Insights

The charitable sector spends significant energy thinking about how to raise more money, and understandably so. Toronto Foundation’s new discussion paper asks a different question: What would help charities and nonprofits do more with the financial resources they already have? LEARN MORE Is Your Money Working as Hard as Your Mission? draws on conversations with

Across Canada, many private foundations are reaching an inflection point. Boards are transitioning. Administrative and compliance demands are growing more complex. Family members may be geographically dispersed, less available or uncertain about — or uninterested in — taking on long-term fiduciary responsibility. In other cases, foundations are thriving — financially and programmatically — but trustees

A discussion guide for boards and leadership teams Why this matters For many charities, the Investment Policy Statement (IPS) is treated as a technical or compliance document—reviewed infrequently, updated incrementally and often inherited from a previous era of the organization. In reality, an IPS is one of the most powerful strategy tools a board can

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 Yet too often, charities are expected to operate within outdated funding models that prioritize short-term survival over long-term resilience.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

Before going to the trouble of setting up your own private foundation, read more about what a donor advised fund at our community foundation can offer. Toronto Foundation Donor Advised Fund Private Foundation Start up Less than a week. No cost. Establishment and charity registration can take 6-12 months. Legal costs starting at $7,000. Minimum

For philanthropists looking to formalize their giving, the process begins with choosing between establishing a donor advised fund (DAF) or a private foundation. While both provide structure, our network of advisors tell us that their clients are increasingly understanding that DAFs—especially when housed within a community foundation—are the most strategic way to maximize your resources