COMMUNITY ONE BLOG
Celebrating Excellence: Highlights from the Rainbow Grants Award Show 2024
The Rainbow Grants Award Show 2024 was an evening filled with celebration, joy, and inspiration as we came together to honour the exceptional contributions and achievements within the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Hosted at the vibrant 519 in Toronto, this inaugural event marked a significant milestone in recognizing those who have tirelessly championed equality, inclusivity, and social justice.
What are the Rainbow Grants?
Rainbow Grants provide funding to foster new and innovative services and programs that have a positive impact on the 2SLGBTQ+ community in the Greater Toronto Area, including Toronto, Durham, Peel, Hamilton, York, and Halton Regions, and Indigenous Communities across Ontario.
Rainbow Grants Foundation Awards are available for up to $10,000 and are open to registered charities or groups trusted by a registered charity. Rainbow Grants General Awards are available for up to $3,000 and are open to unincorporated groups, collectives, and/or individuals without charitable status.
The James Stewart Research and Education Award was created thanks to the generous bequest from James Stewart, the Toronto mathematician and musician who passed away in December 2014. As one of the Toronto-based 2SLGBTQ+ charities to receive philanthropic support from Mr. Stewart’s estate, Community One is honoured to offer this annual grant in his name. This award honours registered charities with projects in research and education about the 2SLGBTQ+ communities. The award recipient receives $15,000 in funding to start or continue their project work.
Event Highlights:
Red Carpet and Photobooth Fun
Guests arrived in their most fabulous attire, ready to pose and snap memories at our photo booth. The red carpet was a parade of glitter, glam, and sheer elegance.
Heartfelt Awards
The ceremony featured powerful speeches and award presentations, recognizing trailblazers who have made a substantial impact in various fields such as advocacy, arts, healthcare, and community service.
Entertainment Extravaganza: Throughout the evening, DJ Black Cat kept the celebration lively with her energetic beats. Her masterful mix of tracks ensured the dance floor was packed and the atmosphere was filled with joy and rhythm, making it a truly memorable event.
The night was electrified by two sensational performances by Sanjina DaBish. The embodiment of Toronto’s Bollyhood remix, Sanjina infused her acts with unparalleled attitude and flair, captivating the audience and adding vibrant energy to the evening.
Gourmet Delights:
Attendees indulged in a gourmet feast and cocktails, adding a delicious touch to the evening’s festivities.
Meet the Winners
James Stewart Award (up to $15,000)
Celebrating Pride Nationwide
Magenta Publishing for the Arts
Celebrating Pride Nationwide will be the FIRST-EVER NATIONWIDE Pride exhibition and publication telling the story of Pride, from each province, setting a monumental milestone for the Pride movement across our nation and celebrating love in all forms in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Foundation Award (up to $10,000)
Celebrating & Supporting Two-Spirit Youth
AndThenIWasFree
Pathways and Connections Fife
House Foundation
The Flin Flon Cowboy
Flin Flon Cowboy Collective
Comida Para Todes – Food For All
Gabriel Gutierrez
HIV+ Community Arts Gallery and Studio Spaces
People With AIDS Foundation Toronto
General Award (up to $3,000)
Que’d Up: Picture This
Que’d Up
Skillshare Summit
Queer Forest Club
Masque of the Red Death: An immersive cautionary tale
Stella Kulagowski
Sometimes I wish the mirror would ask how I’m doing
Beau Gomez
Pulse MVP
Dexter Brown
Daddies Coming Home
Gay Fathers of Toronto
Photo Gallery!
Find more photos at
Rainbow Grants Ceremony 2024 Gallery
For more information about Rainbow Grants and Community One Foundation, please visit http://www.communityone.ca.
About Community One Foundation:
Established in 1980, Community One Foundation provides grants to 2SLGBTQIA+ community projects in the Greater Toronto Area including Durham, Halton, Peel and York Regions, focusing on arts and culture, health and social services, and research and education. The Foundation also promotes community philanthropy through strategic partnerships such as the Bill 7 Award and the LGBT Giving Network.