Starting in 2009 as a pilot project to help youth from minority backgrounds and new immigrants find their creative voice, UforChange Movement (UforChange) is an arts charity that helps young people pursue their artistic passions in an inclusive community. Youth come from marginalized backgrounds, often experiencing racial discrimination, exposure to violence and crime, family breakdown and social isolation. These youth, while often lacking resources and social support for developing their artistic talent, have confidence and passion.

Led by teachers working in Toronto’s art sector, UforChange’s flagship program is a free, 8-week core art course (66% of F2017 program costs) offered in fashion, photography and DJing. UforChange’s youth are confident and focused on careers in the creative arts, yet many do not know where to start and how to start. Youth also lack the resources and tools for hands-on experience and practical training. UforChange provides these tools with Apple computers, cameras, sewing machines, and film editing software all in one supportive hub. In 2017, UforChange launched additional short workshops teaching business and entrepreneurial skills. In these core programs, in F2017, the graduation rates were 70% to 77%. Shift hour changes are a common reason for dropping out as youth cannot make the course schedule.  

In 2017, UforChange taught 360 youth, compared with 379 in F2016 and 325 in F2015. Skills learned are shown once a year in UforChange’s multimedia showcase event, VivaCity, to an expected audience of 200 people (June 13, 2018).

Despite training, it is hard to get a start in arts. UforChange recognized this and with 23 mentors provides hands-on jobs and also shares the soft skills required for success, like networking and promoting. Djing is UforChange’s most popular program. It offers a “master class” for 10 graduates, led by prominent Toronto DJ, L’Oqenz.

UforChange is going through transition. With the end of government funding, UforChange is now run entirely by volunteers and depends on donations for operations.

Results and Impact: Based on an independent program evaluation done by Mendicant Group in 2016, 100% of participants would recommend UforChange to a friend, and 95% found that the programs and workshops taught them new skills.

UforChange is a small charity with donations and special events revenues of $209k in F2017. Its management overhead costs are 13% of total revenues and the charity does not report fundraising costs. For every dollar donated, 87 cents goes to programs, which is within Charity Intelligence’s reasonable range. UforChange has funding reserves of $90k that cover 3 months of programs – or 24% of the annual program costs. This shows a need for donations.

This charity report is an update and it has been sent to UforChange. Comments and edits may be forthcoming.

This charity report and analysis is generously funded by the E.W. Bickle Foundation to share with other Canadian donors interested in supporting youth charities in Ontario.

Updated on June 4, 2018 by Kate Bahen.