Conference Resources

2018 PFC Conference: Private Philanthropy and Public Accountability

Opinion leaders in Canada don’t pay much attention to private foundations. They remain unknown even though they control over $40 billion in assets and make over $2 billion in grants annually, as well as running significant charitable programs. Many large foundations are directing funds and articulating strategies that influence the lives of communities. These are privileged institutions, exercising the power of their resources to shape communities and sometimes the policies of governments. What is the license to operate of the perpetual endowed foundation in a democracy? Should private foundations receive more scrutiny? Or does private philanthropy have a unique role to play in taking risks for society that others cannot?

Opinion leaders in Canada don’t pay much attention to private foundations. They remain unknown even though they control over $40 billion in assets and make over $2 billion in grants annually, as well as running significant charitable programs. Many large foundations are directing funds and articulating strategies that influence the lives of communities. These are privileged institutions, exercising the power of their resources to shape communities and sometimes the policies of governments. What is the license to operate of the perpetual endowed foundation in a democracy? Should private foundations receive more scrutiny? Or does private philanthropy have a unique role to play in taking risks for society that others cannot?

Moderator: Steve Paikin, Anchor, TV Ontario
Speakers:
Narinder Dhami, Managing Director, LEAP Pecaut Centre for Social Impact
Janice Stein, Professor, University of Toronto
Peter Warrian, Managing Director, The Lupina Foundation