The Homegrown Innovation Challenge is an initiative funded and delivered by the Weston Family Foundation.
The Foundation invests in innovation and learning to deliver measurable impacts for the well-being of Canadians. Taking a collaborative approach to philanthropy, it funds forward-thinking organizations to advance Canada and create lasting benefits. The Foundation has two focus areas it supports — Healthy Aging and Healthy Ecosystems — and applies a spark, shepherd, scaling approach to ensure the best ideas have the best chance of success. It also supports a number of diverse nation-building projects that contribute to a vibrant and resilient Canada. Since its creation more than 60 years ago, the Foundation has donated over $500 million to non-profit organizations and research institutions, making it one of the largest private foundations in the country.
Challenge Works, formerly known as Nesta Challenges, co-designed the Homegrown Innovation Challenge with the Weston Family Foundation in 2021.