About Us

THE SHOREFAST
MODEL

WE HAVE TWO DISTINCT BRANCHES

• SHOREFAST
(A REGISTERED CANADIAN CHARITY)

• SHOREFAST SOCIAL ENTERPRISES INC.
(OUR SUITE OF SOCIAL BUSINESSES)

Shorefast is a registered charity that operates a set of charitable programs and owns social businesses in service of the local community. Together, they represent a determined effort to think holistically about how to find a way of life that is equitable, dignified, sustainable – and joyful.

Our suite of businesses are economic engines for the community: they create meaningful employment, contribute to the local economy and generate income to be reinvested through Shorefast’s charitable programs. There is no private gain — the businesses are operated for the exclusive benefit of strengthening the cultural heritage, supporting ecological sustainability and investing in the economic well-being of Fogo Island.

This form of contemporary philanthropy leverages donations and deploys business strategies toward socially beneficial ends. It is a holistic approach to community development designed to serve Fogo Island for generations to come.

Shorefast’s registered charity #: 858830904RR0001

Shorefast is a community-centred charity, committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are grateful for the opportunity to host guests and welcome employees of myriad cultural, national, and faith identities; across the spectrum of gender identities and expressions and sexual orientations; and with diverse abilities.

We endeavour to create an overtly welcoming and accessible environment. In that spirit, we respect the diverse identities and contributions of each of our team members and our guests at the Inn and are committed to upholding their fundamental rights to feel safe and valued. We are working actively to address imbalances for historically excluded communities through training, promotion opportunities, and mentorship.

Land Acknowledgment

On Fogo Island, we respectfully acknowledge the territory in which we gather as part of the ancestral homelands of the Beothuk, the island of Newfoundland as the homeland of the Mi’kmaq, and Labrador as the homeland of the Innu of Nitassinan, the Inuit of Nunatsiavut and the Inuit of NunatuKavut.

CONTACT US

WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU; PLEASE USE THE FORM BELOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH OUR TEAM.

POSTAL ADDRESS

Shorefast
P.O. Box 178
Joe Batt’s Arm, Newfoundland, Canada
A0G 2X0

FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT DOES THE NAME "SHOREFAST" MEAN?

A shorefast is the line and mooring used to attach a traditional cod trap to the shore. It is a strong symbol of Fogo Island’s cod fishing heritage, and we chose this name because it symbolizes a belief in the importance of holding on to community and culture and in the power of authentic connections between individuals, their communities, culture, and place.

HOW DO I GET TO FOGO ISLAND?

The closest international airport to Fogo Island is Gander (YQX). From Gander, you can make your way to the Fogo Island ferry terminal located in Farewell. The scenic drive from Gander to the ferry is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, and the ferry ride itself is between 45 minutes to one hour. The ferry is run by the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the schedule can found online here.

Travel from other Newfoundland airports, is, of course, also possible. Simply expect a longer drive to the ferry terminal, in correspondence with the location of your arriving airport. After Gander, St. John’s (YYT) is the second closest airport to Fogo Island.

WHAT ACCOMMODATIONS, BESIDES THE FOGO ISLAND INN, ARE AVAILABLE ON FOGO ISLAND?

Fogo Island has numerous other hospitality establishments, including B&Bs, short and long-term vacation rentals, and efficiency units. Camping and RV parking are also available. We recommend you visit the website for the Town of Fogo Island for more information on accommodations and rentals.

HOW DO I GET A RESIDENCY WITH FOGO ISLAND ARTS?

Fogo Island Arts hosts a open call for residency applications every two years, and artists are selected for residencies by a jury. For more information, please see the Residencies page on the Fogo Island Arts website.

WHO OWNS THE FOGO ISLAND INN?

No one person owns the Fogo Island Inn: it is a community-owned economic asset. Its legal owner is Shorefast, which acts as the custodian of the Inn on behalf of the community of Fogo Island. Because Shorefast’s mandate is to help secure a resilient economic and cultural future for Fogo Island, the Inn is effectively owned by the community of Fogo Island as a whole. Therefore, the beneficial owners of the Inn are the people of Fogo Island.

WHO PAID FOR THE FOGO ISLAND INN?

The Fogo Island Inn was a significant investment in the future of Fogo Island’s economy, and cost $41 million Canadian to build. 75.4% of the money used to build the Inn was provided by private individuals, including a majority share from Zita Cobb. None of these individuals are seeking a return on their contribution. The rest of the money used to build the Inn came in the form of government grants. We sought these grants as a way to partner with our governments on Shorefast’s groundbreaking rural economic development initiatives. This government contribution has been repaid many times over in direct forms such as income tax and property tax revenues, as well as indirectly through significantly increased economic activity in the region and in the province.

IS THE FOGO ISLAND INN FINANCIALLY SUCCESSFUL?

Yes. Most similar properties take many years to “break even” financially, meaning their earnings become equal to their expenses, and they begin to make a profit. The Inn “broke even” in 2016, during its fourth year of operation, and now generates positive financial returns, 100% of which are reinvested in the community through Shorefast.