The Canadian Women’s Foundation (French: Fondation Canadienne des Femmes) is a national non-profit organization focused on helping women and girls. It aims to end violence against women, move low-income women out of poverty, and empower girls.
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The Canadian Women's Foundation is the only national women's foundation in Canada. Since 1991, it has invested over $40 million in charitable support to over 1,200 community programs and women's shelters across Canada.
History
The Canadian Women's Foundation was founded in 1991 by Canadian Senator Nancy Ruth and her friend, Susan Woods. Ruth had previously talked with Rosemary Brown, a former Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, about what they believed to be a lack of resources for Canadian women. Ruth and her mother each donated $500,000 to launch the Canadian Women's Foundation, and Ruth's foundation, the NaRuth Foundation, donated an additional $50,000.
The organization's first Board President was Julie White, who was also responsible for Canadian corporate donations at Levi Strauss & Co.
Activities
The Canadian Women's Organization provides funding for women's services including emergency shelters, programs that help women rebuild their lives after experiencing abuse, sex trafficking prevention programs, and violence prevention programs in schools. It also funds programs that aim to help women learn skilled trades, start businesses, and gain work experience. It funds programs that aim to empower girls with confidence through activities including sports, science and technology, media literacy, and mentorship.
In 2015, the Foundation launched a campaign called "Get Consent" which aims to promote understanding of the importance of sexual consent.