Philanthropy

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

Philanthropy has long been shaped by urgency—responding to crisis, harm and need. But sustaining civic life also depends on what helps people gather, express themselves and remain open to one another. Award-winning public space expert Jay Pitter describes public joy as a form of civic infrastructure that supports collective flourishing. Her newly released book Black

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 Yet too often, charities are expected to operate within outdated funding models that prioritize short-term survival over long-term resilience.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

Fran Deacon, wife of our founder and champion of Toronto Foundation, recently passed away. She’s been a force for so long that it’s hard to imagine her gone, but hers is indeed a life to be celebrated and emulated.  A life-long volunteer, Fran believed that giving back was everyone’s obligation. She liked to say (and we

Curious to learn about how we invest our funds and what sets us apart? Watch the three videos below to learn more about our investment expertise, governance, beliefs and principles. Each video explores key concepts that help you better understand how we manage investments and what you can expect as a fundholder. Whether you’re a