In 2023, we launched the latest round of the Deacon Legacy Grants: A two-year, unrestricted funding stream. While this grant has taken many forms over the years as we’ve evolved to better meet community needs, at its core, it has always been about honouring the wishes of legacy donors and supporting the organizations that make our communities stronger.
In June, as the multi-year grant came to a close, we brought our grantee organizations back together to reflect on what was possible because of this support. The conversations were inspiring and full of insights that will help shape our next chapter.
What was made possible
Across all organizations, one message rang clear: unrestricted, multi-year funding changes the game.
Grantees were able to take risks they wouldn’t have otherwise considered: building parks, launching fee-for-service models, piloting trauma-informed training and even reimagining their internal structures. One grantee spoke of how this funding allowed them to “rewild” their organization; getting back to the heart of their work, rather than losing time to reporting and administrative work.
This kind of support created space for what one grantee called “intentional responsiveness”—the ability to pivot and respond to community needs as they arise. Another described the experience simply as, “No one telling you how to do what you do best.”
It also brought stability—for staff, for participants and for programs. Organizations could be more ambitious, try new things and take a phased, exploratory approach to research and service design. Rather than scrambling for new funding each year, they had the runway to plan strategically, build capacity and slow down enough to reflect and adapt.
One grantee captured it best: “This funding allowed us to move from the pond to the lake.”
Participants from Horizons for Youth at Illuminarium Toronto.
One of Clean Air Partnership’s surveyors engaging with community members on the multiuse trail system along the Humber River.
Making space for connection
Drawing on our social capital research, we're intentionally creating more and deeper opportunities for connection into our work. While building social capital wasn’t a stated goal, the Deacon Grants created space for it, deepening trust, expanding networks and strengthening connections across organizations and communities alike.
At an earlier grantee gathering, a conversation between two organizations sparked a new collaboration for youth in the city.
For another grantee, a newly built park became what they described as an “engine for social capital,” offering neighbours a space to gather, build trust and connect.
Other grantees used the flexibility of the grant to strengthen ties with civic partners, engage new donors or deepen connections within their communities. It shows us that when organizations are given the time and autonomy to lead, their capacity to build meaningful relationships naturally grows.
Looking ahead
As we wrapped up our last strategic plan, we took time to evaluate the Deacon Legacy Grants program. We're now looking ahead with a renewed focus, aligning this program with our evolving strategy. While the grants program may take a new shape, our commitment to listening, learning, and honouring the spirit of these legacy gifts remains unchanged.
We’re deeply grateful to our grantee community for the wisdom, generosity and care they brought to this journey.
Stay tuned for what’s next.
