Closed
The Leadership Fund
Supports leadership development in food insecurity non-profits
Last Update: June 24, 2026
Funding available
$ 1,500 - $ 3,000
Timeline
- Closing date : April 14, 2025
Location
Canada
Overview
This program offers $1,500 or $3,000 to support professional development for people leaders working in non-profits focused on food insecurity. Eligible activities include courses, workshops, knowledge-sharing gatherings, certifications, coaching, mentoring, and related travel or childcare costs.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Improve governance or administrative structure
- Obtain certifications or accreditations
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 3,000 $
- Minimum amount : 1,500 $
Timeline
- Closing date : April 14, 2025
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Health care and social assistance
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- $ 2,000,000 maximum revenue
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Social Services
- Income Support and Maintenance
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- Minority groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Self-directed professional development to build leadership skills, competencies, or practices.
- Participation in workshops, workshop series, and knowledge-sharing gatherings.
- Completion of courses or certifications related to leadership development.
- Professional coaching or mentoring activities.
- Travel to conferences, gatherings, or visits to other food security programs for learning purposes.
Documents Needed
- Applicant name and email address
- Role and organizational affiliation
- Confirmation of organizational support
- Responses to the three application questions in writing or by video
- Requested amount selection of $1,500 or $3,000
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Charities working in food insecurity
- Non-profit organizations working in food insecurity
- Grassroots organizations working in food insecurity
Who is not eligible
- Organizations with an annual budget over $2 million in the 2024 tax year.
- Organizations whose mission or vision does not align with food insecurity.
- Applicants without organizational support.
- Applicants who are not paid staff.
Eligible expenses
- Tuition or fees for leadership courses, workshops, and workshop series.
- Registration fees for knowledge-sharing gatherings or conferences.
- Certification-related costs.
- Professional coaching fees, mentor honoraria, and mentoring costs.
- Travel and childcare costs tied to the learning opportunity.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Selection criteria
- The applicant demonstrates strong self-awareness of the skills, competencies, or practices they need to grow.
- The applicant clearly connects the proposed learning to the next steps in their career or career goals.
- The applicant has a plan to begin gaining the targeted skill, competency, or practice with support from the fund.
How to apply
- Step 1: Access application form
- Apply through the Google form provided by the program.
- Step 2: Enter applicant information
- Provide your name and email address.
- Provide your role and organizational affiliation.
- Confirm organizational support and that the organization’s 2024 annual budget was $2 million or less.
- Select the requested amount of $1,500 or $3,000.
- Step 3: Answer application questions
- Answer three questions about the skill you want to develop, how it will support your career growth, and the expenses you want covered.
- Submit responses in writing or by video.
- Responses may be provided in English or French.
- Step 4: Submit application
- Complete and submit the form by the application deadline.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are first screened by Centre staff.
- Applications are then reviewed by Maple Leaf Foods team members across Canada using a shared rubric.
- Projects are assessed against the published fit criteria.
- Applicants are expected to be notified of the decision in late May or early June.
- Successful applicants receive funds in July and later complete a short feedback meeting in early 2026.
Additional information
- Preference is given to applicants who are Black, Indigenous, or identify as a person of colour.
- Funds are transferred to the applicant’s organization, not directly to the individual.
- Successful applicants will be asked to share feedback on the application process and professional development outcomes.
- A short meeting with Maple Leaf Centre staff is planned in early 2026 for reporting purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions about the The Leadership Fund Program
What is the The Leadership Fund?
This program offers $1,500 or $3,000 to support professional development for people leaders working in non-profits focused on food insecurity. Eligible activities include courses, workshops, knowledge-sharing gatherings, certifications, coaching, mentoring, and related travel or childcare costs.
How much funding can be received?
The Leadership Fund Funds up to $3,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the The Leadership Fund program?
To be eligible for the The Leadership Fund program, you must:
Paid staff of eligible non-profits
Organization budget of $2M or less
Food insecurity mission alignment
What expenses are eligible under The Leadership Fund?
Self-directed professional development to build leadership skills, competencies, or practices.
Participation in workshops, workshop series, and knowledge-sharing gatherings.
Completion of courses or certifications related to leadership development.
Professional coaching or mentoring activities.
Travel to conferences, gatherings, or visits to other food security programs for learning purposes.
Who can I contact for more information about the The Leadership Fund?
You can contact Maple Leaf Centre for Action on Food Security.
Where is the The Leadership Fund available?
The The Leadership Fund program is available across Canada.
Is the The Leadership Fund a grant, loan, or tax credit?
The Leadership Fund is a Grant and Funding