New Territorial Non-profit Association Launches

June 10, 2026 - Yellowknife, NT - A new, member-driven organization has been formed to strengthen, connect, and champion the territory’s non-profit sector. The Northwest Territories Association of Non-profits (NWTAN) has officially been established following decades of dedication, advocacy, and leadership from non-profit professionals across the territory.

The creation of NWTAN marks an important milestone for the NWT, which was the only province or territory in Canada without a formal non-profit network, despite having more than 520 registered non-profit organizations. In 2023, the non-profit sector represented the third largest percentage share of the territory’s Gross Domestic Product, highlighting its importance to communities and the territorial economy.

“NWTAN is the result of years of effort from people across the sector,” said Jacq Brasseur, Interim Executive Director. “As a major economic contributor, non-profits in the territory deserve greater recognition that reflects their value and impact.” 

NWTAN builds on past work, including a two-year Coalition Project ending in March 2026. The project identified barriers to collaboration, established shared advocacy priorities, and completed a landscape and funding analysis to better understand the needs and realities of the sector. It also laid the foundation for NWTAN, including its bylaws, guiding documents, and founding Board of Directors.

“Northern non-profits know that there’s a need to engage in advocacy to build a stronger sector,” said Lyda Fuller, Interim President. “But so many non-profit leaders are already over capacity fulfilling the mandate of their organizations. They don’t have the time or resources to engage in advocacy. We’re hoping that NWTAN will be able to fill that gap.”

NWTAN’s formation is being supported through pro-bono assistance from Ivy + Dean Consulting until July 2026. NWTAN is planning to host their first annual general meeting on June 25, 2026 where members of the Association will elect Board members and a Member Advisory Circle.

Non-profit organizations interested in joining the Association can apply to join on their website.

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For more information on NWTAN, please contact Jacq Brasseur, Interim Executive Director at execdir@nwtnonprofits.ca.