A note from our Executive Director:
Following our annual Open House in December, we convened our grantee partners for a morning of reflection and connection. During that time, we were encouraged to write letters to ourselves to share our hopes for the year ahead. The facilitator of the gathering committed to mail the letters back to us throughout the year.
Last week, my letter arrived in the mail.
In the letter, I expressed a desire to let go of past ideas of how things must be in order to allow for new and different perspectives that better meet this moment in time. My hope was to make choices based on what I felt was right in this 2026 version of the world, and of myself.
The message in my letter was motivated by the work of our partners, who for the past year have been preparing for a shift in the way they do their work. For some, this has meant talking about their work differently in order to reach new audiences. For others, it has meant letting go of old goals that were not met and are unlikely to be met this year. For most, it has meant drilling down on what is most important and finding new ways to achieve that impact.
Our partners are pivoting in real time.
In British Columbia, climate organizations are finding new ways to inspire action at a time when affordability and security are getting more attention than our environment. Following the Clean BC review, many organizations have encouraged the provincial government to shift on climate strategy rather than abandon action all together. You can read an example of that in the op-ed in the Vancouver Sun by three of our partners (My Climate Plan, Create Climate Equity and Clean Energy Canada).
Nationally, gender justice organizations are making the case that funding their work is an investment in the infrastructure that keeps our economy moving. Action Canada Executive Director, fred Chabot, Vani Jain of Catalyst Philanthropy and I outline this approach in an op-ed in The Philanthropist Journal. This approach will also be addressed in an upcoming webinar on gender-justice as a nation building project.
Internationally, our partner FRIDA – the Young Feminist Fund – has really flipped the script on a new model issuing a reverse call for applications from grantee partners to funders. You can read about this approach here.
One of the best parts about our work is the ability to share learnings from one portfolio and apply it to others. Whether our nature and climate partners, organizations in the Daylight Fund, or community organizations, each one is pivoting in real time to meet this moment.
I look forward to continuing to learn from all of you as we let go of older approaches and adopt and adapt to new ones.
In community,
Mira
Climate and Nature portfolio update
Heat Pumps: A Triple Win
Clean Energy Canada’s More for Less report, released in December, highlights how heat pumps in B.C. are a triple-word score of clean tech for homes and buildings. Heat pumps can keep people warm and cool, they are super energy efficient (thus saving money on energy bills and not straining the electricity grid), and they don’t contribute to carbon pollution. Clean Energy Canada’s report lays out a plan for how to overcome the barriers to widespread heat pump adoption in B.C.
Growing the Next Generation of Leaders
2025 marked the first year that our grantee partner Metro Vancouver Zero Emissions Innovation Centre was the host organization for the Women4Climate mentorship program. Twenty mentees were partnered with mentors to elevate leadership skills, create a supportive network, cultivate practical skills to advance specific projects. Last year’s projects were a diverse collection spanning retrofits, sustainable salons, the circular economy, and organizational culture.
Celebrating 25 Years of Coastal First Nations Conservation
For uplifting stories of major milestones in coastal First Nations communities from Haida Gwaii to the central and north coast, check out Coast Funds’ 2025 in Review: 25 Good News Stories from First Nations It’s a great round up of these communities’ successes in sustainable finance, conservation and culture. Coast Funds, along with other partners and allies, celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Coastal First Nations Great Bear Initiative in December.
Gender Equality portfolio update
Advocating for Universal Childcare in B.C.
The Coalition of Childcare Advocates of BC has been urging the provincial government to follow through on their investment for universal, affordable childcare. They issued an open letter to Premier Eby, which was published in the Globe and Mail.
HerStory Gala: An Evening with the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre
On March 5th, join the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre for their annual HerStory gala.
West Coast LEAF’s IWD Equality Breakfast
For those who are early risers, please consider supporting West Coast LEAF at their annual International Women’s Day Equality Breakfast.
50 Years of Pacific Immigrant Resource Society
Congratulations to Pacific Immigrant Resource Society on their 50th anniversary. You can read about this major milestone and their event to celebrate it here.
Announcing: Daylight Fund 2026
The Daylight Fund is an open call fund that was launched in 2025 by the Foundation as a pilot designed to support organizations doing work to directly address rising rates of violence and growing barriers that are facing women and gender-diverse people in communities.
Providing grants of up to $25,000, the Daylight Fund decision-making is led by a participatory granting process that de-centres power to a committee of individuals with lived and professional experience. In 2025, The Daylight Fund provided grants to 38 organizations across the country, with a focus on rural and remote communities. This year’s Daylight Fund applications will open in March and current grantees and partners of the Foundation will be notified when applications are open.
IN MEMORIAM
We share in grief with all Canadians, and especially British Columbians, the loss of six children and two adults killed in Tumbler Ridge earlier this month. Their loss has been felt deeply and we extend our condolences to all those directly impacted. For those able to contribute, please consider supporting the Tumbler Ridge Community Resiliency Fund.