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November 2025 Newsletter
Since our last edition...
We launched our Call for Sessions for PFC’s 2026 Conference, on the theme of Reciprocity, inviting proposals for sessions that center around sector and community solutions and embody a spirit of meaningful collaboration. Sessions should be designed to demonstrate how reciprocal relationships between funders, community organizations, Indigenous partners, policy makers, and other stakeholders can deepen trust, accelerate innovation, and produce durable impact across Canada. Submit your session proposal here by December 15!
We want to hear from you! As a member-led network, your input guides our programming and direction. We’re inviting our community to fill out our Member Engagement & Feedback Survey to share your thoughts on the past year and provide input on what you'd like to see in 2026. The survey should only take a few minutes to fill out, and will remain open until December 19.
We will soon be closing applications for our Digital Communications Coordinator job opening! This is your last chance to apply for this great opportunity to work with us.
We posted our “Commitment from PFC: Partnering for Equitable and Trust-Based Philanthropy”, in response to Tamarack Institute's “Open Letter from Canada’s Nonprofits and Charities to Corporate and Philanthropic Funders” calling on all funders in Canada to commit to trust-based philanthropic practices. PFC’s response was in addition to Community Foundations of Canada’s response, The Circle on Philanthropy’s “Standing Together for Trust-Based Community Investment” and Environment Funders Canada’s response.
Sara Krynitzki, our Associate CEO, accompanied Jean-Marc Mangin, our CEO, on Parliament Hill, where they joined policymakers and other philanthropic leaders for a conversation on collaboration for public good co-hosted by Senator Paulette Senior, ICD.D and MP Eric St-Pierre. The roundtable focused on how foundations and government can work together to drive social innovation and economic resilience across Canada.
Jean-Marc Mangin, our President and CEO, attended the Independent Sector’s National Summit 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia, joining over 1500 charitable sector professionals standing at a critical inflection point, facing unprecedented challenges in the USA.
We welcomed dozens of Declaration of Action signatories and PFC members for a moving and enriching Reconciliation Roundtable conversation. Participants shared concrete examples and next steps for embedding reconciliation across philanthropic practice: tracking and learning from past work, expanding Indigenous philanthropy through partnerships and intermediary support, embedding Indigenous representation across governance and programs, and piloting trust‑based grantmaking and flexible reporting. Foundations emphasized relationship building, capacity support for Indigenous-led organizations, board education, and iterative accountability mechanisms while acknowledging legal, governance, and capacity tensions that must be resolved through scoped pilots and shared learning. Stay tuned for next steps coming out of this meeting.
We held a successful Housing Roundtable, which allowed participants to identify what they are looking for in this critical focus area, such as: facilitation of ongoing communication among funders; establishment of funders projects landscape mapping; and holding segmented conversations on more housing-related niche topics such as granting, investment, and policy.
We launched our annual 2026 membership renewal campaign, inviting members to recommit to strengthening philanthropy via the PFC Network. The whole team thanks you in advance for your ongoing contributions to our network and we look forward to continue collaborating throughout the upcoming year!
PFC Updates
Check out PFC’s Policy Advisory analyzing from our sector’s angle the Federal Budget 2025 delivered earlier this month in Parliament.
Sara Krynitzki will join colleagues Kuru Masomere, Director of Capital Strategies at Justice Funders, and New Power Labs’ Merette Mathieu to identify the questions and commitments that will have emerged over New Power Labs’ Capital Unlocked 2025 Summit during the Closing Panel Conversation on Thursday, November 13.
Michele Fugiel Gartner, our Research Lead, is excited to announce the upcoming launch on November 17 of the Canadian Foundation Staff Survey, the first of its kind for PFC. If you’re employed full-time or part-time at a private or public Canadian foundation engaged in grantmaking, your insights are essential - this is your opportunity to share your experience working in Canadian foundations. This survey is a key part of PFC’s Working in Canadian Foundations report and aims to capture the voices of staff working in philanthropic foundations across Canada. For questions or inquiries, please contact Michele.
PFC Programming
Save the Date! PFC’s 2026 National Conference - Reciprocity
September 23-25, 2026 in Winnipeg / Treaty 1 Territory
Check out the full announcement here!
PFC Member Gathering
Meeting the Moment Series: Network Gathering and Policy Roundtable in Montreal
Wednesday, November 26, 5-7 PM ET (in person)
Office of PFC member Pathy Family Foundation
Co-facilitator: Matthew Mendelson, CEO of Social Capital Partners
Join us in Montreal for a collaborative discussion on navigating Canada’s evolving political and economic landscape together. As part of PFC’s 2025 Meeting the Moment initiative, this gathering of local PFC network members will be hosted by PFC President & CEO Jean-Marc Mangin, who will be joined by Matthew Mendelson, CEO of Social Capital Partners (also PFC member Bealight Foundation).
Affinity Group Meetings
Family Foundations Affinity Group Meeting
Friday, November 14 (online)
3-4 PM AT/2-3 PM ET/1-2 PM CT/12-1 PM MT/11 AM-12 PM PT
Topic: Bridging Generations Roundtable:
What Next-Gen Engagement Looks Like Across Roles
Speakers:
Megan Kusisto, Executive Director, Tree of Life Foundation
Ben Liadsky, Program Manager, Counselling Foundation of Canada
Selga Apse, Director of Granting, Weston Family Foundation
Family philanthropy is evolving, bringing both the opportunity and the challenge of engaging multiple generations in meaningful ways. This meeting invites family members and those who work alongside them to reflect on their shared dynamics, explore stories of generational transition, and consider how values, identities, and leadership styles shape the future of their foundations. Rooted in dialogue, curiosity, and connection, this session offers space to learn from one another and imagine what’s possible across generations.
Leaders of Colour Affinity Group Meeting
Wednesday, November 19 (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
Topic: Community & Connection
Speaker: Carole Muriithi, Senior Program Manager,
Pathy Family Foundation
This session will hold space for reflection, connection, and relationship-building among leaders of colour. We’ll come together in a spirit of mutual support and shared presence, nurturing community in our leadership journeys.
CEO Peer Support Group Calls
Thursdays (online)
4-5 PM AT / 3-4 PM ET / 2-3 PM CT/ 1-2 PM MT / 12-1 PM PT
Cohort 5: Thursday, November 20
Cohort 1: Thursday, November 27
If you are an executive-level leader from a member organization, join us for our regular semi-structured calls to discuss items that are top of mind or creates challenges for you, and develop trust and deepen relationships with others in the network.
Program and Grantmaking Staff Affinity Group Meeting
Friday, November 21 (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
Topic: Ethics, Efficiency, and AI: Navigating a new era in Grantmaking
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming industries and philanthropy is no exception. From streamlining grant applications to analyzing impact data, AI offers new possibilities for efficiency, insight, and innovation. But it also raises critical questions about equity, transparency, and trust.
Join us for a dynamic panel discussion featuring funders and practitioners with varying levels of experience using AI in grantmaking. We'll explore how AI is being applied in real-world contexts, what ethical considerations are emerging, and how funders can navigate this evolving landscape responsibly. Whether you're an AI skeptic, enthusiast, or somewhere in between, this session will offer practical insights and provoke thoughtful dialogue.
Investment Roundtable Meeting
Tuesday, November 25 (online)
3-4:30 PM AT/2-3:30 PM ET/1-2:30 PM CT/
12-1:30 PM MT/11 AM-12:30 PM PT
This forum provides a unique and dedicated space for grantmaking and foundation investment staff and board members to discuss emerging investment trends in the sector as well as challenges and opportunities peers are facing. More details about this upcoming meeting coming soon.
Healthy Aging Affinity Group Meeting
Wednesday, November 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
Canada’s Aging Population: Challenges and Opportunities
Speaker: Michel Grignon, Health Economist and Associate Professor in the Department of Health, Aging and Society, McMaster University
This session will explore the consequences of inaction — from rising healthcare costs and caregiver burnout to deepening inequities among older adults. What are the long-term implications of failing to invest in aging-related systems and supports? And how can philanthropy play a catalytic role in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future? Join us for a timely conversation that will help frame the urgency of healthy aging as a cross-sectoral issue and inspire collaborative approaches to change.
Meeting of the Canadian Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change
Tuesday, December 2 (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 Sector Initiative is a call on all foundations and other funders in Canada to signal their commitment to act on climate change regardless of their respective missions. More details about this upcoming meeting coming soon.
Groupe philanthropique québécois Affinity Group Meeting
Wednesday, December 3 (online)
10-11 AM ET
Focusing on the unique characteristics of philanthropy in Quebec, this group provides a space for collaboration, encourages knowledge exchange and inspires new strategies to stimulate meaningful change across the province. More details about the upcoming meeting coming soon.
Communications Affinity Group Meeting
Thursday, December 4 (online)
3-4 PM AT / 2-3 PM ET / 1-2 PM CT/ 12-1 PM MT / 11 AM-12 PM PT
This group of practitioners from across the PFC network discusses important or emerging communications and public affairs issues relevant to Canadian foundations, philanthropy, and the wider non-profit and charitable sector. More details about this upcoming meeting coming soon.
For more details about our fall programming,
check out our online programming calendar
New Members
PFC is happy to welcome this newest member to our network:
Law For the Future Fund
Established in 1984, the Law for the Future Fund (LFFF) provides financial support for innovative Canadian research projects in the field of law. Since its foundation, the LFFF has helped finance more than 240 innovative and timely research projects. They include issues such as the recognition of environmental rights, access to justice in civil and family matters, prostitution laws and women's equality rights, the simplification of basic principles of human rights, and ways to make legal organizations more accessible to persons with disabilities.
Announcements, Appointments
and Awards
The Mastercard Foundation welcomed two new directors, Alan Jope, former CEO of Unilever PLC, and Roberta L. Jamieson O.C., I.P.C., former President and CEO of Indspire, to its Board of Directors.
The Law Foundation of Ontario has appointed Adair Goldblatt Bieber LLP managing partner Jordan Goldblatt to their Class Proceedings Committee.
MakeWay has received a transformative $86M gift from Yield Giving, the philanthropic initiative founded by MacKenzie Scott.
Have any exciting news you’d like to share with our network? Let us know!
Member & Sector Job Board
Senior Manager, Public Engagement – Canadian Women’s Foundation
Grants Manager – The Law Foundation of Ontario
Member & Sector Insights
Some Reactions to Budget 2025
PFC’s Policy Advisory on Budget 2025, analyzing the Federal Budget from our sector’s perspective. As Jean-Marc Mangin notes in the analysis, “Government cannot meet this moment alone. Foundations bring deep relationships, flexible capital, and long-term vision. Charities more broadly enhance social well-being, deliver essential services, foster civic engagement, and support public policy objectives through community-based initiatives. Budget 2025 could have gone further in recognizing - and activating - the value of cross-sector collaboration in the generational investments that Canada needs”.
Imagine Canada states that without structural recognition of the nonprofit sector as a key economic and social partner, Canada risks weakening the very foundation on which those programs depend in “Budget 2025: Progress for Some, but No Plan for the Nonprofit Sector that Holds Canada Together”
Maytree highlights that the 2025 Federal Budget offers a few bright spots but ultimately represents a missed opportunity in “Nation-building without people: Maytree’s response to the 2025 Federal Budget”.
Zero Emissions Innovation Centre's senior manager for economic development is nervous to see what’s in store for what is described as Canada’s greenwashing rules in "Disappointment, Frustration as Climate Champions See ‘Missed Opportunity’ 2025 Canada Budget".
Community Foundations of Canada welcomes commitments to local culture, housing, infrastructure, and gender equity that align with community priorities in their analysis “Budget 2025: A Strong Canada Begins with Community”
MiIller Thompson highlights several measures that will impact, and be of interest to, Canada’s charities and non-profit organizations (NPOs) in “Understanding the 2025 Federal Budget: Implications for Canadian charities and non-profits”.
__________________________________________________________________Wolf Pack Warriors’ podcast episode with Rozsa Foundation Executive Director and long-time PFC Board Director Simon Mallett, “When Philanthropy Learns Together, Communities Win”, explores how networks turn isolated funders into effective partners for equity and community impact.
Lawson Foundation policy brief "Regulating Outdoor and Land-Based Early Learning (OBL) Programs" explains the unique features of OLBs and provides a conceptual framework for developing a new category of regulations and licensing for OLBs.
Four fellow sector experts (Hilary Pearson, Malcolm Burrows, Mark Blumberg and Susan Phillips) react to the fact the government’s regulations framework ‘isn’t evolving fast enough to respond to Canada’s social needs’, in Canadian Family Offices' "‘Time of tremendous need’: A wish list for reform of Canada’s philanthropy regulations".
Maytree's recent reports include: “Exploring the potential role of ePayroll in income-tested benefit and support programs” which looks ahead to how new tools like ePayroll can be designed to work for people, and “From the Ground Up: History of the Parkdale Neighbourhood Land Trust” and “Grounding Transformation: Possibilities for Community Land Trusts”, which examine what it takes to build a Community land trust from the ground up, what tensions emerge along the way, and how does scale impact its transformative intent.
Author of Les Affaires article "La confiance est-elle en perte de vitesse en philanthropie ?"» (Is confidence waning in philanthropy?) believes that the time has come to move away from anxious philanthropy, paralyzed by the fear of doing wrong, and return to confident, vibrant, and bold philanthropy.
In our politically divided context, the author of Carenews’ “Lignes rouges, démocratie et philanthropie" (Red lines, democracy, and philanthropy) advocates for a different path: that of dialogue and cooperation.
Upcoming Member & Sector Activities
November 12-13 in Toronto | New Power Labs’ Capital Unlocked Summit 2025 -Transforming the future of capital. Tickets available here.
November 15 – PhiLab’s Call for Papers: The PhiLanthropic Year 2026. Submissions from practitioners and academics are welcome. The theme is “Crisis as a catalyst: Transforming philanthropic practices in Canada today”. Submissions can be research articles, critical essays, portraits of initiatives, practice narratives, or interviews. Proposals can be submitted here.
Tuesday, November 18 - 1:00 PM ET | Imagine Canada in collaboration with the CRA - Boosting Online Filing in Canada’s Charitable Sector. Register here.
Tuesday, November 18, 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM (ET) | Webinar hosted by the Chamandy Foundation, J. Armand Bombardier Foundation, Morris and Rosalind Goodman Family Foundation, and The Counselling Foundation of Canada: “AI: Let's talk about it... and take action!” - a bilingual discussion on how to integrate artificial intelligence in a practical and relevant way in non-profits. Learn more here.
Thursday, November 20. 11:00 AM PT / 2:00 PM ET | Imagine Canada/Enkel-supported webinar - Finishing Strong: The 2025 Year-End Nonprofit Finance Playbook. Register here.
Friday, November 21, 8:00 PM MT | Miller Thompson/Volly free course "Starting Smart: The Legal and Governance Basics of Starting a Non-Profit or Charity" in Calgary, AB. Learn more and register here.
Monday, November 24, 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM (MT) | Rozsa Foundation-supported event - Spotlight on Arts Audiences Research Symposium. Register here.
Tuesday, November 25, 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET | Maytree webinar - Five Good Ideas on what great non-profit boards get right. Learn more and register here.
November 25–26 in Ottawa | Humane Canada’s One Health, One Welfare Conference. Register here.
Thursday, December 4, 1:00 p.m. (ET) | Myriad Canada Webinar - Behind the Scenes with World Central Kitchen. Register here.
Members in the News
Foundation for Black Communities funding for the Black Medical Student Bursary, which will provide support to eligible first-year Black students in medicine at participating universities, is highlighted in "‘Representation is lifesaving,’ TMU launches bursary for Black med students to address health-care disparity".
Martin Family Initiative, whose Indigenous Youth Entrepreneurship Program will continue being supported by the government of Sasktachewan, is highlighted in "Saskatchewan Renews Annual Partnership for Martin Family Initiative to Empower First Nations and Métis Youth"
The Canadian Race Relations Foundation, whose activities will help recipients of the Community Resilience Fund adapt to threats related to violent radicalization, is mentioned in the press release “Government of Canada announces $36 million to combat radicalization leading to violence”.
Trottier Family Foundation's financial support toward a study, which results can help planners and municipal authorities prioritize where to build parks and greenspaces to make cities more equitable, is highlighted in "Concordia study links urban heat in Montreal to unequal greenspace access".
Solcz Family Foundation grant, allowing students free attendance to the Healthy Minds Youth Education Series, whose mandate is to provide children and youth in Windsor-Essex with transformative arts experiences, is highlighted in “Inspiring a love for film”.
Lucie and André Chagnon Foundation’s philanthropic support for research on infant girls' eating habits is highlighted in “Overeating in young girls: a precursor to mental disorders”.
Rideau Hall Foundation support for “Putting the Local Back in Local News” event, in Charlottetown, P.E.I, at which publishers, editors, producers and philanthropists talked about creating a sustainable future for Canada’s local news organizations, is highlighted in "Extra! Extra! Artificial intelligence is here to stay".
Peter Gilgan Foundation-supported fund, which aims to address the growing demand for impact investing and fill gaps in Canada’s pre-seed and seed market, is highlighted in "Spring Impact Capital Launches $14 Million Fund to Boost Canadian Climate and Healthtech Startups".
Max Bell Foundation-commissioned study, which digs into how young Canadians are participating in politics, and whether their civic engagement translates into formal participation, is highlighted in "Western study probes civic engagement: Where are the youth?".
RBC Foundation Community Spaces Grant, which will help cover the costs of including an elevator at a Ski Club's new building, allowing children with disabilities to learn how to downhill ski, is mentioned in "Track3 sets sights on new building with gold-standard accessible features".
Trottier Family Foundation, which are among major philanthropic players in Quebec responding to the housing crisis by stepping up their innovation and collaboration efforts to build affordable housing and support community organizations struggling to cope, are mentioned in “Logement : les organismes font preuve de créativité face à la crise" (Housing: Organizations show creativity in the face of crisis).
Peter Gilgan Foundation and Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation grants to the Secwepemcúl’ecw Restoration and Stewardship Society of Kamloops. BC, whose work is about rebuilding relationships with Indigenous communities and restoring wildlife habitats, are highlighted in "Meet the people working with nature to address biodiversity loss and climate change".
BHP Foundation grant, which aims to expand training, mentorship, and applied-research opportunities to improve economic and social outcomes to support Indigenous learners and communities, is highlighted in "New $16 Million Partnership Strengthens Indigenous-Led Entrepreneurship and Business Education Across Canada " and in “Ceremony marks partnership to boost indigenous business”.
Real Estate Foundation of BC grant, which supports the 2025 radon campaign that aims to raise awareness of the threats of radon gas, is mentioned in "‘Knowledge will save lives,’ says Chilliwack Realtor about raising radon awareness".
The United Church of Canada Foundation, which is proud to be celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2025, is mentioned in "St. Andrew’s United Church celebrates special anniversary".
RBC Foundation, which has been providing grants to music and arts organizations across Canada since over two decades, is highlighted in "Toronto’s Budweiser Stage now called RBC Amphitheatre, and huge makeover aims to make it year-round concert venue".
Trottier Family Foundation-hosted panel session, which called on Canada’s health care system to cut its greenhouse gas emissions and reduce its carbon footprint for the sake of the health of all Canadians, is summarized in "For the health of Canadians, the health care sector must decarbonize now."
Definity Insurance Foundation donation, which will help provide life-changing care for young people and their families through a child and adolescent mental health program, is mentioned in "Golfers chip in with $25K donation for HSN inpatient youth mental health".
Trico Charitable Foundation's beginnings in 2008, and its co-founders Wayne and Eleanor Chiu, are highlighted in "Business that cares".
Martin Family Initiative-funded Early Years program, which has helped develop prevention strategies to improve brain health is mentioned in "“Brainstorm” documentary wins Rosie Award".
RBC Foundation gift to NOSM University, that will be used to train future doctors to practise in remote parts of Northern Ontario, is highlighted in "RBC Foundation donates $250,000 to NOSM University".
McLean Foundation grant, which will help the Cowichan Public Art Gallery get closer to its goal of renovating its premises, is mentioned in "Cowichan art gallery looks to match $25K expansion donation".
Rideau Hall Foundation's philanthropic support, which help connect scholars from Canada and New Zealand to explore Indigenous knowledge and community-based climate adaptation, is highlighted in "Bridging cultures and climate resilience through UCalgary Education and Social Work".
Lorne Trottier and Trottier Family Foundation donations, which have been instrumental in achieving important milestones for Concordia Space Club's Rocket Science Division, is highlighted in “Documenting a launch that made history”.
The Cole Foundation Prize for Translation which honours translators’ work in Quebec, is mentioned in "Madeleine Thien and Cassandra Calin among shortlisted authors for Quebec Writers' Federation literary awards".
Lucie and André Chagnon Foundation donation, which will help restore a convent, is mentioned in “La Fondation Lucie et André Chagnon fait don de 2 M$ au couvent Mont-Saint-Patrice " (Lucie and André Chagnon Foundation donates $2 million to Mont-Saint-Patrice convent).
The Fondation Choquette-Legault foundation, which leaders and siblings Camylle and Alexandre Legault have successfully modernized, is the focus of the interview “Le nouveau visage de la philanthropie" (The New Face of Philanthropy).
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