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Contribution: Women's Program

Women's Equity Lab

$580,644.00

Unlocking the power of women-led capital in Canada through improved systems, accessibility, and diversity engagement

FY 2024-25 · 2024-08-09

Summary
Through this 26-month project, Women’s Equity Lab will build its capacity to advance gender equality by addressing the barriers to investment for Canadian women. The project will increase the capacity of the organization’s management team and will conduct a review of the accessibility and impact of their processes, policies, and guiding documents, among other resources. This will include conducting a strategic planning review, the implementation of new technologies and tools for better monitoring, collaboration and engagement, and training in the principles of angel investing for member investors at the core of the organization. Technologies and tools new to the organization will be further utilized to create a national database of women-led and women-focused companies and better manage the organization’s finances. The organization will implement a national communication strategy for all member groups. Women’s Equity Lab will improve and increase engagement and collaboration with underrepresented groups including OLMCs, 2SLGBTQI+ communities, newcomers, Black, and racialized groups. They will do so by building an accessible and bilingual website, participating in conferences catered to underrepresented groups who may seek investment opportunities for their companies or to become member investors, as well as seeking out other direct engagement opportunities for feedback on organizational messaging and strategies. Supplemental funding will allow for enhancement of marketing and communication strategies to amplify the impact of existing work and strengthen visibility with key stakeholders. The funding will support the onboarding of new volunteers, allow them to participate in national symposiums, and expand educational programming. Supplemental funding will facilitate engagement with experts in artificial intelligence to improve accounting, oversight, and overall efficiency. With the Supplemental funds and extension provided in early 2026, Women’s Equity Lab will (i) increase capacity and accessibility of WEL management team; (ii) consolidate and streamline WEL back office operations by implementing technology solutions that enhance both efficiency and effectiveness; and (iii) improve and increase external connectivity opportunities and activities with underrepresented groups including OLMC, 2SLGBTQI+ communities, newcomers, Black, and racialized groups. Through this, they will further advance Gender Equality.
Program
Women's Program
Location
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Recipient Type
Not-for-profit organization or charity
Type
Contribution
Source
Proactive Disclosure - Grants and Contributions

Amendments

Each version of the agreement as published, oldest first, with its total as of that version. The amount above is the latest.

AmendmentDateFiscal YearTotal
02024-08-092024-25$427,405.00
12024-08-092024-25$457,405.00
22024-08-092024-25$580,644.00

As published

Additional Information
Increase of agreement value, Change of end date
Additional Information (French)
Augmentation de la valeur de l'accord, changement de la date de fin
Agreement End Date
2026-09-30
Agreement Number
WP240024
Agreement Start Date
2024-08-09
Agreement Title
Unlocking the power of women-led capital in Canada through improved systems, accessibility, and diversity engagement
Agreement Title (French)
Libérer le pouvoir du capital dirigé par des femmes au Canada grâce à l’amélioration des systèmes, de l’accessibilité et de la mobilisation en faveur de la diversité
Agreement Type
Contribution
Agreement Value
$580,644.00
Amendment Date
2026-04-24
Amendment Number
2
Description
Through this 26-month project, Women’s Equity Lab will build its capacity to advance gender equality by addressing the barriers to investment for Canadian women. The project will increase the capacity of the organization’s management team and will conduct a review of the accessibility and impact of their processes, policies, and guiding documents, among other resources. This will include conducting a strategic planning review, the implementation of new technologies and tools for better monitoring, collaboration and engagement, and training in the principles of angel investing for member investors at the core of the organization. Technologies and tools new to the organization will be further utilized to create a national database of women-led and women-focused companies and better manage the organization’s finances. The organization will implement a national communication strategy for all member groups. Women’s Equity Lab will improve and increase engagement and collaboration with underrepresented groups including OLMCs, 2SLGBTQI+ communities, newcomers, Black, and racialized groups. They will do so by building an accessible and bilingual website, participating in conferences catered to underrepresented groups who may seek investment opportunities for their companies or to become member investors, as well as seeking out other direct engagement opportunities for feedback on organizational messaging and strategies. Supplemental funding will allow for enhancement of marketing and communication strategies to amplify the impact of existing work and strengthen visibility with key stakeholders. The funding will support the onboarding of new volunteers, allow them to participate in national symposiums, and expand educational programming. Supplemental funding will facilitate engagement with experts in artificial intelligence to improve accounting, oversight, and overall efficiency. With the Supplemental funds and extension provided in early 2026, Women’s Equity Lab will (i) increase capacity and accessibility of WEL management team; (ii) consolidate and streamline WEL back office operations by implementing technology solutions that enhance both efficiency and effectiveness; and (iii) improve and increase external connectivity opportunities and activities with underrepresented groups including OLMC, 2SLGBTQI+ communities, newcomers, Black, and racialized groups. Through this, they will further advance Gender Equality.
Description (French)
Grâce à ce projet d’une durée de 26 mois, Women’s Equity Lab renforcera sa capacité à faire progresser l’égalité des genres en s’attaquant aux obstacles à l’investissement pour les femmes canadiennes. Le projet renforcera les capacités de l’équipe de gestion de l’organisme et procédera à un examen de l’accessibilité et de l’influence de leurs processus, politiques et documents d’orientation, entre autres ressources. Ceci comprendra un examen de la planification stratégique, la mise en œuvre de nouvelles technologies et de nouveaux outils pour améliorer le suivi, la collaboration et la mobilisation, ainsi qu’une formation sur les principes de l’investissement providentiel pour les investisseuses et investisseurs membres au cœur de l’organisme. Les technologies et les outils qui sont nouveaux pour l’organisme seront davantage utilisés pour créer une base de données nationale d’entreprises dirigées par des femmes et axées sur les femmes, et pour mieux gérer les finances de l’organisme. Ce dernier mettra en œuvre une stratégie de communication nationale pour tous les groupes membres. Women’s Equity Lab améliorera et augmentera la mobilisation et la collaboration avec les groupes sous-représentés, notamment les communautés de langue officielle en situation minoritaire, les communautés 2ELGBTQI+, les personnes nouvellement arrivées, les personnes noires et les groupes racisés. Pour ce faire, l’organisme créera un site Web accessible et bilingue, participera à des conférences destinées aux groupes sous-représentés en quête d’occasions d’investissement pour leurs entreprises ou qui souhaitent devenir des investisseuses ou investisseurs membres, et cherchera d’autres occasions de mobilisation directe pour obtenir de la rétroaction sur les messages et les stratégies organisationnels. Le financement supplémentaire permettra d’améliorer les stratégies de communication et de marketing afin d’amplifier les impacts du travail en cours, et d’augmenter sa visibilité auprès des parties prenantes. Le financement soutiendra la formation de nouvelles personnes bénévoles, leur permettant de participer aux symposiums nationaux, et contribuera à amplifier les programmes éducatifs. Les fonds supplémentaires faciliteront la collaboration avec des experts en intelligence artificielle afin d’améliorer la comptabilité, la supervision et l’efficacité générale de l’organisme. Avec le financement supplémentaire et la prolongation octroyés au début de l’année 2026, Women’s Equity Lab (i) amplifiera la capacité et l’accessibilité de son équipe de gestion; (ii) consolidera et simplifiera ses opérations d’arrière-plan en adoptant des solutions technologiques qui mettent l’emphase sur l’efficacité et l’efficience; et (iii) améliorera les occasions de réseautage externes et les activités auprès de groupes sous-représentés, incluant les communautés de langues officielles en situation minoritaires, 2ELGBTQI+, noires et racisées, ainsi que les personnes nouvellement arrivées au pays. Ce faisant, l’organisme contribuera davantage à l’avancement de l’égalité des genres.
Expected Results
Women and stakeholders have access to supports to address issues relating to equality between women and men.
Expected Results (French)
Les femmes et les parties prenantes peuvent obtenir de l’aide pour traiter des enjeux liés à l’égalité entre les femmes et les hommes.
Organization Code
wage
Organization
Women and Gender Equality Canada | Femmes et Égalité des genres Canada
Program Name
Women's Program
Program Name (French)
Programme de promotions de la femme
Program Purpose
The purpose of the Women’s Program is to advance equality for women in Canada by working to address or remove systemic barriers impeding women’s progress and advancement. The WP supports the Government of Canada’s goal of advancing gender equality in Canada. It is consistent with Government of Canada priorities related to economic prosperity, and supports Canada’s international commitments related to gender equality.
Program Purpose (French)
Le Programme de promotion de la femme a pour but de promouvoir l’égalité entre les sexes au Canada et il travaille pour ce faire à réduire ou éliminer les obstacles systémiques qui freinent le progrès des femmes. Le Programme soutient la visée du gouvernement du Canada de promouvoir l’égalité entre les sexes au Canada. Il cadre avec les priorités du gouvernement du Canada en matière de prospérité économique et ses engagements internationaux en matière d’égalité entre les sexes.
Recipient City
Victoria
Recipient Country
CA
Recipient Legal Name
Women's Equity Lab
Recipient Postal Code
V8S 3X3
Recipient Province or Territory
BC
Recipient Type
N
Reference Number
001-2024-2025-Q2-00081