Canada has over 10,000 public and private foundations which collectively steward over $120 billion in assets. A core aspect of Canada’s charitable sector, foundations are independent legal entities operating solely for charitable purposes, working in partnership with the other 73,000 charities in Canada, and the many other non-profit and social-purpose organizations across society.
Their typical operating model is to endow assets, which are received as gifts, invest them in perpetuity, with earnings used to make grants or deliver their own charitable activities — or both. Foundation are an important aspect of civil society — an element vital to healthy democracies. Civil society informs, pushes, and compliments the important work of business and government, to keep communities dynamic and vital. The work is premised on the principles of agency and independence to ensure sole focus on the common good, free from private or partisan interests.
Donations from foundations totaling over $8 billion annually support a variety causes. From issues as distinct as childcare and the climate crisis, to decent work and diabetes, Canada’s foundations assist their partners on some of the most important issues of our time. They are increasingly also engaging in social finance and alternative investments, to intentionally put their assets to work for the betterment of society, in addition to their important granting and programming work.
Here’s a brief example of those foundations and what they do.
Air Canada: Focusing on organizations working to improve the lives of Canada’s youth as well as those conducting disease research, Air Canada consider requests for cash donations and sometimes will even donate promotional flight tickets.
Canadian Tire Jumpstart: This national charitable organization is dedicated to helping kids in financial need, aged four through 18, participate in organized sports and recreation such as hockey, dance, soccer and swimming with the aim to develop important life skills, self esteem and confidence. Canadian Tire’s charitable activities also extend into community initiatives including a community crisis program and regional disaster recovery program.
Cascades: The packaging and tissue company provides donations and sponsorships to community organizations and organizations working in the fields of education, the environment, health, culture, and sports.
Corus Entertainment: This media and entertainment company’s primary philanthropy focus is on improving the lives of Canadian children by supporting programs that encourage play and development through arts and entertainment. Their funding is also directed to improving the lives of Canadian women and their families by supporting programs and initiatives that offer training, skills development, and tools that enhance the economic and personal independence of women.
Hewlett Packard (HP): Philanthropy and education programs focus on developing and supporting programs and partnerships that showcase HP technology while promoting educational opportunities and e-inclusion for people in underserved communities in Canada and around the world.
Indigo: The Indigo Love of Reading Fund provides new books and learning materials to high-needs elementary schools, enhancing the literacy and self-esteem of students. Indigo Books & Music Inc. commits more than $1.5 million annually to schools across the country.
Loblaw: Loblaw provides several forms of community investment, including administering the President’s Choice Children’s Charity Foundation. The company’s granting priorities include healthy kids, green communities, and the support of local food banks. Loblaw also offer local store donations and grants, an after-school program grant, and a colleague volunteer grant program.
Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE): The MLSE Foundation is a combination of local sports teams, including the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Toronto Raptors. The foundation funds projects focusing on at-risk youth in Ontario, including projects that involve hockey, basketball, soccer, or other physical education initiatives, as well as community and social services programs.
Mountain Equipment Company (MEC): MEC focuses their community funding and support on wilderness conservation and environmental education. They also support people in achieving the benefits of self-propelled wilderness-oriented recreation in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.
Montreal Canadiens: The Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation provides help and support to children in need. The foundation approves and supports projects that are aimed at underprivileged youth with a focus on physical activity, healthy eating habits, and personal development through educational recreational activities.
Oracle: Oracle Giving is an initiative that responds directly to the financial needs of medical research, endangered animal protection, environmental protection, and K-12 math, science and technology education.
Unilever: Unilever Canada has a community vitality initiative which focuses on helping the healthy development of children between the ages of 0-5 and protecting Canada’s rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Whistler Blackcomb: The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation provides financial support to registered non-profit organizations whose activities provide benefit to residents of the Sea to Sky Corridor in the areas of health, human services, education, recreation, arts and culture, and the environment.
Winnipeg Jets: The Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation is the charitable arm of the Winnipeg Jets, and the charity of choice for the MTS Centre. The foundation allows players and their partners, coaches, board members, and True North staff to contribute to the community of Manitoba in a concerted and centralized manner.
Xerox: Xerox Canada supports registered charities that focus on information technology literacy through scholarships, matching gifts, and other donation programs.
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