SDG 1: No Poverty
2025 SDG report
SDG 1: No Poverty
TMU is dedicated to supporting efforts to eradicate poverty both locally and globally. Through partnerships with community organizations, student initiatives, and interdisciplinary research, the university works to address economic and social challenges. By providing resources, advocacy, and direct support to those in need, TMU fosters a more inclusive and equitable society and promotes access to education.
The following data and information relates to our 2025 SDG 1 impact.
Proportion of students receiving need-based financial aid in 2025: 54%
TMU has raised over $1 million for local United Way agencies through our annual giving campaign
10,350 items rehomed through TMU’s Free Store as of early 2025
Our goals in action
TMU offers programs that equip students with the skills and knowledge to support individuals facing poverty and related social challenges. From community service work to social policy development, these programs prepare graduates to drive meaningful change. Hands-on learning opportunities, including field placements and community partnerships, ensure students gain real-world experience in addressing social inequality.
- The School of Social Work at TMU seeks to help build a more equitable and inclusive society through economic, political, and cultural change. The school’s programs include a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program and a Master of Social Work (MSW) program, both of which are accredited by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education.
- TMU’s Faculty of Community Services offers a BA Child and Youth Care program accredited by the Child and Youth Care Educational Accreditation Board of Canada. Students learn to design and implement developmental, preventative and therapeutic programs and explore policy areas, research and advocacy options. Small interactive classes, local and international internships, mentoring opportunities and an independent research project will prepare graduates to promote the participation of children and youth in society.
- The Spanning the Gaps – Transition Foundations Program at TMU helps individuals transition into postsecondary education, even if they haven’t finished high school or have been out of school for an extended period. The fully-online program can be completed within 18 months and offers learners flexibility to schedule coursework around other obligations. TMU offers tuition subsidies, making it completely free for eligible learners. Learners who complete the program receive a recognition of completion from The Chang School of Continuing Education, allowing them to apply to an undergraduate program at TMU, take more continuing-education courses, register for a certificate program through The Chang School, or apply to another post-secondary institution.
TMU faculty members are conducting research that examines poverty from economic, political, and social perspectives. Their work explores income inequality, affordable housing, access to education, and systemic barriers that contribute to poverty. By generating data-driven insights and policy recommendations, TMU researchers help shape solutions that create lasting social impact.
- The Canada Excellence Research Chair in Migration and Integration (CERC Migration) was the first ever CERC awarded to Toronto Metropolitan University, and is led by Professor Anna Triandafyllidou. The program is producing innovative and actionable knowledge on the links between migration and post-migration processes, forced and voluntary mobility, internal and international migration, and the role of countries of origin and transit. CERC Migration pays special attention to Canadian realities while also engaging in comparative research with and among other countries in various global regions.
- The Global Migration Institute, TMU’s hub for migration and integration research, has launched Enterprise Bridge Toronto – a pilot project that focuses on the economic integration of immigrants in the city of Toronto. The project’s goal is to empower economically disadvantaged immigrants by supporting them with the tools and knowledge to start and grow sustainable businesses through training, mentoring, consulting, networking, and research. The project will actively engage with entrepreneurs over an 11-month period and track their progress for three years. This project was implemented in partnership with the University of Notre Dame’s Urban Poverty and Business Initiatives (UPBI).
TMU is committed to ensuring that financial barriers do not stand in the way of education. Through scholarships, bursaries, and emergency financial aid, the university supports students from all backgrounds in accessing and completing their studies. Additional programs, such as work-study opportunities and financial literacy resources, help students manage their expenses and build a stable future.
- TMU supports students’ access to education through the provision of financial assistance. This includes providing information to support students’ access to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), and access to various scholarships, awards, bursaries and other financial supports.
- The Walnut Foundation Award was established in 2025 to reduce financial barriers and create greater opportunities for incoming Black medical students at TMU. The award reflects a shared commitment to create opportunities for learners to thrive and help build a health care system that is responsive to the needs of diverse communities.
- The newly established Pathways to Equity: Work-Integrated Learning Bursary is an initiative aimed at enhancing access to work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities for TMU undergraduate students from equity-deserving groups. The bursary is designed to provide financial assistance to undergraduate students facing barriers in completing unpaid curricular WIL opportunities, including community and industry research and projects, entrepreneurial WIL, field placements and community service learning.
TMU actively supports local communities through fundraising initiatives, free services, and advocacy efforts aimed at reducing poverty. The university collaborates with local organizations to provide essential resources, including food programs, financial assistance, and employment support. These initiatives strengthen social infrastructure and empower individuals and families in need.
- TMU is a long-standing supporter of United Way Greater Toronto. Since 2015 we have raised over $1 million for local United Way agencies through our annual giving campaign. Contributions to the campaign fund a GTA-wide network of community agencies that work locally to provide everything from food and mental health counselling to shelter and vital outreach services.
- Over 1,000 Toronto residents without stable housing accessed vital services at Homeless Connect Toronto’s 12th annual One-Stop-Shop in October 2025. For the 12th year, the event transformed TMU’s Mattamy Athletic Centre into a community hub. More than 80 groups set up services under one roof, including social agencies, health care providers, community organizations and local businesses. Guests could access services that are often hard to reach when facing homelessness. The event offered: winter clothing and jackets, flu shots, dental exams, vision screening, haircuts, hot meals, social services and housing support.
- The TMU Free Store allows students the opportunity to pick up donated items such as office supplies, electronics, home decor, kitchen utensils and books at no cost. The aim of the Free Store is to disrupt throwaway culture and contribute to the circular economy, reduce carbon emissions associated with the production and transportation of new goods, and save resources, including raw materials, water and energy. In addition to the environmental benefits, the Free Store also provides students equitable access to get the things that they need.
