Imagine this: newcomers to Canada finding faster and more personalized paths to meaningful employment; visually impaired Canadians getting help with everyday tasks like selecting the right credit card or transit pass; and families easily accessing resources to secure inclusive education for their children with intellectual disabilities. These transformative projects are moving from vision to reality as AWS announces its first Imagine Grant Canada winners.
At the AWS Public Sector Symposium in Ottawa, I had the pleasure of announcing the three exceptional recipients of the inaugural AWS Imagine Grant Canada. This program supports registered charitable organizations that are using advanced cloud technology, including generative artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML), to accelerate their missions. Through its "Go Further, Faster" category, each recipient receives up to $75,000 USD in funding and $25,000 in AWS credits, along with crucial technical support to help create scalable solutions for their communities.
The Recipients:
Achēv: Empowering Newcomers and Communities
Achēv delivers employment, language, and newcomer settlement services in the Greater Toronto Area. Each year, they help more than 100,000 clients access the employment, language, and settlement services they need to build successful lives in Canada. With the AWS Imagine Grant, Achēv plans to use AWS generative AI to enhance their Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) tool to automate language assessments and help personalize clients learning pathways to specific job roles.
"Every day, we meet skilled professionals who just need the right tools to rebuild their careers in Canada," says Tonie Chaltas, CEO of Achēv. "This technology will help thousands of newcomers bypass language barriers and connect directly with meaningful employment opportunities."
CNIB: Advancing Independence for the Blind and Low Vision Canadians
The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) is driven to change what it is to be blind today through programs and advocacy. With support from the AWS Imagine Grant, the CNIB will develop an accessible mobile assistant, powered by AWS large language models (LLMs), for people who are blind or partially sighted, that help read numbers on credit and ID cards, as well as serial numbers on everyday items, and instantly verify them against trusted records. By removing sight-dependent steps, they reduce barriers to independence while addressing potential privacy concerns. The assistant will initially focus on transit pass verification, but the technology has potential for broader applications, from retail transactions and equipment returns to camp registration and guide-dog programs, marking a significant step forward in accessible technology.
"Every day, people who are blind or partially sighted face unnecessary barriers to independence," says Angela Bonfante, President & CEO of CNIB. "With cloud technology and AI, something as simple as selecting the right card from your wallet becomes easier and more reliable. It's about using technology to give people more control over their daily lives."
Inclusion Canada: Championing Education for All
Inclusion Canada is the national federation working to advance the full inclusion and human rights of people with intellectual disabilities and their families. With the AWS Imagine Grant, Inclusion Canada will combine human expertise with AWS’ generative AI services to empower families with the knowledge and support they need to secure inclusive, high-quality learning environments for their children with disabilities. The platform will help Inclusion Canada respond to thousands of annual requests, offering timely, rights-based, and context-specific information. It will address routine inquiries immediately while flagging complex cases for their response team.
“Navigating the education system can sometimes feel impossible,” said Moira Wilson, President of Inclusion Canada and parent of a child with an intellectual disability. “This new resource will provide families with the guidance and information often urgently needed, ensuring children’s rights are respected and that no child is left behind.”
The Impact Ahead
Since its launch in 2018, the AWS Imagine Grant program has demonstrated the transformative power of putting technology into the hands of those who understand community needs best. With over $14M USD awarded in funds, technology credits, and training, AWS has supported more than 130 nonprofit organizations across Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, and now Canada. Despite operating with limited budgets and lean teams, these organizations tackle society's biggest challenges, pursuing missions with unlimited potential for social good.
The expansion of the Imagine Grant to Canada marks an exciting new chapter, as our first Canadian recipients show how innovative technology can reshape access to employment, education, and essential services. From coast to coast, these nonprofit pioneers aren't just building applications – they're creating solutions that will improve life for millions of Canadians. Each demonstrating how cloud technology can address real, everyday challenges while maximizing the impact of every dollar and resource invested in their mission.
To learn more about the AWS Imagine Grant program in Canada or how to apply for next year's grant cycle, click here.
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