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PFC - Philanthropic Foundations Canada

Criteria

Are you eligible?

Membership in PFC is open to foundations, charities and  corporate giving programs whose primary function and activity is charitable grantmaking. Members have voting rights and their representative is eligible to take office in the Association. Membership is valid for one year from January to December. PFC does not have an associate membership category at this time.

Membership in PFC is open to:

A Canadian registered charity which is a:

A) Private foundation

B) Public foundation or charitable organization with the following characteristics:

  • An assured source of income1 (not less than 50% of total income) that is not dependent on annual appeals for funds
  • Makes gifts to multiple qualified donees (“broad public benefit”)
  • Direct grant program of at least $50,000 per year
  • Is non-governmental

C) Emerging foundation (is registered with CRA and is in the first 3 years of operation)

        or

D) A corporate giving program with the following characteristics:

  • Within a publicly traded for-profit corporation or a non-profit corporation
  • Makes gifts to multiple donees (“broad public benefit”)
  • Direct grant program of at least $50,000 per year

Factors Bearing on Eligibility

  1. Review and endorsement of each application by two current PFC members.
  2. No recorded evidence of lawsuits, federal or provincial investigations, the subject of which might reflect in a negative way on PFC.
  3. Agreement with the PFC Statement of Values and Ethical Principles.
  4. Adherence to the PFC non-solicitation policy below.

Non-Solicitation Policy

In general, a PFC member is not permitted to solicit financial contributions from other members for their own activities, projects or programs. Solicitation is defined as request for funds by verbal or written communication, the distribution of e-mails, circulars, proposals or other literature of any kind.

This policy does not apply where a PFC member is seeking collaboration with other members in a funding or granting partnership to benefit a third party or parties. If a PFC member violates the non-solicitation policy, it will be contacted by the Chair of the Board of Directors of PFC. Failure to observe this policy could result in expulsion from the association.

Responsibility for interpreting and implementing the policy shall reside with the Chair of the Board of Directors of PFC, after consultation with the executive committee.  

 

 

Note 1: At least 50% of income must be derived from assured sources including:

• Interest and dividends on investments
• Rent from land or property owned by the foundation or organization
• Spending of capital
• Regular, long-term donations, committed over at least three years from one or more companies or individuals