If you’ve ever been to a Mix & Mingle or the mega networking-event-for-a-cause named Schmoozefest, you have GenNext to thank!
Launched in 2005, GenNext Ottawa has grown to be the go-to gathering of people in their 20s and 30s who want to create lasting change in the city.
Powered by United Way, GenNext is on a mission to bring together, inspire, and enable the next generation of change-makers to help solve complex social issues and fuel 100% local impact.
So, what’s new you ask? Let’s take a quick walk down memory lane …
Standing together makes us stronger
For the past several years, United Way has been evolving and adapting to the needs of our communities. In 2017, the four United Ways of Prescott-Russell, Ottawa, Lanark County and Renfrew County unified into a single organization, and in 2019 took on the new name of United Way East Ontario. As one voice, United Way became even stronger—understanding, researching, and working on both rural and urban issues.
We knew that GenNext Ottawa was soon to follow on this journey, and now, GenNext East Ontario is here!
Created by and for young leaders, philanthropists, and social entrepreneurs, GenNext has always been the next generation’s connection to United Way’s work. Today, we’re excited to share that this connection now reaches across our entire region and drives change on a larger scale than ever before.
A powerful vehicle for change
GenNext’s scope isn’t the only thing that’s changed—it’s now better aligned to United Way East Ontario’s goals and impact strategies. Why does this matter?
United Way East Ontario is deeply connected to hundreds of local businesses, government, and other nonprofits across the region. Through its research, evaluation, and partnerships with community experts, United Way identifies the root causes of the biggest social challenges facing our communities, and helps find and fund solutions that change tens of thousands of lives for the better. A clearer connection to United Way’s vision for creating stronger communities helps GenNext fuel more meaningful impact than ever before.
Together with a dedicated, long-standing base of supporters, donors, partners and sponsors, we’re excited for what our future holds.
Causes you care about
Mental Health. Youth Homelessness. Diversity and Inclusion. Equitable Employment.
GenNext continues to rally behind causes you care about.
We know that no community has just one issue and, in fact, problems tend to build on one another, creating complex challenges for people. This fuels more social injustices. That’s why GenNext supporters don’t just rally behind one, but a multitude of causes that are currently affecting the most vulnerable people across our region.
While these causes are the primary issues we rally behind, we know first-hand that the challenges people face are complex. That’s why GenNext puts an emphasis on overall community impact by allowing our donors to make contributions that are invested where help is needed the most and where they’ll have the greatest impact.
Big news deserves a big celebration
We’re celebrating this big news with a two-day virtual launch event, GenNext Amplify! On March 24 and 25, join the conversation and learn about issues affecting our communities with change-makers from across our region. The event will include a series of speaker sessions led by local advocates, artists, and professionals, along with wellness, happy hour and networking sessions too!
With Pay What You Can tickets, all funds raised will support GenNext’s causes and, in turn, improve the lives of local people.
