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May 2025 Newsletter
* PFC Members assembled at Foundation House in Toronto for a gathering on Wednesday, May 8, 2025.
Since our last edition...
Just ahead of last month’s federal election, Jean-Marc Mangin and other Canadian sector leaders shared their views with The Philanthropist Journal in “In an election like no other, an anxious non-profit sector meets its own ‘elbows up’ moment.”
In an equally timely opinion piece in the same Philanthropist Journal, Jean-Marc Mangin and Imagine Canada’s Bruce MacDonald co-authored “Canada’s charities: Essential to community, democracy, and economic prosperity”.
Jean-Marc Mangin was interviewed by a journalist for an article in Le Devoir's Special Issue on Philanthropy entitled "La mutualisation en philanthropie, ou se regrouper pour le bien de la société" (Pooled funds in philanthropy, or coming together for the common good).
Thank you to everyone who attended our first ‘Meeting the Moment’ Regional Member Gathering in Toronto* last week which included a thought-provoking presentation on how to safeguard Canada’s future. Delivered by Lisa Lalande, participants held stimulating discussions on the role of philanthropy in a time of economic and geopolitical uncertainty, on strengthening Canada’s social fabric amid rising polarization, and on safeguarding Canada’s democracy & civic engagement. This first of several gatherings that will continue throughout the year will be followed by our next Regional Member Gathering in Calgary on June 18, 2025. (See details below)
PFC Updates & Insights
We’re pleased to announce the release of the 2025 Canadian Philanthropic Foundations Salary & Benefits Report, the most comprehensive look at compensation practices across Canada’s philanthropic foundations sector. Thanks to this year’s participants, this survey had the highest response rate to date. The report is available for free to all PFC Members and 2025 survey participants (through a discount code sent separately via email). For all other interested parties, the report is available for purchase at $295. Click here to download or purchase the report.
Join PFC’s Michele Fugiel Gartner on Thursday, June 12 · 11am - 12:30pm ET at Philab’s Webinar: Canadian Philanthropy’s Role in a Shifting Political Landscape featuring speakers from PFC members Lucie and André Chagnon Foundation and Myriad Foundation. The discussion will be anchored by PFC’s recent paper exploring the implications of the Trump 2.0 administration on U.S. philanthropy, and will explore broader questions about the responsibilities and strategies of foundations in times of volatility. Learn more and register here.
PFC Guest Blog post Acting with Courage and Clarity: Philanthropy’s Role in Repairing a Fractured World written by Arti Freeman, Definity Insurance Foundation’s President & CEO, shares reflections from the 2025 Skoll World Forum.
PFC Programming
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 4: Thursday, June 5, 2025
Cohort 1: Thursday, June 19, 2025
Cohort 5: Thursday, June 26, 2025
Click here to learn more
Communications Affinity Group Meeting
Thursdays (online)
3-4 PM AT / 2-3 PM ET / 1-2 PM CT/ 12-1 PM MT / 11 AM-12 PM PT
Thursday, May 15, 2025:
Effective Communications Strategies for Small Teams
CEO Retreat (SOLD OUT)
Tuesday, May 20 - Thursday May 22, 2025 (in person)
2025 Canadian Philanthropic Foundations Salary & Benefits Report Webinar (by invitation)
Monday, May 26, 2025, at 12:00 PM ET (Online)
at 1:00 PM (AT) | 11:00 AM (CT) |10:00 AM (MT) | 9:00 AM (PT)
PFC members and Survey respondents received their invitation to attend this Virtual MS Teams webinar featuring Geoff Thacker of The Portage Group and PFC Research Lead Michele Fugiel Gartner. Geoff will walk through main report findings and to discover how to use the benchmarks in one’s own organization.
Click here to purchase the report.
Philanthropic Foundations Canada Annual General Meeting
Monday, June 9, 2025, from 12:30 – 1:00 PM ET (online)
at 1:30 PM (AT) | 11:30 AM (CT) |10:30 AM (MT) | 9:30 AM (PT)
All PFC Members are invited and encouraged to attend: Click here to register for the AGM.
Healthy Aging Affinity Group Meeting
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 (online)
2-3 PM AT/1-2 PM ET/12-1 PM CT/11 AM-12 PM MT / 10-11 AM PT
Policy, Advocacy, Care Network
Program and Grantmaking Staff Affinity Group Rendez-Vous
Fridays (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
Friday, June 13, 2025 (online)
Deepening the Practice of Trust-Based Philanthropy
SAVE THE DATE
Calgary Regional Member Gathering
Wednesday, June 18, 2025, 12-1:30 PM MT (in person)
'Meeting the Moment' Discussion and Roundtable
Join us to discuss the implications for foundations of today’s turbulent geopolitical waters and how we can make informed decisions in support of long-term resilience, economic stability, and social impact.
Further details coming soon here.
New Members
PFC is happy to welcome these newest members to our network:
Euphrosine Foundation
The Euphrosine Foundation is a newly-established philanthropic foundation that supports charities dedicated to democracy and human rights, which is in the process of developing its own theory of change and corresponding approach to grants. As a first step, it has transferred 10% of its $6 million endowment to already-identified community-led re-grantors.
Arora Family Fund
The Arora Family Fund is an endowed donor-advised fund held at the Hamilton Community Foundation. Its granting priorities include social justice causes which aim to improve the lives of individuals from disadvantaged communities.
The Hilary and Galen Weston Foundation
The Hilary and Galen Weston Foundation contributes to charities whose bold ideas shape a better future for everyone.
Announcements, Appointments
and Awards
Aatif Baskanderi, Chief Executive Officer, The Northpine Foundation acted as a member of the 2025 Governor General's Innovation Awards Selection Committee which was comprised of distinguished individuals chosen for their expertise in and breadth of understanding of the innovation ecosystem.
Mavis Underwood, Tiwenomot, wrapped up her term with the Real Estate Foundation of BC’s Board of Governors
Have any exciting news you’d like to share with our network? Let us know!
Member & Sector Job Board
- Administrative Coordinator, Jarislowsky Foundation
- Director, Combatting Hate Hub, Canadian Race Relations Foundation
- Director of Finance, Canadian Race Relations Foundation
- Director, People and Culture, Canadian Race Relations Foundation
Member & Sector Insights
On the context of US-Canada relations, their impact in Canada, to help inform our sector in "meeting the moment":
Imagine Canada’s “Letter to the Prime Minister: Strengthening the Federal–Nonprofit Partnership” urges the government to take critical action to strengthen and support nonprofits and charities by implementing and resourcing a dedicated unit in government for the nonprofit sector.
Inspirit Foundation's Finance Director Jory Cohen, observes that consumers are choosing Canadian products in a fit of national pride, and so can investors in "Opinion: Buy Canada"
Imagine Canada blog describes how tariff impact, the DEI backlash, and growing Canadian nationalism are some of the trends that will impact charities and nonprofits in the second quarter of 2025.
In "70-Plus Foundations ‘Meet the Moment’ and Pledge to Increase Their Grants" some funders are taking a stance to shore up nonprofits defunded by the Trump administration. Others have offered a “statement of solidarity” in response to the federal cuts.
Nonprofit leaders react to the first three months of President Trump’s second term, which has left the sector stunned, transformed, and weakened in "The 100 Days That Shook Nonprofits"
Charities are legally permitted to lobby more than their leaders may realize. A law professor tells you how in "Know Your Rights: How Much Can Tax-Exempt Groups Speak Out?".
Steps Leaders Can Take Today to Bridge Divides with Tim Dixon, co-founder of More in Common
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Canadian Centre for Nonprofit Digital Resilience's latest report entitled "Addressing the Digital Skills Gap in Canadian Nonprofits: Outcomes of Prototyped Solution Pilot" shares the findings from the final phase of the Futureproofing the Community Service Workforce project.
New Power Labs and Definity Foundation's new Diversity Geomap Dashboard helps you explore the sociodemographic diversity of communities across Canada and can help with informing fundraising, assessing impact, and supporting advocacy efforts. It uses data from the 2021 Census.
Aqueduct Foundation's Malcolm Burrows' post in All About Estates entitled "Founders: the good, the innovative, and the toxic" argues that all stakeholders should be aware of the Founder's Syndrome dynamics.
Maytree's report "Seniors’ poverty in Canada: Why it exists and why it doesn’t have to" highlights that, despite a generous and targeted income security system for seniors, 430,000 live in poverty. According to its findings, increasing the Guaranteed Income Supplement, relaxing residence requirements, and improving access would allow all seniors to live in dignity in Canada.
The latest national survey (2024) on race relations released by the Canadian Race Relations Foundation and the Environics Institute, which shows that public attention to racial issues has in fact subsided a bit since 2021, but the overall picture remains essentially unchanged is highlighted in "Now is not the time for Canada to walk away from diversity, equity and inclusion".
Maytree Foundation Podcast featuring the Executive Director of the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence, a program of the Azrieli Foundation, examines how to build a culture that recognizes and values caregiving in "Five Good Ideas on supporting caregivers at the workplace"
The Charity Insights Canada Project, run at Carleton University and supported by PFC members Metcalf and Lawson Foundations, among other donors, released its weekly results on grant-making in "New Survey Findings: How Canadian Charities Navigate Grant Writing"
Metcalf Foundation announced its new 10-Year Environment Program Strategy which shifts their focus squarely on strengthening the long-term viability of conservation in Canada, including supporting Indigenous-led conservation and stewardship.
Should philanthropy serve as a complement to or a substitute for the state’s obligations to the elderly? Researchers share what they learned from the role of philanthropy in Quebec’s eldercare system during the COVID-19 pandemic in The Philanthropist Journal's "Filling the gap? The pressure on philanthropy in the fragile eldercare system".
Le Devoir Special Weekend Issue on Philanthropy (Philanthropie- Du coeur à l’action) contains several articles highlighting PFC members including Béati Foundation, André and Lucie Chagnon Foundation, The McConnell Foundation, Choquette-Legault Foundation, Trottier Family Foundation, Euphrosine Foundation.
A ‘podcast appearance’ by a giant of American philanthropy exposes the urgent need to let go of his teachings in The Chronicle of Philanthropy’s “What an Andrew Carnegie ‘Interview’ Reveals About Philanthropy’s Sins — and How to Move Beyond Them”.
In an opinion piece for The Chronicle of Philanthropy, the co-authors argue that climate campaigns rely too heavily on apocalyptic messaging in "7 Things Climate Philanthropy Gets Wrong — and How to Do Better"
Upcoming Member & Sector Activities
Wings' Philanthropy’s solidarity with those impacted by aid cuts: A joint Call to Action. As networks dedicated to growing and transforming solidarity and giving globally, collectively representing over 100,000 philanthropic actors, WINGS is deeply concerned by the recent trend of enormous aid cuts, which are leaving millions of the most vulnerable around the world behind. Sign the Call to Action here!
Tuesday, May 13, 2025, until Friday, June 13, 2025, 5 PM ET - Ontario Nonprofit Network (ONN) needs Ontario-based organizations to tell the story of how Ontario’s nonprofit sector is adapting to constant political, economic, and social change via its ONN’s 2025 State of the Sector survey which can be completed here.
Wednesday, May 14, 2025 | 12:00-1:30 p.m. ET - Reimagining Systems: The Role of System Orchestrators webinar in which Tamarack Institute and Centre for Exponential Change will explore how leaders can reimagine systems at scale through the lens of System Orchestrators – leaders who center shared purpose over fixed solutions, build collective narratives across actors, and enable others by letting go of custodianship. Learn more and register here.
Wednesday, May 14th, 2025, at 1:00 PM ET. Unlocking Systemic Investing with Ilse Treurnicht (TwinRiver Capital) and Tracey Robertson (Ontario Trillium Foundation). This first session in a new series dives into how the emerging field of systemic investing might contribute to better resourcing a range of interventions to tackle systemic challenges in Canada. Lean more and register here.
Thursday May 15th, 2025, from 12.15 pm to 1.45 pm CET, (Zoom link upon registration) ESSEC Lunch and Learn Webinar entitled "No strings attached? Promises and challenges of flexible and unrestricted funding in philanthropy" with Nelson Amaya, Global Knowledge Manager, Jacobs Foundation and Arjen de Wit, Assistant Professor, Center for Philanthropic Studies, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam . Learn more and register here.
Thursday, April 24-Saturday, May 24, 2025 - Open call for The Sustain Fund, an eight-year funding initiative for Black feminist movements working across Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, Europe and North America. To find out more information and how to apply, click here.
Monday, May 26, 2025, 1:00 - 2:00 pm ET- Maytree Foundation's Five Good Ideas for building a human-centred workplace in the AI era. Learn more and register here.
Tuesday, May 27 · 12 - 1pm ET - Unlocking Digital Skills for Success: Solutions to Empower your Nonprofit. Learn more and register here.
Tuesday, May 27 to Thursday May 29, 2025, in Kjipuktuk | Halifax, Nova Scotia – The biennial Community Foundations of Canada Conference: Illuminate 2025. What will philanthropy look like in 1 year, 5 years, 10 years? Philanthropy, like the rest of the world, continues to shift; as we grapple with growing climate crisis, community division, (un)affordability and many other major issues. Learn more and register here.
Thursdays, June 12, June 26, July 10, July 24, 2025 between 12:30 PM ET – 2:30 PM ET - Tamarack Institute's Anti-Racism & Indigenous Cultural Competency: Building Foundational Knowledge for Transformative Change - Four-Part Learning Journey. Learn more and register here.
June 16–17, 2025, Future of Good's Social Finance Forum in Toronto where leaders, funders, doers, and dreamers are invited to talk about the future of Indigenous finance, equity, climate, housing, food, and community wealth. Register here.
Tuesday, June 17- Thursday, 19, 2025 - The Circle's Cousins in Philanthropy, a multi-day, in-person learning opportunity for Indigenous professionals working in the philanthropic sector to connect and strategize alongside one another. Learn more and register here by May 19, 2025.
Wednesday 25 - Friday 27 June, 2025, in Tofino, British Columbia - Forum for Impact Canada | 2025 FFI Investor Dialogue: The Convergence of Integrated Capital and
Indigenous Values in Canada’s Blue Economy. Learm more here.
Members in the News
Duncan M. & Judith O. Jessiman Foundation Board Director talks about market mayhem, investing discipline and the need for family office networking in "Peter Jessiman: ‘There’s just great idea-share and mindshare' in the family office space".
Calgary Foundation's philanthropic support, which will help over sixty community organizations recruit needed volunteers is mentioned in "Calgary Volunteer Fair to return after 3-year hiatus".
Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation's philanthropic support, which will help fund an innovative crisis response, combining immediate humanitarian assistance with long-term capacity building and international solidarity is highlighted in "Pioneering Social Innovation in Times of Crisis"
Lawson Foundation donation that will be devoted to a new, multidisciplinary Lawson Climate Institute at the University of Toronto, which is an additional gift to the existing Clean Economy Fund launched earlier this year, is mentioned in "Philanthropies Add $76M in New Funding for Climate Action".
Rideau Hall Foundation's grant to expanded election coverage, which has allowed energeticcity.ca to cover community concerns in Fort Nelson, is mentioned in "Healthcare and industry support: Election priorities in Fort Nelson"
Donner Canadian Foundation released its shortlist of books vying for this year’s prestigious Donner Prize for the best public policy book by a Canadian in "‘These books all contribute to the national debate of headline issues’: Donner Prize nominees include titles on COVID response, intimate partner violence, corporate governance, and judicial power".
Fondation J. Armand Bombardier, which is among the donors making it possible for HEC Montréal to continue to celebrate the diversity, talent and vision of those who come study there from across Quebec and around the world is mentioned in "HEC Montréal Scholarships: Donors’ Generosity Shaping the Future".
Maytree Foundation philanthropic support, which helps immigrant women find their strengths, is mentioned in "Kenyan-born immigrant Wangari Muriuki shows how women newcomers can get involved in their communities”.
Peter Gilgan Foundation and Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation, which are funding partners of the Secwepemcúl’ecw Restoration and Stewardship Society who is using traditional practices that restore mixed forest canopies in a way that benefits communities and wildlife, are highlighted in "How Indigenous-Led Efforts are Restoring Wildfire-Impacted Forests".
Mastercard Foundation-supported program, which sets out to uplift talented women by offering sponsored, world-class creative arts certifications, is highlighted in "TAFTA set to empower 35,000 women for job in creative industry".
Eenou-Eeyou Community Foundation and Mastercard Foundation grants to support the hiring of a new full-time staff person are highlighted in "Eenou-Eeyou Community Foundation Provides $600,000 Towards Capacity Building Within the Cree Nation Youth Council".
Azrieli Foundation, whose funding areas include Holocaust education and legacy, is mentioned offering the services of one of its historians to assist on a course teaching film adaptations of the Holocaust in "How I’m teaching Holocaust literature in light of Canadian recommendations around combatting antisemitism". And a musical concerto which was composed for the Foundation after Canadian composer Kelly-Marie Murphy was awarded the 2018 Azrieli Commission for Jewish Music is mentioned in "Peterborough Symphony Orchestra welcomes three Canadian soloists to ‘Step into the Light’ for 2024-25 season finale".
Trottier Family Foundation donation enabling the creation of the Trottier Chair in Energy Transition, Governance and Participation, which will seek to identify, understand and anticipate the friction points that will arise on the road to carbon neutrality, whether from a social or environmental, political, economic or technical point of view, is mentioned.in the article entitled “Creation of a philanthropic chair for a smoother transition to carbon neutrality”.
Choquette-Legault Foundation, Sybella Hesse Foundation and Lawson Foundation grants, which are among the philanthropic gifts that will enable the construction and operation of a new pediatric palliative care home for end-of-life care for the Outaouais region, are listed in the article “Le projet Maison Papillon : c'est ensemble qu'on va y arriver !” (The Maison Papillon project: let's get there together!)
Birks Family Foundation and Molson Foundation grants towards the creation of a new research chair, that will deepen Sherbrooke University's School of Management's already recognized expertise in responsible sport, are mentioned in “Création de la Chaire de recherche sur le sport responsable de l’Université de Sherbrooke”.(Creation of the Université de Sherbrooke Responsible Sport Research Chair)
Mastercard Foundation partnership with the UBC Faculty of Forestry, which will help expand opportunities for Indigenous students in environmental management is mentioned in "New Indigenous land stewardship degree will prepare the next generation of land protectors to restore ecosystems and take action on climate change".
Rideau Hall Foundation-supported program which empowers youth in underserved communities to explore entrepreneurship, problem-solving, and community engagement is mentioned in "How R.I.S.E Academy is making an ‘Impact’ through food and learning".
RBC Foundation philanthropic gifts toward education are mentioned several times: (1) to help connect youth audiences aged 15 to 29 to major stakeholders and support the innovation of aspiring entrepreneurs is highlighted in "MindFuel receives $500,000 in seed funding from RBC Foundation"; (2) to help St. Lawrence College Skills Start Program provide comprehensive training for 15 participants in Industrial Mechanic Millwright is highlighted in "RBC Foundation Supports New Skilled Trades Program at SLC Cornwall"; (3) to Red Deer Polytechnic, which will allow 2,500 students and 100 industry partners, over the next five years, to develop economically and environmentally beneficial technologies and processes through education, training, work-integrated learning and applied research, is celebrated in "RDP receives $600,000 donation to support Energy Test Hub"; (4) providing Cambrian College students a ‘living lab’ experience, and help give them access to the most innovative technologies and tools in the renewable energy space is mentioned in "The transition to a net-zero economy starts with students".
In Memoriam
Philippe II de Gaspé Beaubien (1928 – 2025)
- Philippe II de Gaspé Beaubien, co-founder of the de Gaspé-Beaubien Foundation, a founding member of PFC, passed away peacefully on April 9, 2025, at the age of 97 after a full life dedicated to family, friends, community, meaningful work, and a deep spirituality.
A funeral will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Mary Queen of the World Cathedral. To register, click here.
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