Grand Challenges Canada

Funding sustainable sanitation and hygiene innovations for underserved communities

Bold ideas.Local solutions.Global impact.

We invest in innovation that saves and improves lives.

Over the past 15 years, we’ve invested in more than 1,500 unique innovations across 100+ countries. These ideas are transforming maternal and child health, mental health, gender equity, and access to clean water and sanitation. From digital health platforms in Kenya to Indigenous-led solutions in Canada, our approach to funding is grounded in equity, evidence, and partnership.

We back innovation with measurable results—and we’re just getting started. Over the past 15 years, we’ve:

Invested in more than

1500 unique innovations

in over 100 countries

Reached more than

85 million people

with life-saving and life-improving innovations

Delivered returns of over

$7 billion

increasing the lifetime earnings of people we reach by over 25%, helping to keep families alive and staving off financial catastrophe

Leveraged

$2.42 for every $1

invested by our anchor funder, the Government of Canada

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Let’s accelerate impact together.

Whether you’re a funder, policymaker, or innovator, we can’t scale solutions without strong partnerships. We co-create, co-invest, and work hand in hand to help innovations reach the people who need them most.