Pattison Outdoor has unveiled the winners of its “Elevating Voices Media” grant program, which awards up to $1 million worth of OOH advertising space to selected non-profit and charitable organizations across Canada.

Launched in 2022, the program aims to to provide a platform to organizations that serve ethnocultural groups, the 2SLGBTQI+ community, women’s equality, disability advocacy, and other initiatives that champion diversity, equity, and inclusion.

This year’s grant recipients are made up of three national partners and six regional partners.

National partners include the non-profit org Blk Women In Excellence Society, which empowers Black women and youth through a multi-faceted approach, promoting economic growth, equitable opportunities and amplification of voices; and the Canadians for Leading Edge Alzheimer Research, which funds dementia research in Canada with the goal of finding effective treatments and cures. Its work benefits patients, caregivers, families and healthcare professionals, and seeks to raise awareness of the importance of addressing this disease in an aging population.

It was also selected Black North Initiative, which works to close gaps of systemic racism in Canada by focusing on empowering Black professionals, entrepreneurs, students and families through tools, resources and connections. Their work also involves collaborating with businesses to create inclusive and equitable work environments.

Regional partners are SafeLink Alberta Society, a non-profit org that supports vulnerable populations in Calgary and southern Alberta by providing programs and services to reduce harms associated with sexual activity and substance use; Foodpreneur Lab, which supports disadvantaged food entrepreneurs, especially women and racialized people, to start and expand their businesses; and UNITI Semiahmoo House Society, which ensure that people with disabilities live inclusive and meaningful lives in their communities.

It was founded in 1958 by mothers who wanted to prevent segregation of their children and focuses on inclusive housing as a key to valuing and belonging.

The last three regional winners were the Centre Francophone du Grand Toronto, which serves the needs of French-speakers in Toronto by offering health and social services in French. Its objective is to promote the inclusion and well-being of the French-speaking community in an English-speaking environment. Accessible Housing Society, which provides accessible and affordable housing for people with limited mobility; and Unity Charity that uses hip hop to promote mental health and wellness among youth, especially in disadvantaged communities.

Since launching the program, Pattison has supported 10 organizations and charities. For its second iteration earlier last year, the company selected three new organizations to foster meaningful connections with their local communities through impactful OOH campaigns.

Pictured above is an advertisement for The Maskwascis Tribal Council campaign, one of the winners in the second year of the program.