We talk about Toronto Foundation being an engaged community and you can see it in action when our fundholders rally at pivotal moments to create collective impact.
In recent years, the Community-Led Change Fund and the Black and Indigenous Futures Fund (BIFF) galvanized over 80 fundholders to pool over $1.53M in top-up funding for the grantees of these programs. While pooling funds to amplify impact is not a unique strategy, it’s one that’s been embraced by our fundholders – perhaps unsurprising for a group of philanthropists who value community and connection.
“Everything about these grants got me excited: the sector leaders’ insights, recommended grantees and the grant matching opportunity. One plus one can be leveraged for more than two and I’m so happy to have inspired more giving.”
- Beth Malcolm, BIFF seed donor and fundholder, Toronto Foundation
With this funding, grantees reported being able to reach more of the growing number of Torontonians who are seeking out their support services and programs while also being able to dedicate time and resources towards capacity building and strategic planning--work that’s increasingly important for the sustainability of community organizations as urgent demand rises. In a survey, BIFF grantees also indicated that being a recipient of the program enabled them to build a case for support to other funders.
One grantee of the Community-Led Change Fund shared,
“We’ve been able to take a step back from the constant hustle and instead dedicate rare and valuable time to focus on important structural decisions and conversations without the usual financial constraints.”
- Whippersnapper Gallery, Community-Led Change Fund Grantee
2025 presents another opportune moment for fundholders to come together to do something big for our city.
Readers of our Toronto’s Vital Signs report know that while community needs are on the rise, funding, including donations, have not kept up pace. This in part explains the 200+ applications we’ve received for our Toronto’s Vital Signs (TVS) grant stream.
But, this year’s record number of applications coincides with record ATG – a cumulative $1.2M increase from last year1 and a sum that, as mentioned above, can make a material difference for local organizations and the lives of those they serve.
Many of you look to the list of TVS grant recipients to inform your granting. This year, in addition to our 2025 finalists, we’re publishing the runner up list in the hopes of spreading the generosity to these laudable groups.
If we act together as we have in the past, we can maximize our impact as we collectively disburse our largest ATG to date into the community.
Endnotes:
1 2025 ATG is $9.9M based on a 14.6% investment return in 2024. Read more about our financials and responsible investing strategy.