Our History

Established in 1989, the Carold Institute's original mission was to advance citizenship and promote voluntary organizations and volunteering as the foundation of a healthy civil society.

From 1989 to 2015 under various iterations ( Allan Thomas Fellowship, Winifred Hewetson Awards in Community and World Service,  Bob Ward Memorial Fellowship )  the Institute delivered more than 20 Fellowships and facilitated annual learning days.

Through the Alan Thomas Fellowship, leaders at transition points in their careers received year-long sabbaticals to pursue research of importance to the sector. Fellows shared their work through reports, books, films, and other formats.

Over its 30-year history, the Carold Institute remained guided by Clare Clark’s vision. The question “What would Clare say or want?” served as a moral compass.

In 2016, recognizing shifts in the social change and adult education sectors, the board chose to pursue partnership rather than closure.

Carold found alignment with Community Knowledge Exchange (CKX), ensuring that its work would continue and evolve. From 2017 to 2022 the Institute continued to invest in those who embody a different paradigm of leading by offering Cohort and fellowship opportunities.  Cohort X and Just Futures Fellowship engaged16 leaders.

In 2018 the Arpi Hamalian Fund was launched to honour Arpi Hamalian, an advocate, ally and lifelong champion of adult education and citizen participation.

In 2024 the Institute transitioned to a new phase of operations which builds upon its incredible legacy by continuing to support the vital work of community leaders at the intersection of social and environmental justice. While we continued to deliver Flourishing Leadership Fellowships, the Institute entered into another transition.

This next chapter takes form through the Institute for the Study of Spirit, a national Indigenous women led charity dedicated to healing, unity, and peace making.

Under the leadership of Kahontakwas Diane Longboat, this evolution carries forward Carold’s enduring commitment to supporting leaders at the frontlines of social and environmental change, while expanding its foundation to include spiritual practice, ceremony, and healing as essential dimensions of systems transformation.

Carold Institute 1989-2016

A steadfast commitment to enabling and empowering people driving social change.

In 1989, Clare Clark established the Carold Institute for the Advancement of Citizenship in Social Change, a small foundation that made a significant impact in adult education and democratic participation.

As a nimble learning organization guided by principles rooted in social movements, the Carold Institute:

  • Created spaces for conversations that advanced democratic participation in Canada

  • Supported leaders in the voluntary sector to reflect on, refine, and share their practices and knowledge

  • Fostered innovative partnerships with like-minded organizations and individuals

In a sector where opportunities for reflection are rare, the Carold Institute provided precious space for people to deepen their learning and share it with others.

The archives of the Carold Institute, including Clare Clark’s papers, are held at the University of Waterloo.

Learning Days and Community

The Carold Institute convened groups around key social change topics such as:

  • Local and global democracy

  • Citizenship and globalization

These gatherings took place through learning circles and events, with many insights captured in publications that remain relevant today.

The Alan Thomas Fellowship

Through the Alan Thomas Fellowship, leaders at transition points in their careers received year-long sabbaticals to pursue research of importance to the sector.

Fellows shared their work through reports, books, films, and other formats.

“Because of the Fellowship, my network grew exponentially.”
— Peggy Edwards, 2009 Alan Thomas Fellow

The Winifred Hewetson Awards

The Institute also established the Winifred Hewetson Awards in Community and World Service, honouring a founding board member and recognizing contributions to the field.

Through these efforts, Carold built a vibrant network grounded in:

  • Deep relationships

  • Shared learning

  • A collective vision for citizenship and social change

Carold - CKX 2016-2025

The Fellowship Programs exist to provide leaders working at the intersection of social and environmental justice with the time, space, and resources to pause, reflect, and renew. The program aspires to create a space for experienced leaders who would not have access to conventional fellowships due to systemic barriers faced by historically marginalized communities and identities.  

Honouring Generational Leadership - Cohort X

As part of the Carold Institute’s evolving practice, Cohort X was created as a space to recognize and support the generational leadership of communities working to bring more just futures into being. It reflected Carold’s longstanding commitment to creating conditions for reflection, relationship building, and collective action across the social change field.

Cohort X intentionally cultivated equitable and relational learning environments, where participants could deepen their practice, connect across differences, and engage in shared inquiry. The program also sought to expand access to the resources and supports needed for leaders and communities to sustain and grow their work.

In continuity with Carold’s broader legacy, Cohort X contributed to a shift away from individual centred and output driven approaches. It centred co creation, reciprocal relationships, reflection, and collective learning, offering a model of practice that aligned with Carold’s values as a learning organization rooted in social movements.

Cohort X stands as part of the Institute’s later chapter, carrying forward its ethos while continuing to evolve how leadership and learning are held in service of social change.

Flourishing Leadership Fellowship 

The Carold Institute is proud to continue its work through the Flourishing Leadership Fellowship Program, a new iteration of our longstanding commitment to supporting leaders creating transformational change. This program embodies our mission to support leaders who inspire, enrich, and embolden efforts to bring about systemic change in today’s world.

  • Embodies principles of care, equity, and reciprocity, providing a reflective sabbatical to nurture individual and collective insights for systemic change.

  • Embraces a decolonizing approach that upholds dignity, addresses power dynamics, and centers marginalized perspectives.

  • Acknowledges rest and healing as integral to generating insights and contributing to the broader field of social and climate justice starting with prioritizing the well-being of womxn on the frontlines of social and environmental change.

  • Recognizes and supports the often-overlooked work of practitioners scaling "deep" rather than "up and out.". 

The Arpi Hamalian Fund

In 2018 the Arpi Hamalian Fund was launched to honour Arpi Hamalian, an advocate, ally and lifelong champion of adult education and citizen participation. One of Professor Hamalian’s  priorities is to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to bring their life experience to the dialogue. This commitment to equity recognizes that certain barriers must be removed to enable the participation of under-represented groups. Contributions are welcomed and can be done easily via Canada Help. 

Reflections

Carold initiated conversations on dozens of issues that impact our understanding and practice of democracy and citizenship in Canada today – resource extraction in first nations society, participatory democracy, innovation in social movements in Quebec, human rights and citizenship, emerging trends in voluntary action and more, the interface between big data and civil society.

Carold functioned as a space for reflection and exploration, driven by ideas and the energy of its community rather than formal structure.

“An Organization Without an Ego

“The most ‘ego-less’ organization I have ever experienced… inspiring creativity and commitment across the country.”

— Derek G. Evans CEO, Past Cuso International

The Common Good

“A dedicated, thoughtful group… using what power they had for the common good.”


— D’Arcy Martin

Reflection, Exploration, and Social Change

“An impressive agenda for a little foundation with no staff and no office.”

— Michael Cooke, Former Chair, Carold Institute

Clare Clark’s Leadership

“[Clare Clark] had a way of popping up everywhere… drawing people in through presence and leadership.”


— Leona English

Improving Civil Society

“Carold really is an amazing organization… doing what it can to improve civil society in Canada and around the world.”


— Amir Hussain Carold Institute -

Reflections

“We have created a legacy, a fellowship to be proud of; may it continue to flourish.”


— Nigel Martin, former Board Member Carold Institute

Carold had a kind of alchemical inclusivity to track people, and to weave ideas and relationships over time, and then invite these back in at just the right time.” - Vanessa Reid