Canada Launches $2M in New Grants to Engage Men in Preventing Gender-Based Violence

Hook

On March 16, 2026, Canada’s Minister for Women and Gender Equality announced nearly $2 million in new funding for 18 organizations to advance gender-based violence (GBV) prevention initiatives that engage men and boys. Significantly, these grants target the root causes of GBV by working directly with male populations to foster cultural change, build safer environments, and reduce harm across Canadian communities.

This latest funding round is part of a broader—and growing—federal movement: since 2021, the Gender-Based Violence Program has invested over $84 million in approximately 185 projects nationwide, with a record reach of over 50,000 people in 2024-25 alone. For organizations working in GBV prevention or men’s engagement, this is a signal: new and recurring funding streams are available—and likely to expand.

Context

Historically, gender-based violence prevention has focused on supporting victims and survivors. Over the last several years, however, there’s been a strategic pivot: engaging men and boys as allies and change agents. This approach is gaining traction in federal budgets and Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) strategic plans, recognizing that true prevention requires transforming the cultural and structural roots of violence, not just responding to its impacts.

The 2026-27 WAGE departmental plan, coupled with Budget 2025’s $223.4 million, five-year commitment to GBV prevention and survivor support, signals multi-year government dedication. Bilateral agreements with provinces, collaboration with Indigenous organizations, and growing partnerships with trades, schools, and workplaces show the scope for grantees to work both locally and nationally.

A key example: Interval House of Hamilton received over $95,000 (from a wider $610,268 investment) to train trades workplaces in Ontario, directly reaching 970 participants across 56 sites. This positions skill and industry-based initiatives as priorities and underscores WAGE’s intent to reach more men in male-dominated and high-risk sectors.

Impact

For GBV and Men’s Engagement Organizations

Organizations focused on GBV prevention—especially those with experience or interest in engaging men and boys—should see this as a crucial opening. The government is actively seeking partners to scale prevention training, resource development, and peer-support models among male populations. Initiatives that can demonstrate impact in sectors such as skilled trades, sports, or online spaces will be especially attractive.

For Nonprofits, Community Groups, and Researchers

WAGE funding supports pilot projects, collaborative resource development, evaluation, and strategic partnerships. The emphasis on resource creation and partnerships (5,800+ resources, 600+ collaborations established in 2024-25) suggests grants are available for:

• Developing and piloting new intervention curricula
• Creating and distributing educational resources
• Training community leaders and industry mentors

Evaluation components are increasingly important—WAGE is seeking evidence-based programming with potential for national scaling. Partnerships with Indigenous, 2SLGBTQI+, and underserved communities are prioritized.

For Small Businesses & Sector Stakeholders

If you operate in sectors flagged as high-impact (construction, trades, sports, media), consider collaborating with nonprofit or academic leads to host, sponsor, or support prevention training. There is room for innovative models—such as train-the-trainer approaches, digital platform rollouts, or workplace policy development.

Action: What Should You Do Now?

1. Monitor funding calls: Watch WAGE’s official funding portal and subscribe for updates. Although many grants in this round have been awarded, additional calls are expected under Budget 2025 and provincial agreements.
2. Refine your engagement approach: If your organization serves men or boys—in any sector—audit your current programs for GBV prevention opportunities. Seek partnerships with trades groups, unions, school districts, or Indigenous organizations to strengthen proposals.
3. Gather data and evaluate: Funders want impact and scalability. Collect outcome data from any previous programs, pilot new interventions, and design evaluation plans that can demonstrate change in attitudes, behaviors, or safety environments.
4. Prepare for collaboration: Reach out to existing federal grantees (e.g., Interval House of Hamilton, Western University) for partnership or knowledge-sharing.

Outlook: What’s Next?

As WAGE implements its 2026-27 plan and Budget 2025’s GBV commitments, expect a steady stream of RFPs targeting men’s engagement, especially in high-risk occupations and rural or underserved regions. There is a strategic interest in cross-sectoral collaboration—think unions, educational institutions, and community-based nonprofits partnering to build prevention ecosystems. Longer-term, results from current programs will shape national standards and inform future funding priorities.

Granted AI keeps you updated on GBV funding opportunities and offers tools to help you design compelling, evidence-based proposals—so your organization can maximize its impact in prevention and community safety.