From Research to Action: Introducing the Courage to Act Foundation
We’re thrilled to introduce the Courage to Act Foundation, a national non-profit dedicated to ending sexual and gender-based violence and creating safer, more inclusive communities across Canada.
Our Journey: How Courage to Act Began
The Courage to Act Foundation is rooted in Possibility Seeds’ Courage to Act project. In 2018, Possibility Seeds launched the Courage to Act report— Canada’s national framework designed to address and prevent gender-based violence on post-secondary campuses. This report laid out clear, actionable recommendations to transform how universities, colleges and cégeps respond to and prevent gender-based violence within their communities.
From 2019 to 2024, the Possibility Seeds team collaborated with the community to implement these recommendations, reaching over 1.8 million students and impacting more than 200 institutions across Canada. The Courage to Act project worked closely with our network of experts and advocates to create change. Including but not limited to improving response protocols, building trauma-informed procedurally fair complaints processes, strengthening prevention education, and driving policy and legislative change
Together, we have:
Benefitted 1.8 million+ post-secondary students, staff, and faculty
Published 260 evidence-based resources with 70,000+ downloads worldwide
Trained 7032 individuals via 79 professional development opportunities
Convened 4800 national stakeholders via the Courage to Act network
Been cited as best practice and modelled internationally
And more!
The Courage to Act Foundation
The Courage to Act Foundation continues the foundational work of the Courage to Act project. Working collaboratively with our national network of 4,800+ survivors, students, researchers, community leaders, policymakers, and institutions, we advocate for systemic change, translate research into action and create trauma-informed, evidence-based solutions.
We believe that safer, more inclusive institutions are possible and that a thriving economy can’t be achieved without addressing gender equity.
Our Goals for the Future
As we take this step forward, our focus includes:
Creating Networks: We bring together survivors, students, researchers, community leaders, policymakers, and institutions to drive shared learning and support.
Developing Resources and Strategies: We co-design tools and frameworks that support communities in fostering consent, addressing violence, and implementing safer practices.
Providing Education and Training: We facilitate evidence-based, trauma-informed training that equips individuals and institutions with practical skills to promote consent and safety in their environments.
Driving Policy and Legislative Change: We collaborate with our networks to advocate for policy reform that builds safer, more inclusive spaces, contributing to a society where gender equity is foundational to community well-being.
Join Us in Our Mission
We are grateful for the support of everyone who has been part of this journey so far. With your help, we’re building a future where safer and more inclusive institutions are possible.
We invite you to join us in continuing this mission. For updates, follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram, and subscribe to our monthly newsletter.
To learn more about the Courage to Act Foundation, visit www.couragetoact.ca.