At the heart of Tamarack lies the belief that true community building, engagement and change go beyond mere words — they require genuine care, compassion and action.
Through coaching and resources, collaborative partnerships, and a deep understanding of the challenges we face, we support individuals and communities to break free from poverty's grip, create sustainable and equitable climate transitions, and inspire a sense of belonging and purpose.
Tamarack’s approach to change is guided by its vision, mission and principles, and informed by a theory of change.
Our Vision
Tamarack is a connected force for community change, building the capacity of changemakers in cities and communities, within Canada, and around the world.
Our Mission
Tamarack catalyzes collective action with diverse leaders to solve major community challenges including ending poverty, building youth futures, building belonging, and addressing climate change. Our belief is that when we are effective in strengthening our collective capacity to engage citizens and lead collaboratively, our work contributes to the building of peace and to a more equitable society.
Our Principles
Connection & Belonging: We strengthen connections and collaborations between diverse people, organizations, and sectors to build trust, alignment, and accountability to achieve more together than we can apart. A sense of belonging is often tied to feeling valued, being accepted, and being able to participate fully regardless of background.
Strengths & Optimism:We imagine equitable futures. We seek out the unique gifts of each person and group. We orient attention – one of our most valuable forms of capital – toward what can be and toward the examples – however small – that represent the future we want.
Place: We focus our efforts on places where people live and centre their unique assets, knowledge, relationships, and local priorities as they seek equitable outcomes in their communities.
Equity & Justice: We centre lived/living experience and amplify work in service of equitable outcomes. We are transparent and open about our journey and learnings. We name the hard truths and work through our discomfort. We work to close equity gaps
Courage & Learning: We ask difficult questions about the systems and structures of oppression. We share what we are learning, try to stay curious, and are open to leaving conversations having gained new perspectives.
Action & Impact: We focus on the how and share practical stories, tools and processes to build individual capacity, guide change at the scale of entire communities, and shift policies and systems in service of ending poverty in all of its forms.
Theory of Change
Our Theory of Change is based on the assumption that communities have a central role in responding to the intertwined challenges of climate change, racism, polarization, pandemics and income inequality for five key reasons:
It is easier to rebuild and strengthen connections, trust and relationships between diverse people who live in the same geographic area.
People are typically more willing to commit to long term efforts to make change when it is “their” community.
Community-wide efforts offer immediate and meaningful opportunities for leadership by persons with lived experience and inclusive approaches.
Place-based efforts allow for greater flexibility, innovation and responses that fit the unique nature of distinct communities.
There is a greater chance of addressing integrated economic social and environmental issues in practical ways at the scale of community.
WHERE YOUR DONATIONS GO
By donating to Tamarack, you're contributing to sustainable changemaking and providing our communities with things like: open-source resources and tools, barrier-free and inclusive educational opportunities for equity-deserving community members, compensation for individuals with lived experience, innovative community change projects, and so much more.
As a small organization, founded in 2001, Tamarack had a big goal – establish a Learning Center to provide research and document real stories, exemplary practice, and effective applications for community change.
We now disseminate the lessons learned with a growing network of 35,000 changemakers in Canada, the United States, and around the world. Since 2001, we have effectively helped more than one million households rise out of poverty and have engaged more than 350 municipalities represented in 83 regions as we continue pressing toward our goal of ending poverty in Canada.
Tamarack 2030 represents our emerging vision for the future. Over the last 20 years, we have learned that community change happens when individuals and networks have the skills, knowledge, and intention to work collectively around a community goal and focus on impact. We bring a unique perspective weaving together a broad, diverse, and connected membership. These members invest in their shared future and work tirelessly to envision and achieve a better world.
Browse our Resource Hub to read, listen to and watch how our changemakers are making an impact. Visit our Learning Center to attend events, enroll in courses, and participate in community discussions.
We’re happy to answer questions, discuss community issues and direct you to trusted resources. Get in touch with a specific team member or submit a general inquiry.
