Starting a Foundation

Would you like to be more engaged in your giving? Do you want to have a sustained impact on your community or in an area that interests you? Are you looking for ways to involve others in your family? These are some of the questions you may be asking yourself if you are considering starting a foundation.

Choosing the giving option that suits you best starts with an examination of your motives, personal style and context, and values and interests. Legal and tax considerations are important to your decision, but your individual preferences are even more critical. PFC offers guidance to help you determine your own highly personal answers.

We have prepared a guide for those who may wish to start a grant-making foundation. It is structured in three separate sections. Have a glimpse at each section by clicking on the link or down load the guide in full.

Section 1 addresses the question: Why become involved in long-term giving? We have summarized some of the most frequently heard reasons.

Section 2 outlines the choices available for long-term giving such as joining a giving circle, giving through a community foundation or donor-advised fund, and giving through a private foundation.

Section 3 is set up as a series of questions and answers. How much time can you commit? How much control and involvement do you want in the foundation? What are some of the administrative implications? And many other questions.

Finally, the Resources section includes many references to useful sources of information that will take you deeper into specific issues. You can access these materials by clicking on the links provided.

The guide is available in hard cover. Contact general@pfc.ca to request a copy.