Sun Life announced June 28 that it will donate $825,000 over three years to the Foundation for Black Communities.

This funding will support Black-led non-profit and charitable organizations serving Black communities across Canada. Many of these community-based organizations face barriers to funding because they are not registered charities, said the insurer in an announcement. 

Sun Life's says priority initiatives that will be supported by its donation include mental health programs that teach coping skills and resilience to youth and physical activity programs for youth that encourage healthy and active lifestyles. One of the areas this will support is diabetes prevention. 

Liban Abokor, working group member for the Foundation for Black Communities, says that black communities and community organizations have been chronically underfunded. “While this partnership begins to address the underinvestment, it also represents a new approach to philanthropy that acknowledges Black communities' agency in directing and determining where those investments should be aimed."

Historically underserved 

"Our communities thrive when they are equitable. We know that Black communities are seeing greater impacts as a result of the pandemic, while also being historically underserved," said Jacques Goulet, President, Sun Life Canada. "This donation will enable Black-led community organizations to access the resources they need to create change. This is one way Sun Life is building diverse and equitable communities."