The51 Launches not-for-profit Movement51 and Successful Pilot of the Financial Feminism Investing Lab
The51 is thrilled to share more about the not-for-profit that’s been quietly developed over the past few months.
Movement51 is a not-for-profit organization established to address financial inequalities that affect women and non-binary people across Canada. Specifically, Movement51 drives change in the areas of financial acumen, financial education and entrepreneurship and investing through a gendered lens.
Led by Executive Director, Salima Shivji, and Board Chair, Anita Rossall, Movement51’s initiatives include leveraging partnerships to provide opportunities for women and non-binary people to acquire tools, practise skills and build their financial confidence, thereby powering their full and equal economic participation. The wealth transfer is underway in Canada; Movement51 ensures the 51% are ready to build the Financial FeministTM economy.
Focused on creating financial acumen learning opportunities, the Financial Feminism Investing Lab (FFIL) falls under the championship of Movement51. Having recently completed a very successful pilot of FFIL, in partnership with the University of Calgary and the Canadian Women’s Foundation Investment Readiness Program, Movement51 is planning to expand the program.
The FFIL’s pilot program was offered for the first cohort in February 2021, wrapping up in March 2021. Demand for the pilot program was strong, with just over 30 spots, candidates were selected from across Canada, as well as from the United States. The FFIL pilot received positive feedback from participants and results showed an increase in investing confidence and capabilities. Cohort participants specifically noted more confidence in evaluating new ventures, screening-in or screening-out early-stage investment opportunities, making an early-stage investment decision, and detecting gender-related norms in investment decisions. Participants felt their confidence in understanding and evaluating the fundamentals of early-stage investing increased, and 88% said they would recommend the FFIL program to others.
As planning for future FFIL cohorts continues, we are inviting interested Financial Feminists to sign-up for our FFIL waiting list here.
In addition to the FFIL, Movement51 will also be focused on implementing The51’s Community Council recommendations on equity, diversity and inclusion across five pillars of our organization: our team, our entrepreneurs, our investors, our portfolio, and our content & events.
You can learn more about Movement51 and its mandate, including much more to come by heading over to: the51.com/movement-51.