Diversity is about more than tolerance.
That’s the philosophy behind new national granting-agency, the
Inspirit Foundation.
The new foundation, which put out its first call for grant applications last week, will fund charitable projects dedicated to a more pluralistic Canada.
"Tolerance means coexistence but not necessarily interaction," says Andrea Nemtin, president and CEO of Inspirit Foundation. "We're about pluralism. And to really to build a pluralistic society, a shared future together, we need to engage with each other. We need to move beyond acceptance... it's about a deeper understanding of difference and respect for differences and inclusion."
The
Bridge Building Grants, Inspirits' pilot grant program, is open to Canadian organizations across the faith spectrum—religious, secular and spiritual—working to build pluralistic communities. Any registered charitable organization from across Canada is eligible, so long as they are "collaborating or will collaborate with other organizations or community groups on a project that will effect positive change for young adults from diverse backgrounds and beliefs."
This criteria is rather open-ended. Nemtin says that's the point.
"Because we're so new, we didn’t want to appear the experts just yet, although we have done a lot or research. We really just want see what people are doing out there in the world."
A total of $250,000 in grants is available. Successful applicants will receive anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000.
While new as grant organization, Inspirit does have a longer—and very Canadian—history. The organization is the most recent incarnation of what used to be the charitable board of
Vision Television. The Canadian multi-faith television network, which launched in 1988, was sold to Moses Znaimer's Zoomer Media in 2010, leaving the charitable board that once ran the network with surplus resources.
"The charitable board decided to use those resources to create a public foundation," says Nemtin. "It wanted to continue its vision of a pluralistic Canada."
The deadline for applications is August 3.
Writer: Katia Snukal
Source: Andrea Nemtin, President and CEO, Inspirit Foundation