TFI receives $148,300 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation
Toronto Fashion Incubator (TFI), the world’s first fashion incubator, will be receiving the Resilient Communities Fund from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Over the course of the next two years, TFI will be receiving $148,300, a grant given to community-based organizations that deliver programs and services in Ontario and need funding to recover and build capacity, resilience, and sustainability. Run by executive director Susan Langdon, TFI provides early to mid-stage entrepreneurs with the connections and tools needed to thrive in the business of fashion.
The grant will be used by TFI to build the organization’s capacity in fundraising and sponsorship initiatives, which will help continue the non-profits support and mentoring of Toronto’s fashion entrepreneurs. The grant was celebrated at TFI’s Spring Networking Event on May 24 with industry professionals, local designers, fashion entrepreneurs and city officials.
Crowds mingled over drinks at TFI’s Spring Networking Event
MPP Chris Glover, Spadina-Fort York, was also in attendance. “I’m glad to hear Toronto Fashion Incubator is receiving the Resilient Communities Fund grant. 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,” said the MPP in a TFI press release. “Empowering TFI in supporting the community is essential as we strive for an Ontario with a thriving fashion ecosystem.”
The OTF grant will enable TFI to continue providing expert-led mentoring, educational webinars, networking events, e-lists, guidebooks, and funding source listings for all its members so that Canada’s fashion entrepreneurs will flourish.
MPP Chris Glover came to the event on behalf of the Ontario Trillium Foundation and interacted with TFI Executive Director Susan Langdon and other members
“TFI is extremely grateful to the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Province of Ontario for providing our non-profit with Resilient Communities Funding,” said Susan Langdon. “The grant will enable TFI to better prepare for the future, ultimately advancing Toronto’s thriving fashion ecosystem.”
TFI Executive Director Susan Langdon joined by other TFI associates and creatives
TFI also engineers a cluster of innovative programs. Showroom Canada, a virtual trade show for Canadian brands and Fashion Your Future, an online start-up program for racialized and other equity-deserving individuals living in underserved communities, have all left major marks on the local industry and set forth waves of progress for Canadian fashion entrepreneurs.
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.
Want more on TFI? Read up on its prestigious Resident Program.
*transparency statement: TFI is a client of Matte PR, publisher of Glossi Mag
Emily Black is a Glossi Mag contributor.
Emily is a Toronto-based fashion specialist from England. She’s obsessed with the ocean, Margiela, Murakami and trash TV. She also works at Matte PR.
