Office of Community Engagement Programs

SFU’s Office of Community Engagement develops and runs programming to advance community engagement at SFU. Our current and past initiatives are listed below. Learn more about how we work by checking out our strategic priorities, or click here to meet our team.

SFU's Community Engagement Initiative

Annual grants of up to $10,000 to nurture community-engaged scholarship and impact

The CEI has awarded over $1.2 million in funding and supported over 230 community-engaged projects developed with community partners that have expanded knowledge, catalyzed impact, and advanced Truth & Reconciliation, equity, and justice. Each year, the quality of proposals increases and is a testament to the courage and creativity of SFU faculty and staff. Learn more →

Office Strategic Priorities: 1,2,3,4,5
SFU Strategic Priorities: Uphold Truth & Reconciliation; Engage in Global Challenges; Make a difference for BC; Transform the SFU experience

Warren Gill Award for Community Impact

HONOURING AND CELEBRATING LIFETIME ACHEIVEMENT IN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

The Warren Gill Award for Community Impact is an annual award given to SFU staff or faculty who have demonstrated lifetime commitment to working with community partners in order to transform and strengthen our approaches to research, education, and community action. Learn more →

Office Strategic Priorities: 1,2,5
SFU Strategic Priorities: Transform the SFU experience

Student Community Engagement Competition

An annual funding program for students interested in developing and implementing meaningful projects with community partners.

The SFU Student-Community Engagement Competition offers an opportunity for students to learn how to work in equitable partnership with individuals and organizations in the community. Since 2014, over $170,000 has been awarded to more than 65 community engagement projects tackling challenges like food justice, reconciliation, social connection, newcomer inclusion, racism, the toxic drug crisis, and more. Learn more →

Office Strategic Priorities: 1,3,4,5
SFU Strategic Priorities: Uphold Truth & ReconciliationEngage in Global ChallengesMake a difference for BCTransform the SFU experience

Food Security

Harnessing the power of partnership to address food insecurity at SFU. 

Food is pivotal to building culture, good health, and a sense of belonging. That’s why SFU’s Office of Community Engagement has been working with Burnaby organizations and community members to create programs like the SFU Food Pantry and Community Free Fridge to address food insecurity at SFU. Learn more →

Office Strategic Priorities: 3,4
SFU Strategic Priorities: Make a difference for BCTransform the SFU experience

SFU Surrey–TD Community Engagement Centre

Hey Students! Making a difference in the community also makes a difference in you.

We collaborate with people and organizations in Surrey to co-create programming, share resources, and take action on key challenges. Our initiatives focus on education, mentorship, connection, and skill development, primarily reaching children, youth, and newcomers to Canada. Our programs have employed over 2000 SFU student volunteers in partnerships with over 100 organizations. Learn more →

Office Strategic Priorities: 3,4,5
SFU Strategic Priorities: Uphold Truth & ReconciliationEngage in Global ChallengesMake a difference for BCTransform the SFU experience

Connect Fest

A FESTIVAL BY THE COMMUNITY, FOR THE COMMUNITY.

Co-presented by Simon Fraser University and the City of Burnaby, in participation with many local Burnaby organizations, Connect Fest is a week-long series of free events, featuring performances, lectures, discussions, tours, and more, all designed to inform, engage, and spark creative conversations among Burnaby’s vibrant and diverse audiences. Learn more →

Office Strategic Priorities: 3,4,5
SFU Strategic Priorities: Uphold Truth & ReconciliationMake a difference for BC;

Past initiatives

  • Between 2019 and 2021, SFU helped convene fifteen other Canadian post-secondary institutions to consider what would be necessary to bring the Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement to Canada. In June 2021, the pilot concluded with unanimous assent to found a Canadian Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement.

  • The COVID-19 Community Resilience Network was a part of SFU’s broad and dynamic response to the pandemic. Forged from a set of principles to guide our action, the network’s approach emphasized working with and within communities. It was an invitation to “walk the talk” of equitable collaboration, and to mobilize urgent action to help make our neighbourhoods and community systems more resilient.