University of Toronto receives grant from TD Bank Group to empower Black Canadians in the workforce

Feb 28, 2025

The new program tackles income inequality and aims to spark systemic changes nationwide.

The exterior of the School of Continuing Studies building — *U of T’s School of Continuing Studies has received a donation from TD to launch a pilot program empowering Black Canadians in the workforce.*

The University of Toronto is launching a new pilot program designed to help Black Canadians across the country navigate the barriers to employment and secure jobs in industries that are critical to Canada’s economic future, including financial services, health care, green jobs, as well as the legal, tech and cybersecurity fields.

A generous $1.88-million donation from TD to U of T’s School of Continuing Studies — the largest ever received by the school — will enable the development and delivery of this critical project. Thanks to this funding support from TD, the program is free of charge for participants, who will gain market-relevant skills and find themselves well placed to access meaningful employment that can lead to long-term career growth. The pilot will welcome four cohorts over four years: the first two will be based in Ontario and the third and fourth will focus on participants in the Pacific and Atlantic regions, enhancing the capacity of Black Canadians nationwide to succeed in the job market.

“The University of Toronto is deeply committed to inclusive excellence and to dismantling systemic barriers so that everyone can reach their full potential,” said U of T President Meric Gertler. “We are very grateful to TD for this visionary investment in the future of Black Canadians, which will bring us one step closer to a more prosperous and equitable society.”

U of T’s School of Continuing Studies: Investing in communities, lifting up individuals

At the University of Toronto, the School of Continuing Studies has a unique mission, supporting lifelong learners in both personal and professional pursuits with more than 800 courses and 125 certificate programs across 40 streams. The school champions an open enrolment process that fosters accessibility and enables learners to grow in an environment known for its academic rigour as well as its strong industry partnerships and community connections.

“We are dedicated to understanding the changing nature of work in our global economy and developing programs that reflect the needs of industries and employers,” said Dean of U of T’s School of Continuing Studies, Catherine Chandler-Crichlow. “With this donation from TD, our school will be able to deliver a powerful intervention at both the individual and system-level to empower Black Canadians to realize their full potential.”

We are very grateful to TD for this visionary investment in the future of Black Canadians, which will bring us one step closer to a more prosperous and equitable society.

The four-year pilot project will unfold along two parallel tracks — a community investment phase that will strengthen the workforce development ecosystem nationwide, as well as a personalized upskilling program that can unlock life-changing opportunities for individual participants.

We are very grateful to TD for this visionary investment in the future of Black Canadians, which will bring us one step closer to a more prosperous and equitable society.

Strengthening the workforce ecosystem

To ensure that the impact of the pilot program is sustainable and scalable, the school will leverage its existing partnerships with more than 45 community agencies across Canada, while establishing new relationships with Black-led, Black-focused and Black-serving (B3) organizations. By investing in the staff at these partner agencies and organizations, the School of Continuing Studies will bolster their capacity to offer relevant workshops, mentorship and coaching services to equity-deserving groups — making a significant contribution towards lasting, positive change in the workforce.

Personalized upskilling

The upskilling program will begin recruiting its first cohort of participants in the summer of 2025, focusing on under- or unemployed Black Canadians 25 years or older.

Once participants enter the program, they will work with experts to develop a richer understanding of the skills and competencies they already possess. They will also have access to networking workshops, mentorship from industry leaders and one-on-one career coaching — resulting in personalized career plans.

After this phase, each participant will have the opportunity to enroll in courses at U of T’s School of Continuing Studies to pursue their tailored career plan and build on their talents. Finally, each cohort will be invited to a job fair to meet potential employers and professionals from the Black community, fostering robust pathways from the program directly into the job market.

A long legacy of philanthropic support

TD is one of Canada’s largest multinational banking and financial services corporations. Through its corporate citizenship platform, the TD Ready Commitment, TD brings together its people and philanthropy to support change, nurture progress and invest in local communities.

“At TD, helping people achieve their ambitions is central to who we are,” said Associate Vice-President, Social Impact & Strategy, Canada, Alicia Rose. “That’s why, through the TD Ready Commitment, we’re proud to support pilot programs led by institutions like the University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies to help break down barriers and create pathways to economic opportunity.”

For decades, TD has been a force for philanthropy, including at U of T, where nearly $15 million in donations have strengthened teaching and research across diverse areas, including childhood development and gender and the economy. TD has also supported important infrastructure like learning labs and campus green spaces. Other initiatives include the TD Limited Term Professorship in Urban Forest Conservation and Biology at the University of Toronto Scarborough, the Rotman Financial Innovation Hub in Advanced Analytics, the TD Management Data and Analytics Lab and health-care innovation research at the Creative Destruction Lab.

“TD shares the university’s commitment to help create an inclusive future for all Canadians — a critical part of our Defy Gravity campaign,” said Vice-President, Advancement at U of T, David Palmer. “This latest donation will generate life-changing outcomes for Black individuals across the country, underscoring the dramatic difference that philanthropy makes in helping communities flourish.”