We were thrilled to host our 4th annual Catalyst Day on June 4, 2026. Catalyst Day offers grantees from our Catalyst program and Foundation staff the opportunity to connect with and learn from one another and convene around strengthening Ontario’s nonprofit access to justice sector.
Catalyst is the Foundation’s multi-year core funding program that supports leading access to justice organizations across Ontario. In 2025, we accepted eight new Catalyst grantees into the program. They were warmly welcomed to their first Catalyst Day, joining the existing Catalyst grantees. In total, about 50 people representing 33 grantee organizations participated.
The evening before Catalyst Day, the Foundation hosted a reception so grantees and staff could connect informally before the event. Grantees reconnected with longstanding partners and met many new colleagues for the first time, including Foundation staff members.
I always love Catalyst Day and the ability to connect with other organizations.” – Catalyst Day attendee
Catalyst Day itself started with a welcome from the Foundation’s CEO Lisa Cirillo and Director of Grants & Programs Noah Aiken-Klar, and a Land Acknowledgment from Grants Manager Tarah Crottie. Grants Manager Lily Cryan then organized grantees into small groups to share more about themselves and discuss their work in short speed-dating-like rounds. Jonathan Rudin of Aboriginal Legal Services provided musical accompaniment on his mandolin while grantees changed groups. Conversations started during this activity continued throughout the day, and into the days and weeks that followed.
Noah then led a workshop co-created with Grants Manager Dalal Abdul-Razzaq to understand how Catalyst grantees are currently evaluating their activities, as part of the Foundation’s continued initiative to better understand the impact of the funded work. Grantees used the online tool Mentimeter to participate in a real-time survey and provide concrete ideas of how the Foundation could support more data-driven decision-making in the access to justice sector. They shared some of the key metrics they track, and the types of support and tools necessary to translate their data into more compelling stories about their work and the communities they serve.
I look forward to this event every year. Thank you for listening, connecting, and allowing positive collaboration.” – Catalyst Day attendee
In the afternoon, grantees led and participated in Open Space sessions. These are sessions just for grantees to have conversations on topics of their choosing. They included identifying gaps in services for clients with complex needs, navigating the current funding and political landscapes, organizational needs and management, and emerging technologies and tools.
The final activities of the day focused on the Foundation hearing from grantees. We again used Mentimeter to have a townhall-type conversation where grantees could ask anonymous questions about the Catalyst program, the Foundation, and anything else on their minds. We listened to their thoughts on how the Foundation can provide ongoing support and facilitate more collaboration opportunities among organizations.
Grantees reported that Catalyst Day was a great way to build connections with partner organizations, discuss shared challenges and opportunities, and stay informed about the Foundation’s activities. They also shared their thanks to the Foundation for hosting gatherings like Catalyst Day and to the event’s lead organizer, Rohana Buzamlak, Grants & Programs Coordinator. The Foundation looks forward to hosting our next Catalyst Day, and continuing to support a strong, collaborative access to justice sector.
Great and energizing day!” – Catalyst Day attendee
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