The Dollar A Day Foundation is both a charity and funder that supports grassroots mental health and addictions organizations across Canada. In this episode, Executive Director Heather Spratt explains the foundation’s unusual model—recurring donations pooled and granted out, with 100% of individual gifts going to grantees—and its trust-based approach that lets organizations decide how to use funds.

We discuss the origin story of the “dollar a day” idea (featuring Canadian music legend Alan Doyle of Great Big Sea), how an overemphasis on accountability can create barriers, and how stories help people see the impact their support is making.

00:00 Introduction

02:07 Meet Heather Spratt

02:55 A Dollar A Day Foundation’s Mission and Origin Story

06:44 Their Trust-Based Funding Model

12:13 Lean and Transparent Operations

13:12 Storytelling And Stigma

16:13 Impact At Scale

17:28 Workplace Giving Program

19:38 Advice And New Priorities

21:57 Final Thoughts And Outro

Find out more about A Dollar A Day Foundation

Website: adollaraday.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/adollaradayfdn
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dollar-a-day-foundation
YouTube: youtube.com/@adollaradayfoundation
Instagram: instagram.com/adollaradayfdn

About the Raising Impact: Storytelling for Nonprofits podcast

Raising Impact: Storytelling for Nonprofits is a podcast for nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, and community-minded professionals who want to use storytelling more intentionally. Each episode features conversations about how story builds connection, strengthens fundraising, and supports long-term growth. Grounded in the realities of nonprofit work, the podcast explores practical ideas, lived experience, and real-world approaches to communication, community, and impact.

If your organization could use help turning its stories into stronger fundraising, visit collaborativecause.ca.

New episodes are released monthly. Follow the show on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to be notified when they’re published. The podcast is hosted by Tanya Wall and Michelle Samson, and is produced by Storied Places Media.