About Canary Impact
Investing in Leaders. Strengthening Communities.
Philanthropy has a proximity problem. Too often, the people making decisions about communities are the furthest removed from them. Canary Impact was built to change that, investing directly in justice-impacted leaders who have the vision, the expertise, and the drive to transform the systems they know best.
Our Story
Canary Impact began in 2019 as an experiment. The David Rockefeller Fund handed a group of formerly-incarcerated leaders in New York a simple but radical opportunity to decide where philanthropic dollars go.
It worked, and it revealed something larger. Across philanthropy, resources flowed to the same organizations, the same voices, again and again. Leaders with lived expertise and transformative ideas—people who had never received a grant or been recognized as experts—kept getting passed over.
So we revised the question being asked. Instead of asking which organizations deserved funding, we asked which people had never been given the chance.
That’s what Canary Impact is built for. We invest directly in justice-impacted leaders who have the vision to reimagine the systems they’ve survived.
Our Mission
To invest in justice-impacted leaders through direct funding, fostering leadership, and encouraging agency.
Our Values
Trust
We believe in the importance of reliability, honesty, and integrity. We strive to build and maintain trust with our applicants and prize winners, because it is the foundation of strong relationships and successful collaborations.
Innovation
We are driven continually seek formerly incarcerated people with creative solutions, who push boundaries and adapt to changing circumstances. We embrace new ideas, approaches, and technologies to challenge and transform the criminal legal system.
Grace
We treat others with kindness, respect, and compassion, even in challenging situations. It reflects our commitment to supporting people who are traditionally marginalized from philanthropic opportunities.
Our Team
Canary Impact is powered by a diverse network of leaders, advocates, and community builders who believe in the potential of people and the power of investing in lived experience.
Our Partners
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our generous donors whose support has been instrumental in driving our mission forward. Your generosity has been the cornerstone of our ability to drive meaningful change. Your support has enabled us to advance our mission of investing in justice-impacted leaders through direct funding, leadership development, networking opportunities, and other support. With your partnership, we have seen remarkable achievements and impactful initiatives unfold. Together, we are creating positive change and building a brighter future for all.
