Our Story
Foundations for Social Change
In 2015, then Environmental Consultant Claire Elizabeth Williams returned to Canada from a six-month trip to India seeking a new direction. After volunteering with a non-profit organization there, she was compelled to pursue work that would make a real difference here at home, in her community. Her next role would be as Co-Founder and CEO of Foundations for Social Change.
Williams met her soon-to-be Co-Founder Frans Tjallingii who had extensive experience helping organizations implement bold and unique ideas. Together they discussed the provocative idea of providing direct cash transfers to individuals experiencing homelessness, inspired by Rutger Bregman’s TEDTalk “Why we should give everyone basic income”. Further research unveiled a 2010 UK program, “The Rough Sleepers Project” which provided funds to 13 individuals who were chronically homeless and the US non-profit organization “GiveDirectly”, that facilitates cash donations to those living in poverty.
With the increasingly visible homelessness crisis they were seeing first-hand in North America, Williams was left asking, “Why aren’t we doing something like this here?”
She embarked on an extensive consultation phase with multiple organizations across Vancouver to capitalize on the knowledge and expertise that already existed. It was during this process that she connected with Dr. Jiaying Zhao at the University of British Columbia, and specifically her research on cognitive decline within poor populations. Dr. Zhao had similar ambitions to launch a direct giving program with people experiencing homelessness and a partnership was established. Gaining Dr. Zhao as a research partner provided the exciting opportunity to run the project in a way it could be rigorously and credibly evaluated.
Williams and Tjallingii collaborated to earn grants, partnerships, and the funds needed to launch the New Leaf project, the world’s first direct cash transfer program and study of its size, to help those who are recently homeless. The results are ground-breaking and are paving the way for a new approach in addressing one of Canada’s most pressing social issues.
“I believe in meaningful risk-taking to advance social impact and that economic inclusion is critical to being able to participate in society: no one should be left behind.”
Our Mission
We work with people living on the margins to develop measurable solutions that are scientifically based and informed by lived experience.
Who We Are
We believe we need to make space for meaningful risk-taking in the name of social change.
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Join us! Donate, volunteer, partner, or fundraise and help us make meaningful change.
Believe in Someone
Make a meaningful impact for vulnerable people in your community. Be a part of our bold and proven movement.