Nextdoor celebrates five years of connecting Canadian neighbours
To further fuel community connection, the Nextdoor Kind Foundation commits $50,000 to invest in local neighbourhoods
October 10, 2024– Nextdoor, the essential neighbourhood network, today announces a major milestone – five years of connecting Canadian neighbours. Since launch, Nextdoor has seen fast adoption and tremendous growth across the country. Today, one in three Greater Toronto Area households use Nextdoor.
To mark the occasion, the Nextdoor Kind Foundation, a foundation dedicated to uplifting and strengthening local communities by supporting people and causes that truly make a difference, has committed to donating $50,000 to support charitable work in Canadian neighbourhoods. In collaboration with local non-profits, the Nextdoor Kind Foundation identifies and supports deserving individuals, small businesses, and neighbourhood initiatives. This marks their first investment in Canada.
“Over the past five years, Nextdoor has become an essential platform for Canadians to connect with their neighbours, share valuable information, and build meaningful local connections,” said Christopher Doyle, Managing Director of Nextdoor Canada. “From our first neighbours in Chestermere, Alberta, to the millions of people and local businesses who turn to our platform every day– thank you! The way you connected during crisis, stood up for those in need, cheered on the local team or simply shared a kind welcome with a new neighbour, has inspired us. You have truly demonstrated the power of local and the importance of community. We look forward to continuing to support local communities and offering tools to unlock everything Canada’s neighbourhoods have to offer.”
Neighbours come to Nextdoor for utility, stay for community.
Over the past five years, Canadians have used Nextdoor to:
- Reunite more than 18,000 lost pets with their families
- Unite with like-minded neighbours in one of the networks’ 28,000 local groups
- Recommend more than 83,000 local businesses
The Power of Local
Marni Townsley, of Winnipeg, Manitoba used Nextdoor to help her find her missing cockatiel, Neechi. “After 18 years on my shoulder, I often forgot our beloved Neechi was there. That’s what happened one day when I took the garbage out, forgetting Neechi was still perched on my shoulder. He immediately flew away, taking off into our neighbourhood. Panicked, I posted on Nextdoor asking neighbours for help. Within minutes, they rallied behind me. Some launched a search, others helped console me. We downloaded cockatiel calls and scoured the area hoping Neechi would hear them and come back to us. A very hard day or so went by, and then miraculously I got a message from someone a few streets over. I didn’t know the kind animal lover who had found our boy and had him safe but I’m so thankful she saw our posts. I can not thank that neighbour– and all of our neighbours who took the time to help– for bringing our Neechi back to us.”
Stacey Van Hecke, from Toronto, Ontario has been promoting the ‘Neighbourhood Small Grant” program on Nextdoor for three months now. She has been looking for seniors that she can purchase groceries for. She says with the cost of living increase and with seniors already living on a limited budget, she felt it would be a great way for her to give back. Through the generosity of neighbours, she was able to gather the funds and has already gone out shopping for a few local seniors. One senior even met her at the grocery store so that she could pick out her own nectarines!
Fariba Arkan, Realtor for Royal LePage and SMB Client and user of Nextdoor, says:
“I joined Nextdoor over two years ago. I found Nextdoor interesting because it was local and it gave me the opportunity to get to know neighbours who I had never met or connected with before. I’m on different social media channels, but Nextdoor gives me the opportunity to really connect. When it comes to business, it’s important to know your neighbours. When you connect with your neighbours you understand what their needs and wants are. Then, you can try to do your best to tailor your business to what they want and need.”
Know a local charity that is making a difference in your Canadian neighbourhood? We want to hear about it. Get in touch here.