WAGE WOMEN’S PROGRAM FUNDING RECIPIENT (2024-2026)

Fast and Female is thrilled to announce that we have been selected as a recipient of Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE)’s Women’s Program funding! This grant represents a transformative opportunity for our organization to strengthen our foundations at a critical point in our history.

Fast and Female’s Vision for Organizational Sustainability

Our funded project, titled “Organizational Sustainability: Building the Future of Fast and Female,” will span from 2024 to 2026. This initiative supports bringing our strategic plan to life and marks a significant step forward in ensuring our mission endures for years. Through this project, we will:

1. Support the Fast and Female Rebrand: As we approach our 20th anniversary, we are reimagining our identity to reflect our evolving programs. This rebrand will help us engage a broader audience, amplify our message, and position ourselves as leaders in the movement to empower girls through sport and physical activity.
2. Develop a Comprehensive Fund Development Plan: To sustain our impact and celebrate two decades of progress, we will design a robust plan to secure resources and partnerships that fuel our programs and initiatives.
3. Create a New Theory of Change and Logic Model: A necessary piece to clarify how our activities contribute to long-term outcomes, ensuring our programs are strategically aligned with our vision for a barrier free future for girls in sport and physical activity. Additionally, we will solidify our participant cycle, ensuring we deliver meaningful and impactful experiences at every touchpoint.
4. Update Our Curriculum: We will refresh and enhance our curriculum to address emerging needs and challenges, ensuring our programs continue to inspire, educate, and empower girls and young women.
5. Expand Research and Evaluation Capacity: By bringing on an in-house researcher, we will bolster our ability to evaluate program effectiveness, share knowledge, and contribute to the broader field of girls’ sport programming.
6. Generate Community Resources: Our goal is to equip organizations and stakeholders with best practices and resources for fostering inclusive, empowering environments for girls in sport.
7. Strengthen Our Internal Team: Through staff and board retreats, we will foster a cohesive, motivated team ready to tackle challenges and seize opportunities.

This funding comes at a pivotal time for Fast and Female. The landscape of girls’ participation in sport is shifting, and we are committed to leading the charge in creating inclusive, empowering spaces for girls in sport and physical activity. By strengthening our internal capacity, we can amplify our impact and reach. This project is not just about sustaining our work; it’s about building a future where every girl feels seen, supported, and unstoppable.

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We extend our deepest gratitude to the Government of Canada, Women and Gender Equality Canada and the Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, for recognizing the importance of our work and investing in our future. This support is a testament to the power of collaboration and shared commitment to advancing gender equity.

About the Women’s Program

The Women’s Program supports time-limited projects that address systemic barriers to women’s equality in Canadian society. The objective of the Women’s Program is to achieve the full participation of women in the economic, social and democratic life of Canada through systemic change. Funding is provided to eligible organizations in support of projects at the local, regional and national levels that address the following three priority areas:

• Improving women’s and girls’ economic security and prosperity
• Encouraging women and girls in leadership and decision-making roles
• Ending violence against women and girls

Learn more by visiting the WAGE website. Congratulations to all the other recipients! View the full list here.