Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award
The Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award honours innovation in the development, implementation and delivery of adult literacy or adult-integrated family literacy programs delivered by a community organization in Canada. The adult-focused literacy program makes a positive contribution to the lives of the participants as well as the community and could serve as a model for other organizations to adapt.
The awards are as follows:
- one (1) top award of $20,000
- up to two (2) honourable mention awards in the amount of $10,000 each
The awards as granted can be invested into the program and/or applied to operating funds.
The award winners agree to participate in ABC Life Literacy Canada-facilitated Innovation Learning Labs online webinars, to talk about their programs. Please note that application content and accompanying letters of recommendation may be used to create community/learner profiles for ABC’s e-newsletter.
View the 2026 winners of the Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award.
How To Apply
Winners will be notified by July 31, 2026.
How To Apply
How To Apply
Submit your application via the online application form. You must include two (2) letters of support or impact statements. One of the two letters must be from a participant/learner in your program, but can be written with the help of your staff. The other letter of support could be from an external partner, volunteer or staff member involved with the program.
Be sure to read the award eligibility, FAQs and application questions before applying.
For more information, including tips on how to create a strong application, watch our webinar.
Winners will be notified by July 31, 2026.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be a not-for-profit or registered charitable organization based in Canada
- Nominated programs must:
- focus on helping adults improve their literacy and essential skills
- show demonstrated results (qualitative and quantitative) in helping Canadians live a fully engaged life
- offer an educational training experience for adults, teaching skills that enhance their engagement in life, community, workplace and family
- demonstrate innovation and creativity in adult literacy
- be in existence for at least 12 months
- be able to serve as a model for other communities in Canada
- serve adults (ages 18 and up) as the primary recipients of the educational experience
- Past award winners (either Top Award or Honourable Mentions) are welcome to submit other programs for consideration, but winning programs from past years will not be accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Download the FAQs to get answers to common questions.
If you have additional questions, please contact:
Julia Norcross
Programs Manager
jnorcross@abclifeliteracy.ca
Innovation Learning Labs
This year we’re hosting four Innovation Learning Labs, thanks to the support of Canada Life through the Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award. In each webinar we will discuss one topic that is important and relevant to the literacy field in 2026.
Award Winners
2026 Top Award Winner: Receiving $20,000
Further Education Society of Alberta, Calgary, AB
Program: Indigenous Workplace Learning Circles (IWLC)
Indigenous Workplace Learning Circles (IWLC) is a flexible literacy and workplace-readiness program that integrates the Skills for Success framework with Indigenous culture, language and community priorities. Designed to address barriers to employment for Indigenous adults, the program recognizes existing cultural knowledge as a foundation for building workplace confidence and essential skills. Over the past 15 years, IWLC has evolved to include online, hybrid and self-paced learning, improving accessibility for diverse communities.
2026 Honourable Mention Winners: Receiving $10,000 each
Colchester Adult Learning Association, Truro, NS
Program: Building AI Confidence for Employment and Life
Building AI Confidence for Employment and Life is a beginner-friendly adult literacy program that helps adults develop the knowledge and confidence to use artificial intelligence (AI) safely in everyday life. Created for learners with limited digital skills, the program introduces AI as a new form of literacy in a supportive, accessible environment. Participants learn practical ways to use AI for tasks such as writing, organizing ideas, meal planning and learning new skills, while also developing critical thinking, fact-checking and online safety skills.
Learning Link, Thorold, ON
Program: Wraparound Circles of Support
Wraparound Circles of Support is a learner-centred initiative that helps adults overcome barriers to literacy, education and employment through coordinated community support. Developed for learners facing challenges such as poverty, housing instability, mental health concerns and social isolation, the program creates personalized Circles of Support made up of family, friends and community partners. Using an evidence-based Wraparound model, learners identify their own strengths, goals and support needs while leading the learning process.
About Our Sponsor
Canada Life has been a major supporter of ABC Life Literacy Canada since 1999. Through their involvement with ABC Life Literacy Canada and other national literacy programs across the country, they are helping promote literacy and lifelong learning – key needs in helping many Canadians realize their potential at work, at home and in the community.
As an Imagine Canada Caring Company, they’ve supported the principles of corporate citizenship and benchmarks for community investment established by Imagine Canada for more than three decades. In this time, they’ve contributed over $200 million in support of Canadian non-profit, charitable and community organizations.
