Who We Fund
TEF funds employment social enterprises that connect people facing employment barriers with job training and work opportunities. Since its inception in 2000, TEF has funded over 60 social enterprises, which have collectively employed and/or trained more than 3,500 people.We currently provide operating grants to a portfolio of sixteen enterprises, and seed funding to two.
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All About Kindness is a doula service started by Jessie’s – the June Callwood Centre for Young Women to train and employ young mothers as doulas. All About Kindness is currently receiving seed funding from TEF. | |
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Blackboard Marketing is a full-service creative marketing agency providing hands-on career training and experience to youth from disadvantaged, marginalized and underserved communities. Blackboard is run by The Remix Project. | |
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Building Up is a non-profit social enterprise that provides training and employment in the trades to those who need it most. Experienced tradespeople and trainees collaborate to provide Toronto's residential buildings with energy and water efficient retrofits, and prevent unnecessary utility expenses and environmental waste. Building Up is currently receiving seed funding from TEF. | |
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Carefirst Cleaning Services is a residential and small office cleaning company that employes lone parents and newcomers to Canada. The enterprise is run by Carefirst Seniors & Community Services Association. | |
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The College Street Cafe is operated from CAMH's College and Russell Street sites. The Cafe provides hot and cold breakfast and lunch items, beverages and snacks. The Cafe is run by Working for Change. | |
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Free Geek Toronto is a computer recycling and refurbishment business offering training and employment to people living with mental illness. | |
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Friends Catering Company offers a full range of catering services to organizations and corporations, and employs people who are marginalized. Friends is run by the Fred Victor Centre. | |
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Furniture Bank operates a furniture pickup and delivery business providing permanent employment to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. | |
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Hawthorne Food & Drink is a full-service restaurant providing on-the-job training in the hospitality sector to people facing employment barriers. | |
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Interpreter Services Toronto offers interpretation and translation services for interviews, investigations, medical appointments, court cases, labour arbitrations, conferences and more.. Services are provided by professionally trained immigrant and refugee women. The enterprise is run by the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic. | |
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NCCT Cedar Basket - Youth sells a wide selection of First Nations, Métis and Inuit handcrafted jewelry, carvings, basketry, beadwork, moccasins, and original art from a container at Spadina & Bloor. The enterprise trains and employs Aboriginal youth, and is operated by the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto. | |
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Out of the Box is a construction company providing training and employment for racialized youth. OTB training includes trade skills (tiling, carpentry, and general maitenance), personal development, and connections to further economic opportunities.
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Out of This World Café operates three business units: a café, a mobile coffee cart, and a catering business, providing permanent employment to people living with mental illness. The Café is run by Working for Change. | |
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Parkdale Green Thumb Enterprises is a horticultural maintenance business offering permanent employment to people living with mental illness. It is also run by Working for Change. | |
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Phoenix Print Shop is a commercial print shop that provides training and transitional employment to youth who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness. Phoenix is run by Eva’s Initiatives | |
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RainscapeTO offers eco-landscaping services with a focus on the installation of rain gardens to capture and reuse rainwater. A program of Toronto Green Community, it trains and creates employment opportunities for individuals facing barriers, particularly indigenous people.
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The Silver Brush is a residential commercial painting and property maintenance business employing people living with a mental illness. It is run by Parkdale Activity Resource Centre. | |
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Switchback Cyclery is a service-focused bike store staffed by street-involved people. The shop caters primarily to informed and serious commuter cyclists. It is run by Sanctuary Ministries. | |
