October 2025 Newsletter

Since our last edition...

• Last month, in preparation for our 2026 PFC National Conference to take place in Winnipeg/Treaty 1 Territory in a year’s time, we held our team retreat on site. On September 30, National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, we experienced a most memorable and moving program, as we joined thousands of First Nations community members and other Manitobans participating in a Healing Walk and a Pow Wow honouring the survivors of the residential school system. We also met with local PFC members, partners and leaders who will make up our conference host committee, discussing exciting programming possibilities. 

• Jean-Marc Mangin, our President and CEO and Sara Krynitzki, our Associate CEO, joined several PFC members and other sector colleagues at the 2025 Imagine Canada Leadership Roundtable in Ottawa, to discuss our sector’s opportunities and challenges in these uncertain times.  

PFC Updates

• We are hiring a Digital Communications Coordinator! If you are or know a creative and strategic communications professional interested in helping PFC advance our organizational brand, highlight PFC’s activities and impact, and build awareness of the value of the network, check out our job description here! 

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!    

Affinity Group Spotlight:
Healthy Aging Affinity Group 

Canada’s Aging Population:
Challenges and Opportunities

We’re living in a time of unprecedented demographic change, with populations aging at a faster rate than ever before. 

This presents a remarkable opportunity to shape a positive future for older adults and, in turn, strengthen our entire society.

We’re building a collaborative of funders passionate about healthy aging and eager to make a difference across Canada.

Join us!

This group is open to anyone working at a grantmaking organization, including PFC members and non-members. Join us!

Next 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  

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. More details to come soon!   

Funder Affinity Group Meetings 

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 3: Thursday, October 23 
Cohort 4: Thursday, November 6 

Family Foundations Affinity Group Meeting

Friday, October 24 (online)  
3-4 PM AT/2-3 PM ET/1-2 PM CT/12 AM-1 PM MT/11-12 AM PT

Navigating Family Dynamics and
Managing Public/Community Expectations 

Speaker: Mike Prosserman, Board Chair, Acorn Seed Foundation

Family foundations strike a balance between personal relationships and public responsibility. As organizations grow, challenges emerge in defining values that honour family legacy and respond to community needs.  

This session explores ways to engage family members, set boundaries, and create expectations for both internal cohesion and external accountability. It will also discuss preparing those working with community partners—especially through anti-racism and bias training—for equitable interactions. Attendees can reflect, share, and learn about legacy, power-sharing, and public engagement.

PFC Member Gatherings

Reconciliation Roundtable Gathering 

Tuesday, November 4 (online) 
3-5 PM AT/2-4PM ET/1-3 PM CT/12-2 PM MT/11 AM-1 PM PT 

A dedicated space to come together in solidarity, reflection, and resolve. Rooted in The Philanthropic Community’s Declaration of Action on its 10th year anniversary, this gathering is about breathing life into the apology—moving beyond words to meaningful action.

Meeting the Moment Series: Network Gatherings and Policy Roundtables

Join us in Vancouver and Montreal for collaborative discussions on navigating Canada’s evolving political and economic landscape together.

As part of PFC’s 2025 Meeting the Moment initiative, these gatherings of local PFC network members will be hosted by PFC President & CEO Jean-Marc Mangin, who will be joined by a local leader who will offer remarks and co-facilitate.

In Vancouver

Wednesday, November 12, 11:30 AM-1:30 PM PT (in person)   
Office of PFC member Houssian Foundation 
Co-facilitator: Kate Hammer, Interim CEO, Vancouver Foundation 

In Montreal

Wednesday, November 26, 5-7 PM ET (in person)
Office of PFC member Pathy Family Foundation
Co-faciiltator: Matthew Mendelson, CEO of Social Capital Partners
(PFC member Bealight Foundation) 

For more details about our full fall programming calendar,
check out our new online programming calendar and
refer to our Fall Programming Roundup

New Members

PFC is happy to welcome these newest members to our network: 

Mission Inclusion 

Mission inclusion (Jules and Paul-Émile Léger Foundation) supports initiatives that empower individuals and groups in vulnerable or marginalized situations, while promoting concrete actions to strengthen inclusion within their communities and society as a whole. Alongside their partners in Quebec and internationally, they work to foster greater openness, inclusion, and equity, ensuring that the diversity of communities is fully respected and that everyone can exercise their rights and access collective resources. 

ERRATUM – The Auxilium Foundation 

The Auxilium Foundation is a Calgary-based private family foundation that supports innovative grassroots organizations and dynamic leaders, who work towards the overall health of our communities. Its areas of focus include Canadian social, health, environmental and educational matters.

Announcements, Appointments
and Awards

• Sewit Ahderom has been announced to assume the position of President and CEO of the Mastercard Foundation in early 2026. 

• Mohammed Hashim has been reappointed as Executive Director of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation. 

• The Fondation de Gaspé Beaubien recently welcomed Marie-Paule Jeansonne as its new Executive Director and extended its thanks to Dominique Monchamp for her past and present leadership, as she will serve as Executive Vice-President. 

• Kelly Meighen, Western University Chancellor and Board Director and Former President of the Meighen Family Foundation, has been named one of three co-chairs of Western’s ‘All In’ Campaign. 

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

Member & Sector Job Board

• Digital Communications Coordinator, Philanthropic Foundations Canada (rolling deadline) 
• Program Services Lead, Philanthropic Projects, CAF Canada 
• Manager, Grants and Operations,The McLean Foundation (October 31) 

Member & Sector Insights

• A partnership between Fondation Béati and Inspirit Foundation has led to the publication of “Islamophobia and Philanthropy” - a report which paints a picture of Islamophobia in Quebec and the communities affected. More than just an overview of the situation, it offers concrete recommendations and courses of action. 

• Maytree is highlighted in the Philanthropist Journal's "How philanthropy can help Canada build its way out of a housing shortage", which shows how foundations and philanthropic organizations have a significant role to play in tackling Canada’s housing crisis. 

• GeShiDo Foundation's "Why Canada Needs Market-Driven Philanthropy - a venture-philanthropy case study" argues that Canada needs bold capital deployment, strategic collaboration and a commitment to funding initiatives that re-imagine how we support people in crisis. 

• Sonja Miokovic’s Systems Thinking and Systems Change GoodReads List reminds us that shifting systems often happen in the invisible, relational spaces—through connection, trust & collective imagination. 

• Imagine Canada explores how to make data more meaningful, memorable, and impactful in this article and this webinar entitled “The Art of Communicating Numbers: Turning data into stories that stick.” 

• The Philanthropist Journal explores with sector colleagues how donor-advised funds (DAF) are gaining traction – and are also at the heart of a complicated debate - in "Unpacking DAFs, the fastest-growing way to give in Canada". Makeway's Lee Burton had this to say on the subject. 

• MakeWay-hosted Funding Collaboratives, which are innovative ways for funders to pool resources, share knowledge, and reduce burdens on community partners, are highlighted in "From Transaction to Transformation: Embedding Learning and Unlearning in Philanthropy" and in Philanthropist Journal article “Northern Manitoba shows philanthropy how to move from transaction to transformation” 

• McConnell Foundation reaffirms its commitments to social equity, net-zero alignment and impact investing in its "Impact Investing Report 2024 – Staying the Course". 

• A member of the third generation of the McCain family shares the advice his grandfather Wallace McCain gave him about philanthropy in Canadian Family Offices’ video "Beyond the Family Business with Jeffrey McCain, founder and president of Woodward Capital". 

• Canada Helps' latest Generosity is Right Here PSA showcases some of the many ways to be generous, whether it’s volunteering at a charity or simply lending a hand in your community. It aims to not just make generosity look easy but remind Canadians about the power they already have within themselves to make a difference. 

• Black Opportunity Fund’s recent 2025 Annual Impact Video gives great context about the breadth of initiatives and organizations they’ve supported in their key priority areas.

Upcoming Member & Sector Activities

Walrus Talks: Philanthropy in a Changing Canada 
Wednesday, November 12, 7-9 PM PT (in person)
SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts - Djavad Mowafaghian Cinema

PFC is proud to partner with The Walrus, MakeWay, VanCity Community Foundation, Vancouver Foundation and RBC to bring a Walrus Talks to Vancouver! The talk will be centred around Philanthropy in a Changing Canada: How philanthropy is evolving to serve the needs of our communities. Learn more here. 

• Wednesday, October 22 at 1 PM ET - Imagine Canada's Virtual launch of the Fair Funding for Nonprofits Coalition. Register here. 

• Wednesday, October 22 - 6:30-9:30 PM ET- A live comedy recording of ‘In Good Faith’ podcast, produced in partnership with the Canadian Race Relations Foundation and the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation. Get tickets here. 

• Thursday, October 23, 12–1 PM UTC | WINGS' “Building Stronger Philanthropy Support Ecosystems: Lessons from India and Brazil”. Learn more and register here. 

• Nominations are open for Atkinson Foundation's Good Fight Prize rewarding fearless campaigns that help fight for decent work. Deadline: Monday October 27. Learn more here. 

• Monday, October 27, 1–2 PM ET | New Power Talk, Capital at the Crossroads: Bold Leadership for Canada’s Future. New Power Labs’ Narinder Dhami interviews Ray Williams, President and Co-Founder of the Black Opportunity Fund. Register here. 

• Wednesday, October 29, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM, in Montreal, QC- CAEH25: National Conference on Ending Homelessness Funder Session. Learn more and register here. 

• Wednesday, November 5, 1:30-4:30 PM ET - Metcalf Fellow Kuni Kamizaki's Report Launch on Community Land Trusts. Register to attend by October 22, 2025 here. 

• November 12-13 in Toronto | New Power Labs’ Capital Unlocked Summit 2025-Transforming the future of capital. Early bird tickets 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. 

• November 25–26 in Ottawa | Humane Canada’s One Health, One Welfare Conference  Register here. 

Members in the News

• De Gaspé Beaubien Foundation and RBC Foundation philanthropic support, which aims to provide students and entrepreneurs with mentorship, technical guidance, seed funding, and strategic support to help develop technological solutions to water challenges facing the region, is mentioned in "AquaAction announces new partnership to co-host accelerator program". 

• Azrieli Foundation grant, which provides vital funding to early-career scientists whose bold ideas advance brain health, is mentioned in "Canadian brain research: Ciaran Murphy-Royal and Éric Samarut among future leaders". 

• Ronald S Roadburg Foundation, ZEIC and other contributors' grants, which help support a program for greater adoption of heat pumps, electric water heating and advanced heat recovery and ventilation systems, are mentioned in "BC Retrofit Accelerator sees strong uptake after year of climate swings" 

• RBC Foundation funding, which supports a national movement to strengthen Canada's agriculture sector, is mentioned in "RBC launches investment initiative to help cultivate the next generation of Canadian farming with the goal of positioning agriculture as a growth driver for Canada”. 

• RBC Foundation grants, for the health sector in different provinces, are highlighted in "RBC Foundation grants $600,000 to Prince Edward County hospital build" and "RBC Foundation grant helps open up Nicola Valley Hospital in Merritt to greater accessibility". 

• Rideau Hall Foundation study findings – 75% of 16–24-year-olds don’t feel qualified for civic opportunities, and 63% don’t feel welcome to participate - are highlighted in "Why volunteer hours aren’t enough: Closing the civic gap in education". 

• The McCain Foundation and RBC Foundation's grants, which helps provide a safe and accessible space where those in agriculture can connect, share, and find support, is mentioned in "AgTalk: The Do More Agriculture Foundation announces partnership renewal for mental health across agriculture". 

• Northpine Foundation grant, that will allow University College of the North to place graduate specialists and life coaches at high school and adult learning centers, is highlighted in "UCN Launches Innovative Graduation Support Program". 

• Calgary Foundation’s Quality of Life Report 2025 is mentioned in "Poll suggests more Calgarians feeling better about their lives this year" and in “Calgarians report improved quality of life, but survey shows many still left behind” 

• Eenou-Eeyou Community Foundation grant to help address forest fire destruction from the summer of 2023 is highlighted in "When Cabins are Rebuilt, Culture is Restored". 

• Zero Emissions Innovation Centre-run B.C. Retrofit Accelerator program is mentioned in "Opinion: British Columbians are ready for heat pumps. Is the province?" 

• BHP Foundation grant, which will allow STARS to expand its reach, strengthen its operations and most importantly, ensure the health and safety of all, is highlighted in ”BHP renews support for STARS with three-year, $525K commitment". 

• Rideau Hall Foundation grant to develop an Inuit-led teacher training program is highlighted in "''Hope today, hope for the future’: Mary Simon urges ongoing reconciliation". 

• Mastercard Foundation grants to 30 post-secondary institutions and national Indigenous organizations in recognition of their achievements and impact in education for Indigenous youth across Canada are announced in "Mastercard Foundation announces $235 million to post-secondary educational institutions in Canada to recognize strides toward reconciliation" and some of those individual gifts are highlighted in "Grant supports and uplifts Indigenous youth"; “Mastercard invests $5 million in Western’s Indigenous initiatives"; “$10M grant will allow Seven Generations Education Institute to ‘dream big’: CEO says”; “Nunavut Arctic College awarded $5M to support Indigenous education”; “Kenjgewin Teg Receives $10 Million Gift from the Mastercard Foundation to Strengthen Anishinabek-Led Education”. 

• The Michael Young Family Foundation is mentioned as a philanthropic supporter of one of the recipients (University Park) of this year's Toronto Urban Design Awards in "City Fetes the Winners of the 2025 Toronto Urban Design Awards". 

• Trottier Family Foundation's philanthropic support, which helped bring together medical professionals, experts and decision-makers for a discussion on health and climate change, is mentioned in "The climate crisis is a health crisis, and Canada’s health care system can be part of the solution". 

• Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia grant, which has made it possible for the BCIT Centre for Ecocities to launch two online tools to help users understand their environmental impact, is highlighted in "British Columbia Institute of Technology launches resources that help BC communities take climate action". 

• McConnell Foundation grant, that ensures an internship offers paid training, mentorship from Indigenous and municipal professionals, and curriculum that reflects technical and cultural knowledge, is highlighted in "Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council and Municipality of North Cowichan Partner to Launch Indigenous Building Official Internship". 

• Weston Family Foundation's commitment to health research and innovation, and its long-standing and historic support to these causes, are highlighted in "Three projects to advance neurodegenerative research awarded inaugural Weston Brain Institute Grants at Sunnybrook"; in “Weston Family Foundation investing $20 million to advance health innovation in Canada”; in "$10 million for Neuro-led project seeking new Alzheimer’s biomarkers". 

In Memoriam

Donald Sheridan Rickerd (1931 – 2025)  

Mr. Rickerd was President of the Donner Canadian Foundation (1968-1989) and served as President of the Max Bell Foundation (1989–1997). 

Get in touch!

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