April 2026 Newsletter

Since our last edition...

As we prepare for the anticipated 2027 federal review of the disbursement quota, Imagine Canada published a preliminary analysis of the impact of the changes to the Disbursement Quota (DQ), which suggests that the increase has led to an estimated $711 million more reaching communities in 2023.

PFC welcomes the analysis and through this Statement from our President & CEO and this PFC Policy Advisory, we emphasize that annual data provides important early signals, though not a full picture of compliance, which can only be assessed over multiple years.

As more data becomes available, PFC will provide further insights, supported by our new Philanthropic Impact Taskforce, upcoming investment survey, and other forthcoming analysis. 

PFC Updates

One year after our Productive Dialogue in a Polarized World Initiative, this Guest Blog by Alicia Kuin  “Leadership, Polarization, and the Practice of Building a “Fourth Culture” offers our mediator’s cross-sector perspective on how leaders are navigating polarization, misinformation, and difficult conversations today. 

We’ve been very busy building an inspiring program for our 2026 National Conference - Reciprocity, taking place September 23-25 in Winnipeg, Manitoba / Treaty 1 territory / Homeland of the Red River Métis. We have been carefully selecting sessions from over 150 responses received from our Call for Sessions and will be releasing more details about registration and programming very soon. Save the Dates here. 

PFC Programming

Professional Development 

Register today! Mission-Aligned Investing to Maximize Philanthropic Impact

Six sessions will be held every two weeks  
between April 9 and June 18, on Thursdays,  
from 2-4 PM (AT) | 1-3 PM (ET) | 12-2 PM (CT) |  
11 AM-1 PM (MT) | 10 AM-12 PM (PT)

Calling on all grantmakers who are interested in leveraging their investments to maximize their philanthropic impact.

This program is designed for organizations stewarding  endowed assets and those responsible for developing, implementing, and governing their mission-aligned investing strategy, at early and maturing stages of the journey.

In collaboration with Impact United Academy and with support from Addenda Capital, we will be offering sessions that combine expert primers, practitioner case studies, and facilitated discussion to produce practical next steps for your foundation. 

Climate Philanthropy Learning Series

The full five-part professional development course will be delivered every Wednesday between May 20 and June 17, 2026. Each online session runs 120 minutes and includes Q&A and practical tools.

A focused, cohort-based learning journey for Canadian grantmaking organizations designed to turn climate curiosity and commitments into concrete strategy, partnerships, and funded action.

Through peer exchange, coaching, and thematic exploration, participants will build clarity, confidence, and community around climate action.

By strengthening climate literacy, strategy, and collaboration, foundations can help accelerate climate solutions, advance equity, protect natural systems, and contribute to a resilient future for communities across Canada.

Climate Philanthropy Learning Series Information Session

Curious to learn more? Join our information session on Tuesday, April 14, 1:00-1:30 PM ET to answer all your questions – Register here. 

Upcoming Affinity Group Meetings

Don’t miss these up-coming sessions over the next weeks:

CEO Peer Support Group 

Thursdays (online)
4-5 PM AT/3-4 PM ET/2-3 PM CT/1-2 PM MT/12-1 PM PT
Cohort 3 Call - Thursday, April 16
Cohort 4 Call - Thursday, April 23
Cohort 5 Call - Thursday, April 30

This group is open to Executive leaders from PFC Member organizations whose role is to make major decisions, drive resources toward strategic goals, and act as the bridge between the organizational governance (Boards of Directors) and operations (staff, if applicable).  You may be on staff or function in a volunteer capacity.   

Inquire about joining here.

Leaders of Colour in Philanthropy
Affinity Group Meeting 

Wednesday, April 15 (online)
2-3:30 PM AT/1-2:30 PM ET/
12-1:30 PM CT/11 AM-12:30 PM MT/10-11:30 AM PT 

This group is open to individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Colour who are working at a grantmaking organization, including PFC members and non-members. 

Inquire about joining here.

Healthy Aging Affinity Group Meeting 

Wednesday, April 29 (online)
2-3:30 PM AT/1-2:30 PM ET/
12-1:30 PM CT/11 AM-12:30 PM MT/10-11:30 AM PT  

This group is open to anyone working within a funding organization who is interested in building a collaborative of funders passionate about healthy aging and eager to make a difference across Canada. The group offers a peer-led space for collaboration, learning, and shared innovation through ongoing conversations and joint initiatives.   

Inquire about joining here. 

Family Foundations Affinity Group Meeting 

Friday, May 1 (online)
3-4 PM AT/2-3 PM ET/1-2 PM CT/12-1 PM MT/11 AM-12 PM PT 

This peer-driven group allows family foundation staff and family members to meet and share information and best practices. A great way to meet new people, hear some stories and build your network of family foundation colleagues!    

Inquire about joining here. 

Program and Grantmaking Staff
Affinity Group Meeting

Wednesday, May 6 (online)
2-3:30 PM AT/1-2:30 PM ET/
12-1:30 PM CT/11 AM-12:30 PM MT/10- 11:30 AM PT

This group brings together people working in program and grantmaking roles to share perspectives, compare approaches, and reflect on the evolving nature of philanthropic work. It offers a supportive space for exchanging ideas and staying connected to the practices shaping the field.   

Inquire about joining here. 

Communications Affinity Group Meeting   

Thursday, May 7 (online)
3-4 PM AT/2-3 PM ET/1-2 PM CT/12-1 PM MT/11 AM-12 PM PT

This group is a forum where practitioners from across the PFC network gather to discuss important or emerging communications and public affairs issues relevant to Canadian foundations, philanthropy, and the wider non-profit and charitable sector.   

Inquire about joining here. 

Groupe philanthropique québécois Meeting

Wednesday, May 20 (online) | 10-11 AM ET

This group brings together leaders from grantmaking organizations in Quebec to discuss innovative approaches to giving and community impact in the province. Focusing on the unique characteristics of philanthropy in Quebec, the group provides a space for collaboration, encourages knowledge exchange and inspires new strategies to stimulate meaningful change across the province. NOTE: This group meets and discusses exclusively in French.

Inquire about joining here. 

Arts Funders Affinity Group Meeting 

Friday, May 22 (online)
2-3:30 PM AT/1-2:30 PM ET/
12-1:30 PM CT/11 AM-12:30 PM MT/10-11:30 AM PT 

A group of philanthropic arts funders that fosters a collective commitment to the arts, supporting the exchange of ideas, learning about relevant news, and working together on impactful arts funding strategies.  

Inquire about joining here. 

Investment Roundtable Meeting 

Tuesday, May 26 (online)
2-3:30 PM AT/1-2:30 PM ET/
12-1:30 PM CT/11 AM-12:30 PM MT/10-11:30 AM PT 

A regular facilitated and peer-driven series of discussions for investment practitioners and leaders who have oversight and influence on their foundations’ investment practices.   

Inquire about joining here. 

All our events are also viewable at-a-glance in our online events calendar. 

Announcements, Appointments
and Awards

• Doug Allison, Chief Executive Officer of the Northpine Foundation and former chief financial officer of the Toronto International Film Festival, to join the board of Hot Docs. 
• Alliance Magazine has announced the appointment of Rhodri Davies as director of philanthropy knowledge. 
• The Canadian Women's Foundation is excited to welcome Nic Miller, CFRE as their new Vice President, Philanthropy. 
• Dr. Jennifer Browne, Director of Student Life at Memorial University, is the newest member of the Board of The Counselling Foundation of Canada. 

Have any exciting news you’d like to share with our network? Let us know! 

Member & Sector Job Board

• Executive and Administrative Assistant, Max Bell Foundation 
• Director of Philanthropy and Development (Canada), AquaAction
• Program Director – Northern Leadership and Treaties, The Gordon Foundation 

Member & Sector Insights

• In "Solidarity philanthropy: Changing how we give to support social change" published by Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, author Martina Ulrichs argues that philanthropic donors are uniquely positioned to use their access and platforms in favour of movements. 

• Funding for gender justice rarely fits neatly into a single funding category. It requires both front-line service and system-level advocacy. This is where gender justice and trust-based philanthropy must come together, as discussed in The Philanthropist Journal’s "Why trust matters: A reflection". 

• Mitzie Hunter, President and CEO, Canadian Women’s Foundation, writes about why Canada’s economic resilience depends on sustained investment in care in "The Care Economy Is Canada’s Untapped Economic Superpower". 

• Two new policies (working conditions, remote work) have been added to Béati Foundation's Policy Toolbox. 

• "The Human Side of Workplace Transitions" guide, written by Liz Weaver, former co-CEO of the Tamarack Institute, is designed to help individuals plan well for their next workplace transition. 

• “The Great News Rebuild: How Local Media Can Rescue Itself”, authored by Tim Harper and Alison Uncles on Public Policy Forum, argues that the future of local journalism in Canada hinges on a combination of innovation, diversified revenue streams, including philanthropy, and stronger collaboration across the sector. 

• An increasing number of foundations have begun to set a specific end date for their operations, thereby becoming limited-lifespan foundations. While this trend is increasingly well-documented in the United States and Europe, there is no research focusing on Canadian foundations. Philab’s “The Sunset of the Ivey Foundation: Study of a Philanthropic Supernova” research paper lays the groundwork for our understanding by studying the case of the Ivey Foundation. 

• As part of a new CharityVillage podcast episode, Malcolm Burrows, Head of Philanthropic Advisory Services at Scotia Wealth Management and Executive Director of the Aqueduct Foundation, shares his perspective on the growing role of donor-advised funds in Canada. He discusses the need for clearer regulatory guidance and greater sector-wide dialogue to ensure DAFs are managed responsibly and in the public interest. 

• PANL Perspectives' compilation of Reports about Donor-Advised Funds presents recent reports about the bad, the good and the worthy related to DAFs and DAF issues in Canada and the US. 

• Aditi Shah asked, "If Foundations have endowments, why don't non-profits?" at Yale Philanthropy Conference. 

• Despite philanthropy’s deep historical roots and growing significance, its scope and impact in Europe remain poorly measured and unevenly understood.  This Philanthropy in Europe report seeks to address precisely this gap by mapping (the extent of) reliable, comparable, and contextually rich data across countries. 

• CAF's World Giving Report, which uncovers that where giving is visible and socially reinforced, generosity is nearly 3x higher, reminds us that culture, policy, and trust shape giving just as much as wealth. 

• A growing group of funders has come together through the Collaborative Fund to strengthen charitable and nonprofit infrastructure across Canada. Current funding partners include PFC members: Catherine Donnelly Foundation, The Counselling Foundation of Canada, Definity Foundation, Laidlaw Foundation, Lawson Foundation, McConnell Foundation, and RBC Foundation. Additional funders who share this commitment are welcome to join. 

• Calgary Foundation's Guide to Family Philanthropy is designed to spark meaningful conversations and help donors shape a lasting legacy of generosity. 

• Canadian Family Offices’ “One way UHNW families are improving the odds for new members: in-family education” illustrates how sharing family history, values and practices can help new members fit in and contribute to everyone’s success. 

• PhiLab’s study, “A Forgotten Cause: Underfunding of Disability by Quebec Philanthropic Foundations,” shows that people with disabilities are a group that is consistently underfunded by Canadian philanthropy.  

• Chantelle Ohrling’s “No, you can’t decolonize philanthropy”, is shared through Part 1: A closer look at colonialism and decolonization – Part 2: But we can fund acts of decolonizing and repair. 

• Maytree's opinion piece "Whither (withering) democracy in Canada?" argues that there is justifiable concern about the state of Canada’s democracy. 

• As non-profits consider how to strengthen capacity for the future, The Philanthropist Journal article "Communications as trust infrastructure in the non-profit sector" explains why communications warrants attention at the executive level. 

Upcoming Member & Sector Activities

• Bhayana Family Foundation and sector partners are closer than ever to creating a Canada Day of Appreciation for our Nonprofit Sector that should help create awareness of the extraordinary economic and social contribution that the sector makes to Canada! 500 signatures of support are needed within the next 120 days. Sign the petition to the House of Commons here. 

• Thursday, April 16, 11 – 12:30 PM ET (online) | PhiLab’s “The rise of limited-life foundations: insights from the Ivey Foundation experience”. A research-based introduction to this alternative movement of limited-life foundations, more commonly known as sunsetting foundations. Register here. 

• Thursday, April 16, 3:30 - 4:45 PM ET (online) | The Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership (MPNL) program, at Carleton University, and TD Bank Group's Annual TD Lecture on Philanthropy online. Learn more and register here. 

• Wednesday, April 22, 12:00 PM ET | Miller Thomson's Social Impact Housing  Webinar | Practical insights into the legal, operational, and financial considerations shaping mission‑driven housing initiatives across non‑profits, charities, co‑ops, land trusts, and development partnerships. Register here. 

• Thursday, April 30, 1:30-2:50 PM ET | “Beyond anything we have seen before”:  Strategies to respond to growth in grant requests. Peer exchange for foundations with panelists from Inspirit Foundation, Waterloo Region Community Foundation, Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund, Rideau Hall Foundation, Beati Foundation, hosted by Lumiere Consulting. Learn more and register here. 

• Thursday, April 30 | Deadline for responses to the Federal Government's Pre-budget consultation. Have your say with the help of Imagine Canada's toolkit. Learn more and get ready to submit your brief here. 

• Tuesday, May 5, 1 PM ET | Maytree's Five Good Ideas on how to think responsibly about generative AI. Hear about why you should focus on creating a living AI governance policy, identifying the right problems to solve with AI, and building confidence in using these tools to strengthen your fundraising, programs, and operations. Learn more and register here. 

• Thursday, May 7, 11:30 AM– 1 PM ET (online) | Lee Burton, Director of Philanthropic Services at MakeWay, will join Future of Good’s “DAFs Explained” session to demystify how DAFs work and share ways charities can build stronger connections with DAF donors. Register here. 

• Thursday, May 14 – Thursday, June 18, 1:30 - 2:30 PM ET | The Philanthropy Studio - a place for funders, philanthropists, grantmakers to come and talk about everything related to community-centric grantmaking. Application dates: April 16 | Decision made: April 23 | Payment due: May 8 | Program starts: May 14, Cost: $2000/ 1 participant | $3000/ 2 participants from the same organization. Learn more here. 

• 28–30 September - WINGSForum in Montreal | ACT - Activate, Collaborate, Transcend. Now is the time to act. Early bird registration available until 30 April here. 

Members in the News

• Fairmount Foundation gift, the largest monetary gift in its history, to support the purchase of a building to offer transitional housing for refugees and asylum seekers, as well as people struggling with addiction and homelessness, is celebrated in "After decades of renting, Wesley buys itself a home". 

• The Black Opportunity Fund, which has joined the National Employment Equity Council, a national coordinating body established to advance the modernization of Canada’s employment equity framework, is listed as a member in "Newly Formed National Employment Equity Council Calls for Federal Action on Years’ Old Promises" 

• Annauma Community Foundation, who will receive part of the proceeds from a charity hockey game, is highlighted in "Jordin Tootoo and Joe Thornton to play in charity game in Iqaluit" 

• MLSE Foundation grant toward a program focused on bullying prevention, mental health awareness, inclusion, and fostering a positive peer culture is highlighted in "Chaminade Students Engage in Huddle Up Program Supporting Positive Peer Culture". 

• Joyce Family Foundation grant that will help rural students who need support financing post- secondary studies at the University of Guelph - is celebrated in "Rural Students Get Boost from Joyce Family Foundation". 

• Law Foundation of Ontario grant, to help Toronto Metropolitan University work in partnership with First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities to build a new national archive of Survivor accounts, testimonies and court filings, is mentioned in "TMU students to safeguard Residential School Survivor testimonies". 

• RBC Foundation philanthropic partnership, which has helped 150 communities across Canada establish a Growcer indoor farm, is recognized in "ANALYSIS: Can souped-up shipping containers solve food insecurity?". 

• GreenShield Cares’ Women’s Mental Health program, which provides free, no cost mental health support for women, is highlighted in "How GreenShield is strengthening support for women’s health at work and beyond" and in "Many Canadian women say workplaces fail them on menopause support: survey". 

• GreenShield Cares grant, to fund a new initiative designed to give youth free access to art, space and other wellbeing resources, is mentioned in "New Youth Access and Wellbeing Through Art Initiative Launches at the Aga Khan Museum in Partnership with GreenShield". 

• Calgary Foundation support to purchase land, which has provided more space for dog owners to let their companions roam and recreate, is mentioned in "CAHS expands off-leash dog park". 

• MLSE Foundation grant, which went toward designating Scadding Court Community Centre as one of this year’s recipients of the Bell Inbound Assist grant, in recognition of their work supporting new Canadians, is celebrated in "Bell Inbound Assist Scadding Court Community Centre | Toronto Raptors x Bell". 

• Law Foundation of British Columbia-supported trip, organized by the Debate and Speech Association of B.C, that will allow youth from BC to compete at the junior national event in Winnipeg, is mentioned in "Trail students named first alternates for junior debate nationals". 

• RBC Foundation-supported "Seniors Financial Coffee Clubs" program, designed by The Canadian Foundation for Economic Education (CFEE) to help seniors address the financial challenges, decisions, and opportunities they encounter in their lives, is highlighted in CFEE's press release. 

• RBC Foundation gift, to help enhance access to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the overall experience for thousands of visitors with reduced mobility, is highlighted in "A Donation from the RBC Foundation to Increase Physical Accessibility at the MMFA". 

• RBC Foundation investment, that will help the Pye Centre at Memorial's Labrador Campus make transformative change through farming, supporting programs that build community, drive research and create educational opportunities while contributing to food security and food sovereignty in Labrador, is highlighted in "RBC Foundation $800,000 investment to expand Pye Centre's focus on northern food production" and in "Nourishing northern futures". 

• Indigenous Prosperity Foundation report, which found that, despite facing significant digital barriers, Indigenous-owned businesses contribute $30 billion to Canada’s economy, is highlighted in "Indigenous group aims to help small businesses thrive in the digital economy". 

• Indigenous Prosperity Foundation Chair, Bobbie Racette, who is dedicated to creating pathways to the next generation of Indigenous entrepreneurs, is highlighted in "Bobbie Racette on accidental entrepreneurship, leadership and resilience". 

• KPMG Foundation's philanthropic gift, that will help strengthen research, student engagement and knowledge dissemination, is highlighted in "KPMG commits $500,000 to support Business Decarbonization Initiative at the John Molson School". 

• De Gaspé Beaubien Foundation's Water Literacy Project, which is designed to create a generation of informed and empowered water stewards, is highlighted in "National Partnership Launches Water Literacy Project to Empower the Next Generation of Canadian Water Leaders". 

• GreenShield Cares' support, through which GreenShield reinvests 15 to 20 per cent of its annual pretax earnings into programs that improve access to equitable mental health services, essential medicines and chronic disease management, is highlighted in "How McDonald’s and GreenShield support a changing workforce". 

• Equality Fund CEO Jess Tomlim is quoted stating "Her (Yanar Mohammed's) moral clarity was profound" in "Feminists urge continuing fight of slain Iraqi-Canadian, Yanar Mohammed" 

• Claude Chagnon, president of the Lucie and André Chagnon Foundation, mentioned as one of the instigators of a centre to provide public access to sport facilities that do not exist in Vaudreuil, is highlighted in "Something special is happening at Vaudreuil’s new sports centre. You can feel it". 

• Peter Gilgan Foundation gift, which has helped restore dignity and given a chance to villagers in Baidoa, Somalia, to help them survive in difficult times, is recognized in "Harvesting hope: Fatuma’s hydroponic farming success in Somalia". 

• Canadian Race Relations Foundation's CEO, who is quoted stating “The potential implications of this decision are being evaluated with significant due diligence (...). Because what is coming out of it, is a sense of desire for self-determination” is mentioned in "PAGC explores First Nations-led police service amid response concerns". 

• Weston Family Foundation's donation, which allows the western hemisphere’s largest archive of public health-relevant micro fungi to remain in Canada, is celebrated in "Thanks to donor support, the biodiversity bank will remain in Canada at U of T". 

• Hilary and Galen Weston Foundation gift, which allows plays to be presented on stage as part of the Canadian Literature Adaptation Fund, is mentioned in "4 Canadian books go from page to stage as part of Crow's Theatre 2026-27 lineup". 

• Zero Emissions Innovation Centre, whose staff participated in the recent 2026 Sustainable Workforce Summit held in Vancouver, where advocates and industry experts discussed the state of Canada’s work force and where it risks falling behind, is mentioned in “A Workforce Change Is Happening’: Experts Urge Policy Support as Skilled Job Demand Grows". 

• The Gordon Foundation’s philanthropic support, which helped engage Indigenous youth in recent Treaty Simulations all across Canada, is mentioned in "Learning to Lead: Next Generation of Indigenous Voices at the 8th National Treaty Simulation" and in this post-event CBC interview with participants. 

• The Law Foundation of Ontario grant, which will help empower newcomers with practical knowledge of how the justice system works, among other topics, is mentioned in “Free six-workshop series aims to empower newcomers in Kawartha Lakes with practical knowledge”. 

• Shaw Family Foundation grant, that will allow access to the newly renovated Glenbow Museum to be free of charge in perpetuity once it reopens year as the JR Shaw Centre for Arts & Culture, is highlighted in "A Calgary Museum Reinvents Itself". 

Get in touch!

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