We're building Canada's largest network of women transforming the nonprofit sector.

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With a donation today, you directly empower the women who are building stronger communities across Canada. Explore our different donation tiers and the impact you can make as part of WNN’s journey.

WHAT WE DO

More than 1.6 million women work in Canada's nonprofit sector, comprising 80% of the workforce. Many of these women are racialized and immigrants, playing essential roles in addressing critical issues such as homelessness, health, and the environment. Yet, they face significant disparities.

Women in nonprofit organizations encounter numerous barriers to accessing the resources they need for career progression, limiting their opportunities to move into leadership roles. This contributes to a persistent gender pay gap and lower wages compared to the for-profit sector. Despite their vital contributions, women often lack the necessary support, mentorship, and professional development opportunities, resulting in burnout and underrepresentation in leadership.

The Women's Nonprofit Network (WNN) is committed to addressing the chronic under-resourcing of women in Canada’s nonprofit sector, with a focus on career development and advancement. WNN was founded to fill this gap by providing an inclusive community and digital platform designed to propel women into leadership roles and transform Canada’s nonprofit sector.

Currently, we are developing our strategic plan and programs to address these disparities and support women’s career growth. Stay tuned.

What Our Community is Saying…

  • “I consider it a great privilege to learn from women who constantly provide examples of merging their passions and interests with their life's work in innovative ways that consider not only their personhood but also their womanhood. The Women's Nonprofit Network challenges the unfortunately still widely believed notion that women do not want to work together by creating a space where encouragement is the lingua franca. I have deep respect for the entire WNN team who work to make this possible!”

    Vibya Natana

  • “These communities provide a supportive community where I can connect with other women, share experiences, and exchange valuable insights and advice. It's empowering to be surrounded by like-minded individuals who understand the unique challenges and opportunities we face in our respective industries. Through these groups, I've been able to expand my professional network, access mentorship opportunities, and gain inspiration from the achievements of fellow women leaders. It's not just about networking; it's about fostering meaningful connections and collectively uplifting each other to reach new heights in our careers and personal growth.”

    Leisha Toory

  • “When I look at WNN I wish it was around when I was first starting out in the Not-for-Profit sector; I was lucky to work for incredible women early in my career, and to be mentored by several more, not everyone is so fortunate, and I see WNN as one of the potential fillers of that gap. I was lucky to be introduced to WNN’s founder, Hailey Rodgers through her former boss, herself a Young Women who is building a deep network in the Not-for-Profit sector and lifting up so many other women in her network. We (mid- and late-stage women in the NFP space) are compelled to lift as we rise, and being part of WNN gives us meaningful opportunities to do just that.”

    Danielle S. Russell, CAE, C.Dir

  • “I firmly believe in the power of community to foster personal and professional growth, and I am immensely thankful for the Women's Nonprofit Network. It provides a supportive environment where like-minded women can unite over shared interests, goals, and values. Being part of such an inspiring and uplifting network resonates deeply with me, and I am genuinely grateful for this invaluable community.”

    Teri Campbell

  • “Starting my own non-profit organization was quite the challenge at first. It was through my connections where I first learned about Women’s Nonprofit Network. Prioritizing learning and growth, this network holds immense significance to me. It's more than just a platform for connecting with remarkable women; it's a hub for continuous learning. Whether it's resource sharing or rejoicing in achievements, this community fosters a sense of belonging that I cherish. I'm thankful for WNN and eagerly anticipate the opportunities to learn and evolve alongside each member of this incredible network.”

    Tooba Dawood, CAPM

  • “I believe that collaboration and resource sharing are such a fundamental part of strengthening the nonprofit sector. Having a network where passionate, like minded, powerful women can come together to engage and enhance the industry and their own communities is so exciting! I'm so grateful for this community and the connections it is going to foster in this vibrant industry.”

    Nicole Cork

  • “WNN is important to me because as the data shows while many non-profits target female identifying individuals due to disparities as is higlighted by SDG's 5 . We see that there aren't many leadership roles by women and even far less reprisentation of females of color and many women remain underrepresented . The non-profit sector brings many valuable contributions enabling a more equitable and sustainable society . Hence networks like this are essential to make sure we as women come together and are enabled to change the face of leadership in the sector allowing for wide-spread impact on communities that need it the most.”

    Chinazam (Zammie) Igwe

  • “The Women’s Nonprofit Network is vitally important to me and the work that I do because women are the drivers of the non profit sector, representing 80% of the non profit labor force in Canada. The WNN has a vital role to play in advocating for equal pay for work, stable employment, and gender parity and diversity in sector leadership. I’m thrilled to be part of WNN and be surrounded by a phenomenal group of women making a positive difference in society each and every day. Thanks so much to all at WNN for all the work you to do to elevate women in the non profit sector!”

    Patricia Tomasi

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

At WNN, we are cognisant of the disproportionate emotional and physical burden that many minorities are faced with, within the nonprofit sector. As we continue to address issues that are inherently equity-based, WNN will strive for excellence by upholding the diverse perspectives and lived experiences of various groups, as we continue to champion equitable outcomes for the sector at large.  

We understand that identities often intertwine and intersect, adding nuance to our approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The WNN team is committed to breaking down barriers to ensure that everyone can participate and contribute meaningfully to our mission. Our team strives to reduce barriers by taking measures such as:

  • Actively seeking out and recruiting Board members from a wide range of backgrounds, including but not limited to race, gender, age, ability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and geographic location. Our recruitment process will be designed to minimize bias, using diverse hiring panels and structured interviews to ensure fairness. We will prioritize a balance of skills, experiences, and perspectives that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, ensuring that our Board is equipped to address a broad spectrum of issues and viewpoints.

  • We will implement processes to regularly review and reflect on our practices, ensuring that our decisions are informed by an understanding of how various forms of privilege and bias may influence our work. This includes using tools and frameworks that help us evaluate and address potential biases in our strategies and initiatives.

  • During our research activities, we will actively seek out and engage with a diverse range of interest groups, including those from marginalized and underrepresented groups. This includes conducting surveys, focus groups, and interviews with individuals who offer varied perspectives. We will create channels for ongoing feedback from diverse communities to ensure that their voices are consistently integrated into our planning and decision-making processes. This feedback will be used to refine our strategies and ensure that they are responsive to the needs of all community members.

Our commitment runs deep—we are dedicated to ensuring that every member of the WNN community is empowered to thrive and feels empowered to lead. 

We relentlessly pursue growth in our diversity, equity, and inclusion practices, fostering a space where every voice is heard, every individual is valued, and together, we can drive meaningful change.

Last Updated: August 26, 2024

Keep Up With Us!

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