This year marks a pivotal moment for the Meaningful Work Foundation as we continue our mission to break down barriers to employment across Canada. Since our founding, we have proudly granted over $815,000 to 44 community-rooted charities doing extraordinary work to create pathways to meaningful employment for people facing systemic and social barriers.
In 2025, we chose to take a more focused approach to our grant by supporting three exceptional organizations whose missions deeply align with our values. While the number of recipients varies year to year, our commitment remains the same: to invest in bold, community-rooted initiatives that are driving meaningful change. This year’s recipients represent diverse communities and challenges, but all share a powerful commitment to building more inclusive and equitable futures.
We are incredibly proud to be working alongside these organizations and to share in their impact.
Autism Society of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB)
Operating in Northern Alberta, the Autism Society of the RMWB is a vital lifeline for individuals and families living with autism. Their work goes far beyond support groups and awareness campaigns they are shaping meaningful pathways to inclusion, employment, and independence for people of all ages.
Our grant is helping support their Youth Employment Skills Program, a locally delivered initiative that prepares neurodiverse youth for workplace participation through mentorship, workshops, and community partnerships. This investment ensures that more young people on the autism spectrum have the chance to explore careers in safe, supportive environments.
You can learn more about their approach on their Employment Supports page.
ComIT
ComIT is on a mission to remove barriers to the tech industry through free, high-quality training and mentorship for underserved populations particularly Indigenous learners, newcomers, and those facing socioeconomic exclusion.
With this year’s grant, we are supporting ComIT’s Employment Empowerment Initiative, which connects graduates of their free programming bootcamps with job placement support and interview coaching. In a field often gatekept by formal education and access to networks, ComIT is working to ensure that talent—not access—defines success.
Northern Journalism Training Initiative (NJTI)
The Northern Journalism Training Initiative (NJTI) is creating space for Indigenous and northern voices in Canadian media one story at a time. Through immersive training and mentorship, they equip young journalists with the tools and confidence to report with nuance, cultural context, and care.
Our grant is supporting NJTI’s “Voices from the Land” program, which offers paid reporting placements, media skills training, and portfolio development for Indigenous youth across the North. Journalism has the power to shape narratives—and NJTI is ensuring those narratives include the voices that have long been pushed to the margins.
We’re honoured to support these incredible organizations and look forward to walking alongside them in the year ahead. Each partnership represents a shared commitment to breaking down barriers, uplifting underrepresented voices, and creating pathways to meaningful work. We can’t wait to see the impact they’ll make.
Want to see who we’ve supported in the past?
View 2024 Recipients | View 2023 Recipients | View 2022 Recipients
