PFC Membership

Member Eligibility

Please confirm your eligibility and calculate your member contribution before you apply for PFC Membership.

Join our community

Member Responsibilities

Members are invited to serve on the PFC board of directors, join committees, support grantmakers and provide leadership for capacity building and strategic planning of organizations.

Members must adhere to the PFC Purpose Statement  and to the PFC Non-solicitation policy.

Eligibility

Who can join?

PFC Membership is open to organizations whose primary activity is charitable grantmaking to multiple unrelated organizations. This includes:

    • Registered with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
    • Registered with the CRA
    • At least 50% of total income comes from assured sources (does not include annual appeals for funds)1
    • Makes gifts to multiple, unrelated organizations (“broad public benefit”) in Canada and internationally
    • Charitable support expenditures consist of at least 33.33% of the organization’s annual expenditures.2
    • Is within a publicly traded for-profit corporation
    • Makes gifts to multiple, unrelated organizations
    • Charitable support expenditures consist of at least 33.33% of the organization’s annual expenditures.
    • At least 50% of total income comes from assured sources (and this does not include income dependent on annual appeals)
    • Makes gifts to multiple unrelated organizations Charitable support expenditures consist of at least 33.33% of the organization’s annual expenditures.
    • Independent organization or publicly-funded agency operating at arms-length.
    • Has an assured source of incomeMakes gifts to multiple organizations Charitable support expenditures consist of at least 33.33% of the member’s annual expenditures
    • The board of directors has a majority of directors who are not public servants or government officials.
    • Must fall into one of the PFC membership categories (Private Foundation, Public Foundation or Charitable Organization, Corporate Giving Program, Not-for-Profit Grantmaker, Government Grantmaker, Individual Donor Advised Fundholders), where instead of CRA registration must have a legal charitable status and be duly constituted in accordance with the laws and practices of its country of origin.
    • DAF must be at an institution registered with CRA.
    • Makes gifts to multiple, unrelated organizations (“broad public benefit”) in Canada and internationally.
    • Charitable support expenditures at least at rate of current disbursement quota (5%).

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 organization; spending of capital; regular, long-term donations, committed over at least three years from one or more companies or individuals.

2 “Charitable support” is defined as grants, donations and investments in support of the charitable activities of one or more other organizations.

3 For non-Canadian grantmaking organizations or foundations that operate similarly to Canadian foundations and make grants in Canada and/or internationally and who want to familiarize themselves with granting rules or connect with colleagues in Canada.

4 A Donor Advised Fund (DAF) is a charitable giving vehicle established at an organization recognized by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) as a charity. It enables donors to make a charitable contribution without specifying the charities that will ultimately benefit from their gift right away and the funds can grow tax-free. The donor receives an immediate donation receipt and can recommend grants from the fund to their preferred organizations and causes over time. (GiftFunds Canada: Donor Advised Funds Versus Private Foundations) 

Find your rate

Contribution Calculators

PFC is a registered charity and all contributions to PFC can be made as grants or payments. Our charitable registration number is 892952128 RR00001.

  • The membership contribution is based on a calendar year
  • Minimum contribution is $1,000
  • If you have endowed assets your contribution must be calculated based on assets

Click the appropriate link to calculate your rate.

Your commitment

As a PFC member, you agree to adhere to the following values, outlined in our purpose statement:

  • We strengthen Canadian philanthropy – in all of its diversity and in its pursuit of a just, equitable, and sustainable world.

  • We are a network that activates the power of people to shape their communities and protect the natural environment.

  • We take a long view and stay engaged to have a meaningful impact.

  • We are pragmatic and responsive in creating space for foundations to act and learn collaboratively.

  • We share in the responsibility to create an inclusive philanthropic community based on trust and respect. Systemic racism and discrimination undermine our efforts. We work to strengthen relations with Indigenous Peoples, and to promote racial justice and equity for all.

  • We are responsible stewards of wealth and other resources to support charitable and not-for-profit partners. Our collective work serves the public good in a non-partisan and transparent manner.

  • We are continually learning how to translate these commitments into our practices – creatively and constructively.

Ready to join?

Apply to become a member

If you confirmed you are eligible to join our community of grantmakers, apply today in three easy steps.