Upstream Fund Poster

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Systemic change seems impossible… until it isn’t.

At the heart of the Upstream Fund is the powerful notion of ‘we’—a belief in the collective capacity to effect change when diverse voices are actively engaged and valued.

Doing things differently

Community discussions on safety and wellbeing made it clear that resources, decision-making, and funds need to be redirected to historically marginalized communities, including Indigenous, Black, and racialized people, who continue to be underserved, under-resourced, and face ongoing systemic barriers. So began the Upstream Fund.

Through the Upstream funding model, the Region redistributes power to communities through an annual fund that enables decisions to be made by the community, for the community.

Open call and engagement: Self-determined communities

Together with the community, we worked to decolonize the process, shifting from competition to collaboration, relationships, and trust.

"Unlike many other funding where there are barriers and such bureaucratic process to get there, the Upstream Funds came to us and said let’s come and design this funding together."
– Oluseun Olayinka, Adventure4Change

Decision-making: Shifting power to the community

By a diverse community committee, power to create change is possible. Using a rigorous process, decisions are made by the community, for the community, to help funds go where they’re needed most.

"The involvement of the community members has made the process transparent which in turn will develop the trust of the organizations and give them confidence to do even better."
– Fauzia Wafai, Community Change Committee Member

Sharing stories and impact: The power of trust

Meet the Upstreamers! Resources have been used to start, continue, or grow impactful upstream community change. Through the Upstream funding model process, to date:

• $8.2 million has been invested in 81 initiatives.

• And we’re still growing with each year.

Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada is situated on the lands within the Haldimand Treaty, six miles on either side of the Grand River as treaty territory belonging to Six Nations of the Grand River within the traditional territories of the Anishinaabe, Chonnonton, and Haudenosaunee peoples. This territory is protected by the Dish with One Spoon wampum.

Evaluation and learnings

To help us learn, researchers from the Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work’s Manulife Centre for Community Health Research evaluated this new way of working. They found that we successfully developed a community-led funding model that meaningfully supported equity-deserving groups toward sustainability and growth.

"Another strength of the Upstream model lies in its ability to challenge the status quo… it is about empowering communities to become architects of their own futures."

Testimonies from community partners:

1. African Women’s Alliance:
   "The funding had a profound and transformative impact, particularly through the Parenting and Food Distribution project, fostering a sense of unity and support among families facing challenges."

2. Engage, Rural Strategy:
   "This approach is helping us break out of traditional ways, exploring new partners and encouraging us to listen to hidden voices."

3. Independent Living Waterloo Region:
   "For many, our peer activities program is their only point of social interaction. Many have said it is a lifesaving program preventing negative mental health."

4. Townline Muslim Centre:
   "Upstream funding has created a profound and positive impact on young Muslim women in the Empowering Future Leaders program."

5. Rhythm and Blues:
   "We hosted the first-ever Emancipation Day event, a historic moment for our community."

6. Crow Shield Lodge:
   "This funding has helped us build a solid foundation. Without a good foundation, sustainability is not possible."

7. The DOPE Content:
   "The funding allowed us to build infrastructure and engage with global organizations like Black Boys Code to foster inclusivity and expand capacity."

8. Hope for Community Development:
   "Our Entrepreneurship Support Program benefited over 100 youth and adults, helping them build financial planning skills, mentorship opportunities, and access to financial support."

9. Hamere-Noah Kidane Mihret Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church:
   "To some in the community, it meant being equal with others and created a strong feeling of belonging."

10. Ethiopian Association KW:
    "The funding allowed us to build trust, increase knowledge, and integrate immigrants and newcomers, giving hope and new possibilities."

Contacts:

Fauzia Baig – fbaig[at]regionofwaterloo.ca
Neb Zachariah – nzachariah[at]regionofwaterloo.ca
Office of Reconciliation, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Region of Waterloo