Canadian Council of Muslim Women

What Canadian Council of Muslim Women does

The Canadian Council of Muslim Women (CCMW) is a registered Canadian charitable non-profit organization founded in 1982 in Winnipeg, Manitoba by the late Dr. Lila Fahlman. Headquartered in Toronto, CCMW operates the only national Muslim women-led advocacy network in Canada, spanning five regional chapters (Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic, Western Canada, Prairies) and 15 sub-chapters, delivering programs in employment equity, legal advocacy, anti-racism education, and leadership development. Its core program portfolio includes the ASPIRE Project (national employment barriers research, conference, and employer toolkits), DARE / Digital Anti-Racism Education (Islamophobia and cyberhate training delivered to 10,287+ individuals across 80+ institutions), CCMW LAW (Ontario-based Muslim Women's Legal and Community Support Clinic plus a nationwide Legal Services Coordination Program and Emergency Bursary Fund), the WISH Project (workplace sexual harassment intervention), and the Injustice & Insight legal storytelling podcast. The organization's leadership includes Executive Director Nuzhat Jafri, Legal Counsel Hannan Mohamud, and a 9-member Board of Directors headed by President Nina Karachi-Khaled.

CCMW operates a non-profit revenue model funded primarily through government grants and foundation support, with secondary income from individual donations, membership fees ($25-$100 annually), event revenue (Women Who Inspire Awards), and corporate sponsorships. Major funders include Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE), Department of Justice Canada, Public Safety Canada, the Ontario Government, the Canadian Women's Foundation, the Law Foundation of Ontario, and IDRF. The membership tiers are Individual ($50), Student ($25), Organizational ($100), and Supporter ($25 for non-Muslim allies without voting rights). CCMW distributes its offerings through a hybrid model combining direct digital delivery (website, podcast, e-learning modules) with chapter-based community engagement, workshops, webinars, and annual conferences. Notable recent strategic positioning includes the 2023-2028 Strategic Plan and the April 2026 launch of the AI for Good initiative in partnership with Toronto Metropolitan University's Diversity Institute, signaling intent to engage with AI governance as it affects racialized women in Canada.

Name

Canadian Council of Muslim Women

Legal name

Canadian Council of Muslim Women

Website

https://ccmw.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Canadian Council of Muslim Women is a Toronto-based non-profit founded in 1982 that advocates for the equity and empowerment of Muslim women in Canada through employment, legal services, anti-racism education, and leadership development programs delivered across five regional chapters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Non-Profit Community Advocacy

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPADAGAH

Minority, Indigenous & Disability Rights

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Human Rights, Democracy & Governance

SECONDARYBPAGAAAG

Protection, Child Protection & Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Response

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Humanitarian Aid & Disaster Relief

Keywords

• Community advocacy services
• Anti-racism education
• Legal aid services
• Women empowerment programs
• Non-profit advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Funding: CCMW receives funding from federal and provincial government departments including Department of Justice Canada, Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE), Public Safety Canada, and Ontario government. These grants support specific projects and operational capacity.
2. Foundation and Nonprofit Funding: Funding from organizations including IDRF, Law Foundation of Ontario, and Canadian Women's Foundation to support specific programs and initiatives.
3. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees: Individual $50, Student $25, Organizational $100, Supporter $25. Members receive access to events, workshops, newsletters, and voting rights for board positions.
4. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-receipted donations from individuals and organizations. Specific campaigns like Ramadan Emergency Bursary Fund drive donations. Monthly donations receive tax receipts in December or upon request.
5. Event Revenue: Revenue from Women Who Inspire Awards events including ticket sales and vendor market participation. Proceeds support scholarships for Canadian Muslim women.
6. Sponsorships: Corporate and organizational sponsorships for events and programs, such as JLC Accounting Silver Sponsorship for ASPIRE Conference and event partnerships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

CCMW delivers advocacy programs, direct services, research, and resources to advance equity and empowerment of Muslim women in Canada. Its portfolio spans legal support (CCMW LAW clinic and emergency bursary), employment equity research and toolkits (ASPIRE), anti-racism digital education (DARE), leadership and mentorship development, scholarships, and a legal storytelling podcast. Programs are delivered through five regional chapters, national digital platforms, conferences, workshops, and webinars, supported by federal and provincial government grants and foundation funding.

Product overview

The Canadian Council of Muslim Women (CCMW) is a non-profit organization offering a diverse portfolio of advocacy programs and community resources rather than a commercial technology product. Core offerings include: the National Capacity Building Project (encompassing AI for Good and Leadership & Mentorship Development initiatives); employment programs like the ASPIRE Project with its Study, Conference, and Toolkits; legal support through CCMW LAW including the Muslim Women's Legal and Community Support Clinic and Emergency Bursary Fund; anti-racism education via the DARE program; the Injustice & Insight podcast; Scholars Series; Healing & Wisdom Circle; Women Who Inspire Awards; scholarship programs; and the WISH Project addressing workplace sexual harassment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CCMW LAW: Legal advocacy branch providing culturally responsive, faith-based, and trauma-informed legal support for Muslim women across Canada
• DARE (Digital Anti-Racism Education)
• ASPIRE Project
• WISH Project
• Injustice & Insight
• Healing & Wisdom Circle
• Alia's Reading Room
• Women Who Inspire Awards

Products and services

• National Capacity Building Project A federally funded project that strengthens CCMW's organizational capacity and AI/digital awareness for Muslim and racialized women through the AI for Good initiative, Leadership & Mentorship Development, and Governance & Sustainability streams.
• AI for Good Initiative developing an intersectional feminist AI strategy that examines how artificial intelligence affects Muslim and racialized women, with national needs assessments and advisory committee guidance to support safe, ethical, and effective technology use.
• Leadership & Mentorship Development One-year pilot program developed with Accelerate Her Future that delivers mentorship, sponsorship, and peer networking for Muslim and racialized women through webinars and in-person workshops.
• WISH Project (Workplace Interventions on Sexual Harassment) National initiative empowering Muslim women and helping employers build safer, more inclusive workplaces by addressing workplace sexual harassment, particularly affecting newcomer and racialized Muslim women.
• ASPIRE Project National three-year initiative addressing systemic employment barriers faced by Muslim women through national quantitative and qualitative research, employer engagement, and practical equity-focused action.
• ASPIRE Study National research study exploring stories of diverse Canadian Muslim women's employment challenges and pathways, examining discrimination, underemployment, and career advancement barriers.
• ASPIRE Toolkits Practical resources including employee-facing self-advocacy guides and employer-facing workshop modules designed to help build equitable and inclusive workplaces for Canadian Muslim women.
• Digital Anti-Racism Education (DARE) National program funded by the Government of Canada to raise awareness about online hate and Islamophobia, empowering racialized women, girls, and allies through e-learning modules (Racism 101, Countering Cyberhate 101) and anti-Islamophobia training workshops.
• CCMW LAW (Legal Advocacy for Women) Legal advocacy branch delivering culturally responsive, faith-based, and trauma-informed legal support for Muslim women across Canada, including the Muslim Women's Legal and Community Support Clinic, Legal Services Coordination Program, and Emergency Bursary Fund.
• Muslim Women's Legal and Community Support Clinic Ontario-based clinic providing trauma-informed, faith-based, and culturally competent family law support, legal education, advocacy, and direct legal services to survivors of gender-based violence.
• Emergency Bursary Fund Fund providing short-term financial assistance to Muslim women facing urgent hardship due to gender-based violence, covering essential needs such as housing, food, and medical expenses.
• Legal Services Coordination Program Nationwide coordination program that maintains a roster of vetted lawyers and service providers referred to Muslim women residing outside Ontario who need legal support.
• Gender-Based Violence Support Project developing systemic change strategy and tools to address barriers Muslim women face when dealing with gender-based violence, providing service coordination and multilingual resources.
• Injustice & Insight Podcast Legal storytelling podcast hosted by Hannan Mohamud exploring real cases and legal battles affecting Muslim Canadians, with episodes on hate crimes, anti-Black racism, Islamophobia, and gendered Islamophobia.
• Scholars Series Educational seminar series featuring the work of contemporary Muslim women scholars to promote critical thinking and challenge stereotypes about Islam and Muslim women.
• Healing & Wisdom Circle Facilitated community program rooted in storytelling that reclaims and honors lived experiences as meaningful forms of knowledge and collective healing for Muslim women.
• Women Who Inspire Awards Annual awards ceremony since 2007 celebrating Canadian Muslim women who have made remarkable contributions in their fields and communities, with proceeds supporting scholarships for Canadian Muslim women.
• CCMW Scholarships (Lila Fahlman, Alia Hogben, Black Muslimah Shining) Three scholarship programs supporting Muslim women pursuing post-secondary education in Canada: Lila Fahlman Scholarship ($2,500), Alia Hogben Scholarship ($3,000), and Black Muslimah Shining Scholarship ($2,500).
• Alia's Reading Room Book club in honor of Alia Hogben celebrating books, conversation, and community among CCMW members.
• Islamic Herstory Project Project exploring and highlighting the history and stories of Islamic heritage to broaden public understanding.
• CCMW Regional Chapters Five regional chapters (Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic Regional, Western Canada, and Prairies) delivering local programming, community events, advocacy, and member engagement across all Canadian provinces, with 15 community chapters in total.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10,287+ people trained from over 80 institutions through DARE program
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• Toronto Metropolitan University - Diversity InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject consultant partner for AI for Good initiative. Dr. Wendy Cukier serves as Founder and Academic Director, providing expertise in inclusive innovation, AI governance, and workforce development. Members of her team serve on the Advisory Committee.
• Accelerate Her FuturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner for Leadership & Mentorship Development program. Founded by Dr. Golnaz Golnaraghi, AHF is one of Canada's leading career accelerators supporting Indigenous, Black, and racialized women in business and STEM. Program achieved 97% Net Promoter Score connecting over 300 women with mentors.
• ACCES EmploymentsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployment services partner providing skill-building sessions for job seekers and equity-focused employers at ASPIRE National Employment Conference.
• JLC AccountingsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver Sponsor of the ASPIRE Conference, providing financial support for the national employment conference advancing equity, leadership, and social change.
• FoxWing Productions Inc.supportingOthersProduction company collaborating with CCMW on gender-based violence awareness video series during Ramadan 2025, with direction by Hassan Babar.
• Showtime Photo BoothminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPhoto booth rental partner providing experiential brand activations for Women Who Inspire 2024 event.
• Kits for a CausesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative program connecting charities with volunteers to assemble care kits for individuals in need. Partnership accommodates groups of 3 to 10,000 volunteers for community impact.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Canadian Muslim Congress: National Canadian Muslim advocacy organization promoting civic engagement and community development. Direct peer in the Muslim civil society ecosystem, with overlapping policy advocacy and community programming for Canadian Muslim communities.
• South Asian Women's Centre: Toronto-based nonprofit serving South Asian and other racialized women and youth through settlement, violence support, and leadership programs. Comparable in providing culturally responsive services for racialized women, though with narrower ethnic focus and Toronto-only service footprint.
• National Council of Canadian Muslims: Canada's largest national Muslim advocacy organization, focused on human rights, anti-Islamophobia, and civic engagement. Direct peer as a national Muslim-led advocacy nonprofit operating with similar funder relationships and policy influence goals, though broader in mandate beyond women's issues.
• National Organization of Immigrant and Visible Minority Women of Canada: National organization advocating for immigrant and racialized women in Canada on issues including violence against women, employment equity, and human rights. Direct peer sharing CCMW's intersectional focus on race, gender, and newcomer status.

Broad incumbents

• YWCA Canada: Federation of YWCAs serving women and girls across Canada with focus on gender equity, safety, and economic empowerment. Comparable in mission focus on women's empowerment and anti-violence work, but operates at much larger scale with established local associations.
• Canadian Women's Foundation: Canada's largest national public foundation dedicated to gender equality, also a key CCMW funder (channeling WAGE National Capacity Building funds). Broader incumbent that operates across women's issues with substantially larger scale and grantmaking capacity.
• Amnesty International Canada: Canadian branch of global human rights organization focused on rights advocacy, research, and public campaigns. Comparable in human rights advocacy and policy influence, with substantially larger scale and global brand recognition.
• Canadian Civil Liberties Association: National human rights and civil liberties advocacy organization with litigation, policy, and education programs. Comparable in advocacy and public education role on Charter rights and anti-discrimination, though operating on broader civil liberties mandate.

Emerging players

• Aga Khan Council for Canada: Canadian branch of the Aga Khan Development Network with programming in community development, education, and cultural preservation. Comparable as a Muslim-led civil society actor in Canada, though with broader international development remit and substantially larger funding base.

Regional players

• Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI): Ontario-based umbrella organization coordinating immigrant-serving agencies including settlement, refugee, and anti-racism programs. Comparable in serving newcomer and racialized communities with advocacy and capacity-building services, though Ontario-focused and broader in immigrant populations served.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ccmwnational9068
• Facebookfacebook.com/CCMWNational
• Instagraminstagram.com/ccmwnational
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ccmw

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Canadian Council of Muslim Women