IMPACT REPORT 2023-2024
Bringing chess to life
introduction i
t’s been a tremendous year for Chess Institute of Canada!
I’ve been proud to be at the helm for a portion of it, following up on the exemplary work of Evelyn Saungikar. It’s been a very active mandate. As you will see here, we continued to serve students in the Greater Toronto Area and Vancouver, delivering chess to life instruction and while being mindful to meet the needs of some of the most vulnerable communities in both cities by providing subsidized programs. Behind the scenes, there has been substantial structural change affecting everything from staff roles, to clearing COVID-era debts and charting a sustainable financial path forward, to
Matt Shepherd Executive Director Chess Institute of Canada
opening up new areas for expansion and growth for CIC. None of this would have been possible without the support of our dedicated Board members, and the truly exemplary staff at CIC: Nick, Nathan, Keith, Dafina and Chloë all put their heart and soul into the work and our mission, while our more than two dozen instructors instill important life lessons to our students. At the end of the day, it’s all about the kids—and the stellar administrators at the schools we serve—and ensuring that we are delivering the benefits of chess to everyone. It’s been a genuine pleasure to take on this restructuring mandate, and I see nothing but bright days ahead for CIC.
d
ear Chess Institute of Canada community,
Reflecting on the past year, our organization’s resilience and growth fills me with immense pride. Emerging from the challenges of COVID-19, we’ve not only survived but thrived, demonstrating the strength of our core mission and the dedication of our staff and volunteer
teams. I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to my fellow Board members, who have given their all, through thick and thin. We also owe huge thanks to our instructors and staff. Your ability to adapt, shifting our in-person programs online during the pandemic, was nothing short of
Neil St. John Chairman of the Board Chess Institute of Canada
remarkable. And your delight at returning to in-person programs, making them even better, is inspirational. Your commitment to our students and our vision to teach life skills through chess has been the bedrock of our success. I must also acknowledge the transformative leadership of our Executive Director, Matt Shepherd. In the short time we were privileged to have him, Matt implemented crucial changes and structures that propelled our organization forward. His focus on growth has enabled our staff to flourish, take on new responsibilities, and showcase their skills and passion for our work. While we continue to face financial challenges, Matt’s strategic planning put us on a path to stability and expansion. As we look to the future, I’m confident that our unique message and approach to chess education will continue to resonate and have a profound impact on young lives across Canada.
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CHESS INSTITUTE OF CANADA I INSTITUT D´ECHECS DU CANADA
testimonials Students at Toronto school JG Workman:
“ “ “
”
Learning chess helps me learn and become more confident. —LW, JG Workman
“
—ZK, JG Workman
Chess improved my ability to make decisions. It taught me to think outside the box and always look at the big picture. —SZ, JG Workman
”
Chess has helped me see others with a different perspective.
“
”
Chess can teach you to not rush your decisions, which could also be of use outside of chess. In chess, strong moves are important, mirroring the significance of resilience and determination in life.
”
—TA, JG Workman
Ted Winick, the founder of Chess Institute of Canada, used to say chess was like life. Though I was in elementary school at the time I took Ted’s lessons, his wise words have always stuck with me. “One of Ted’s most prized principles was touch-move: if you so much as brushed your finger against a chess piece, you had to move it. Ted noted that the concepts of careful decision-making and thinking before leaping stretched beyond the chessboard, and helped instill in me patience and an eye for detail – both of which are helping me, now that I’m in law school. “I highly recommend Chess Institute of Canada to anyone, and parents looking to give their kids an intellectual outlet through which they can build life-long skills.
”
—Alex Kelly, 2024
Once a CIC student at Palmerston Elementary, Alex is now pursuing a law degree at the University of Toronto.
“
We instituted chess classes into our curriculum when I was principal at Blake Public School. Students from grades one through six were so eager to attend that ‘chess culture’ became part of the school. Chess taught our students critical thinking skills. It developed patience and the need to think ahead about possible consequences, and has reinforced the act of winning or losing with respect and kindness - all necessary life skills. I’m looking forward to bringing chess to Orde, where I am now principal, and seeing our students grow as people, as well as players, through this program.
—Jennifer Zurba, Principal, Orde Street Public School, 2024
”
IMPACT REPORT 2023-2024
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measuring success by the numbers Number of students* taught last year: *Many took more than one program
1139
Age breakdown of students 4-5 years: 1%
12-13 years 11 years
3% 7%
10 years
757 in extra-curricular programs
9%
11% 27%
9 years
Program breakdown
6 years
7 years
7%
26%
in in-class programs and private organizations
205 202 in online programs
8 years
Number of schools we served:
51
46 in Toronto
5 in Vancouver
Donor-funded subsidies applied last year
$19,266.25
$12,768.00 School subsidies
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CHESS INSTITUTE OF CANADA I INSTITUT D´ECHECS DU CANADA
$6,498.25 Individual subsidies
CIC donors are changing lives In the 2023-24 fiscal year, 73 caring individuals donated a total of $24,486 in heartfelt gifts to Chess Institute of Canada. As a registered charity, donations help CIC offer programs at a partial or fully subsidized rate to students and schools that couldn’t otherwise afford our modest fees. “Donations have a huge impact on our students because through teaching them chess, we teach young people how to be better at the game of life. Our generous donors enable us to teach more kids how to consider their options before making a move… to think strategically… to treat their opponents with respect… to both win and lose with dignity… and to learn from mistakes,” says Marlena McCarthy, ViceChair of CIC’s Board of Directors.
“We intentionally teach our students how to apply their lessons to all aspects of life. CIC is so grateful to each donor for supporting our work to ‘help build better people,’ as our founder Ted Winick used to say.” If you want to help CIC to bring chess to life to more students, go to ChessInstitute.ca/Donate, or contact marlena@chessinstitute.ca.
Gifts made by parents while registering their children for CIC programs Fundraising campaign donations
$850
$13,636
Major gift (1 anonymous donor)
$10,000
Total
$24,486
IMPACT REPORT 2023-2024
5
new initiatives and staff changes CodeNinjas South Etobicoke and Chess Institute of Canada partner to help students build STEM Skills
c
hess Institute of Canada (CIC) and
CodeNinjas South Etobicoke have joined forces to combine chess and coding education. This partnership aims to help students build STEM skills through coding classes, and alternating monthly chess workshops and tournaments. Chess, considered a “STEM precursor,” complements coding by developing logic, sequential thinking, and actionconsequence understanding. Sapan Jot, owner of CodeNinjas South Etobicoke, notes the popularity of chess among their students. CIC Executive Director Matt Shepherd emphasizes how chess plays a role in building STEM skills and providing an
The successful partnership kicked off in
2025, with registration available through
offline activity that cultivates life skills.
September and will continue until June
CodeNinjas South Etobicoke’s website.
A new staff structure and roles
a
s September 1 ushered in the new
Nathan Hoang is Customer Service and
day events and camps including Winter
fiscal year for the CIC, we saw our org
Instructor Lead. As the friendly voice on
ChessFest, March Break and summer
chart solidified as staff, old and new,
the phone and on emails, he replies to
camps, and coordinating public events
were formally hired into key roles in
parent and student inquiries about our
as well as special tournament projects.
September and October.
programs, as well as managing
Dafina Bekaj-Dalipi is new to CIC as
the very complex task of making sure
our Finance Coordinator, efficiently
instructors are assigned to schools and
taking on administration of payroll,
other locations according to language,
expense payments and billing, liaising
scheduling, and geography.
with an external bookkeeping team, and
with new groups, and exploring broader
Keith Denning is Tournament and Event
providing valuable insight in the financial
areas of program development and
Specialist. This mandate sees Keith
stability of our operations.
sales. Nick also oversees curriculum
running PA Day events that serve
development and implementation, and
students in the GTA’s English and French
new instructor training.
school boards, overseeing key multi-
Nick Grachev is Manager, Outreach and Partnerships, liaising with schools and organizations that CIC presently serves, reaching out and building relationships
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CHESS INSTITUTE OF CANADA I INSTITUT D´ECHECS DU CANADA
CIC donors offer a child living in a shelter the full Chess Institute experience
“i
t means the world that he can
thinking, and analysis—give them a
go,” says teacher Laura Palomino of
life-long leg up as they apply these
Morse Street Public School. She has
skills to all parts of their lives.
a student who lives in a local shelter
Nathan points out how chess breaks
and is thrilled to partake in a CIC
through social and economic
after-school school program at
barriers. “Even having modest chess
Morse, a school which hosts a wide
skills means you can play people of
range of students from many
all ages, languages, economic
backgrounds. Although his family
backgrounds, and cultures. Over the
can’t afford our modest program fee,
board, it doesn’t matter where you
this boy is delighted to join in, thanks
come from or how much money
to big-hearted donors who allow us to
your family has. Players come
give less fortunate kids a subsidized
together as equals and form lasting
spot in our Chess to Life program.
bonds of friendship over their
At first, this student just dropped in
shared love of the game.”
to see what the program was like.
Supported by generous donations
Then he told his teacher Laura how
from caring people like you, Chess
much he wanted to participate.
Institute of Canada helps students in
Knowing that his parents had fallen
need who couldn’t otherwise afford
on hard times, Laura contacted CIC
even our modest fees.
and Customer Service and Instructor Lead Nathan Hoang was happy to arrange a full subsidy for her eager student. “He was so happy, and felt so special to be included!” Laura says. “He found the chess program so empowering, and it made him feel like he was part of the school.” For CIC to be able to support students like this means a lot to compassionate teachers like Laura. “I spent a lot of time—and sometimes,
If you wish to make a caring tax-
“
He was so happy, and felt so special to be able to go.Being able to do special programs like chess is so empowering and does so much to make kids feel like they’re part of the school. —Laura Palomino
”
Nathan notes that “Chess is for everyone. We are happy to provide youth living in shelters with full access to our chess programs when they have a strong interest
my own money—to make sure kids
in an existing program at their school.”
facing difficult circumstances don’t
The kinds of life skills CIC students are
feel ‘othered.’ But educators like me
taught through chess—including STEM and
have limited resources.”
aptitude-related skills like logic, critical
deductible donation to help children partake in our inspirational programs, please go to ChessInstitute.ca/Donate. Parents of students in schools running CIC programs can reach out to Admin@ChessInstitute.ca if their child could truly benefit from our program but do not have the means. Schools interested in bringing CIC programming to their students can contact Outreach@ChessInstitute.ca to find out more about what CIC offers.
IMPACT REPORT 2023-2024
7
Au-delà de l’échiquier! French offerings are a growing part of Chess Institute’s national mandate
“c
hess is for everyone!” This is a
rallying cry for CIC based on the principle that chess can benefit people of all backgrounds, economic strata, and ages. It also can be played by people speaking any language. In Toronto, we've experienced a surge of interest in French language programs, leading CIC’s to create a French-language website (lesechecs.ca) and expand its in-person and online French programs. Some Toronto-area French schools and daycares are already running successful in-person CIC classes, and others are booking them to start in January.
CIC is also creating French online
deliver courses online, so it’s a natural
programs, and will start offering them for
extension to offer top-tier French courses
beginner and intermediate players in
over the Internet.” French communities are
January 2025.
already expressing interest.
speaking students,” says Heidi Gay, who is
"We established a strong online presence
“Chess is famously a game that
coordinating French GTA-area programs.
during the COVID pandemic,” says Nick
transcends language,” says Heidi.
“Schools are enthusiastic about adding
Grachev, Manager, Outreach and
“I’m pleased to be a part of bringing what
new, high-quality programming for their
Partnerships. “We have excellent French
CIC does so well to French speakers.”
students.”
instructors and the infrastructure to
“As a CIC French instructor, it means a lot to me to ensure our Chess to Life curriculum is also available to French-
Launch of engaging new format for ’24-’25 PA Day events
i
n November 2024, kids flocked to CIC’s fun day camp
on their day off from school as their teachers participated in training on their Professional Activities (PA) day. Taking place at Trinity-St. Paul’s Church on Bloor Street
in Toronto, almost two dozen children played games, enjoyed healthy food and entertainers, and participated in a nationally ranked tournament under the supervision of some of CIC’s senior instructors. This event marked the first of a dozen PA day events for CIC for '24--'25 the school year, covering Toronto’s English- and French-language school boards. Our expanded French programs make CIC the largest French-language teaching organization in the city. Future PA day events will be held at Chess Institute’s home base —918 Bathurst St., only a few minutes’ walk north from the Bathurst St. subway station.
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CHESS INSTITUTE OF CANADA I INSTITUT D´ECHECS DU CANADA
Chess is for everyone! New pay-what-you-can program invites all to join in
w
e believe every kid should benefit
Says Nick, “To classify these schools, the
from the strategic chess-to-life instruction
TDSB studies a range of external factors
CIC offers. That is why CIC offers generous
that can impact the success of students.
subsidies to schools that want to run
Their formal designation helps CIC easily
our programs, and to individuals facing
determine where our support is most
challenging circumstances, including
needed.”
youth living in shelters (see our story on
CIC is also now making it easier for
page 7).
parents living near these schools to
Last year, we provided almost $20,000
register their children in our lunch or after-
in subsidized programming to individual
school programs. When they log into our
youth taking our extracurricular chess
registration program, they can easily
programs, as well as to schools wanting
access pay-what-you-can discounts and
CIC to use chess to teach life skills to their students within the classroom. Our donors generously help us to offer programs to anyone who can benefit from our school programs, community chess events, tournaments, programs for special populations, day programs for kids when schools are on PA days, and summer camps. “The idea of subsidizing our programs to make them accessible to all is not new,” says Nick Grachev, Manager of Outreach and Partnerships. “Traditionally, we offered subsidized in-
class programs to cash-strapped schools in marginalized communities, and have supported individuals in our lunch-hour and after-schoo programs on request. But we feel our new pay-what-you-can—or
then choose the discount best tailored to their ability to pay. If this pilot program is successful, CIC will extend it to other in-person programs and potentially to our online offerings.
PWYC—programs allow more individuals
“Once we determine how best to manage
and schools to access our programs
this system of helping kids most in need,
more easily,” Nick added.
we will look into other ways that allow us
In the past, our donor-supported program was offered to 150 schools in Toronto’s
to teach kids important life skills through chess,” says Nick.
neediest areas. In 2024, we started to
“And we welcome compassionate
offer PWYC support to all 250 schools in
donations from caring people who want to
similar circumstances, as identified by the
support these kids. It’s easy at
Toronto District School Board.
ChessInstitute.ca/Donate.”
Exploring Indigenous-led programs that integrate local customs and values
c
The program model is based on a
their Indigenous culture and core values.
Indigenous communities regarding
collaborative curriculum, where Indigenous
developing a “train the teachers” program
teachers and leaders can adapt the
CIC will then travel to their communities for
that will allow CIC to empower students
standard Chess Institute beginner and
in Indigenous schools to benefit from
intermediate eight-week programs to
everything that chess can teach kids.
integrate values and skills appropriate to
IC is in early talks with some
intensive “train the teacher” sessions—an accelerated version of our own unique instructor-training process, giving teachers in these communities the knowledge and skill to deliver the curriculum locally. Once a program is established, a regular system of curricular review and teaching refresher programs will keep it up to date in perpetuity. If you want to bring our chess to life model to your Indigenous community, contact us at Outreach@ChessInstitute.ca .
IMPACT REPORT 2023-2024
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exciting new partnerships and possibilities 2024-25 is going to be a banner year for the Chess Institute of Canada! We will be solidifying and growing our presence in Vancouver, and are pursuing a number of exciting new ways to bring chess to everyone—both geographically, and also to people of all abilities, ages and professions.
Partnership brings chess for everyone to the Toronto Public Library!
w
e’re pleased to announce a
partnership with the Toronto Public Library —one of the largest and busiest library systems in the world! CIC will be off to a modest start in January 2025, offering a fully subsidized program in four different branches across the GTA. Agreements with the branches, still in their final stages, provide the branches with options for people of all ages: youth, multigenerational, or seniors’ programs. These six-week programs are being provided thanks to the generosity of our donors. Expansion is expected later in 2025 to more branches.
Checkmate for change: Chess Institute of Canada offers programs to youth with autism
c
IC was excited to partner with Jake’s House, a leading
autism charity, to promote life skills through chess for children with autism in the Greater Toronto area. On June 2, CIC hosted a workshop as part of the Jake’s House Legends Mentoring Program, blending chess instruction and socialization. Instructor Mo Mohsen, who is experienced in teaching neurodivergent individuals, led the session. Nick Grachev, Manager, Outreach and Partnerships, expressed enthusiasm for this collaboration, emphasizing that chess is a game everyone can benefit from. Our partner is also considering extending the program to weekly sessions in the summer of 2025.
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CHESS INSTITUTE OF CANADA I INSTITUT D´ECHECS DU CANADA
Expanding Chess to Life programs for seniors
f
ollowing early successes in small
implementations, Chess Institute plans to grow its offerings for seniors, using on a newly developed and science-backed curriculum focused on improving cognition, memory retention, and socialization. CIC's previous programs showed such positive results that we hope to bring this program to more seniors. A private institution and one college have expressed interest in collaborating with us to strengthen our curriculum for older adults. Elder care research groups have also expressed interested in studying the effects of our programs on seniors. If you have a senior parent or grandparent who loves chess, contact us at Outreach@ChessInstitute.ca! We’d love to see how we can help bring chess to them, offering new ways for them to connect to their families and communities.
Chess for professionals: CPD training using chess as a jumping-off point
w
e are in early talks with professional associations about
developing half-day programs to teach core professional skills to
adults through chess. Most regulated professions require continuous professional development (CPD) for licensed practitioners to maintain accreditation. CPD is usually divided into subject-specific and more generalized learning. Applying our chess to life to general learning, CIC intends to start offering chess-based workshops on topics including equity and diversity, and business development, tailoring workshops to the associations it partners with. While talks are in early days, we are excited to be applying our chess to life and chess is for everyone philosophies in bold new ways that will open up our life-changing programs to a variety of new audiences!
IMPACT REPORT 2023-2024
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Your donation helps kids from all backgrounds benefit from everything chess can teach them! Donations over $20 are eligible for a tax receipt. https://chessin.ca/give 918 Bathurst Street Toronto, ON M5R 3G5
chessinstitute.ca
Info@ChessInstitute.ca