Applications Now Open: Open Hearth Mentorship Network
The Open Hearth Mentorship Network is officially open for applications in Newfoundland & Labrador.
In partnership with Capacity Canada, CSCNL is advancing equity in nonprofit leadership by supporting underrepresented women and gender-diverse leaders across the sector through mentorship, leadership development, and culture change.
Three Ways to Get Involved
- Apply as a Mentee: Women and gender-diverse individuals aspiring to leadership roles in the nonprofit sector. Apply as a Mentee here
- Apply as a Mentor: Experienced leaders ready to share knowledge, provide guidance, and help shape the next generation. Apply as a Mentor here
- Apply for the Culture of Belonging Initiative: Nonprofit organizations interested in strengthening inclusive workplace practices through a participatory change model. Apply for the Culture of Belonging here
About Open Hearth
Community Sector Council of Newfoundland and Labrador (CSCNL) is thrilled to announce a new partnership with Capacity Canada to champion greater equity in nonprofit leadership.
Building on a 33-month Open Hearth project launched by Capacity Canada in July 2024, together, we’re launching the Open Hearth project here in Newfoundland & Labrador. This is a bold initiative designed to increase the presence of underrepresented women and gender-diverse individuals in leadership and decision-making roles across the nonprofit sector.
Through this partnership, CSCNL will lead the delivery of two transformative initiatives in Newfoundland and Labrador:
1. Open Hearth Mentorship Network
A mentorship network to support and uplift underrepresented women and gender-diverse individuals through an innovative platform for mentoring and collaboration, challenging the conventional mentor-mentee relationship. Two cohorts will be launched across the province.
2. Culture of Belonging Framework
A culture-change framework supporting nonprofits committed to building workplaces where belonging and inclusion truly thrive through strategies, resources, and methodologies that support women and gender-diverse leaders and sustain long-term change. The Culture of Belonging process will launch in Spring 2026.
What Our Partners Are Saying
“We’re honoured to partner with our wonderful colleagues at Community Sector Council Newfoundland & Labrador (CSCNL) to bring Open Hearth to St. John’s and communities across Newfoundland & Labrador. This work is rooted in community wisdom — supporting underrepresented women and non-binary people who have long carried leadership in our sector, often without equitable access to decision-making spaces. Together, we’re building a mentorship network and a culture-change approach that strengthens belonging, connection, and the conditions for more people to lead — right here at home.”
— Cathy Brothers, CEO, Capacity Canada
“We are excited to be partnering with Capacity Canada to bring the Open Hearth mentorship project to Newfoundland and Labrador. In our province, approximately 70% of the community sector is staffed by women and gender-diverse individuals. Meanwhile, our research suggests this group holds just 62% of executive positions and earn approximately 23% less than their male counterparts. We need to work together to close the gap by uplifting sector voices, rebalance statistics with lived experiences, and co-create the conditions for a thriving, equitable community sector.”
— Colin Corcoran, CEO, CSCNL
Open Hearth builds on two concepts co-created with women from underrepresented communities during the 2023 Makeover Project — ensuring the work is grounded in lived experience, community insight, and real sector needs.
For More Information
Christine Snow – christinesnow@cscnl.ca
Open Hearth Local Program Manager, CSCNL
Fableeha Choudhury – fableeha@capacitycanada.ca
Open Hearth Project Manager, Capacity Canada
Learn more:
https://capacitycanada.ca/open-hearth/
