The IDEAA Community Programming Fund is distributed by the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy – Canada. It is designed to support fundraising professionals and communities in advancing Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access and Anti-Racism (IDEAA) in meaningful, locally relevant ways.
Through this fund, fundraising community groups across Canada can access financial support to design and deliver workshops, training, and learning experiences that reflect the unique needs of their communities. We encourage applications from AFP Chapters and other associations, affiliates, or community groups that advance the fundraising profession.
Across Canada, there is a growing need for accessible, high-quality IDEAA education within the fundraising profession. While there are incredible speakers and educators leading this work, many grassroots and volunteer-led groups face financial barriers to accessing these opportunities.
The IDEAA Community Programming Fund helps close this gap by providing funding directly to communities, enabling them to bring important conversations, learning, and change to their local context. 
Successful applicants will receive funding to support IDEAA-focused programming, including:
Programs should be designed to address anti-racism and equity priorities relevant to your local fundraising community.
Successful applicants will receive a confirmation letter outlining the approved funding amount and next steps for the program.
Approved funding will be distributed in two installments:
This process helps ensure accountability, supports program evaluation, and allows AFP Foundation for Philanthropy – Canada to capture the impact and learnings from funded initiatives across the country.
To apply:
Applications will be reviewed based on alignment with IDEAA principles, community need, and potential for impact.
All AFP Chapters across Canada and any fundraising community groups and/or collectives in Canada are eligible to apply.
We encourage applications that centre and support racialized, Indigenous, Islamic, Asian and Pacific Islander, and other equity deserving fundraising professionals.
Applications will be reviewed by the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy – Canada using the following criteria:
The AFP Foundation for Philanthropy – Canada Board may also consider:
Funding decisions will be made based on overall alignment with the goals of the IDEAA Community Programming Fund and available funding.
Applicants can expect to receive a decision within approximately 30–60 days of submission.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until March 2027, or until all available funding has been awarded. Early applications are encouraged.
As part of this program, recipients will be required to support evaluation efforts, including:
This helps us measure impact, share learnings, and strengthen the program for future years.
Complete the Post Activity Report
Promotion & Visibility
Recipients are expected to acknowledge AFP Foundation for Philanthropy – Canada as the funder and share learnings within their networks. Selected content and stories may also be featured nationally to amplify impact across the sector.
In 2025, this program was piloted in Calgary, where more than 100 fundraising professionals participated in a workshop exploring the evolving landscape of DEI and anti-racism in the nonprofit sector. This pilot demonstrated the strong demand for locally driven IDEAA programming and laid the foundation for this national expansion.
Please visit our FAQs page to learn more. Still have questions? We’re here to help.
Contact Sonia Sheechoria, MLCE, CFRE, Managing Director of Philanthropy & Operations, Canada
The IDEAA Community Programming Fund is about more than funding events. It is about creating space for learning, reflection, and action that strengthens our profession and the communities we serve.
The IDEAA Community Programming Fund is made possible through the generous support of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation through the National Anti-Racism Fund. Their investment is helping expand access to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access and Anti-Racism (IDEAA) education and community-led learning opportunities for fundraising professionals across Canada.
