Core Funding Matters | Imagine Canada

Core funding impact stories

When nonprofits aren’t able to access core funding, it negatively impacts the communities they serve, their staff, and the organization’s long-term sustainability.

The federal government frequently relies on the sector to deliver crucial programs and services but very rarely allows nonprofits to use its funding to cover essential core costs. On this page, we’re highlighting stories of the real-life impact that this has.

“The world is in a climate and biodiversity emergency. If we’re going to mobilize for the changes we need to see, we need the staff and tools to make that happen.”

MARLA MACLEOD

ECOLOGY ACTION CENTRE

“Due to financial unpredictability, we cannot offer long-term programming which, in turn, makes it difficult for us to maintain a consistent relationship with our community.”

NAOUAL LAAROUSSI

Girls Action Foundation

“A lack of core funding means that oftentimes our work has to be aligned, and reshaped to serve the political priorities of the day in order to secure funding and keep our organization staffed, rather than the needs of Indigenous youth and their communities.”

JESSICA BOLDUC

4Rs Youth movement

"The future is looking bleak, even though our service is valued and fulfilling a need in our community. Who will pick up the slack when we are no longer here?"

ANNE KRESTA

Level IT UP

"Without [core funding] we open ourselves and those that work with us to burnout, along with both mental and physical health concerns."

CHARLIE MURPHY

Quadrangle Community Centre

“It's well understood that women, gender diverse people, and people of colour are most vulnerable to chronic under compensation in the charitable sector.”

ARENI KELLEPPAN

Stop Abuse in Families Society

"There is a replication of precarious and impoverished economic conditions – the same conditions that the organization was created to dismantle are being experienced within the organization."

CANDIES KOTCHAPAW

DYLOTT

"[If we had core funding,] we would no longer have to create projects that sometimes have very little to do with our mission to ensure our organization's survival."

JOHANNE PERRON

New Brunswick Coalition for Pay Equity

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