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PFC
PFC Annual Report 2025

Meeting the Moment with Purpose

Download the PFC 2025 Annual Report
  • PFC Annual Report 2025

Who We Are

Philanthropic Foundations Canada (PFC) is Canada’s national philanthropic network, working to strengthen Canadian philanthropy—in all of its diversity—in its pursuit of a just, equitable, and sustainable world.

Our Approach & Focus Areas

  • PFC works with members to strengthen their governance, programming, and relationships.
  • PFC creates inclusive spaces for philanthropic organizations to engage in dialogue, learn, and act collaboratively to amplify their collective voices and resources.
  • PFC helps to translate evidence-based learning into actionable practice and policy.
  • Capacity-building

    Increasing impact of philanthropic organizations by enhancing their effectiveness.
  • Collaboration

    Providing opportunities for philanthropic organizations to work together and with community and government partners in supporting meaningful, scalable change.
  • Research and Public Policy

    Improving public understanding of philanthropic organizations, and the policy environment for philanthropy and the broader non-profit and charitable sector.

Our membership is comprised of over 140 private and public foundations, charities, non-profits, donor advised funds, and corporate giving programs whose primary purposes are grantmaking. They range in asset size from less than $1M to well over $1B and are situated across Canada, representing over 40% of all assets of public and private foundations in the country. We also collaborate closely with the broader non-profit and charitable sector, businesses, and government.

In 2025, PFC stepped up to guide our members in navigating uncertainty and collaborating more strategically. From our Meeting the Moment initiative and national policy roundtables, to a good governance accelerator, affinity group discussions, and CEO peer exchanges, we delivered responsive programming and thought leadership to help foundations mitigate risk, exchange ideas, and support communities.

Images in this report are taken from PFC community activities throughout 2025
Meeting the Moment Initiative

A message from our leadership

  • President & CEO
  • The Board Chair
  • President & CEO

    In 2025, political disruption and economic uncertainty sharply reshaped the environment in which philanthropy operates in Canada. Across every conversation with our members, one theme was consistent: foundations were looking for support in navigating complexity and exercising leadership in a moment that demands it.

    In responding to that need, PFC focused on helping members make sense of change, act with intention, and move forward together. “Meeting the Moment” became a shared way of working and a clear value of being part of this network.

    Through regional gatherings, briefings, and sustained dialogue, we created space for funders to discuss and understand how global and political shifts, particularly those unfolding south of the border, are shaping philanthropy’s legitimacy, operating environment, and long-term role in Canada.

    In a year where the external environment was shifting quickly, this kind of shared insight and venues for dialogue became essential. There is a growing willingness to be open about uncertainty, to test assumptions, and to collaborate alongside peers. That level of engagement is what turns a network into something more meaningful and transformative.

    Connection also took on a different weight this year. Our convenings brought members together to work through real life choices. From trust-based philanthropy to mobilizing mission aligned capital, to responding to housing and climate pressures, these were spaces where peers challenged, supported, and learned from one another. For many, this is where the value of PFC is most tangible: being part of and contributing to a community that sharpens thinking and strengthens action.

    We also saw a growing appetite for deeper, more practical forms of engagement. Our affinity groups reached more than 800 participants and continued to evolve into diverse, member led communities of practice. Professional development offerings, from CEO peer exchanges to our governance accelerator for family philanthropy, supported leaders navigating increased expectations and complexity. These avenues have become central resources for leading foundations in Canada to build the capability needed to operate effectively.

    Our network continues to grow in both size and strength. We welcomed 19 new members in 2025, including a growing number of Indigenous led and Indigenous serving foundations. Each new member expands the perspective and reach of the network, and strengthens its ability to respond to the challenges ahead.

    This work is built on trust. I am grateful to our members for their engagement, to our partners for their collaboration, and to the PFC team for the commitment and care they bring to this work every day. In 2026, we will continue to advocate for a more effective regulatory regime (especially in getting ready for a disbursement quota review) while supporting members in the decisions that shape real outcomes. The challenges are significant, and so is the opportunity.

    For those already part of PFC, this is a network to lean into. For those considering joining or partnering with us, this is a moment to engage. The value of PFC is not only in what we offer, but in what becomes possible when this community works together. PFC exists to strengthen philanthropy in Canada so it can meet what comes next with clarity, humility but also with ambition and optimism.

    The network continues to grow and progress through those who choose to step in, engage, and contribute to that shared effort.

    Jean-Marc Mangin
    President & CEO

  • The Board Chair

    In 2025, many foundations found themselves operating in an evolving and dynamic environment. From the Board’s perspective, what stood out was not only the degree of change and level of uncertainty, but the opportunity it created. Expectations of philanthropy are shifting with foundations navigating VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) environments, having to respond to emerging issues with agility, and demonstrate their relevance in new and meaningful ways.

    In this context, Philanthropic Foundations Canada has emerged with a clearer and more influential role to play.

    Over the past year, the Board has seen PFC strengthen its position as a forum where emergent issues are discussed with care and rigour. The organization is helping to elevate the conversation across the sector equipping members with the tools, resources, and confidence they need to translate reflection into meaningful action. This kind of work asks for courage and openness, but it is precisely what enables philanthropy to lead with purpose and impact.

    One of the clearest signals of progress has been the quality of engagement across the network. Members are engaging in more candid discussions about issues such as risk tolerance, accountability, and the role of philanthropy in a polarized environment. This speaks to a level of trust within the network, and to a shared understanding that leadership in this moment requires humility, openness as well as values-based convictions.

    The Board has also observed the growing importance of PFC as a point of connection between philanthropy and the broader systems in which it operates. Whether through its policy work, affinity groups, national conference or regional forums, PFC is helping its members amplify their impact and contribute to wider societal conversations.

    Membership in PFC reflects a willingness to be part of that broader conversation, in engaging with complexity, in learning alongside peers, and in contributing to the ongoing development of philanthropy in Canada. This is increasingly important as expectations of philanthropy continue to evolve.

    On behalf of the Board, I want to express my appreciation to the PFC staff team for the dedication and commitment they bring to their work, and to our members and partners for their continued engagement in deepening their impact. PFC’s strength and relevance are sustained by a vibrant ecosystem of relationships, partnership, and shared purpose.

    As we look ahead, the Board has full conviction in PFC’s strategic directions and in its ability to support a network of funders who are navigating disruptive and rapid change with intention and care. The environment will remain complex. The need for thoughtful, connected, and accountable philanthropy will only grow. The 2026 PFC conference in Winnipeg will be a great opportunity for PFC members and partners to reflect, share and learn from each other, so that collectively we can strengthen the common good.

    Ina Gutium
    Board Chair

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Public Policy

2025 was a deeply disruptive year geopolitically, with profound impacts on the philanthropic sector.
At the beginning of the year, Canada entered an unprecedented and politically complex moment, with its economy, sovereignty, and security increasingly threatened by the new administration south of the border.
PFC played a critical role in helping foundations make sense of a rapidly changing landscape.

Throughout the year, PFC supported members in understanding emerging risks and making informed decisions in support of Canada’s economic stability and social cohesion. Foundations across the country expressed a need for informed analysis, actionable insights, and collective dialogue. PFC responded with a suite of programming, thought leadership, and policy advisories to help funders navigate uncertainty and prepare for long‑term resilience.

Our flagship policy initiative, Meeting the Moment, supported members in identifying how evolving geopolitical, regulatory, and economic trends affect philanthropic practices and the sector at large. Through regional gatherings across the country, a series of blog posts, written submissions, and sector engagement, PFC helped members understand the implications of U.S. America First policy and shifting Canadian political priorities. This work was also instrumental in informing PFC’s policy agenda, including early preparations for a disbursement quota review expected in 2027.

Research

PFC’s research played a pivotal role in 2025, contributing to evidence‑based policy, sector learning, and member practice. In particular, it underpinned the sense-making of our Meeting the Moment initiative. Our research capabilities and output helped members reflect on their choices, understand sector trends, and strengthen their organizations at a critical moment of complexity and change.

Major highlights included:

  • The release of Trump 2.0 and U.S. Philanthropy, a sector briefing exploring implications for Canadian foundations.
  • Publication of the 2025 Canadian Philanthropic Foundations Salary & Benefits Report, developed with a record 75 participants, which outlined how to set salary benchmarks, a critical capacity-building theme for members.
  • Development of the research design and data collection for our forthcoming Working in Canadian Foundations report, expected in 2026, including the introduction of a Peer Review committee.
  • Ongoing partnerships with PhiLab and Carleton University, and research presentations across multiple sector conferences.
Meeting the Moment

I wanted to express my appreciation for [the] recent sector briefing on Trump 2.0 and U.S. philanthropy—it was incredibly insightful and helpful. I found the discussion around philanthropy’s legitimacy—acting as a stopgap but lacking public accountability—particularly thought-provoking and relevant… I hope PFC continues to support the sector in navigating U.S. trends and their ripple effects in Canada!

Anonymous participant Feedback
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Collaboration

In a year defined by shifting political and economic pressures, our network came together to collaborate on collective responses, demonstrating both responsiveness and steadiness.

PFC served as a trusted convener, creating inclusive spaces for dialogue, peer learning, and collective action. Members emphasized that in‑person connection matters more than ever, and highlighted the importance of Indigenous leadership at this moment.

Across regional gatherings, thematic roundtables, and national conversations, these convenings allowed foundations to respond to real‑time challenges such as rising polarization, disinformation, affordability crises, and geopolitical shifts.

Regional Gatherings

Holding gatherings across the country – in Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, and Montreal – we brought together over 120 members to explore practical strategies for navigating economic uncertainty and building long‑term resilience.

Key themes that emerged from these conversations included:

  • Disinformation, polarization, and rising threats to social cohesion are straining communities and demanding bold, coordinated philanthropic action, including direct support for democratic building blocks in Canada’s civil society.
  • Trust‑based, flexible, and streamlined funding practices are becoming essential to strengthening organizational resilience and impact.
  • Grants alone cannot meet the scale of current challenges, making it imperative to mobilize endowments and investments through catalytic, mission‑aligned capital.

Reconciliation Roundtable & Recognizing the 10 Year Anniversary of the Philanthropic Declaration of Action

As we marked the ten-year anniversary of the Philanthropic Community’s Declaration of Action on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, we convened a roundtable with twenty‑four PFC members to reflect on progress, deepen relationships, and explore expanding Indigenous philanthropy and its leadership role at this critical moment.

This was followed by our participation in the 10 Year Anniversary of the Philanthropic Declaration of Action commemoration event at the Canadian Canoe Museum in November 2025, where we joined Indigenous and other sector leaders from across the country to reaffirm our commitment in continuing this work and deepen our learning.

Read more on philanthropy’s journey, learning, and path forward in Reflecting on Ten Years of the Philanthropic Declaration of Action.

Photo Credit: Jordan Lyall Photograhy

Read More
Photo Credit: Jordan Lyall Photograhy

Canadian Philanthropic Commitment to Climate Change

Despite the geopolitical shocks unraveling international agreements, the climate crisis remains a fundamental and urgent issue in our world. Through our Climate Signatory Roundtables, we convened funders, Indigenous leaders, and climate practitioners to deepen shared understanding and accelerate coordinated action on climate solutions across Canada.

Discussions highlighted major philanthropic initiatives, from large‑scale conservation finance and renewable‑energy transitions to community‑driven food security, governance, and resilience projects. Indigenous leaders shared powerful origin stories and evidence‑based climate strategies rooted in land stewardship, energy sovereignty, and holistic approaches to climate justice.

Across our gatherings, a clear message emerged: meaningful climate action to address the urgency of our current situation requires centering Indigenous knowledge, strengthening community‑led solutions, and mobilizing philanthropy toward long‑term, systemic change.cpccc

Housing Roundtable

In response to the rising housing crisis, PFC brought members together to exchange strategies for strengthening the housing ecosystem, from pooled funds and policy advocacy to shared infrastructure and technical solutions. A new Housing Funders affinity group emerged from this roundtable (launched early 2026)
Learn More

Walrus Talks

PFC partnered with the Walrus Talks and others to host Philanthropy in a Changing Canada: How philanthropy is evolving to serve the needs of our communities. Hundreds gathered in person in Vancouver and online for a cross‑sector dialogue on how philanthropy can contribute to a safe, equitable, and resilient future for Canada.
Watch the Video

No single funder will solve the housing crisis. What PFC has created through the Housing Funders Roundtable and Affinity Group is something the sector has long needed: a welcoming table where funders can find each other, share openly, and move from funding in silos into true collaboration.

Megan Kusisto
Tree of Life Foundation, Revelstoke, BC
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Capacity Building

PFC’s capacity building programming and affinity groups responded directly to member needs in navigating our changing political and economic climate.

The topics of uncertainty, leadership, governance, and sector resilience surfaced across nearly every conversation and tied together our member-led programming throughout 2025.

Affinity Groups

PFC engaged over 800 participants through 10 affinity groups over the course of the year. In 2025, we embraced a more peer‑led model for these groups, transitioning our steering committees to a group of Community Weavers, who co‑designed programming, curated content, supported inclusive participation, iterated approaches, and strengthened relationships across the sector.

This shift has helped our affinity groups evolve into more agile, member‑driven learning spaces that feel community-owned, relevant, and deeply responsive.

This approach also led us to bring three new affinity groups within the PFC umbrella in 2025.

Leaders of Colour in Philanthropy

A peer-driven group that provides an opportunity for leaders of colour in philanthropic organizations to network and share information and best practices.
Learn More

Family Foundations Affinity Group

A peer-driven group that allows family foundation staff and family members to discuss key topics, including involving the next generation, good governance planning, succession planning, and leveraging collaboration to achieve a more significant impact.
Learn More

Groupe philanthropique québécois

Focusing on the unique characteristics of philanthropy in Quebec, the group provides a space for collaboration, encourages knowledge exchange and inspires new strategies to stimulate meaningful change across the province.
Learn More
PFC Convenes Affinity Groups

We have also been adopting a broader ecosystem approach over 2025, showcasing the different groups within our broader network and sector through the new PFC Connects section of our website. Learn more about other self-directed groups within the ecosystem here.

PFC Connects Affinity Groups

Networking in affinity groups is good. Content is engaging. We have benefited from the content and are able to use it to improve our practice.

 Anonymous (Member Engagement Survey Response)

Professional Development

CEO Retreat

Forty member CEOs gathered in Whistler, BC, for deep, candid conversations about leadership, collaboration, and the evolving demands of philanthropic work. In particular, momentum grew around philanthropy and democracy.
Learn More

Great Governance for Family Philanthropy

We offered a novel six‑week intensive professional development program, led by Dr. Sharilyn Hale, supporting families and family foundations in navigating governance challenges, family dynamics, continuity planning, and rising‑generation engagement – all critical elements in bolstering foundation effectiveness to meet the moment at hand. Participants appreciated the mix of expert teaching, peer learning, and practical application.
Learn More

All the sessions have been very good… It gave me the chance to get to know others better, dig deeper into a topic, and get a variety of opinions and experiences.

Anonymous (Survey Response)
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Membership

PFC welcomed 19 new members to the network in 2025, ending the year with 148 members – our largest network to date!

Our membership continues to represent a broad diversity of foundations across the country, and across types of grantmakers, asset sizes, and focus areas, bringing a range of perspectives and expertise as we all come together to act on this pivotal moment with purpose.

We are especially proud to have a growing number of Indigenous‑led and Indigenous‑serving foundations within our network, whose voice strengthens philanthropy across the country and provides leadership on addressing this moment’s pressing challenges.

Learn more about our memberships

We’re proud to join the national network at Philanthropic Foundations Canada. We believe philanthropy is strongest when foundations learn from one another and work together to tackle complex challenges in our communities. Excited to connect, collaborate, and deepen our impact alongside this incredible group.

Sharon Anderson
Wubs Family Foundation, Vancouver, BC

Financials

Statement of revenues and expenses

Year ended December 31, 2025

Download Financial Statement
  • Revenues
  • Expenses
  • Revenues 2025

    Total: $ 1,749,092
    Operations 2025 $
    Contributions 451,345
    Membership Fees 1,101,190
    Conference and Events 157,813
    Interest 38,744
  • Expenses 2025

    Total: $ 1,656,491
    Expenses 2025 $
    Member Engagement and Communications 417,456
    Learning and Collaboration 515,097
    Public Affairs and Research 256,613
    Governance and Operations 467,325

Our Team

The people behind our organization in 2025

Jean-Marc Mangin

President & CEO

Sara Krynitzki

Associate Chief Executive Officer

André Pawan Vashist

Director, Learning & Collaboration

Michele Fugiel Gartner, PhD, CAP®

Lead Researcher

Erin Matheson

Executive Coordinator

Aviv Milgram

Director, Member Engagement & Communications

Andre Williams

Programs Coordinator

Benoît Charlebois

Senior Network Engagement Coordinator

Abra Rissi

Interim Membership Engagement Lead

Board members from across our network

Adwoa K. Buahene

Director
Strategic consultant – Toronto, ON

Amanda Bernard

Director
Director of Indigenous Programs, Laidlaw Foundation – Toronto, ON

Amanda Mayer

Treasurer
Program Director & COO, Lawson Foundation – Cantley, QC

Cameron Miller

Secretary
Consultant – Ottawa, ON

Djaka Blais-Amare

Director
Executive Director, Hogan’s Alley Society & Board Co-Chair, Foundation for Black Communities – Vancouver, BC

Ina Gutium

Chair
Vice-President, Talent & Corporate Services, Ontario Trillium Foundation – Toronto, ON

Justin Wiebe

Director
Lead, Innovation and Strategic Growth, Mastercard Foundation – Toronto and rural Saskatchewan

Lara O’Donnell

Director
Executive Director, Weston Family Foundation – Toronto, ON

Lisa Cirillo

Director
Chief Executive Officer, The Law Foundation of Ontario – Toronto, ON

Michelle LeDonne

Director
Executive Director of the Pathy Family Foundation – Montreal, QC

Mritunjay (MJ) Sinha, B.Eng., M.B.A.

Director
Board Director MakeWay Foundation and Definity Insurance Foundation – Toronto, ON

Nadia Duguay

Director
Executive Director, Fondation Béati – Montreal, QC

Simon Mallett

Past Chair
Executive Director, Rozsa Foundation – Calgary, AB

Sylvie Trottier

Director
Board Director, Trottier Family Foundation and Eclipx Familly Office – Montreal, QC

Teresa Marques

Director
President & CEO at Rideau Hall Foundation – Ottawa, ON

In addition to our staff and board, PFC also hosts a number of committees, which are comprised of board members, and volunteers from PFC members and partners, with PFC staff support.

Learn more about the important leadership of our committees

PFC Members

We are incredibly grateful to the ongoing support and engagement of each and every one of our members in shaping and advancing our shared focus: building philanthropy’s capacity, fostering collaboration, and improving the regulatory environment and public understanding of philanthropy through research and public policy advocacy. Together, we’re strengthening the philanthropic sector in Canada – working toward a future that is more just, equitable, and sustainable for all.

Below are our 2025 Members, from January 1 – December 31, 2025

Acorn Seed Foundation

Annauma Community Foundation

Arora Family Fund

The Atkinson Foundation

The Auxilium Foundation

The Azrieli Foundation

Balsam Foundation

Paul Barber Foundation

The Ralph M. BARFORD Foundation

Bealight Foundation

Fondation BÉATI

Max Bell Foundation

Bhayana Family Foundation

BHP Foundation

J. P. BICKELL Foundation

Foundation for Black Communities 

Black Opportunity Fund

The Graham Boeckh Foundation

Fondation J. Armand Bombardier

Brian Bronfman Family Foundation

George Brown Memorial Foundation

Burgundy Legacy Foundation

The Burns Memorial Fund for Children

Butler Family Foundation

Calgary Arts Development

The Calgary Foundation

Canadian Women’s Foundation

Carthy Foundation

Fondation Lucie et André Chagnon

Chamandy Foundation

Charities Aid Foundations Canada (CAF Canada)

Fondation Choquette-Legault

CIBC Foundation

Clarus Foundation

CMA Foundation

The Cole Foundation

Conconi Family Foundation

The Counselling Foundation of Canada

Daymark Foundation

Definity Insurance Foundation

Catherine Donnelly Foundation

Donner Canadian Foundation

Fondation Dufresne & Gauthier

Eenou-Eeyou Community Foundation

Equality Fund

Euphrosine Foundation

The Fairmount Foundation

Fondation de la Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec

Fondation Dents-de-lion

Fondation Jules et Paul-Émile Léger (Mission Inclusion)

Future Generations Foundation

The Peter Gilgan Foundation

The Colin B. Glassco Charitable Foundation for Children

The Gordon Foundation

GreenShield Canada

The Lyle Shantz Hallman Foundation

The Helix Foundation for Children and Youth

Fondation Sibylla Hesse

The George Hogg Family Foundation

The Houssian Foundation

HWS Charitable Foundation

Hyatt Family Foundation

The Hylcan Foundation

Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund

Indigenous Prosperity Foundation

INRIG Family Foundation (Sustainable Capacity Fund)

INSPIRIT Foundation

IVEY Foundation

Raymond James Canada Foundation

Johansen-Larsen Foundation

The Joyce Family Foundation

W.C. Kitchen Family Foundation

The KPMG Foundation

Kw’umut Lelum Foundation

La Fondation Famille Gauthier

Laidlaw Foundation

Sarah and Cary Lavine Family Foundation

Law for the Future Fund

The Law Foundation of British Columbia

The Law Foundation of Ontario

The Lawson Foundation

The Eva Leflar Foundation

The Lorraine MacDonald Family Foundation

Alice and Murray Maitland Foundation

MakeWay

Fondation René Malo

Maple Leaf Centre for Action on Food Security

Martin Family Initiative

Mastercard Foundation

The Maytree Foundation

Margaret and Wallace McCain Family Foundation

The McLean Foundation

The Medavie Health Foundation

Meighen Family Foundation

The George Cedric Metcalf Charitable Foundation

MLSE Foundation

Fondation Yvan Morin

Musagetes Foundation

Myriad Canada

National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada

Nicol Family Foundation

Wesley M. Nicol Foundation

The Northpine Foundation

Ontario Trillium Foundation

Pathy Family Foundation

Jimmy Pratt Foundation Inc

Private Giving Foundation

PWC Canada

QUBE Foundation

R. Howard Webster Foundation

Canadian Race Relations Foundation

Randstad Canada Charitable Foundation

Raven Indigenous Impact Foundation

RBC Foundation

Real Estate Foundation of BC

Rideau Hall Foundation

ROZSA Foundation

Samuel Family Foundation

Shaw Family Foundation

LesLois Shaw Foundation

Sifton Family Foundation

Solcz Family Foundation

The Sonor Foundation

Srinarayanathas Foundation

Sweeney Forbes Foundation

Temerty Foundation

The Jessiman Foundation

The McConnell Foundation

The Murray R. O’Neil Charitable Foundation

Thistledown Foundation

The Tree of Life Foundation Inc.

Trico Charitable Foundation

Trottier Family Foundation

Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation

Ulnooweg Indigenous Communities Foundation

The United Church of Canada Foundation

Vancity Community Foundation

Viewpoint Charitable Foundation

Walter J. Blackburn Foundation

The Waugh Family Foundation

WES Mariam Assefa Fund

Weston Family Foundation

The Hilary and Galen Weston Foundation

The Windsor Foundation

Wolfe Pack Warriors Foundation

Zero Emissions Innovation Centre (ZEIC)

PFC Partners

In addition to the critical revenue we receive from membership contributions, PFC also receives grants and other generous support from our members and other sector leaders – essential support that diversifies our revenue and enables targeted investments in priority initiatives and growth.

Addenda Capital

The Azrieli Foundation

Max Bell Foundation

Bhayana Family Foundation

Fondation J. Armand Bombardier

Carthy Foundation

Clarus Foundation

Definity Insurance Foundation

The Lyle Shantz Hallman Foundation

Hamilton Community Foundation

Impatience Earth

The Lawson Foundation

Pathy Family Foundation

Ronald S Roadburg Foundation

The McConnell Foundation

The Morris & Rosalind Goodman Family Foundation

The Murray R. O’Neil Charitable Foundation

Toronto Foundation

Trottier Family Foundation

Vancouver Foundation

Weston Family Foundation

Looking Ahead 2026

As global disruptions continue into 2026, PFC will deepen its work to meet the moment in a changed world:

  • We will help you put more of your capital to work for community outcomes.
    PFC will provide practical tools, peer examples, and support to better align grants, endowments, and investments to meet your fiduciary duty and your mission.
  • We will make the network more useful to you.
    PFC will convene members around real decisions and shared challenges, connect you to important peers beyond the usual, and create spaces where learning directly informs action.
  • We will advocate for the conditions philanthropy needs to deepen its impact.
    PFC will advance credible policy dialogue and sector voice to strengthen the regulatory environment and enable long-term, systems-level change.

These commitments will come to life through concrete actions. We are hosting our national conference in Winnipeg this September, our most ambitious gathering yet, designed to strengthen reciprocity across sectors and communities. We will convene new roundtables on housing and on reconciliation to deepen collaboration on issues that define community well-being. We will publish our Working in Canadian Foundations report to provide fresh insights on talent, culture, and practice in our sector. And we are preparing for a likely review of the disbursement quota in 2027, building on lessons from previous consultations, while addressing key policy issues that influence the sector’s capacity for impact. Our goal is to ensure that PFC, mobilized by our network, is ready to enable foundations to deepen their contributions for durable community impact.

Stay informed on developments relevant to the grantmaking sector

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Jean-Marc Mangin

President & CEO

Jean-Marc has been President & CEO of Philanthropic Foundations Canada since 2019. He currently sits on the Government of Canada’s Advisory Committee on the Charitable Sector.

Prior to PFC, Jean-Marc led a renewal process of the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences, the largest national organization of Canadian researchers and scholars as its Executive Director.

He also has had a long career serving in international development with the UN, NGOs, and the Canadian Government in responding to global humanitarian disasters and development challenges. As CUSO Executive Director, he led a merger with VSO-Canada, and he was the first Executive Director of Global Call for Climate Action, a cross-sector civil society initiative supporting transformational change to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

Born in Manitoba, raised in Quebec, and educated in BC and Ontario, he holds an MA in Political Sciences and Environmental Studies from the University of Toronto.

The land that Jean-Marc lives, learns and works on has been home to many Indigenous communities throughout time, and is the traditional unceded territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin People.

Sara Krynitzki

Associate Chief Executive Officer

Sara has spent over 20 years leading non-profit initiatives across Canada. She began her career in fundraising, has worked on Parliament Hill, and for over eight years managed community initiatives and granting for one of Canada’s largest community foundations, allocating millions of dollars annually, and connecting philanthropy to the greatest needs to tackle inequity. 

As Associate Chief Executive Officer, Sara works closely with the President & CEO overseeing thought-leadership, organizational management, and operations, while guiding PFC’s public policy and advocacy agenda, research, and public relations activities to foster good public policies for the sector and to advance impactful, forward-thinking philanthropy. 

She has a BA in Political Studies from Trent University and a Master’s in Public Policy and Public Administration from Concordia University. She sits on the board of directors of Sustainability Network, and in 2024 she was appointed to the CRA and Finance Canada’s Technical Issues Working Group, advising on charity regulation. 

Having lived across Canada and internationally, Sara is now based in Toronto with her husband and three children. 

The land that Sara and her family live, learn and work on has been home to many Indigenous communities throughout time, including the Wendat, Anishinaabe, Mississaugas of the Credit, and the Haudenosaunee. The area is covered by Treaty 13 signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit, and it is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.  

André Pawan Vashist

Director, Learning & Collaboration

A multi award winning social innovator, André has 20 years of experience in community wellbeing and transformations and is a facilitator of multi-stakeholder collaborations that are working towards social and ecological justice.

At his core, he is a dedicated family member with two children, a lover of the land with joy for being outdoors, a poet who expresses openly about life’s journey, and a passionate collaborator for a better world.   

Co-designing solutions to shared challenges is where André likes to infuse his magic by weaving identities with a healing centered approach - connecting the inner and outer work as we attempt transformations to solve societal challenges. Watch this TEDx Talk to learn more about André.

André is currently located on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek (Ah-nish-in-a-bek), Haudenosaunee (Ho-den-no-show-nee), Lūnaapéewak (Len-ahpay- wuk) and Chonnonton (Chun-ongk-ton) Nations, on lands connected with the London Township and Sombra Treaties of 1796 and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum - also known as London, Ontario, and along the river, Deshkan Ziibi.   

The three Indigenous Nations that are neighbours to London, Ontario are the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation; Oneida Nation of the Thames; and the Munsee-Delaware Nation who all continue to live as sovereign Nations with individual and unique languages, cultures and customs.      

(This Land Acknowledgement is a first step towards reconciliation. Awareness means nothing without action. He continues to learn and take steps towards decolonizing practices, including being informed about the traditional lands, Treaties, history, and cultures of the Indigenous people across Turtle Island.)    

Michele Fugiel Gartner, PhD, CAP®

Lead Researcher

Michele is a philanthropic researcher, educator, and advisor. She holds a PhD from the University of St Andrews, School of Management, where she studied the experiences of CEOs in UK family foundations and conceptualised the foundation professional role. She instructs nonprofit management and social innovation at Mount Royal University (Calgary, AB). Michele’s philanthropic experience includes the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Social Venture Partners Calgary, Trico Charitable Foundation, and the Centre for the Study of Philanthropy & Public Good. She obtained her Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® designation in 2016 and is a member of the Global Philanthropy Advisory Group with the Society of Estate and Trust Practitioners (STEP). Michele has an MA from the University of London, SOAS, in international studies and diplomacy and a BA from Arizona State University in intercultural and organizational communication.

Michele acknowledges that her life has been shaped by the lands and histories of many peoples and places. She was born and raised in Illinois and Wisconsin, on the traditional homelands of the Ho-Chunk, Menominee, and Potawatomi peoples. Her journey has taken her through Phoenix, Arizona (Akimel O’odham and Hohokam lands); Honolulu, Hawai'i (Kanaka Maoli lands); Japan (home to the Ainu and Ryukyuan peoples); Seattle, Washington (Coast Salish territories, including the Duwamish and Suquamish Tribe); and London, UK, historically stewarded by the Britons. London’s history as a hub of migration and colonization serves as a reminder of the lasting impacts of the British Empire on Indigenous peoples globally. 

Now, she lives and works in Calgary, Alberta, in the traditional territories of the peoples of Treaty 7, which includes the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprised of the Siksika, the Piikani, and the Kainai First Nations), the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations), and home to the Métis Nation of Alberta (Districts 5 and 6). She honors the histories, cultures, and enduring relationships Indigenous peoples have with these lands, reflecting on colonization’s legacies and her responsibility to advocate for equity and decolonization. As someone shaped by global movement, she commits to ongoing learning and solidarity with Indigenous communities worldwide. 

Erin Matheson

Executive Coordinator

Erin has spent her career working in philanthropy and government. Passionate about working with community-based organizations, she managed an Irish cultural non-profit for many years, which allowed her to support the community in which she was raised. More recently, she worked with healthcare and education non-profit groups.

As Executive Coordinator, Erin supports the team in achieving the goals identified in its strategic framework by developing and implementing crucial structures for collaboration within the organization.

She is a proud mother of three daughters, dedicated friend and family member, and enjoys sharing her love of baking with those around her.

Aviv Milgram

Director, Member Engagement & Communications

Aviv joined our team in January 2023 to lead PFC’s integrated member engagement and communications strategies and activities, in support of its advocacy, collaboration, and learning goals.

Coming from a background in both the philanthropic and non-profit sectors, Aviv’s experiences range from grants management and operations to directing strategic initiatives and stakeholder engagement. Her involvement has spanned from national philanthropy addressing community resilience, Indigenous reconciliation, and climate change, to local Montreal-based arts, culture, and heritage work in the museum sphere.

Aviv holds a BA from McGill University and an MA in Religion in Global Politics from SOAS, University of London.

Andre Williams

Programs Coordinator

Andre has six years of experience in social innovation. His expertise lies in qualitative data analysis, strategic storytelling, and driving social justice initiatives.

Andre Williams took on a program support role during his time at inPath, a training hub dedicated to empowering Indigenous youth through the arts. He spearheaded publications, engagement strategies, and research projects for nonprofits, showcasing his ability to lead and deliver results.

With a background in urbanism, his passion for creating inclusive public spaces was evident in his contributions to design, research, public engagement, and creative direction in collaboration with project managers and local communities.

Additionally, his work as a steering committee member with Concordia University’s Shift Centre for Social Transformation has been instrumental in supporting philanthropic initiatives. He has an eye for reviewing grant applications, budget allocations, and overall governance.
Land acknowledgement:

Andre Williams has called Tiohtià:ke (Montreal) home for the last 10 years. Tiohtià:ke has long been a meeting place for various Indigenous nations, including the Kanien’kehà:ka (Mohawk) Nation, who are part of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

Tiohtià:ke (Montreal) is also home to a diverse urban Indigenous population, including members of the Anishinaabeg, Huron-Wendat, and Inuit communities, among others.

Andre remains committed to systemic change and holds himself accountable to continue learning from and serving Indigenous communities.

Benoît Charlebois

Senior Network Engagement Coordinator

As a professional communicator trained in North and South America, Benoît has built an exceptionally diversified and international career spanning 35 years in private, public, governmental and non-governmental organizations—in over seven countries—in the fields of education and public engagement, telecommunications, humanitarian and international development.

Between 2012-2022, he held several positions at the Lester B. Pearson United World College of the Pacific of which he is an alumnus and a former Board Director. Before that, he held senior management and strategic corporate communications positions with TELUS Québec and Bell Canada, as well as the Canadian International Development Agency, the Canadian Red Cross, and the Canadian Commission for UNESCO.

Previously, he was in charge of program management, customer operations and marketing in several telecom start-ups with Telesystem International Wireless, helping to launch successful cellular phone companies in Romania, Brazil, and France.

Earlier in his career, he worked in communications with United World Colleges International in the UK and Italy, as well as in Development Support Communications with Club 2/3-Oxfam Quebec in Montreal and as a volunteer cooperant with Canadian University Services Overseas in Colombia.

He has served on the Board of the Space for Life Foundation and Initiatives of Change Canada. He is married with a Colombian woman with whom he has two children. Benoît is fluent in French, Spanish and English.

Benoît acknowledges that his place of residence and daily work are located on aboriginal territory, which has never been ceded by the Nitaskinan nation (Atikamekw / Nehirowisi Aski) as guardian of the lands and waters on which he depends. 

The Atikamekw, a nation with an oral tradition, are descended from the great Anishnabe or Algonquin Anicnape family. This large family occupies territories stretching from the Canadian northeast to the American southwest. In Quebec, the Atikamekw nation occupies the central part of the province. Its immediate neighbors are the Wapanaki to the east, the Algonquin to the west, the Mowak to the south and the Cree, Naskapi and Innu to the north.

Abra Rissi

Interim Membership Engagement Lead

Abra has the pleasure of working closely with PFC’s members — a diverse community of organizations and practitioners advocating for stronger, impactful, and more forward-thinking philanthropy. 

Abra rejoins PFC with 15 years of experience in public affairs, operations, and public and community engagement. Throughout her career, she has worked with not-for-profit leaders, elected and government officials, and within civil society – always with a focus on partnerships, collaboration, and community-building in service of the public good.  

A cyclist and crossword enthusiast, Abra has lived in Geneva, Paris, Vancouver and currently Toronto. A purpose-driven professional, she believes in the value of strong and inclusive civic engagement in advancing a more prosperous, equitable, and just society for all. 

Abra lives in Toronto, an energetic and diverse city which is home to many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples. Toronto is covered under Treaty 13 and the Williams Treaties and within the territory of the Dish with One Spoon Wampum - a Treaty made between the Anishinaabe, Mississaugas, and Haudenosaunee, where nations entered into an agreement to protect the land and responsibly care for its resources in harmony together. 

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Adwoa K. Buahene

Director

Strategic consultant - Toronto, ON

Amanda Bernard

Director

Amanda Bernard, an Honours Bachelor of Business graduate from the University of Guelph Humber, is a member of the Madawaska Maliseet First Nation, the Director of Indigenous Programs at the Laidlaw Foundation, and the Founder of Shawish Market. In her role at the Foundation, Amanda supports Indigenous youth by providing them with opportunities to connect with their land, language, culture, and peers through various projects. 
Before joining the Laidlaw Foundation, Amanda served as the Account Manager responsible for launching the NIHB portal, an online platform that enables Indigenous people to submit their health benefit claims digitally. In her spare time, Amanda started Shawish, a new virtual marketplace exclusively for Indigenous artists to create their own shops and upload their products for free. Amanda currently resides in Toronto, ON.

Amanda Mayer

Treasurer

Program Director & COO, Lawson Foundation - Cantley, QC

Cameron Miller

Secretary

Senior Director, Citizenship Governance & Operations for Corporate Citizenship

Justin Wiebe

Director

Justin is a proud Métis citizen from the prairies who currently splits his time between rural Saskatchewan and Toronto. He is passionate about rethinking philanthropy, youth leadership, and building movements of solidarity across different communities. He currently works at Mastercard Foundation in the EleV program focusing on improving Indigenous youth education and employment outcomes. He formerly worked at the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Justin is also on the board of The Circle on Philanthropy, a WEF Global Shaper, and a co-founder of The Mamawi Project. He holds a Master’s Degree in Planning from the School of Community and Regional Planning (SCARP) at UBC, and a Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Saskatchewan.

Lara O’Donnell

Director

Dr. Lara O’Donnell is the Executive Director of the Weston Family Foundation, a role she has held since 2020. As Executive Director, Lara is responsible for executing all aspects of the Foundation's operations and strategy, reporting to the Board of Directors. The Weston Family Foundation designs various granting programs to deliver its mandate of supporting the wellbeing of Canadians, and presently donates roughly $60M per year.  

Prior to joining the Foundation, Lara was the Director of Research Partnerships at the Canadian technology scale-up Element AI, where she was responsible for the design and execution of the research partnership strategy.  

Lara has also held various leadership roles within the Canadian research and innovation ecosystem. She was a Senior Director of Research at CIFAR, an organization dedicated to creating transformative knowledge by convening interdisciplinary teams of scholars, and Director of the Accelerate and Elevate programs at Mitacs, and organization aimed at building bridges between academia and industry.  

Lara studied the mechanisms involved in sensing and repairing DNA during her postdoctoral research at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital. She also investigated the processes of cell division during her Ph.D. which she completed at McGill University. She earned her BSc. in Biology from McMaster University. 

Lisa Cirillo

Director

Lisa Cirillo has served as the CEO of The Law Foundation of Ontario since September 2020. Prior to joining the Foundation, Lisa was the Executive Director of Downtown Legal Services, a community-based legal clinic at the University of Toronto Faculty of law for 10 years. Lisa has practiced human rights, education, housing, and family law in a wide variety of social justice organizations including Downtown Legal Services, ARCH Disability Rights Centre, and the Ontario Human Rights Commission. She has served on numerous boards and committees over the years including the Association for Canadian Clinical Legal Education, the National Association of Women and the Law, Legal Aid Ontario’s Clinic Law Advisory Committee, and the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s Community Advisory Group.  

Michelle LeDonne

Director

Michelle LeDonne (she/her) has been the Executive Director of the Pathy Family Foundation (PFF) since July 2023, where she previously served as Program Officer and was responsible for Montreal-based partner organizations and funder collaboratives.  
 
Before joining PFF in 2019, Michelle worked for more than a decade in fundraising, strategy, and program development for a national non-profit and several community-based organizations working in the areas of homelessness relief and prevention, health equity, and youth and 2SLGBTQIA+ empowerment. Originally from Chicago, she holds a Master of Arts from McGill University and currently resides in Tiohtià:ke/Montréal with her son.  

Mritunjay (MJ) Sinha, B.Eng., M.B.A.

Director

Director, Philanthropic Foundations Canada
Board Director, MakeWay Foundation and Definity Insurance Foundation – Toronto, ON

An engineer and MBA by education, and an investor by profession, MJ hopes to use his skills and experiences to help build a fair, just, and equitable world.

Over the last decade, MJ has worked with Canadian and international asset owners across all aspects of the investment lifecycle. Through this work, he has helped deploy over C$400M through private-market impact investing and another C$500M through responsible-investment strategies for foundations, family offices, governments, and others. Additionally, MJ has served as the inaugural Chief Investment Officer of one of North America’s largest affordable-housing acquisition vehicles. MJ also has prior experience in oil and gas risk management in Asia, microfinance in India, global-health investing, and corporate strategy in Canada.

MJ enjoys working at the intersection of social change and financial returns and helping asset owners understand the difference their capital can make. He greatly enjoys running the complete investment lifecycle and feels grateful to do work that aligns with his values.

He is a Board Director and Treasurer for the Definity Insurance Foundation; Board Director and Investment Roundtable Chair for Philanthropic Foundations Canada; Board Director for MakeWay Foundation and Tapestry Capital (and its Weave Community Capital Fund); and a member of the Impact Investment Committee for the Laidlaw Foundation.

MJ loves reading, travelling, cooking, staying active, history, and following global politics. He has his own personal library and has traveled to over 80 countries so far.

MJ’s take on life: “The only things you regret are the things you don’t do.” — Michael Curtiz

Nadia Duguay

Director

Executive Director of the Béati Foundation since April 2022, Nadia strives daily to contribute to the advancement of more ethical, engaged, and strategic philanthropic practices. Over the course of more than 15 years at Exeko, which she co-founded and co-directed, she worked to harness intellectual and artistic creativity in the service of intellectual and collective emancipation.

Today, she serves on several boards of directors and advisory committees, including FilAction and Dark Matter Labs. Philanthropic approaches grounded in justice, trust-based philanthropy, and horizontality inspire her daily, as she seeks more relevant and coherent pathways to address the complex challenges of our time.

Sylvie Trottier

Director

Sylvie Trottier is a philanthropist, family principal, and advocate, with a primary focus on climate and inequality. She is a board member of Trottier Family Foundation and the Eclipx Family Office.  
 
The Trottier Family Foundation has a primary focus on climate, health, education, and science, seeking to catalyze and scale transformative innovations, create cross sector collaborations, and take risks that others cannot.  
 
The Eclipx Family Office has a three-fold objective wherein (i) investment, (ii) environmental and social, and (iii) family objectives, values, and mission align toward a common purpose.  
 
Sylvie also engages in the philanthropic ecosystem, sitting on the coordination committee for Le Collectif des fondations québécoises contre les inégalités and as a member of Forward Global, as well as within the family office ecosystem as co-chair of the Cambridge Forum on Family Office Development and as a member of CREO Syndicate.  
 
Sylvie worked in the environmental sector for nearly fifteen years, holds a BSc in Environmental Studies from McGill University and an MSc in Environment and Development from the London School of Economics.  

Teresa Marques

Director

Teresa is an established senior executive and educator in the non-profit sector. She leads the Rideau Hall Foundation, an independent charity established by the Right Honourable David Johnston. The RHF’s vision is a better Canada, and it works to address key challenges facing the country in the areas of learning equity, creating a culture of innovation, leadership development, and the promotion of giving and volunteerism. Teresa has significant experience in people management, stakeholder engagement, and program implementation. She is a sought-after public speaker and frequent media commentator on Canadian philanthropy, giving patterns, and non-profit sector management issues.

She is an instructor at Toronto Metropolitan University’s G. Raymond Chang School for Continuing Education and holds degrees in Canadian history from the University of Ottawa and York University, and a post-graduate certificate from Dalhousie University’s School of Continuing Education, with a focus on non-profit governance. In 2022, she was named one of the inaugural winners of DMZ’s Women of the Year award and in 2023 a “Changemaker” by the Globe and Mail’s Report on Business.

Teresa’s volunteer service has focused on community development and education issues and she has served on numerous local and national boards of directors. Her current and previous directorships include the National Theatre School, AFP Ottawa, Family Services Toronto, and Working Women Community Centre. She is interested in how giving patterns and attitudes towards philanthropy in Canada are evolving and seeks to drive social change through collective action.