Impact Area
Transgender and Gender-Diverse Communities
Trans and gender-diverse communities have been historically underfunded by governments and the philanthropic sector, despite calls for funding and interventions specific to this population. For every $100 awarded by US foundations, only 4 cents focus on trans communities. In Canada, out of the $8 billion granted by public and private foundations in 2020, only $2 million (0.25%) went to 2SLGBTQIA+ communities – no data is available specific to trans communities, nor are these figures complete as data on philanthropic capital flows are not collected at scale with this lens.
While the 2SLGBTQIA+ movement has achieved tremendous progress in recent decades in raising awareness around the needs and lived experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, trans and gender-diverse people continue to face high levels of discrimination and violence and significant barriers to education, safe employment, housing, and health care access compared to their cisgender counterparts. Even within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, trans and gender-diverse individuals face persistent discrimination and a notable lack of investment. In a 2019 Trans PULSE Canada survey of trans and non-binary people, 57% worried about being harassed or stopped by police or security (75% for Indigenous trans and non-binary people, 94% for Black trans and non-binary people), 45% had a past-year unmet health care need compared to 4% of the general population, and 11% had experienced conversion therapy. A study by the Canadian Labour Congress in 2022 found that 73% of gender-diverse respondents have experienced harassment and violence in the workplace compared to 46% of cis women and 38% of cis men. The growing hate and polarization across Canada harms the ability for trans communities to survive and thrive.
We believe that supporting thriving trans and gender-diverse communities drives economic prosperity for Canada and improves the experience of creativity, joy, courage, wellbeing, and safety for everyone.
Our Work
Our Opportunity
In 2024 we launched our Transcend Impact Challenge to invest in opportunities that support trans and gender diverse communities to thrive and live prosperous lives through supportive environments, economic and financial stability and inclusion, housing, education, and health care access.
The $2.1M Transcend Impact Challenge is led by the Sonor Foundation with support from partner foundations, including World Education Services Mariam Assefa Fund, Ontario Trillium Foundation, United Church of Canada Foundation, Chamandy Foundation, Counselling Foundation of Canada, Canadian Women's Foundation, Toronto Foundation, and Martha LA McCain.
In addition to our funding partners, our Advisory Committee, which comprised trans and gender-diverse leaders across the country, provided input into the design of the Challenge, to reviewing all funding applications, and providing recommendations - this group informed and shaped all aspects of the challenge.
Over 155 applications across 12 provinces and territories, totalling $35M in total requests were received.
Learn more about our Transcend Impact Challenge here. These are the organizations that were funded through the Transcend Impact Challenge:
Learn more about our Transcend Impact Challenge here.
Other Supports
The Sonor Foundation is furthering our commitment to the trans community by supporting the Central Toronto Youth Services in scaling the Families in TRANSition program in partnership with community organizations across Canada.
Transcend Impact Challenge