The Re-FUEL Fund
The Re-FUEL Fund is a grant offered to young changemakers to focus on their well-being. In our first launch, we offered $1000 grants to 6 changemakers.
Creating positive community change is more than a job. It's your life's work. It blurs the line between relentless dedication and the need to take care of yourself.
The toll of social impact work is too high. The burnout, the mental health impacts, the financial hardship – they’re all very real.
They come from trying to solve overwhelming social challenges within a broken system. Your wellbeing matters. It is the heart of a strong and hopeful community.
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We at FUEL are committed to mitigating burnout and finding new ways to support young changemakers - starting with your wellbeing. Together, we can shift sectoral norms and pave the way for real change, through investment in self-care and fostering a culture of human connection and compassion.
Why the Re-FUEL Fund?
The Re-FUEL Fund applications for Fall 2024 are currently open. Deadline to submit is November 22, 2024 at 11:59pm.
How do I apply?
How to spend the funds?
Any investment in personal wellness, rest and self-care, however that may look.
Examples can include, but are definitely not limited to: buying a new bike, going on a vacation to your motherland, having a stay-cation and spending more time with family and friends, taking a mindfulness course, updating your wardrobe, a spa day with your friend or by yourself, getting your hair and nails done, taking your grandmother to a concert, taking your kids to Canada’s Wonderland, fixing your car, covering your grocery bill for a month, buying some new books that you may or may not read later, etc.
Summer 2024 Winners
Priya Moraes
(she/her) Age: 26
Program Organizer and Southern ON Chapter Lead for “Colour the Trails”
Using the fund for a wellness trip to spend time with a friend in Halifax
Maysam Abu Khreibeh
(she/they) Age: 26
Multi-dimensional teacher, Social Justice Advocate, Community Organizer, Facilitator & Poet
Using the fund for an iPad to learn Pro-Create and illustrate her dreams of a liberated future for all
Siera Hancharyk
(she/they) Age: 27
Indigenous Entrepreneur, Facilitator, Activist and Community Worker. Owner of "Three Sisters Indigenous Crafts Market.
Using the fund for a spa day and self-care activities with their son
Rayanne Banaga
(she/her) Age: 30
Counsellor and BIPOC Mental Health Advocate. Founder of "Surviving Together"
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Using the fund for financial support to take time off and recover from burnout.
Laila Vahed
(she/her) Age: 21
Community-care worker, intersectionality and Resource Access Advocate, Co-Founder of "Queer Muslim Network"
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Using the fund for pottery/sewing classes, learning mehndi, Urdu calligraphy and other artforms as self-care
Rae Jardine
(she/they) Age: 27
Sex Educator, Full Spectrum Doula, Mentor.. Founder of "Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Hubs"
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Using the fund for childcare support
Applicant Spotlight
We received over 120 innovative applications for the Re-FUEL Fund and want to recognize a few exceptional applicants who stood out for their passion and creativity. Although they weren't selected as winners, their outstanding proposals and commitment to driving change truly impressed us.
Shiann Croft
(she/her) Age: 30
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Storyteller, AD of The Coven, Founder of The Co-Oven
Personal Wellness Goal: Adornment, New Wig, Support a trip to Guyana
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Jasmine Vanstone
(she/her) Age: 27
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Jamaican-Canadian Multi-Disciplinary Artist, Arts Facilitator, and Arts Administrator
Personal Wellness Goal: RMT and Chiropractic Care, and building a balcony garden
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X Ali Khan
(they/she) Age: 29
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Arts Facilitator, Disability & Poverty Informed Practices Educator
Personal Wellness Goal: Staycation, Acupuncture Sessions
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Tooba Dawood
Age: 27
Youth Mentor, Poet, Creator of Love & Help Heal
Personal Wellness Goal: Self-Help Books, Revisiting Childhood Hobbies, Giving Back to the Toronto Community
Alif Ashraf
(she/her) Age: 20
Mental Health Advocate, Founder of Mental Health Matters
Personal Wellness Goal: Weekend trip to Montreal, Puppy Yoga Session, Massage, and Therapy
Breaking Bread: Re-FUEL Edition
The Re-FUEL Fund was commemorated with a Breading Bread dinner where the community gathered to celebrate the winners and meet other young changemakers.
