Canadian coalition of Black-led organizations call for permanency, stability

Organizations serving Black communities are calling on Ottawa to secure federal funding against imminent threats in advance of the fall economic statement.

Three key programs—the Black Entrepreneurship Program, the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative and the Black-Led Philanthropic Endowment Fund—have received $800 million in funding over the last four years, driving economic growth, reducing poverty and addressing systemic racism.

However, those in the sector say the federal government can terminate the endowment fund at any time, while both the entrepreneurship program and communities initiative are scheduled to end in March of next year.

“These investments have been a lifeline for Black communities across Canada. They’ve provided the resources, mentorship, and opportunities that have long been denied to us,” said Tiffany Callender, CEO of the Federation of African Canadian Economics.

“We’ve seen the incredible impact these programs have had, from supporting businesses to uplifting non-profits.”

The three programs in question have been pivotal in ensuring Black Canadians have a fair shot at success, she said.

Louis Edgar Jean Francois, CEO of Groupe 3737, emphasized that these investments have demonstrated what’s possible when government funds historically overlooked communities. 

“These programs are more than financial support; they are instruments of change that empower Black entrepreneurs and organizations to thrive,” he said. 

“We must ensure this progress is not lost but rather amplified through sustained investment.”

Since 2021, the Black Entrepreneurship Program has helped launch or expand more than 5,000 Black-owned businesses, creating more than 3,800 new jobs and generating $220 million in revenue. 

The supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative has helped 2,500 Black-led non-profits expand their capacity, creating nearly 3,000 new positions and engaging more than 20,000 volunteers in the process. 

The initiative has also generated $392 million in revenue while creating long-term sustainability for Black-led non-profits.

“These investments have laid the foundation for systemic change, allowing us to address deeply rooted inequities and create pathways to prosperity for Black Canadians,” said Marlene Jennings, Co-CEO of the Foundation for Black Communities and a former MPfor Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine.

“If we allow these programs to end, we risk undoing the progress we’ve fought so hard to achieve,” she said.

Since being selected to steward the Black-led Philanthropic Endowment Fund in 2024, the Foundation for Black Communities has distributed more than $10 million to more than 250 Black-led non-profits and charities. An additional $11 million will be distributed over the next six months.

“Now, more than ever, we need a commitment to make these programs permanent,” said Callender.