From Sept. 10 to Oct. 12, Canadian charities are invited to submit proposals for how they would use a $100,000 donation to address the 'complex, systemic' issue
Canadian charities battling food insecurity have a chance to split $500,000 as part of an iA Financial Group contest.
The company is launching the ninth edition of its Canada-wide philanthropic contest, focusing on food insecurity in response to the growing needs of communities and the many proposals received on this topic during the previous edition.
From Sept. 10 to Oct. 12, charities interested can submit proposals for how they would use a $100,000 donation to address food insecurity. Those with the most inspiring proposals will share a total of $500,000 to carry out their projects or pursue their missions.
“We are always attuned to the needs of the communities where we are present, and food insecurity currently is especially relevant,” says Denis Ricard, President and CEO of iA Financial Group in a news release issued today. “Each year, we are inspired by the remarkable work organizations do to improve the lives of people in their communities, and we’re proud to play a part in supporting these efforts and helping to build a more resilient society.”
With more than 60,000 organizations in Canada dedicated to food assistance, the need is more urgent than ever, the company says.
"Food insecurity is a complex, systemic challenge that reflects deeper social and economic inequities in our communities," the company said in the release. "iA Financial Group is encouraging charities to submit proposals to tackle the complex challenges of food insecurity or reduce its impact. Beyond just food banks, the contest is also aiming to support the growing number of organizations tackling food insecurity at its roots—through solutions like vertical farming, community-supported agriculture, urban gardens, nutrition education, cooking programs, community kitchens, and more—as well as those addressing related health challenges through research, prevention, and awareness projects or programs."
According to Policy Options, food insecurity in Canada has reached unprecedented levels, affecting nearly one in four Canadians — about 10 million people — taking a toll not only on physical health but also mental wellbeing, educational outcomes, and the resilience of entire communities, the company says.
At the end of the contest, 12 charities will be selected by a committee and announced to the general public on Nov. 3. The general public will then be invited to vote for the organizations of their choice until Nov. 26. Participating charities are divided into four geographic regions (Western Canada, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic/Northern Canada) to ensure an equitable distribution of donations and impact across the country. The four organizations that receive the most votes in their respective region will each be awarded $100,000, while the eight other finalists will each receive $10,000, with iA Financial Group’s employees’ favourite organizations also receiving an additional $5,000. Winners will be announced between Dec. 8 and 12.
Contest details and a full list of eligibility criteria are available at donations-contest.ia.ca/community.