Christopher Doyle, Managing Director of Nextdoor Canada, shares how the neighborhood-focused social platform is transforming Canadian communities. Nextdoor connects people to local resources, fostering connections among neighbours, businesses, and public agencies. To celebrate its fifth year in Canada, the platform’s charitable arm, the Nextdoor Kind Foundation, has committed $50,000 to fund initiatives that uplift neighborhoods across the country.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
Nextdoor is the essential neighbourhood network. We are an App that connects you to the people, places, public agencies and local businesses in your community.
In 2021, members of the Nextdoor founding and executive team launched the Nextdoor Kind Foundation. The goal of the foundation is to inspire leaders within local communities who are working to support and uplift their neighbourhoods.
The Nextdoor Kind Foundation believes that small gifts can make a big impact. Through collaborations with other local nonprofits, the foundation identifies and supports deserving individuals, small businesses, and neighbourhood initiatives that are making a difference at the local level.
To celebrate Nextdoor’s 5th anniversary in Canada, the Nextdoor Kind Foundation has committed $50,000 to invest in Canadian communities and we’re honoured and excited to bring this opportunity to Canadian neighbours.
What problem does it aim to solve?
The Nextdoor Kind Foundation aims to strengthen neighbourhoods and fuel local community connections. It believes that neighbours are the best source of ideas to improve their own communities and that small gifts can inspire new leaders and deepen our connections to each other.
When did you start/join it?
I joined Nextdoor to launch the product in Canada five years ago. As a longtime community builder, I believe in the power of local networks and know that good things happen when you get to know your neighbours. Over the past five years, Nextdoor has grown rapidly in neighbourhoods across Canada and I’m thrilled to continue supporting these communities with the foundation’s investment.
What made you want to get involved?
I believe deeply that we need to invest in building healthier local communities. There is a lot of data that backs up the need to connect locally – communities are more resilient and healthier when they are more connected. Nextdoor leverages innovative technology to cultivate a kinder world where everyone has a neighbourhood they can rely on — both online and in the real world.
I joined Nextdoor because I believe in the power of community, the importance of local and the opportunity to use social media to cultivate a kinder world.
What was the situation like when you started?
Before Nextdoor’s launch in Canada, there was no specific platform for neighbourhoods to connect online. Facebook and LinkedIn serve friend and professional networks, respectively, but there was no equivalent for local networks. Nextdoor fills this gap by allowing you to connect with nearby people, places, public agencies, and businesses, and get things done in your community.
How has it changed since?
Since we launched in Canada, we’ve seen neighbours come together to make meaningful change in their communities. Whether this be to support a local business, help a neighbour in need or rally together as a community to get a new local playground built. Millions of neighbours have come together on Nextdoor to make positive change at a local level. With the Nextdoor Kind Foundation investment, we’re eager to continue to fuel this positive change and uplift Canadian neighbourhoods in need.
What more needs to be done?
While we are so excited to bring the Nextdoor Kind Foundation investment to Canadians, we know that there is more work that needs to be done. Loneliness is rapidly on the rise, however, a recent study showed that knowing as few of six neighbours can help reduce feelings of loneliness. Get to know the people in your community. If you know a neighbour in need, reach out. Small actions make a big impact.
How can our readers help?
If you know a local charity making a difference in your neighbourhood, we’d love to hear about them. Get in touch by visiting: https://about.nextdoor.com/nextdoor-kind-foundation/
Do you have any events coming up?
Join your neighbourhood on Nextdoor to learn about local events in your community.
Where can we follow you?
You can learn more about the Nextdoor Kind Foundation by visiting https://about.nextdoor.com/nextdoor-kind-foundation/. You can also visit Nextdoor.ca or download the Nextdoor app on the App Store or Google Play.
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
I am a big fan of the work the United Way of British Columbia is doing to connect members of the community.
