Girls Action Foundation

Summary of organization/program

Girls Action Foundation is a national charitable organization. We lead and seed girls’ programs across Canada. We build girls’ and young women’s skills and confidence and inspire action to change the world.


Contact information

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 24 Mont Royal West Suite 601, Montreal, Quebec, H2T 2S2 CANADA

 Phone: (514) 948-1112 / Fax | (514) 948-5926


Geographic region

local, national, international


Participants

We reach girls and young women across Canada who need our attention most -90% are in marginalized communities including Northern, remote and inner city communities.


History/Background Information

Girls Action was founded as a start up in 1995 by three young women fresh out of school with an entrepreneurial spirit. We had no funding and no limitations.

Accessible to underprivileged girls, POWER Camp (as it was called then) encouraged girls to discover their power and create positive change in their lives and communities.

Really listening to girls was the cornerstone of our success. Young women facilitators built trust with the girls. Girls came out of their shells and got smart about topics like media, discrimination, health, violence prevention and body image.

Soon communities across Canada were contacting us, eager to exchange. We realized that with so many people wanting to make a difference for girls, a national organization could create a ripple effect benefitting even more girls.

The founders of Girls Action imagined a strong force of girls’ initiatives across the country, and that is precisely what was built.

Since 2003, the Girls Action Network has grown from 20 to 200 members in every province and territory. Girls Action has been a catalyst – seeding and training over 100 start-up girls’ programs. Today, together with local partners, Girls Action builds the skills and confidence of girls from coast to coast, including inner city, remote, and Northern communities.

  • Established: 1995

Dominant Media Forms

video production

photography

web production


Objectives

Our programs address the most important and relevant issues facing girls and young women. We nurture the leadership of girls and young women by providing access to resources, networks, mentors, and opportunities to build new skills. We encourage the understanding and elimination of barriers, including poverty, racism and violence.


Statement of Principles

Girls Action provides spaces for girls to speak out, build skills, and create action on issues that are important and real to them. Our local girls programs address violence prevention, health promotion, media literacy and leadership. Our national leadership program offers long-term investment and support to young women who are changemakers in their communities.


Strategies

We provide our National Network Members with publications, resources and practical support. Our programs include: coaching, training and networking opportunities that help develop community initiatives and girls’ programs. Our National Network fosters learning, connections and collaborations that inform and direct our work.


Samples of work


Funding Sources

Girls Action is thankful for financial, in-kind and volunteer contributions that support girls and young women across Canada. Here, we recognize funders and donors who have made our work possible and explain how you, too, can support our organization.

FUNDERS & DONORS

HSBC Bank Canada
CTV
Canal VOX
EastLink TV (for airing our PSAs)
Telus Montreal Community Investment Board
Telus Toronto Community Investment Board
Microsoft Canada
Ministère de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition féminine
Fondation du Grand Montréal
J.W. McConnell Family Foundation
Greenshield Canada Foundation
Ontario Trillium Foundation
Canadian Women’s Foundation
Vancouver Foundation
The Grayross Foundation
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Status of Women Canada
Heritage Canada
Canada Council for the Arts
Laidlaw Foundation
Rural Secretariat
Cultural Human Resources Council
Young Canada Works
YouthEco Internships
Service Canada
YES Montreal
Edith Lando Charitable Foundation
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin
Fullum & Holt
Timeraiser/WestJet
Les Bains scandinave, Vieux-Montréal
Zelie.ca
Théâtre Rialto