes annual audited financial statements and an annual report, highlighting its status as a trusted philanthropic partner of the Canadian Armed Forces. A board of directors drawn from business, philanthropy and senior military leadership oversees strategy and governance, while staff and volunteers manage programs, donor stewardship and relationships with military communities nationwide.