Our
story.
Annauma Community Foundation is the first community foundation in Nunavut.
What is a community foundation? Community foundations are created to respond to local needs by stewarding donated funds from a wide range of sources. Each foundation sets its own priorities and decides how funds are invested and distributed to benefit the community.
At Annauma, our community-led priorities are deeply rooted in the social, economic, and natural environment of Nunavut. We are also part of a network of more than 200 community foundations coast-to-coast-to-coast across Canada, working together to strengthen communities and create lasting impact.
Vision
Inuit communities are healthy and confident, and have what they need to thrive.
Mission
To deliver funding and support that strengthens Inuit values, skills, and worldview in a manner that encourages lifelong learning and nurtures collaborative community relationships.
Inuit communities know the best solutions to the challenges they face, and Annauma works alongside them to turn those solutions into action.
We connect caring donors, corporate partners, funders, and governments with opportunities to invest in community-led initiatives, and together we journey towards an equitable future. Annauma is short for Annaumakkaijiit, an Inuktitut word meaning “helping people to stay ahead.” True to our name, we are committed to supporting Inuit in realizing their vision for Nunavut.
Our priorities are:
Inuit Children and Youth
Supporting programs that create healthy opportunities for Inuit children and youth to gather, learn, and lead. This includes access to mentors, Elders, and land-based learning that build cultural, social, and economic skills.
Community Health and Well-being
Investing in community-driven initiatives that close gaps in health and well-being by supporting holistic activities that strengthen Inuit families and communities.
Education and Learning
Expanding access to lifelong learning opportunities, from cultural knowledge to formal credentials, that foster choice, hope, and participation in shaping the future of Nunavut.
Arts and Culture
Supporting organizations that create opportunities for Inuit artists to flourish. A thriving arts and culture sector strengthens community well-being, fosters healing, and provides powerful expressions of identity and environment.
Community-Identified Opportunities
Providing flexible funding that allows communities to respond quickly to emerging needs and opportunities, ensuring timely impact where it is most needed. This includes the annual Community Nominated Award, which directs $100,000 to a local organization chosen through nominations from the people they serve.
Guided by a Board of Directors who call Nunavut home, Annauma is dedicated to advancing community-led action across the territory.
Our Board includes Inuit leaders alongside long-standing Nunavummiut from diverse sectors such as business, education, government, policy and community development. They are recognized for their integrity, high ethical standards, and deep commitment to community well-being. The Board provides governance by setting strategic priorities, shaping policy, and guiding Annauma’s overall direction.
Current board members

Udloriak (Udlu) Hanson
Board Chair
Udloriak (Udlu) Hanson
Board Chair



Shawn Lester
Treasurer
Shawn Lester
Treasurer



Karliin Aariak
Director
Karliin Aariak
Director



Gwendolyn Natsiq
Director
Gwendolyn Natsiq
Director



Adamee Itorcheak
Director
Adamee Itorcheak
Director


Team

Danielle Gibbie
Executive Director
Danielle Gibbie
Executive Director



Sarah Verkley
Communications & Stewardship Specialist
Currently on Maternity Leave
Sarah Verkley
Communications & Stewardship Specialist
Currently on Maternity Leave



Jessie Hale
Community Engagement Lead, Sector Development
Jessie Hale
Community Engagement Lead, Sector Development



Joanne Weedmark
Community Engagement Lead, Consensus Granting
Joanne Weedmark
Community Engagement Lead, Consensus Granting



Lisa Milosavljevic
Communications & Stewardship Specialist
Lisa Milosavljevic
Communications & Stewardship Specialist


Employment opportunities
Our memberships
Through these memberships, Annauma connects with peers and partners across Canada to generate awareness of Inuktitut Philanthropy, amplify collective impact, and create opportunities for learning and sharing in the philanthropic sector and beyond.








