The Toronto Community Champion Award continues to recognize the extraordinary contributions that community organizations make to support the health, interests and well-being of Toronto residents, particularly those from Indigenous, Black and other equity-deserving groups.
This annual program is a unique opportunity for individual residents to recognize the hard work of community “champions” through their own lived experience by nominating an organization they feel is worthy of an award.
Here are photos from the 2025 Toronto Community Champion Award Ceremony.
Mayor Chow speaks at the 2025 Toronto Community Champion Award Ceremony honouring 25 recipients, held at the Toronto Reference Library
Sariena Luy of Flaunt It Movement accepts the organization’s award from Paul Johnson, City Manager, and Heather McDonald, President & CEO of United Way Greater Toronto
Kimye performs at the 2025 Toronto Community Champion Award Ceremony
Back 2 Basickz Youth Support Services representatives pose with the organization’s award framed in oak, the City’s official Arboreal Emblem
Mayor Olivia Chow with Jamal Burger, Executive Director of The Kickback Foundation at the Ceremony
Heather McDonald, President & CEO, United Way Greater Toronto speaks at the Ceremony
Mayor Olivia Chow announces a $2,000 cash award from United Way Greater Toronto for each of the 25 recipient organizations honoured in 2025
Moorelands Kids representatives pose on the ‘blue’ carpet before the Ceremony
Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women’s Empowerment representatives pose with their 2025 Toronto Community Champion Award framed in oak, the City’s official Arboreal Emblem
Denise Andrea Campbell, Deputy City Manager of Social & Community Development, speaks at the 2025 Ceremony
Nominations from Toronto residents for the 2025 awards closed January 26, 2025.
Nominations for the 2026 Toronto Community Champion Award will open in December 2025. Please email protocol@toronto.ca should you wish to be notified when nominations open.
Once submitted, nominations are reviewed by a panel of community leaders and award recipients are selected based on the program’s eligibility criteria.
Priority will be given to organizations that:
are community-focused and adapt services to respond to the needs of the community;
demonstrate an inclusive and innovative approach to their work;
serve Indigenous, Black and/or equity-deserving groups and communities and areas;
provide community service as their primary focus, rather than fundraising or grant making;
align with City of Toronto’s Strategic Plan and Priorities;
have not been previously recognized with a Toronto Community Champion Award or other City of Toronto award.
The organization nominated must:
be Toronto-based, with the majority of their programs/services offered to Toronto residents and an office/location in Toronto;
operate as a not-for-profit or charitable organization, or be a grass-roots group serving Indigenous, Black and/or other equity-deserving groups and communities;
have a volunteer board of directors, executive or committee made up of at least three people;
not be a school, hospital, or any other government institution;
not be a program, or run on behalf, of the City of Toronto.
To nominate an organization for a Toronto Community Champion Award residents must:
be a resident of Toronto;
have knowledge of the nominated organization’s impact on the community (such as someone who has used their services);
not work, volunteer, or be a board member of the organization;
not be an employee of the City of Toronto or on the Selection Panel;
not be an elected official.
2023 and 2024 Recipients
The Toronto Community Champion Award was launched in 2023 as part of the Stronger TOgether program to recognize community organizations that supported residents in neighbourhoods across the city throughout the pandemic. Due to its resounding success, the Toronto Community Champion Award has become an annual initiative, with a general focus on recognizing the importance and impact of community organizations in our city.
