The Climate Philanthropy Learning Series A focused, cohort-based learning journey for Canadian grantmaking organizations designed to turn climate curiosity and commitments into concrete strategy, partnerships, and funded action. Through peer exchange, coaching, and thematic exploration, participants will build clarity, confidence, and community around climate action. By strengthening climate literacy, strategy, and collaboration, foundations can help accelerate climate solutions, advance equity, protect natural systems, and contribute to a resilient future for communities across Canada. Our Work Capacity Building Professional Development Climate Philanthropy Learning Series About the Organizers CPCCC PFC Impatience Earth Canadian Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change (CPCCC) The CPCCC – a joint initiative of Philanthropic Foundations Canada, Community Foundations of Canada, Environment Funders Canada, and The Circle on Philanthropy – is a call on all foundations and other funders in this land to signal their commitment to act on climate change regardless of their respective missions. Philanthropic Foundations Canada PFC helps foundations and other grantmakers collaborate with partners from civil society, business and governments to strengthen the common good 1) helping increase philanthropic organizations’ impact by enhancing their effectiveness; 2) providing opportunities for foundations to work together with community and government partners in supporting meaningful, scalable change; 3) improving public understanding of philanthropic organizations, and the policy environment for philanthropy and the broader non-profit and charitable sector. Impatience Earth Impatience Earth was founded in 2020 with a mission to educate, challenge and inspire wealth holders to take bolder funding decisions to address the climate emergency. Impatience Earth’s team of experienced climate and philanthropy experts provides non-profit consultancy services to corporate foundations, private foundations, and high net worth individuals. Program Schedule and Session Overview All five learning sessions will be held on Wednesdays, over five weeks, from May 20 to June 17, 2026, running 120 minutes each and including Q&A and practical tools. All sessions will be held online and will be held in English. Pre-Session Session 1 Session 2 Session 3 Session 4 Session 5 Optional Post-Series Session Post‑Program Pathways Information Session Meet organizer André Vashist, PFC’s Director of Collaboration and Learning and delivery partner Yasmin Ahammad, CEO of Impatience Earth lo learn all about the program. Tuesday, March 10 11:00 am – 11:30 am André Pawan Vashist / Presenter Yasmin Ahammad / Speaker Indigenous‑Led Climate Action and Protocol Focus: Ground climate strategy in Indigenous leadership, relationships, and protocols. What you’ll do: Explore Indigenous knowledge systems, leadership approaches, and protocol, building a foundation rooted in relational and reciprocal climate action. Session Leader: Shereen Munshi is a Steering Member of the Canadian Philanthropic Commitment to Climate Change. In her role as Director of Partnerships and Strategic Communications, Shereen develops strategic relationships between The Circle, Indigenous-led organizations, and settler-philanthropic organizations in alignment with The Circle’s values, mission, and strategic goals. Wednesday, May 20 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm State of Climate Philanthropy and Collective Learning Focus: Strengthen strategy through peer collaboration, shared learning, and collective initiatives. What you’ll do: Examine the climate philanthropy landscape, emerging trends, and opportunities for coordinated action in Canada and globally. Session Leaders: Eric Campbell is CEO at the Clean Economy Fund, where he is responsible for connecting the philanthropic community with initiatives that support giant leaps toward a prosperous, net-zero emissions future. Clean Economy Fund believes in the power of philanthropy for solving climate change, and offers the tools, funding vehicles and the communities of practice for philanthropic leaders to make it happen. Erika Miller is the Head of Climate at WINGS and International lead for the Philanthropy for Climate movement. Philanthropy for Climate is a global call to all foundations, regardless of geographic location, size, or thematic focus, to integrate climate action across their work, from governance to grantmaking. Wednesday, May 27 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Connecting Your Mission to a Climate Journey Focus: Learn from Climate Signatories demonstrating leadership across regions, contexts, and impact areas. What you’ll do: Hear directly from fellow foundations that have been on the journey of integrating climate priorities across their organization, in very diverse contexts. This will help you explore ways to ink your organization’s mission, values, and priorities to a coherent climate strategy and pathway for action. Session Leaders: Rod Ruff is a collaborative leader dedicated to advancing environmental and climate action as the President and CEO of Alberta Ecotrust Foundation. Alberta Ecotrust has distributed more than $25 million to community initiatives through grants, programs, and investments while pioneering projects that directly tackle climate change and promote sustainability. Julia Langer has held senior leadership positions in the environmental sector for over 30 years, managing campaigns and organizations, defining strategy and policy, and inspiring public and private action to address air pollution and climate change. TAF advances the most promising concepts by investing, providing grants, influencing policies, and running programs. TAF is a proud member of the Low Carbon Cities Canada (LC3) network. Erika Rolston is powerfully motivated to work towards more equitable systems and structures. Erika brings a wide range of experiences from government, economic development, environmental, and non-profit sectors to her role with the Rural Communities Foundation of Nova Scotia. At the Rural Communities Foundation of Nova Scotia, everything starts with a deep love and respect for rural communities, including climate resilience, food security, gender equality, and more. Wednesday, June 3 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Implementation Workshop Focus: Translate commitments into action through practical tools, frameworks, and peer problem‑solving. What you’ll do: Work through implementation challenges, identify leverage points, and develop actionable next steps. Session Leader: Yasmin Ahammad, Co-Chief Executive Officer at Impatience Earth. Yasmin has 15 years’ experience in international development and social justice and has been a long-time climate activist. Through co-creation, Impatience Earth helps develop customized journeys that enable exploration of foundations goals and values. The goal is to identify areas for deeper learning, to develop strategies, and map out high-leverage opportunities that maximize impact on addressing the climate crisis, while weaving in the principles of climate justice. Wednesday, June 10 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Participant Report‑Back and Networking Focus: Strengthen accountability, shared learning, and sector connections. What you’ll do: Share insights, commitments, and next steps, followed by a facilitated networking session to match needs with expertise, pooled funding opportunities, and ongoing accountability structures. Session Leader: André Pawan Vashist, Director, Learning & Collaboration at Philanthropic Foundations Canada. A multi award winning social innovator, André has 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector as a facilitator of multi-stakeholder collaborations that are working towards social and ecological justice. André is a member of the Steering Committee for the Canadian Philanthropic Commitment to Climate Change and serves as the project lead. Wednesday, June 17 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm 1‑1 Coaching with Impatience Earth Focus: Tailored support for organizational readiness and applied climate strategy. What you’ll do: Map institutional strengths and gaps; identify priority leverage points across grantmaking, investments, and advocacy; set measurable near‑term goals. Date and time to be confirmed 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Post‑Program Pathways Participants will be invited to deepen their engagement by joining climate‑focused networks to continue learning, collaboration, and peer support. This includes: Canadian Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change – Home The Circle on Philanthropy | PFC – Fondations philanthropiques Canada Environment Funders Canada | PFC – Fondations philanthropiques Canada Clean Economy Fund | PFC – Fondations philanthropiques Canada WINGS | PFC – Fondations philanthropiques Canada Date and Time to be confirmed 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Who Is This For? The program is designed for: Foundations that are early signatories to climate commitments Organizations exploring whether and how to engage in climate philanthropy Leaders responsible for strategy, governance, granting, or organizational direction Participants include senior staff, board members, program leads, and others shaping institutional climate action. Learning Outcomes Although over 900 foundations are engaged in the international philanthropy for climate movement, many in Canada are still navigating how to translate these commitments and interests into institutional action. Purpose and Gap Addressed Learning Goals and Approaches Intended Outcomes Purpose and Gap Addressed This program addresses: The disconnect between broad commitments and nuanced implementation The need for peer support and thematic alignment to drive climate engagement The absence of manageable, targeted programming for foundations in early stages Learning Goals and Approaches Connect personal perspectives with institutional climate strategy Frame climate as a global, intersectional issue requiring collective response Leverage peer influence within thematic areas to build momentum Explore integration with 1-1 coaching sessions for contextual relevance Intended Outcomes Engage with climate-focused networks such as CEF, EFC, The Circle and WINGS Become new signatories to the Canadian Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change (CPCCC) Make new climate commitments (ie. Clean Economy Fund) Increase participation in EFC and The Circle programming/membership Session Facilitation Model We have invited select leaders, practitioners, and knowledge‑keepers listed above to contribute as guest speakers – a new learning program designed to strengthen the capacity of Canadian philanthropic organizations to take meaningful climate action. Speakers play a vital role in deepening sector understanding, inspiring organizational leadership, and supporting foundations as they translate climate commitments into practical, institution‑wide strategies. Together, these facilitators deliver practical templates, credible peer examples, and direct pathways to partnership and funding, so that participants leave with clear, actionable next steps and connections to sustain momentum. Program Costs Thanks to the generous support of Impatience Earth, we are excited to offer a reduced rate for both PFC Members and Canadian Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change (CPCCC) Signatories, as well as non-Signatories. Please email André Pawan Vashist, Director of Learning & Collaboration, if you have any questions. PFC Members and/or CPCCC Signatories Non-PFC Members and/or Non-CPCCC Signatories Reduced Rate $600 for first registrant per organization; $500 for each additional registrant per same organization This fee includes access to all sessions, all program resources, 1-1 coaching, and a robust learning experience designed to accelerate your climate action goals. Reduced Rate $800 for first registrant per organization; $700 for each additional registrant per same organization This fee includes access to all sessions, all program resources, 1-1 coaching, and a robust learning experience designed to accelerate your climate action goals. Learn all about this opportunity at our Information Session on March 10 Climate Philanthropy Learning Series – Information Session Registration Registration details will be available shortly