The Dawn Fund supports programs and services for trans, two-spirit and non-binary individuals of all ages, and at different stages of transition, throughout Atlantic Canada. The Fund aims to alleviate some of the stressors faced by the trans, two-spirit and non-binary community and to increase supports, hope and joy.
Bursaries
Services and Supports
Organisations supporting trans, two-sprit and non-binary individuals can apply to deadlines TWICE a year if they meet the Community Foundation requirements as a non-profit for charity serving this community. Please use the form below to apply.
The DAWN Fund does not support individuals directly.
Committee Bios
Shelley Thompson is a filmmaker and actor based in Wolfville, Mi’kma’ki, who trained at RADA (UK), CFC, WIDC, & Meryl Streep/Nicole Kidman’s NYC Writers Lab. Acting awards include ACTRA/Gemini’s (film/TV) and Merritt awards (theatre). Her several short films have been screened internationally. Her feature, DAWN HER DAD & THE TRACTOR, premiered at InsideOut 2021, was a Borsos Prize nominee at WHISTLER and had sold-out screenings at BFI Flare, London, UK, Inside Out and in Halifax at FIN. In 2022, DHD&TT won NS’s Masterworks Prize.
Thompson’s first novel, ROAR was published in 2023 by Nimbus/Vagrant. She’s presently working on a collection of short stories, THE THING OF IT IS: STORIES FOR THE WINTER SEASON.
Recently, she’s produced a six-part docu-series called TRANSLATIONS, found on Bell’s Fibe TV1.
Proud mother of her trans son T. Thomason, Shelley created the DAWN Fund to help draw attention and support to his community, and her new family.
Julien Davis (he/him) is an out trans man, a clinical social worker and Advanced Practice Lead on Gender Affirming Care with the NS Health Mental Health & Addictions program. He provides various trainings and consultation to clinicians throughout the province on providing gender affirming care as well as 2SLGBTQIA+ affirmative therapies and also continues to work directly with trans and gender diverse folks and their families. Prior to this, he worked at the Youth Project where he helped initiate the first trans and gender diverse youth group “Transformers” and summer camp for trans and gender diverse youth, “Camp Coyote”. He has been awarded the NS College of Social Work’s David William Connors Memorial Award recognizing his contributions to the field of social work and his dedication to the well-being of Nova Scotia’s 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.
Aimee MacDonald is the Gender and Sexual Diversity Advisor at St. Francis Xavier University, where she advocates for and supports 2SLGBTQIA+ students, staff, and faculty. She provides guidance on personal, academic, financial, and gender affirmation concerns while delivering education through Positive Space seminars. Beyond campus, Aimee facilitates training for schools, businesses, and national organizations. A certified ASIST and safeTALK facilitator through LivingWorks, she integrates suicide prevention training within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Holding degrees in Information Systems and Human Resource Management, she is completing a Master’s in Adult Education in Community Development. Aimee is deeply committed to equity, education, and social justice.
Nolan Pike is a queer and trans writer, artist, and community educator living in Kjipuktuk. Nolan is the founder of Equity Educate. As a speaker and policy consultant, Nolan is passionate about helping organizations build more inclusive spaces and practices for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. As a writer and artist, Nolan hopes to contribute something of value to the community of queer and trans artists that have inspired him.
Alex Hosein is a mixed-race, queer, nonbinary community pharmacist and program coordinator living in Punamu’kwati’jk, Mi’kma’ki. They strive to create trauma-informed, inclusive, and anti-oppressive practice environments, promoting shared decision-making and person-focused care. In addition to their pharmacy practice, Alex works within 2SLGBTQIA* and BIPOC centered spaces, understanding access to creative communities and self-expression as integral to wellness. Alex is passionate about care work, with particular interest in relationship building, community, harm reduction, education, collaboration, and health equity.
Veronica, an established EDI community leader, originally from England, moved to Cape Breton in 2016. Formally educated in electronic engineering just over 35 years ago, she has worked around the world in a number of markets both in engineering, sales, marketing, support, management and at c-level.
Veronica has a transgender history. Drawing from her lived experiences, her EDI training/consultancy is in demand locally and further afield. She also does some engineering work in the music business and is a luthier, something of a 40 year passion.
She is board chair for the Cape Breton Center for Sexual Health, Undercurrent Youth Society, Marion Bridge SAC and CBVRCE SAC, is a member of the Status of Women Advisory Council, Cape Breton Pride, and is the founder of Cape Breton Transgender Network.
Veronica has two daughters and four grandchildren, plays bass guitar and keyboards, is a writer, photographer and partial to a decent cup of tea.
Gabriel Enxuga (he/they) is a proud queer and trans person and healthcare worker. They are a Registered Social Worker and currently work as a Navigator with prideHealth, where they support 2SLGBTQ+ communities in accessing safe, affirming, and inclusive healthcare. They have been passionate about supporting trans, non-binary, and Two Spirit communities for many years, beginning with efforts to start a GSA in the local Antigonish high school back in 2005. Over the years, he has been involved with numerous community organizations and initiatives, including developing community programs, advocating for expanded coverage for gender-affirming care, and conducting community-based research. At heart, Gabriel is passionate about creating a world where trans and non-binary people can thrive.