FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Waterloo Region – December 2, 2021 – DataStream, a charity launched by The Gordon Foundation, w
as recognized for its work and commitment and awarded Capacity Canada’s prestigious Social Innovation Award. The award was presented at the opening night of the Board Governance BootCamp, sponsored by Manulife, on Thursday.
Capacity Canada board members Joanna Lohrenz and Jeanette Bancarz presented the Social Innovation Award to Sherry Campbell, President and CEO of The Gordon Foundation. As part of the award, DataStream is being presented with unrestricted funding of $1,000.
“The award demonstrates Capacity Canada’s commitment to fostering leading-edge activities that are impactful, creative, and hold the potential to demonstrate impact on a large scale,” said Jeanette. She further added that Capacity Canada’s Social Innovation Award intends to encourage and increase risk-taking, innovation, creativity, and boldness, thus improving life for Canadians.
The Gordon Foundation launched DataStream six years ago as a pilot project. The mission of the project was to promote knowledge sharing and advance collaborative water stewardship. DataStream’s innovative platform is free to use and allows water monitoring groups of all sizes to upload, store, share, and access datasets. DataStream has made a significant contribution to managing freshwater and watersheds that will help address environmental challenges.
“We have been doing a lot of work to support social innovation. We are providing infrastructure to share data on watersheds. We have taken risks, invested in new technology and provided tech tools to communities across the country,” said Carolyn DuBois, Executive Director, Water Program, The Gordon Foundation, adding that she is thrilled DataStream is being honoured with this award.
“Data is foundational to our ability to protect the freshwater system, says Sherry Campbell, President and CEO, The Gordon Foundation. She adds, “It’s hard to make policies if you don’t have data. The Social Innovation Award validates the risks we take. Capacity Canada is helping us raise the profile of DataStream.”
Beginning in 2018 on the 10th Anniversary of the Board Governance Bootcamp, Capacity Canada issued its first Social Innovation Award. The first recipient of the award was Manulife for its commitment to building a culture of leadership and innovation across Canadian social purpose organizations.
In November 2020, Capacity Canada presented the second Social Innovation Award to Suncor Energy Foundation at the annual Board Governance BootCamp. The SEF was recognized for its ongoing commitment to supporting innovation and resilience in communities across Canada.
Learn more about the Social Innovation Award by visiting our website.
For more information, please contact:
Cathy Brothers, CEO
Office: 866-317-1992 x1
Mobile: 226-808-7220
[email protected]
Nasreen, Director of Communications
Office: 866-317-1992 x7
Mobile: 226-505-5757
[email protected]
