PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Exciting Partnership Announcement – CSCNL & Capacity Canada Advancing Nonprofit Equity Together
February 9, 2026 – KITCHENER – Capacity Canada is thrilled to announce a new partnership with the Community Sector Council Newfoundland & Labrador (CSCNL) to champion greater equity in nonprofit leadership.
Together, we’re launching the Open Hearth project in Newfoundland & Labrador — a bold initiative designed to increase the presence of underrepresented women and non‑binary individuals in leadership and decision‑making roles across the nonprofit sector.
Through this partnership, CSCNL will lead the delivery of two transformative initiatives in their region:
- A mentorship network uplifting underrepresented women
- A culture‑change framework supporting nonprofits committed to building workplaces where belonging and inclusion truly thrive
“We’re honoured to partner with our wonderful colleagues at Community Sector Council Newfoundland & Labrador (CSCNL) to bring Open Hearth to St. John’s and communities across Newfoundland & Labrador. This work is rooted in community wisdom — supporting underrepresented women and non‑binary people who have long carried leadership in our sector, often without equitable access to decision‑making spaces. Together, we’re building a mentorship network and a culture‑change approach that strengthens belonging, connection, and the conditions for more people to lead — right here at home.” – Cathy Brothers, CEO, Capacity Canada
“We are excited to be partnering with Capacity Canada to bring the Open Hearth mentorship project to Newfoundland and Labrador. In our province, approximately 70% community sector is staffed by women and gender diverse individuals. Meanwhile, our research suggests this group holds just 62% of executive positions and earn approximately 23% less than their male counterparts. We need to work together to close the gap by uplifting sector voices, rebalance statistics with lived experiences, and co-create the conditions for a thriving, equitable community sector.” – Colin Corcoran, CEO, CSCNL
Open Hearth is a 33‑month project running from July 2024 to March 2027. It builds on two concepts co‑created with women from underrepresented communities during the 2023 Makeover Project — ensuring the work is grounded in lived experience, community insight, and real sector needs.
After a successful pilot in Waterloo Region, Open Hearth will also expand to Calgary, Alberta in Spring 2026, extending its impact across the country.
Join us on February 17, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. NST / 11:30 a.m. EST for a 45‑minute virtual session highlighting the benefits of both initiatives and launching the mentorship application process in Newfoundland & Labrador.
To register for the February 17, 2026 information session, please click here.
For more information, contact:
- Christine Snow, Open Hearth Local Program Manager, CSCNL
- Fableeha Choudhury, [email protected] , Open Hearth Project Manager, Capacity Canada
Learn more: https://capacitycanada.ca/open-hearth/