Google Canada launches $5M prize to kickstart innovative nonprofits

“We want to make a better world, faster. That’s what this Challenge is designed to do,” said Sam Sebastian, Managing Director, Google Canada. “We have huge expectations for what Canada can deliver through the Google.org Impact Challenge."

Google announced today  that it is bringing the acclaimed Google.org Impact Challenge to Canada for the first time. Google.org Impact Challenge is a nationwide competition to find and fund the most innovative nonprofits that are using technology to make Canada and the world a better place. Google.org, Google’s philanthropic arm, will award $5 million across 10 organizations to help bring their ideas to life. Five winning organizations will receive $750,000 grants, and five additional finalists will receive $250,000.

“We created the Google.org Impact Challenge because we truly believe that technology has the power to transform lives,” explained Jacquelline Fuller, director of Google.org. “We have seen firsthand the incredible impact that innovative technology can have in addressing complex and difficult social issues, and we are excited to see how Canadian nonprofits will respond to the challenge.” Eligible nonprofits are invited to submit their proposals [link] before November 26, 2016. The shortlist of grantees will be announced in February, after which time Canadians will have their opportunity to vote on which project has the most power to change lives.

“We want to make a better world, faster. That’s what this Challenge is designed to do,” said Sam Sebastian, Managing Director, Google Canada. “We have huge expectations for what Canada can deliver through the Google.org Impact Challenge. Not only is Canada home to some of the world’s smartest and most talented tech innovators, but we also have a deep commitment to humanitarian causes both as a nation and as individuals.”

One of the five winners will be selected based on votes from the public, and the remaining winners will be selected following a live event at the end of March, when shortlisted projects will pitch their projects to a panel of judges.

The judges for Google.org Impact Challenge: Canada all bring a unique perspective on Canada and deep commitment to charitable causes:

● The Honourable Melanie Joly , Minister of Canadian Heritage

● Dr. Samantha Nutt , Bestselling author and Founder of War Child Canada/War Child USA

● Joseph Boyden , award-winning author and professor

● PK Subban , NHL Defenceman and philanthropist

● Hani Al Moulia , member of the Prime Minister’s Youth Council

● Don Harrison , Vice President, Corporate Development, Google

● Jacquelline Fuller , Director, Google.org

Nonprofit organizations across all sectors are invited to submit their proposals no later than November 26, 2016.