FSC Social Impact
Challenge 2026

Challenge summary

We believe real change doesn’t start in the halls of government, it starts when people take a stand in their own communities, whether social, cultural, economic, regional, identity-based, people care deeply and want to see something better.

Grounded in research and built on our experience piloting innovative ideas like The New Leaf Project, Foundations for Social Change (FSC) is launching the FSC Social Impact Challenge, a national, fully virtual initiative inviting Canadians to propose bold, community-driven solutions to urgent challenges across the country.

The most promising idea will receive $25,000 and be piloted by FSC, with the goal of driving policy change and long-term, systems-level impact.

Social Issue Focus Areas/Categories*:

  
Community Belonging
Justice
Environment & Climate Change
Health
Economic Well-being
Education & Research
Cross Generations & Demographics

* These categories are provided as examples and do not limit the scope of eligible ideas. Ideas may span multiple focus themes.

Why participate

Tackle real-world challenges with creative, practical solutions
Help drive change that goes beyond individuals to influence systems
See your idea tested, implemented, and turned into measurable impact
Gain national recognition, with the winner featured across FSC platforms

Apply Now

Next info session
march 19, 2026

Other Important Links:

Winning Idea:
$25,000 + FSC will pilot and implement your idea to turn it into real-world impact.

Second Place:
$15,000 for the 2nd place idea.

Third Place:
$5,000 for the 3rd place idea.

Top 10 Finalists: $1,000 awards for remaining finalists.

eligibility

To participate in the Challenge, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Open to individuals and teams. Ideas should be early-stage or experimental, aligned with Societal Readiness Levels (SRL 1–3). For team submissions, one individual must be designated as the primary applicant and submit on behalf of the team.
FSC current and past employees, board members, and anyone involved in running the Challenge are not eligible to participate.
Age: Applicants must be 18 years or older, or include at least one co-applicant aged 18+.
Residency: Open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
Languages: Submissions may be made in English or French.
Eligibility Confirmation: Participants must confirm their eligibility prior to submission.
Legal Compliance: Finalists must sign all required legal documentation granting FSC the rights and permissions necessary to pilot, test, and implement the idea.

Challenge Timeline

Winner Announced June 11, 2026

our Judges

Jason Pires

Jason Pires is a multiple Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) and Edward R. Murrow Award-winner, and is now BC’s #1 morning news program’s co-anchor at Global News Morning. A news junkie, he has always loved the craft of storytelling, especially sharing the inspiring ones. He supports multiple local charitable organizations such as Canada Scores, KidSafe, KidSport, Dreams Take Flight, the Make-a-Wish Foundation, Backpack Buddies, and the BC Cancer Foundation.

Arlene Dickinson

Arlene Dickinson is a visionary entrepreneur, leader and philanthropist with a remarkable track record. She is the Founder and General Partner of District Ventures Capital, a venture capital fund that invests in innovative companies in agriculture and food security, and health and wellness sectors. She is widely recognized for her role for 17 seasons as an investor on the hit television series, Dragons’ Den.

Dave Richardson

Dave Richardson is the President and CEO of Octaform Systems Inc. and Co-Founder of the Stigma-Free Mental Health Society. He is a Director Emeritus of Ducks Unlimited Canada following 20 years on that board and remains dedicated to several other charities and philanthropic activities. Mr. Richardson has served on public and private boards throughout his career and continues to hold several other directorship positions.

Akshay Gupta

Akshay Gupta is the Founder and CEO of Bit Happier, a neuroscience-driven happiness technology company advancing well-being through visual arts and social connection. He has lived and worked across British Columbia, Nova Scotia, and Ontario, with a mission to help position Canada as one of the most innovative and happiest countries in the world. He also teaches entrepreneurship as an Assistant Professor at Global University Systems.

Don Iveson

After 14 years of elected public service at Edmonton City Hall, including five years as Chair of Canada’s Big City Mayors, Don Iveson founded Civic Good in 2021, working on climate resilience, housing affordability and adaptive governance projects. He is primarily engaged with Co-operators as an executive advisor in the Resilience Acceleration Lab. Don also serves as co-chair of the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness, and chairs the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

Jessie Lanigan

Jessie Lanigan is the Senior Manager of Philanthropy for Plan International, specializing in building high impact philanthropic partnerships that advance children’s rights and gender equality. With more than a decade of experience in international development and the nonprofit sector, she is deeply committed to women’s empowerment and social entrepreneurship. Jessie has served as a mentor with Young Women in Business, volunteers with Dress for Success Vancouver, and sits on the board of Soul Matters.

Karen Fonseth

Karen Fonseth is a seasoned executive with 25 years of CEO experience, most recently leading one of Canada’s largest nonprofit organizations supporting people with intellectual disabilities. A Harvard Business School graduate and Alumna, and an ICD.D - designated director - she brings extensive board leadership experience locally, nationally and internationally. She has been recognized with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal of Honour and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Women’s Network.

Peter Lantin

Peter Lantin has over 25 years of experience as an innovative Indigenous leader covering the realms of governance, economics, and social well-being. He has been at the forefront of creating and implementing collaborative initiatives with local, regional, provincial and national organizations. He is guided by Haida principles such as balance, respect, responsibility and interconnectedness, and brings these principles into his current capacity as Chair for the Prince Rupert Port Authority and BC Ferry Authority.

Praveen Varshney

Praveen Varshney has been a principal of Varshney Capital Corp., a Vancouver-based family office, since 1991. He's also a Founding Director of Pyfera Growth Capital & a Founding Director of Humanitas Smart Planet Fund, both with a social impact focus. Mr. Varshney obtained his UBC Sauder BComm in 1987 and is a FCPA, FCA. He has been a member of the Vancouver Chapter of EO since 1996 and a founding Director & Charter Member of TiE Vancouver since 2000.

Ray Bonnetrouge

Ray Bonnetrouge is a previous recipient of the cash transfer from the New Leaf pilot project. With the help of the cash transfer, Ray finished school and received his Community Support Worker certificate. Ray worked as a community connector and peer coordinator for the New Leaf Project, playing a central role in gathering stories from the community and elevating the voice of lived experience.

Scott McDougall

Scott McDougall brings two decades of executive leadership in sustainability, social enterprise, and organizational transformation. From leading Arctic expeditions engaging Indigenous communities to building sustainability strategies for national organizations, he combines strategic vision with deep commitment to solutions that create meaningful social and environmental impact.

Jon Shell

Jon Shell is Chair of Social Capital Partners (SCP), an independently funded non-profit founded in 2001, whose mission is to build a more resilient economy through broad-based ownership and quality employment. SCP has led the advocacy for Employee Ownership Trusts in Canada and led the financing of the sale of Taylor Guitars to its 1,400 workers. Jon was first introduced to SCP as a volunteer entrepreneurship project he was leading in Kenya in 2008.

Tamara Vrooman

Tamara Vrooman is an award-winning leader, known for her exemplary track record leading large, complex institutions in both the private and public sectors and her bold positions on sustainability and inclusion. Prior to joining YVR as President & CEO, she served for nine years on YVR’s Board and for 13 years as the President & CEO of Vancity. Tamara received the Order of British Columbia in recognition of her community and business leadership, and in 2025 received the Canadian Business Leader of the Year award from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

Robin Ashmore

Robin Ashmore is the Co-founder and CEO of All Purpose, a strategy and design consultancy dedicated to aligning strategy, culture and brand from the inside out. Guided by the belief that all flourishing is mutual, he and his team bring together digital strategy, product and platform design, storytelling and impact-driven media to create employee and customer experiences that reinforce one another. The result is coherence where trust deepens and healthy growth follows.