ABOUT RCN
Hi there, and thank you for taking time to read about the Rainbow Charity Network
Founded in 2005 as the We’re Funny That Way Foundation, we make transformational donations to grassroots organisations serving the LGBTQ2S+ communities generating funds through entertainment events and granting money to support queer causes across Canada.
Specifically, we seek out small, struggling, or start-up programmes especially those in less populated areas, that support the queer community in a variety of ways. We support youth, elder, health, social, and arts organizations. We aim to make our grants have the most impact possible by focusing on groups that operate on shoestring budgets or groups that bring essential services such as counselling and support to elders and queer youth.
The Rainbow Charity Network is a registered charity. Charitable Number: 841063878 RR0001.
FUTURE PLANS
Our future plans are to grow the Rainbow Charity Network by reimagining fundraising for local LGBTQ2S+ grassroots orgs. Our vision is to build army of donors whose purchase of entertaining content under the We’re Funny That Way banner, not only fills the foundations coffers, but connects the viewer/donor to content that reflects the amazing diversity, talent, culture, and joy of the queer community. Then, fund distribution would be modellled on foundations like the Canada’s Children’s Hospital Foundations, where grants are directed to specific organizations in each province on an annual basis helping local communities serve the underserved within them .
WHO WE'VE HELPED
RCN had been funded by events produced pro bono intialliy by Maggie Cassella and then by her company with Katie Ford now known as We’re Funny That Way Productions. Funds raised from the We’re Funny That Way Festival are directed to a different grassroots organisation each year. Those events are always supported by generous sponsorships from corporations, media companies, and other foundations.
The proceeds from the first festival (1997) went to the Toronto People with AIDS Foundation and the Canadian Human Rights Campaign.
Subsequent festivals supported grassroots organisations all over Canada from Halifax to Red Deer to Kelowna including:
- A $25,000 grant to Shining Mountains Living Community Services to start a two spirit renewal programme.
- A $20,000 grant to the Rainbow Railroad to help relocate LGBTQ+ people in countries where their lives are threatened just for being queer.
- A $30,000 grant to the Toby’s Place to help start the first ever LGBTQ youth drop-in centre in Scarborough, Ontario.
- A $25,000 grant to the Fraser Valley Youth Society for the maintenance and preservation of services for LGBTQ youth in the Fraser Valley.
- A $30,000 grant to the Okanagan Pride Society (now Kelowna Pride) to open a queer community centre.
- A $24.000 grant to Youth Project Nova Scotia to support their summer Camp Seahorse for three summers.
- A $17,000 grant to the Niagara Pride Support Services for Project Pride Video project to make educational videos featuring queer youth.
- A $7,000 grant to the LGBTQ Youth Line for a new phone system.
- A $5,000 grant to the Shape Your Life Programme supporting trans and female victims of violence.
- Other donations made through the festival include support for the Toronto People with AIDS Foundation (5 years proceeds), the 519 Capital Campaign ($25,000) and many more.
The Foundation is Continuously Supported by:
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