The CanGap Impact Fellowship
Get $1000 (and all the training and mentorship you need)
to build an impact project in your community.
The CanGap Impact Fellowship is a FREE 3-month program providing gap year and post-secondary students, and recent grads, the opportunity to gain hands-on, real world experience in leadership and impact.
You chose a gap year so you could DO cool stuff and build your resume or portfolio, but how the heck do you do that with no $$$ to get started? Or maybe you've just finished your bachelor's degree and have no idea what the heck you are supposed to do next with no real-world experience on your resume.
The CanGap Impact Fellowship is a 3-month skill development and project management program helping young Canadians (ages 17 - 25) get real experience in turning ideas into real (and impactful!) projects.
So, what kind of projects can you build during your fellowship?
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Host a fundraiser for a local women’s shelter or organization you support
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Direct an art show that shares powerful pieces by youth in your community
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Host a cultural dinner and evening for your neighbors and friends (celebrate black excellence, Indigenous culture, and more!)
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Lead awareness campaigns on the dangers of fast fashion or mass tourism
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Organize a community-wide park or beach clean-up
As long as your project highlights a community service element, social or environmental justice topic, the sky's the limit!
Program Overview and Expectations
The Impact Fellowship will run two cohorts for the 2023/24 school year: October to December and January to March. To learn which cohort is right for you, click here.
Month One
October/January
Kick-off your project with a 4-day bootcamp (October 3 - 6 OR January 9 - 12 from 10AM to 12PM EST) where we’ll dive into your interests, your project goals, and everything you need to know to lead a kick-butt, meaningful project.
After completing your Bootcamp, you’ll receive 50% of your $1000 project micro-grant and the remaining 50% after submitting your project budget for review.
Month Two
November/February
Every week following bootcamp, you’ll meet with your Program Lead and cohort to dive into skill building workshops that level-up your abilities, your confidence, and move you closer to your project goals.
You’ll also meet weekly with your Project Coach to keep you on track throughout the 3 months as you work to plan, implement, and report on your service project.
Month Three
December/March
By the end of month three, you will have implemented your project and be responsible for evaluating and reporting on the success of it. Don’t worry if not everything goes the way you imagined - that’s where the greatest learning comes in!
Take the stage at ImpactX
During the week of March 25, you can apply to share your project experience in our virtual, TEDx-style event.
The ImpactXperience provides you with a platform to share your passions, what you learned while implementing your project, and connect with our nationwide community of students, gappers, parents, educators and media outlets as they tune in to hear about the goodness you brought to your community during your fellowship.
Who will LOVE this program
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You want to gain some cool experience doing something meaningful in your community
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You want to connect with other like-minded young people
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You want to learn from cool leaders and mentors with awesome experience
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You want to build your resume with real project management experience
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You want to become more active in your community
Who won’t enjoy this program
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You have no interest in doing something cool and meaningful in your community
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You don’t want to learn from cool leaders and mentors with awesome experience
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You don’t like meeting new people
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You literally know everything, therefore there is nothing to learn
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You plan to take the $1000 and apply to it something unrelated to the program
Who is this program for?
Choose your cohort
Don’t totally have an idea for a project but interested in joining to build your resume? Join us in October.
Our October to December cohort is all about helping you:
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Get clear on who you are (outside of a classroom)
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Discover your interests and passions
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Obtain problem solving skills that will support your career goals
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Connect with project coaches who will support you from idea to execution
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Learn to apply what you know to what you DO through hands-on experience
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Lead a service project that means something to you and your future
Along the way, you’ll collect REAL credentials for your resume - we’re taking digital badges that show university admission panels and employers that you know how to do REAL stuff, like manage a project, goal setting, and budget!
Are you actively involved in social justice work and want to level-up by leading your own project?
Join us in January.
Our January to March cohort is all about helping you:
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Get clear on the type of leader you are (outside of a classroom)
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Discover your interests and passions within social justice and sustainability
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Obtain crucial problem solving skills that will follow you into your impact career
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Connect with industry-leading experts who will support you in implementing your project
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Learn to apply what you know to what you DO through hands-on experience
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Lead a impactful project that helps achieve a social/environmental justice
Along the way, you’ll build up your resume, network with leaders within the social impact space in Canada, and collect credentials for your resume that show university admission panels and employers your dedication and experience.
After completing The Gap Program, you will be eligible for the Student of Leadership and Humanity Award. To learn more about this prestigious gap year award, click here.
Meet your facilitators and coaches
Jazzmine Raine Program Lead and Project Coach
She/her/hers
SDG Focus: Quality Education
Favorite Ice Cream: Mango or Coconut (or both!)
Book Reco.: The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker
Jazzmine Raine leads from a background of over 10 years in project management, social impact, and experiential education. She is the proud founder of Hara House, India's first zero waste guesthouse and tourism organization, and has been recognized globally for her work in the sustainable tourism sector.
Her diverse career has spanned across multiple countries with a strategic focus on providing young people the tools and knowledge needed to solve global challenges. With a love for storytelling and building social impact, she thrives when coaching students and young professionals in leading new, innovative ideas.
Jazzmine has been a key leader in many unique social projects such as Causeartist, Sustainable Travel Network, Studio.89 and Hara World. In her spare time, you will find her writing short stories and drinking chai on her balcony at 8000ft in the Himalayas.
Miranda Hersco Project Coach and Facilitator
She/her/hers
SDG Focus: Good Health and Wellness
Favorite Ice Cream: Tiramisu
Book Reco.: Teaching to Transgress by bell hooks
Miranda is an educator and well-being advocate with over five years of experience in teaching, community development, curriculum design, youth engagement, and project management. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Ontario Tech University. Miranda also completed her master’s at the University of Glasgow and Autonomous University of Barcelona.
As a former gapper, Miranda is a firm believer in challenging traditional views of education and learning, and recognizes how transformational a gap year can be. Her gap year opened many unique opportunities including over $150,000 in scholarships, awards, and grants. With her lived experience, Miranda looks forward to supporting Impact Fellows through a person-centered and intersectional lens.
In addition to the Project Coach role, she serves as the Canada Country Representative with the Erasmus Mundus Association. She is also a Student Ambassador with the UK Council for International Student Affairs. For self-care, Miranda enjoys Latin dance, spoken word, and podcasts.
Julianne Nyasulu Project Coach and Facilitator
She/her/hers
SDG Focus: Gender Equality
Favorite Ice Cream: Matcha Green Tea
Book Reco.: Dare to Lead Brene Brown
Julianne Nyasulu is a dynamic and authentic individual with an unwavering commitment to social justice. Julianne has soaked up life's adventures across three continents—Africa, North America, and Europe and this kaleidoscope of experiences have shaped her into who she is today.
With over six years of dedicated work in community development, she brings a wealth of wisdom and skills to the table. She has honed her craft as an exceptional writer and perceptive analyst, producing more than 20 reports and publications covering topic from gender issues to human rights and education.
But Julianne's talents extend far beyond the written word. Her ability to connect with others on a deep and personal level is a testament to her exceptional communication and interpersonal skills. Whether forging influential stakeholder partnerships, empowering non-profit professionals to navigate career development, or supporting students in exploring the labyrinth of career possibilities, Julianne offers a compassionate hand and guiding support.
Beyond her professional accolades, Julianne is an insatiable reader, drawn to poetry, self-help literature, and stories that celebrate the rich tapestry of Africa. Her incurable wanderlust fuels her hunger for knowledge, propelling her to embrace every opportunity for growth and transformation.
Danny Lamb Project Coach and Facilitator
He/him/his
SDG Focus: Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure
Favorite Ice Cream: Chocolate
Danny Lamb is a Teacher, Speaker, Facilitator, Founder of Danny Lamb School Of Music, and the Co-Founder of a Music Initiative called 'A Song, A City', geared towards raising awareness of two conditions known as Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus, from Niagara Falls, ON, Canada.
His energy, and enthusiasm, is infectious and, combined with his experience in working with young people to action plan & goal set, Danny believes full heartedly in the power of young people to be not just the voice of the future, but that of today.
Kay White Project Coach and Facilitator
They/them/theirs
SDG Focus: Responsible Consumption and Production
Favorite Ice Cream: Bubblegum
Book Reco.: Life After Progress - Helena Norberg-Hodge
"No matter where you find yourself, there's always ways to be deeply connected to the local rhythm. Use that connection to inform your action."
Kay is an experiential educator, dedicated to building community and social consciousness. They have over 15 years of experience designing and running wilderness adventure curricula.
From growing up on the family farm in Alberta to trekking across the Himalayas, Kay believes in the importance of connecting to the natural world. This is reflected in their work with flood education at the Canadian Conservation Corps, helping run India's first zero-waste guesthouse in Rajasthan, and teaching conscious travel practices with Operation Groundswell.
How to apply
STEP ONE
Register below to receive a fellowship application.
STEP TWO
An Impact Facilitator will be in touch to schedule your interview.
STEP THREE
Review your onboarding package & submit your program agreement.
STEP FOUR
Get ready for an EPIC 4 days at our Impact Bootcamp!
Got questions before applying?
We got answers!
Don’t see your question listed below? Email Jazz at jazz@cangap.ca
Q: How do I participate in this program?
A: To confirm a spot in The Impact Fellowahip, apply for your preferred cohort. Our Program Lead, Jazz, will be in touch with next steps.
Q: How and when will I receive the $1000 for my project?
A: Your $1000 project micro-grant will be sent to you via e-transfer. You will need a Canadian bank account to access the funding. You will receive your $1000 project micro-grant in two parts: 50% after completing your Bootcamp at the start of the program and the remaining 50% after you’ve submitted your project budget (don’t worry - we help you build your budget!).
Q: Do I need to have a project idea already?
A: No. We can help you identify a project that suits your interests during Bootcamp. We also recommend that if you don't have an idea already, you join our October cohort (however, if you are invested in social justice already, please do join us in January).
Q: Is the Program for Canadians only?
A: Yes. You need to be a Canadian Citizen, a new immigrant, or have refugee status in Canada.
Q: How much time per week will I need to commit to my project?
A: During your 4-day Bootcamp, expect to spend up to 8 hours in virtual training sessions. For the remainder of the program, 2 - 4 hours a week includes your weekly workshops and check-ins with your Project Coach. During our workshops, you’ll be learning and doing, so many pieces of your actual project will be drafted or completed live on our virtual calls. However, the time spent outside of calls to work on ensuring your project is successful is limitless.
Q: How can I earn the Student of Leadership and Humanity Award after completing my fellowship?
A: Once you’ve completed the program, we’ll share a follow-up email with resources to support your next steps during your gap year and beyond, including how to complete your award application. To learn more about the award, click here.
Q: Would you recommend this project to someone working full-time on their gap year?
A: Absolutely! This isn’t meant to be a full-time gig. This is to support you in making the most of your gap time while still being able to accomplish everything else you have on your gap year goal setting list, like making money and seeing friends! Remember: the entire program is 3 months. You will go from idea to executed program within 12 weeks.
Q: What if I implement a service project but it doesn’t turn out how I expected?
A: This program is all about hands-on experience, and in the real world, not everything turns out exactly how we imagined. That’s why you’ll be responsible for reporting along the way so we can learn together where things went wrong and how to make sure they go right in the future. No pressure!
Q: Do I need to be on a gap year to participate in this program?
A: No. Although gap year students are preferred, you can also be enrolled in post-secondary education or have just graduated from your bachelors or masters. The goal of the program is to provide you with the opportunity to have hands-on experience so you feel confident in stepping into the job market.
Q: What are the absolute MUSTs of this program?
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Your project must be a community service project and focused on a social or environmental justice goal
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Your project must be planned, implemented and reported on between October 2023 and March 2024
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Participation in our virtual Bootcamp is required to complete the program (this will happen during the first week of your cohort)
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You must commit to weekly workshops and check-ins with your Project Coach (up to 3 hours per week).
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Complete and submit all project reporting before or on the due date associated with your cohort.
Q: How old do I need to be to participate in this program?
A: If you are between 17 and 25, you qualify!
