Community Stories

Wills: Dreaded conversation brings comfort

Talking about wills can feel morbid or bring on feelings of dread and anxiety. After all, wills are most commonly associated with death and worst-case scenarios.   But people who’ve crossed this threshold resoundingly feel that talking about wills actually brings comfort. Two couples, Emma Lewzey and Ingrid Randoja, and Samantha Luc and Lars Bogglid, discuss

Wills: Dreaded conversation brings comfort Read More »

Talking about wills can feel morbid or bring on feelings of dread and anxiety. After all, wills are most commonly associated with death and worst-case scenarios.   But people who’ve crossed this threshold resoundingly feel that talking about wills actually brings comfort. Two couples, Emma Lewzey and Ingrid Randoja, and Samantha Luc and Lars Bogglid, discuss

Family bonds fuel new fund: 1 of 26 new funds later in 2022

Family meant everything to Filomena “Mena” Ricardo Mari. At sixteen, it’s what compelled she and her twin sister to leave home in the Azores, so that she could work in Canada to supplement the lost income of her critically injured father. Here she raised her own family and in more recent years, doted on her seven grandchildren—nourishing everyone with love and

Family bonds fuel new fund: 1 of 26 new funds later in 2022 Read More »

Family meant everything to Filomena “Mena” Ricardo Mari. At sixteen, it’s what compelled she and her twin sister to leave home in the Azores, so that she could work in Canada to supplement the lost income of her critically injured father. Here she raised her own family and in more recent years, doted on her seven grandchildren—nourishing everyone with love and

Collaborative Philanthropy: Five Ways to Grow Your Giving

Many people wish they could do more to help but often don’t know how. When donors come together to give to a shared fund, it’s known as a giving circle or collaborative philanthropy. Members share a common goal of increasing their impact on the issues they care about while engaging with like-minded philanthropists at the

Collaborative Philanthropy: Five Ways to Grow Your Giving Read More »

Many people wish they could do more to help but often don’t know how. When donors come together to give to a shared fund, it’s known as a giving circle or collaborative philanthropy. Members share a common goal of increasing their impact on the issues they care about while engaging with like-minded philanthropists at the

What’s driving new fund sign up in 2022 

Trending so far: New fundholders are opting for our full range of offerings to broaden their impact—some choosing multiple funds to get started. When it comes to issues, new fundholders are bringing a passion for social innovation, education, the arts, Indigeneity, as well as animal rights and welfare.   As of mid-July, 42 Torontonians committed to

What’s driving new fund sign up in 2022  Read More »

Trending so far: New fundholders are opting for our full range of offerings to broaden their impact—some choosing multiple funds to get started. When it comes to issues, new fundholders are bringing a passion for social innovation, education, the arts, Indigeneity, as well as animal rights and welfare.   As of mid-July, 42 Torontonians committed to

When Umbrella Organizations Really Matter

In my first gig as a grantmaker some years ago I spent a lot of time learning about and funding provincial and national organizations that exist to support a defined community of interest. I learned that no two umbrella organizations are the same but that there are some commonalities. For the most part they exist

When Umbrella Organizations Really Matter Read More »

In my first gig as a grantmaker some years ago I spent a lot of time learning about and funding provincial and national organizations that exist to support a defined community of interest. I learned that no two umbrella organizations are the same but that there are some commonalities. For the most part they exist

When community and fundholders unlock potential together

Eugenia Duodu-Addy always loved science. As a Black female scientist, that passion is what propelled her to pursue a PhD in chemistry at the University of Toronto despite the naysayers and lack of role models along the way. She joined Visions of Science hoping to break down barriers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) for

When community and fundholders unlock potential together Read More »

Eugenia Duodu-Addy always loved science. As a Black female scientist, that passion is what propelled her to pursue a PhD in chemistry at the University of Toronto despite the naysayers and lack of role models along the way. She joined Visions of Science hoping to break down barriers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) for

Mary Rowell Jackman: a feminist’s legacy

The most valuable asset Mary Rowell Jackman inherited from her parents was her unwavering commitment to social justice. Mary’s mother, Nellie Langford Rowell, worked with the YWCA throughout her life to support low-income and marginalized women and children. Her father, Newton Rowell, was an M.P. and lawyer who argued and won Edwards v. Canada, better

Mary Rowell Jackman: a feminist’s legacy Read More »

The most valuable asset Mary Rowell Jackman inherited from her parents was her unwavering commitment to social justice. Mary’s mother, Nellie Langford Rowell, worked with the YWCA throughout her life to support low-income and marginalized women and children. Her father, Newton Rowell, was an M.P. and lawyer who argued and won Edwards v. Canada, better

How fundholders are making an impact by leaving gifts in their wills

A will is a powerful tool to help achieve charitable giving goals, yet only 5% of Canadians leave a charitable gift in their will. Establishing a legacy at Toronto Foundation will help create the change you want to see in the world and enable you to plan for a future that reflects your values. And

How fundholders are making an impact by leaving gifts in their wills Read More »

A will is a powerful tool to help achieve charitable giving goals, yet only 5% of Canadians leave a charitable gift in their will. Establishing a legacy at Toronto Foundation will help create the change you want to see in the world and enable you to plan for a future that reflects your values. And

Investee Profile: SKETCH: Project Home

Published in Fall 2021. All details reflect this time period. How SKETCH addressed skyrocketing rent in their Queen West neighbourhood to keep engaging young people, who live on the margins, through the transformative power of the arts. In 2018, after already moving three times in the same neighbourhood and investing over $2 million in renovations,

Investee Profile: SKETCH: Project Home Read More »

Published in Fall 2021. All details reflect this time period. How SKETCH addressed skyrocketing rent in their Queen West neighbourhood to keep engaging young people, who live on the margins, through the transformative power of the arts. In 2018, after already moving three times in the same neighbourhood and investing over $2 million in renovations,

Investee Profile: Raven Indigenous Capital Partners

Published in Fall 2021. All details reflect this time period. While loans and debt-based capital are sometimes available to Indigenous entrepreneurs, founders of Raven Indigenous Capital Partners believe a customized approach is essential. “We’re talking about Indigenous entrepreneurs with the potential to build up their communities,” says Paul Lacerte, co-founder of Raven. “You need to take time to build relationships and trust, within

Investee Profile: Raven Indigenous Capital Partners Read More »

Published in Fall 2021. All details reflect this time period. While loans and debt-based capital are sometimes available to Indigenous entrepreneurs, founders of Raven Indigenous Capital Partners believe a customized approach is essential. “We’re talking about Indigenous entrepreneurs with the potential to build up their communities,” says Paul Lacerte, co-founder of Raven. “You need to take time to build relationships and trust, within

Scroll to Top