In 2014, the idea for the Festival of Literary Diversity launched with a simple but powerful belief: that Canadian literature is strongest when it reflects a full range of voices, stories, and lived experiences. What started as a single festival in 2016 has grown into multi-faceted literary organization with national reach—one that continues to champion underrepresented authors and connect readers and writers in meaningful ways.
CONTENTS
About Page 7
Ecosystem Pages 8–11
Initiatives
Pages 12–23
Funding Page 24
Volunteers
Page 26
Championing from extraordinary voices.
powerful stories
Redefining Canadian literature
Letter from the Executive Director
Over the past decade, FOLD has welcomed tens of thousands of attendees, worked with hundreds of authors and artists, partnered with schools and libraries across the country, and created spaces where readers of all ages can see themselves reflected in books.
From the Festival of Literary Diversity to FOLD Kids Book Fest, FOLD Academy, the FOLD Reading Challenge, and more recent initiatives like the podcast and clothing line, each program reflects our commitment to access and equity and is rooted in a deep belief in the transformative power of stories
As we move into a new decade of this work, we are excited to introduce a refreshed FOLD brand identity—one that reflects who we are today and the legacy we continue to build. Like FOLD, the new look is bold and welcoming. It signals our commitment to building a literary ecosystem that is inclusive, joyful, and future-focused.
As you read this report, I hope you see both the scope of what we’ve accomplished and the possibility that lies ahead.
With gratitude,
Jael Richardson Executive Director, The FOLD Foundation
About FOLD
Founded in 2016 with the launch of the Festival of Literary Diversity, FOLD is one of Canada’s leading literary organizations, championing underrepresented authors and storytellers through inclusive, high-impact programming that is redefining Canada’s literary ecology. Based in Brampton, FOLD reaches both local, national, and international audiences through a combination of innovative in-person and virtual programs that run throughout the year.
As the organization has grown, FOLD’s new visual identity reflects this expansion and maturity. The introduction of new logos across FOLD and FOLD Kids signals a shift from a single flagship festival to a cohesive, multi-faceted organization —one that continues to deepen its impact while remaining rooted in its founding mission to amplify diverse voices and transform the literary landscape for readers and writers of all ages.
MEET THE STAFF:
Hudson Lin Program Coordinator
Ardo Omer Kids Program Coordinator
Jessica Rampersad Outreach and Communications Coordinator
Folio FOLD Kids Mascot
Expanding the FOLD Ecosystem
More than a festival with additional programs, FOLD has evolved to become an organization comprised of interconnected parts, each contributing to a larger mission of championing a diverse range of readers, writers, and stories year-round. As FOLD enters its second decade, The FOLD Ecosystem reflects the evolution of work that has been growing over time. Bringing six distinct looks together under a new FOLD brand identity better illustrates the scope of the organization’s impact.
Where groundbreaking conversations take centre stage.
Growing readers. Raising leaders
Sixconnected
initi a tives
fuellingonecritical
Navigating the craft and business of writing.
14–15 Page 16–17
18–19
Broaden your bookshelf. Expand your world.
Behind the story, beyond the book.
FOLD Ecosystem Impact
THE
FOLD ECOSYSTEM positions the organization for sustainable growth, national reach, and deeper community impact. It creates space for innovation while maintaining continuity, creating a structure where every initiative strengthens the whole. The pages that follow explore each initiative in more detail—highlighting how each contributes to the larger ecosystem and how, together, they redefine what inclusive Canadian literary engagement looks like.
THE ECOSYSTEM STRUCTURE ALLOWS FOLD TO:
1. REACHES AUDIENCES across ages, regions, and lived experiences
2. SUPPORTS LITERARY ENGAGEMENT year-round rather than seasonally
3. FOSTERS CRITICAL PATHWAYS for writers and readers
4. STRENGTHENS LITERARY REPRESENTATION , and CULTURAL PARTICIPATION
68% of those surveyed in 2025 identify as members of MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES
heregroundbreak i ng conversations
THE FESTIVAL OF LITERARY DIVERSITY is
FOLD’s flagship event and the catalyst for the mission and purpose of the organization. Created in 2016 to address gaps in representation within Canada’s literary landscape, the festival brings together acclaimed and emerging authors for conversations that are bold, timely, and rooted in lived experience.
The festival began as an in-person event driven by a commitment to serve Brampton, but as the organization grew, so did its approach. Today, it stands as the only festival in Canada presented in an intentionally balanced multi-modal format, offering both innovative virtual programming and dynamic in-person experiences each spring. The multi-modal approach not only expands the festival’s access beyond geographic boundaries, it also ensures that a wide range of audiences can connect with authors and ideas in ways that are flexible, inclusive, and meaningful.
$240,000 in AUTHOR HONOURARIUMS paid out since 2016
483 AUTHORS FEATURED since 2016
415+ CANADIAN 35 INTERNATIONAL
340% increase in IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE since 2019
860% increase in OVERALL ATTENDANCE since 2019
FOLD KIDS BOOK FEST
grew out of a recognition that young readers deserve a dedicated space to spark creativity and curiosity. From 2016–2018, children’s authors appeared as part of the main Festival of Literary Diversity, but in 2019, FOLD launched a distinct festival designed specifically for kids, families, and educators. During the pandemic, the festival was delivered in a unique virtual format, expanding its reach to classrooms across the country. This focused approach allowed for deeper engagement and stronger connections with schools across the country.
Today, FOLD Kids Book Fest also operates in a dynamic multi-modal format, combining in-person community experiences in Brampton with accessible virtual programming that serves students, educators, and families nationwide throughout the school year.
$81,000 in AUTHOR HONOURARIUMS paid out since 2019
175 AUTHORS FEATURED since 2019
“Great speakers with great insights .”
—FOLD Academy Attendee
“FOLD does a great job of cultivating a community of thoughtful , caring , and supportive participants.”
—FOLD Academy Instructor
craftand bus i ness ofwriting .
FOLD ACADEMY
began as a way to support writers by offering free craft-focused workshops, industry insight opportunities, and professional development experiences. Programming is designed to meet writers at different stages of their careers, providing practical tools that explore craft and equity in publishing.
Today, FOLD Academy reflects FOLD’s commitment to strengthening the literary community by creating even more opportunities for emerging writers in Canada through accessible, values-driven learning and networking experiences. In addition to a free monthly workshop series, FOLD Academy encompasses two annual opportunities for authors to pitch directly to editors and agents, and one virtual networking series that provides emerging writers with an opportunity to meet a variety of publishing professionals at the Festival of Literary Diversity.
80 LIVE ATTENDEES per workshop
175+ REPLAYS per workshop
1,157 BOOKS READ in the first 3 months of tracking
270 k MINUTES READ
148 k PAGES READ
200 REGISTERED USERS
Broaden yo u r bookshelf .
FOLD READS
builds on the success of FOLD’s annual Reading Challenge by expanding reader engagement and transforming the reading experience into a thoughtful and goal-oriented, year-round practice. Through reading challenges, digital tracking tools, and curated recommendations, participants of all ages are encouraged to read more, read widely, and read with intention.
By centring community and discovery, FOLD Reads helps readers build habits that extend beyond a single book or moment. The initiative reinforces reading as both a personal joy and a collective act—one that fosters empathy, curiosity, and connection across audiences.
The FOLD Reading Challenge began as a simple call to read more diversely. It has grown into a dynamic, yearround reading experience where participants can track their progress, earn badges, and enjoy curated recommendations on a new virtual platform.
The FOLD Kids Book-of-the-Month program highlights two exceptional titles each month — one picture book and one chapter book. Featuring a diverse range of engaging stories, the program offers families, educators, and students a simple way to discover new Canadian titles year-round.
INTO THE FOLD : A BOOKS + LIT PODCAST
was launched to celebrate a milestone—documenting the 10th anniversary of the Festival of Literary Diversity. It was envisioned as a limited series, a space to reflect on where we started, the journey so far, and the stories that shaped the first decade.
In the middle of the first season, however, something unexpected happened. Conversations between Founder and Executive Director Jael Richardson and Program Coordinator Hudson Lin revealed important insights into the work of organizing a literary festival— a perspective that most audiences don’t get to see. It became less about looking back on past achievements and more about pulling back the curtain on the challenges, creative tensions, and frustrations of working in the Canadian publishing industry.
Today, Into the Fold is a space for year-round, candid conversations—where the inner workings of building a literary community are explored in real time. It invites listeners to not just witness important milestones, but to understand the process, the people, and the purpose that drive the work forward.
4,000+
LISTENS + VIEWS
2 SEASONS 22 EPISODES
“Developing permanent and seasonal lines has allowed us to grow this revenue source through unique projects and partnerships.”
—Jael
Richardson, FOLD Executive Director
ear yourstory.
FOLD APPAREL
started with the production of an annual festival T-shirt featuring a fun, bookish slogan sold at the festival in Brampton. Each design was created to mark a moment and to give the FOLD community something tangible to show-off their love for reading wherever they went.
What began as a limited annual drop quickly revealed a real interest: people wanted more ways to carry the spirit of the Festival of Literary Diversity and the beautiful diversity of Canadian Literature with them into their everyday lives. Today, FOLD Apparel has evolved into a fully-operational, online, print-on-demand store that does just that.
Each piece is an extension of our mission—to connect community, to celebrate books and authors, and to amplify the stories that shape us. With a wide variety of styles, FOLD Apparel isn’t just merch; it’s a wearable expression of literary culture. It allows readers, writers, and supporters to represent FOLD wherever they are, sparking conversations and building connections in spaces far beyond the festival.
$20,000 GROSS REVENUE and counting
Fueled by Funders
FOLD’s continued growth and impact are made possible through the generosity of donors, grantors, and sponsors who believe in the importance of championing diverse stories and voices. Your support has enabled us to expand our programming, deepen our community connections, and create meaningful opportunities for readers, writers, educators, and industry professionals. From accessible virtual events to vibrant in-person experiences, this collective investment ensures that our work remains both responsive and far-reaching.
$1.5 million GRANT REVENUE received since 2016
$90,000 INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS received since 2016
$580,000 CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP received since 2016
$195,900 CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP received since 2019
$210,000 TICKET REVENUE generated since 2016
$90,000 TICKET REVENUE generated since 2019
Powered by Volunteers
From the Board of Directors to other essential committees like the FOLD Program Advisory Team and the FOLD Kids Advisory Committee, volunteers contribute thousands of hours annually. While new volunteers continue to join, drawn by FOLD’s mission and community-first approach, many return year after year, bringing institutional knowledge, leadership, and care to the work.
