Charities can—and should—be savvy investors. When organizations have the right tools, they can do more: expand programs, weather uncertainty, invest in innovation—all to create opportunities for their communities. Yet too often, charities are expected to operate within outdated funding models that prioritize short-term survival over long-term resilience.
Grants and donations remain vital. But on their own, they rarely provide the stability or growth needed to plan boldly for the future. At the same time, many organizations don’t have access to high-calibre investment strategies that could help grow reserves and strengthen financial foundations. The result is a sector forced to make cautious, reactive decisions—precisely when community needs bold, sustained leadership.
We believe there’s a better way.
The Community Capital Pool: A Proven Solution
The Community Capital Pool (CCP) is Toronto Foundation’s pooled investment fund, purpose-built for Canadian charities. For more than 26 years, we’ve offered a way for charities to invest collectively—unlocking competitive advantages and returns typically reserved for large institutions. Today, the pool includes more than 45 charity partners and holds over half a billion dollars in assets. Together we’re proving investing isn’t just possible for charities; it can be transformative.
| Feature | GICs | 60/40 Passive Portfolio | Community Capital Pool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected return (long-term) | 2-3% | 5-6% | 7-9% |
| Liquidity | Limited (terms of 1-5 years) | High | Flexible |
| Access to private equity | None | None | Yes – diversified beyond public markets​ |
The pool is actively managed by a globally recognized investment manager with a strong track record of responsible investments that yield high returns. And as one of the few charities in Ontario with a customized exemption from the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC), the CCP is structured and overseen to meet rigorous regulatory standards while staying true to our charitable purpose.
For participating organizations, this means confidence in: governance, compliance, and mission alignment.
What This Means for Charities
The Community Capital Pool removes many of the traditional barriers that prevent charities—especially smaller and mid-sized ones—from investing effectively. Our platform makes it simple and accessible:
- There’s no need to build or staff your own investment committee
- CRA filings and administrative work are handled centrally
- Organizations can begin investing with relatively modest minimums
Our investment options are designed for charitable realities, including invested flowthrough funds that balance growth with liquidity.
This is institutional-grade investing, adapted to the needs and constraints of the charitable sector.
Why Values Alignment Matters
Collective investing does more than improve balance sheets—it shifts norms.
By investing alongside peers, charities help dismantle the misconception that building financial reserves is incompatible with public benefit. In reality, the greater risk is allowing assets to stagnate or lose value due to overly conservative strategies or lack of access to expertise. Ultimately, it’s our communities that feel the impact.
Even when larger charities have more options, the Community Capital Pool offers something that financial institutions simply cannot: a virtuous cycle. Our administrative fees don’t generate profit for shareholders—they are reinvested into community-building work, including grants, donor connections and sector research. Here, organizations aren’t just investors. They're contributors to a shared system that is strengthening the entire sector and shaping a more community-centered future.
Shared Wealth, Shared Strengths
The Community Capital Pool is grounded in a simple idea: shared assets create shared wealth—for the charitable sector and its communities.
By pooling capital, expertise, and governance, charities can move beyond sustaining their work to growing it—together. The result is a more resilient sector and stronger communities, now and for generations to come.
Ready to explore what’s possible?Â
Learn more about the Community Capital Pool