TFI Receives OTF Grant

 

TORONTO, ON, May 25, 2023 - Toronto Fashion Incubator, the world’s first fashion incubator, is delighted to announce it will be receiving $148,300 over 24 months from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) to recover and build its resiliency from the impacts of COVID-19. Officially announced last night at TFI’s Spring Networking Event, the grant will be used to build the organization's capacity in fundraising and sponsorship initiatives, which will help TFI continue its support and mentoring of Toronto's fashion entrepreneurs.

“I’m glad to hear Toronto Fashion Incubator (TFI) is receiving the Resilient Communities Fund grant,” said Chris Glover, MPP for Spadina-Fort York. “TFI is the world’s first fashion incubator, inspiring 35 cities around the world to adopt their successful model of supporting early to mid-stage entrepreneurs. They’ve supported the creation of over 18,000 jobs providing start-ups with access to the expertise, tools, and connections they need to achieve and sustain success. Empowering TFI in supporting the community is essential as we strive for an Ontario with a thriving fashion ecosystem.”

Yesterday’s Spring Networking Event, hosted at TFI’s studio in Exhibition Place, brought together TFI’s advisory, board members, mentors and members with media, and fashion industry professionals. Chris Glover, MPP for Spadina-Fort York, was in attendance and spoke to attendees about the OTF’s Resilient Communities Fund grant and its role in helping TFI continue to drive growth in the Canadian fashion industry.

TFI provides early to mid-stage fashion entrepreneurs access to the expertise, tools and connections needed to achieve and sustain success. The OTF grant will support the non-profit in developing its capacity for fundraising and sponsorship, enabling it to continue providing a wide range of valuable resources including expert-led mentoring, educational webinars, networking events, e-lists, guidebooks, and funding source listings.

"The pandemic had a significant impact on non-profits, including TFI. It was a challenging time for organizations around the world, and uncertainty about the future was a concern. We are committed to continuing our work and finding ways to adapt to the changing landscape,” says Susan Langdon, executive director, Toronto Fashion Incubator. “TFI is extremely grateful to the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Province of Ontario for providing our non-profit with Resilient Communities Funding. The grant will enable TFI to better prepare for the future, ultimately advancing Toronto's thriving fashion ecosystem.”

TFI also offers innovative programs such as Showroom Canada, a virtual trade show for Canadian brands, Fashion Your Future, an online start-up program for racialized and other equity-deserving individuals living in underserved communities, and subsidized work space and industry equipment for designers enrolled in its Resident program. Since its launch in 1987, fashion capitals including London, Milan, New York and Paris have adopted TFI’s innovative co-sharing concept. There are now over 35 fashion incubators around the world, all of which are based on TFI’s ground-breaking model.

About Toronto Fashion Incubator
Toronto Fashion Incubator (TFI) is the world’s first fashion incubator. It is an award-winning, non-profit organization helping emerging fashion entrepreneurs become successful by understanding the business of fashion. TFI proudly offers programs and services to help equity-deserving entrepreneurs grow their business, with a community including 83% women-led businesses, 22% BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Colour) and 15% 2SLGBTQ. With support from the City of Toronto, TFI has been instrumental in the creation of over 18,000 industry jobs in Toronto and across Canada.

About Ontario Trillium Foundation
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations, celebrates 40 years of grant-making in Ontario and making a lasting impact in communities. Last year, OTF invested over $110M into 1,022 community projects and partnerships, which included funding for the Government of Ontario’s Community Building Fund. Visit otf.ca to learn more.


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