September 2024 Newsletter

Since our last edition...

• Our largest ever PFC National Conference is next week! We are well on our way to gathering as diverse a group as only our rich and vast network could pull together: we will be more than four hundred attendees with the support and participation of twenty conference partners! 

• With a fine-tuned program that features over one hundred speakers from across the philanthropic sector, we are optimistic that together with community gathered we will meet our conference goals in Ottawa next week! 

PFC Updates & Insights

• Michele Fugiel Gartner, PFC’s Lead Researcher, has produced a screencast presentation of the findings in her 2024 Landscape Report, which we invite you to watch. 

• She also published two final articles in the Unveiling the Landscape series - (#3): Values and priorities shaping foundation operations and (#4): The Foundation Triangle. This blog series summarizes the key findings of the research and provides additional narratives and reflections from live presentations she has made, and feedback received from a range of stakeholders. 

• Productive Dialogue in a Polarized World: Having wrapped up phases 1 and 2 of this project, we are now turning our attention to sharing key learnings and aspirations for change that emerged, as documented by Alicia Kuin in her guest blog. At our conference, Alicia will lead a session to explore how open dialogue on challenging topics can foster understanding and create common ground, enabling us to address polarization and pressing social issues more effectively. 

• 2024 Conference media partner The Philanthropist Journal interviewed leaders of organizations from across the sector, including principal partner Addenda Capital, The Counselling Foundation of Canada, Definity Insurance Foundation, Graham Boeckh Foundation, Waltons Trust, Indigenous Philanthropy Advisors, WES Mariam Assefa Fund, Workforce Funder Collaborative. Reporters from The Philanthropist will attend our conference in Ottawa – and have published these two articles ahead of our gathering: “Philanthropic leaders reflect on major trends – and tensions” and “Building a coalition of the willing means power in numbers for the philanthropic sector” 

• PFC is part of the Federal Nonprofit Data Coalition which has made its second request for a Canadian Nonprofit Data Lab, as reported in this Future of Good article. 

• Our partners at SETSI saluted Sara Krynitzki, PFC’s Director of Public Affairs and Research, among other brilliant colleagues for her consistent leadership and commitment to building data infrastructure for the sector. 
   

Upcoming PFC Programming

Affinity Group meetings at PFC's National Conference in Ottawa (In person)

NOTE: All September Affinity Group meetings are taking place in-person in Ottawa as part of our conference. If you are an existing member of one of these groups and are attending the conference, thank you for adding the session(s) to "My Schedule" in your Cvent Event App.

Check out our full program and list of speakers here.

Communications Affinity Group Meeting

Thursday, October 14, 2024  
2 PM AT | 1 PM ET | 12 PM CT| 11 AM MT | 10 PM PT (Online)  
Topic: Training workshop – A Practical Guide to Building a Government Relations Strategy  

This monthly meeting between communications specialists and grantmaking practitioners is designed to discuss important or emerging strategic communications and public affairs issues relevant to Canadian foundations and philanthropy. The initiative supports the exchange of ideas, learning about relevant news, sharing intel and working together, while providing a forum for professional development, networking and dialogue.  

Visit our event page here.  

Program and Grantmaking Staff Affinity Group Rendez-Vous 

Friday, October 25, 2024  
2 PM AT | 1 PM ET | 12 PM CT| 11 AM MT | 10 PM PT (Online)  

Join this dynamic 60-minute online gathering of Program and Grantmaking Staff in PFC member organizations designed to offer peer-driven collaboration, professional development and networking opportunities  

Visit our program page here.  

Investment Roundtable  Affinity Group Meeting

Tuesday, November 19, 2024  
2 PM AT | 1 PM ET | 12 PM CT| 11 AM MT | 10 PM PT (Hybrid)  
Foundation House, 2 St Clair Ave E, Suite 300, Toronto  
Agenda:  Introduction/Roundtable; Public & Private Markets; Operations; Investment Accelerator/Learning Series  

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, helping PFC members build networks and learnings with colleagues from across Canada.  

Visit our program page.  

New Members

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

BHP Foundation

BHP Foundation aims for an equitable and sustainable future for people and planet, blending bold ambition, transformational partnerships and business acumen to catalyze new solutions to the world's most complex social and environmental challenges.

Raven Indigenous Impact Foundation 

Raven Indigenous Impact Foundation is dedicated to improving the well-being of Indigenous Peoples. Granting interests focus on the wellness of our people (Health) and the wellness of Mother Earth (Climate). The Foundation seeks to research and co-create supportive financial solutions in these areas, centering the needs, traditions, and voices of Indigenous communities. By using outcomes finance, RIIF transforms the achievement of better outcomes for Indigenous Peoples and communities, emphasizing measurable results and prioritizing community needs and voices 

Zero Emissions Innovation Centre 

Zero Emissions Innovation Centre is an independent non-profit and pending charity that is part of the Low Carbon Cities Canada (LC3) network established by the Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). Its mandate is to catalyze, accelerate and scale climate action innovation across Metro Vancouver related to green buildings, renewable energy and transportation through a combination of impact investing, granting, partnerships, research and capacity building.  

Appointment and Awards

• Jane Rabinowicz became the McConnell Foundation’s new President & CEO on Friday, August 30, 2024.
• Professors Alain-Desire Nimubona and Marina Sharpe have joined the Board of Directors of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation.  

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

Member & Sector Job Board

• Senior Manager, Communications, Azrieli Foundation 
• Finance Assistant, Canadian Race Relations Foundation 
• Program Manager, Canadian Race Relations Foundation 
• Operations Manager, Waltons Trust 
• Community Selection Circle Member, Foundation for Black Communities 

Member & Sector Insights

• Canada Revenue Agency Report on the Charities Program 2022 to 2023 featuring the work that the CRA does to not only support registered charities and other qualified donees, but also maintain public trust in the Canadian charitable sector. 

• Rozsa Foundation's Simon Mallett had the opportunity to attend the International Conference on Arts and Cultural Management in Lisbon, Portugal and brought back valuable insights from the conference. 

• Vancity Community Foundation is among the contributing grantmakers to the 2024 State of BC’s Non-Profit Sector report, titled ‘Under Pressure’ which highlights that non-profits are struggling to navigate rising operational costs, a drop in donations ("… there is significantly more demand on foundation grants, making it challenging for charities to be successful on all their applications due to the volume received by foundations") and volunteers and an increase in demand for their services in "6 key takeaways from the 2024 State of BC’s Non-Profit Sector report." 

• Law Foundation of Ontario's Public Interest Articling Fellowship participants share some highlights of their experience in “2023-2024 PIAF articling highlights”. 

• Trico Charitable Foundation’s former Liaison for Local Student Social Entrepreneurs, and Sarjesa Group Founder & CEO, Alexandra Daignault Sangster, shares her journey & learning from a life dedicated to social impact in this video entitled "Steeped in Learning." The coaching by Trico Foundation - which taught her to blend the social and the entrepreneurial - was a dramatic shift for her. 

• Imagine Canada published "What trends will impact charities and nonprofits in the third quarter of 2024?" highlighting that Federal election preparations and public distrust in innovation are some of the trends worth keeping an eye on this quarter 

• WINGS' five key takeaways from the F20 Climate Solutions Forum emphasise the need for Philanthropic Support Organization to actively mobilise philanthropic support for climate solutions focusing on climate justice. It is crucial to begin by openly committing to the climate agenda. 

• Carleton University's PANL Perspectives article on Family Business Philanthropy interviews Neamat Sidani about her research on family business philanthropy, a hot topic in both academia and practice in economies and societies around the world. 

• Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation features testimonials from Scholars, Fellows and Mentors who explain what the foundation’s program means to them. Listen to Michael Linklater, 2024 Mentor (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tfMWu6jNxc) and Malaïka Jacques-Bérubé, 2024 Scholar (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lMDN2mAPY8) 

• Concordia University’s Board of Governors Chair, Helen Antoniou, leads this interview entitled “Why do we give?” - a compelling conversation with Hilary Pearson, former president of Philanthropic Foundations Canada and author of “From Charity to Change: Inside the World of Canadian Foundations”. Discover insights from the book and delve into the evolving landscape of philanthropy in Canada, including the roles private foundations play in addressing pressing social and economic challenges. 

• Surabhi Jain, a speaker at PFC's upcoming National Conference says, "you need to be equitable; you need to be inclusive, but just a 90-minute workshop on DEI does not teach you how to be a better person”. Read more of these insights in Philanthropist Journal article entitled "Why being a woman in power is not enough to change your organization". 

• The World Economic Forum highlights the key role the philanthropic sector can play in climate action in article which explores how philanthropic investments can stimulate innovative climate solutions and strengthen collaboration for a sustainable future. 

• Maytree's Elizabeth McIsaac believes that Ontario’s Big City Mayors are right to think that we need to solve the homelessness crisis, but she thinks the usual bureaucratic approach won’t work. She believes we need a fresh, entrepreneurial approach to getting things done. 

Upcoming Member & Sector Activities

• United Church of Canada Foundation’s Annual Reception to be held in Ottawa Friday, September 20, 2024, at 5:30 PM (ET) at the Ottawa Conference and Event Centre, Room 106H (200 Coventry Rd, Ottawa). RSVP here. 

• RBC Foundation presents Song & Score Week which returns to Toronto September 25 - 27 to honour the brilliance and creativity of music industry's most celebrated and emerging songwriters, composers, and music publishers. 

• Weston Family Foundation featured in Webinar on October 3 at 1 PM ET, featuring Justin Sigluk Milton and Eric Solomon from Ikaarvik on "Rethinking the value and strengths of Indigenous Knowledge and Western science to inform Arctic policy and action: the essentials that we never learned in school". Register here. 

• MakeWay's Joanna Kerr, TD Private Giving Foundation's Joanne Ryan, Reimagine Labs' Liban Abokor, The Circle's Kris Archie, and Equality Fund's Jess Tomlin to be among the presenters at The Walrus Talks Shifting Power in Philanthropy on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, between 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM. ET at the Isabel Bader Theatre in Toronto. Register here. 

• Max Bell Foundation’s Policy Forward Speaker Series on The Future of Democracy in Canada will be held on October 7, 2024, between 5:00-6:30 PM (MT) in Calgary. Register here. 

• Calgary Foundation’s annual celebration of community, Vital City 2024, will feature President & CEO, Eva Friesen, presenting her Report to Community. Tuesday, October 8 at 6:30pm in Calgary. RSVP here. 

• Donner Canadian Foundation's Karine Parvin is a member of the Planning Committee of the Animal Grantmakers' 25th Annual Conference taking place October 27 - 30, 2024 in Toronto, Canada. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-animal-grantmakers-conference-toronto-tickets-903031109357?aff=oddtdtcreator 

• The Sustainable Finance Forum 2024 which is returning to the Shaw Centre in Ottawa this November is now open for registration. Stay tuned for more details: https://buff.ly/3T0QOwH 

• Canadian Race Relations Foundation and The Globe and Mail introduce Finding Common Ground: Addressing hate and racism in Canada that will take place virtually on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, between 12:45 PM and 5 PM (ET). First event in a series of nationwide conversations in 2024 and 2025 focused on fighting hate and racism in communities, health care, public institutions, and online spaces to drive change for a better Canada.  

Members in the News

• Suncor Energy Foundation’s gift upon Walter F. Petryschuk’s retirement - an annual donation to The Lawrence House Centre for the Arts for ten years to fund the Walter F. Petryschuk Arts Award presented to a student pursuing post-secondary education in the visual, literary or performing arts - is highlighted in “Remembering Walter and Mary Petryschuk”. 

• Graham Boeckh Foundation grant supports research which has led to a finding by a McGill-led team of neuroscientists that could open doors to new treatments for a range of psychiatric and neurological disorders attributed to dysfunctions in specific dopamine pathways in "The brain’s balancing system". 

• Calgary Foundation's partnership is highlighted in "'It was a huge need': New amenities hope to breathe life into southeast Calgary park". 

• RBC Foundation grant allowing Holland College (PEI) to involve its students in the completion of main building’s green retrofit and conduct energy audits to be used to create resource materials to assist with future student learning is highlighted in “RBC Foundation makes a $200,000 gift to establish Green Retrofit Residential Lab at Holland College.” 

• BHP Foundation’s Canada Program grant supporting the Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources (CIER) and its Collaborative Leadership Initiative which aims to help improve the governance and management of water resources is highlighted in "Meet the changemakers: the Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources." 

• Weston Family Foundation’s Doctoral Scholars of the 2024 Awards in Northern Research along with their respective research project are celebrated in “Weston Family Awards in Northern Research.” 

• Trottier Family Foundation joining an international network of asset owners, investment managers and service providers committed to integrating responsible investing practices in their investment decision-making was announced in “Trottier Family Foundation joins UN-supported Principles for Responsible Investment.” 

• Azrieli Foundation's support for Pigeon dans le Parc - a partnership between non-profit Zera Catering and Pigeon Café, in the Town of Hampstead, is the subject of TV news story entitled "Hampstead, Que., café serving up opportunities for neurodivergent youth." 

• Law Foundation of BC grant to fund restorative justice processes among several organizations seeking to help people who have been harmed, and help those who are responsible for the harm, to understand the impacts their actions had on others and take positive action to redress that hurt is highlighted in "Prince George restorative justice council to receive provincial funding." 

• Shaw Family Foundation gift being part of Glenbow Museum’s Reimagined Campaign to reach its $205 million goal is highlighted in “Glenbow Reimagined Receives $2 Million Gift from Gail & David O'Brien.” 

• United Church of Canada Foundation’s Seeds of Hope program grant make it possible for children to have free English lessons in “Chalmers-Wesley United Church offers free English lessons for children.”

In Memoriam

• Rev. Dr. Lois Wilson (1927-2024), the first female moderator of The United Church of Canada was a force and a great friend to the United Church of Canada Foundation. She will be deeply missed. 

Get in touch!

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