City of Toronto opens 2024 Toronto Community Champion Award nominations

The City of Toronto, in partnership with United Way Greater Toronto, has launched nominations for the 2024 Toronto Community Champion Award. The annual award recognizes the extraordinary contributions community organizations make to support the health and solidarity of Toronto residents, particularly those from Black, Indigenous and other equity-deserving communities.

The Award provides residents an opportunity to shine a spotlight on, and nominate, organizations that are known for their community collaboration. These organizations:

• build partnerships that strengthen neighbourhoods and/or communities in meaningful ways
• forge deep connections within the areas they serve to make significant positive change to benefit the health and well-being of community members and residents
• work in tandem with residents and other community-based organizations under a shared vision to develop and coordinate programs, services and resources to address unique neighbourhood and/or community needs
• have a deep understanding of the unique fabric that makes up our city and recognize the importance of working together to tackle the important equity issues that persist in the neighbourhoods and/or communities they support

To be eligible for the Award, priority will be given to organizations that:

• are community-focused by adapting services and approaches to respond to the needs of a geographical location, identity, interests or other demographic characteristics of the neighbourhood/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
• have not been recognized previously for the same initiative with a Toronto Community Champion Award

Organizations must also be:

• operating as a not-for-profit organization, a registered charity and/or serving Indigenous, Black and/or other equity-deserving groups and communities
• based in Toronto
• made up of at least three people
• governed by a volunteer Board of Directors
• nominated by a Toronto resident

Nominations are open until Sunday, February 11 at 11:55 p.m. The nomination process is available on the City’s website.

The City will announce award recipients in May, when they will be honoured at an award ceremony.

Quote:

“The Toronto Community Champion Award recognizes and acknowledges the extraordinary contributions that organizations have made and continue to make to support the health and well-being of Torontonians – particularly those from equity deserving communities. I encourage Toronto residents to nominate those organizations that have made a difference. I would also like to thank United Way Greater Toronto for making the award possible through their generous funding.”

– Mayor Olivia Chow

Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation and climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

Media contact: Media Relations, media@toronto.ca