As the philanthropic landscape evolves, a growing number of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) are trading top-down donation models for participatory, community-driven approaches. Giving circles, venture philanthropy, marketplace giving, pooled funds and mega-philanthropic initiatives offer donors an avenue to engage deeply, collaborate meaningfully, and drive strategic impact—while challenging traditional norms of wealth and influence in philanthropy.
Continuing from the original article published in July 2025, we explore how funder collaborations are shaping Canada’s charitable sector.
The Rise of Collaborative Philanthropy in Canada
The traditional model of individual, top-down philanthropy is undergoing significant transformation in Canada. High-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), family foundations, and family offices through their investment portfolios are increasingly recognizing the power of collaboration to achieve greater impact and address complex social issues more effectively. This shift is giving rise to innovative funding models that emphasize partnership, shared resources, and a more engaged approach to giving. “In Canada, as elsewhere, this growing practice is closely related to the trend toward strategic philanthropy, in which foundations position themselves as agents of change.” Collaboration Between Canadian Grantmaking Foundations: The Expression of an Increasingly Ambitious and Strategic Philanthropic Sector?, Canadian Journal of Nonprofit and Social Economy Research.
What is Funder Collaboration? Alliances & Joint Ventures
We all know what it means to collaborate – working together towards a common goal. But what does collaboration mean in a formal context? What are things that those in collaboration need to consider, both legally and personally? What gets in the way of effective collaboration?
It is generally understood that organizations achieve more together through coordinated or collective action than they would independently. However, the type of collaboration differs from player to player and issue to issue. Some collaboratives may be formal or informal; time-limited or ongoing. Typically, these relationships are not permanent, and the players involved may come and go depending on the needs of the collaborative at the time.
Collaborations are broken down into two categories: Alliances and Joint Ventures. Alliances are a commitment to engage in shared decision-making. These partnerships do not require any changes in corporate structures between the players, and they can be contracted or not, depending on the type of project that is being engaged in. Examples of alliances are administrative collaborations, joint programming, earned income activities or joint advocacy activities.
A joint venture, on the other hand, is more complex. It is made up of two or more organizations who consolidate administration, programming or advocacy under a controlled corporation. These agencies share governance and decision-making. This entity may be a new corporate structure, or a temporary network or association. What makes this different from an alliance is the formality of the relationship – contracting and legal structures. The most common types of engagements in the charitable sector are between for-profits and non-profit organizations, or between private foundations and government agencies.
There are pros and cons to each of these types of collaborations. What it ultimately boils down to is risk tolerance and strength of the relationship between the players. The main reason why collaborations fail is because there is a breakdown in trust and communication between the players. In most recent, very public news, the WE Charity relationship with the Canadian government was a collaboration that not only failed in its execution but ultimately resulted in the Canadian arm of WE Charity closing (it still operates in the US and overseas).
Family Foundations and Family Offices Leading the Way for Social Impact
One of the most prominent forms of collaborative philanthropy in Canada involves joint ventures between family foundations/family offices and non-profits and/or social enterprises. “The increased interest appears to have followed the trend toward strategic philanthropy, characterized as a shift away from a traditional responsive relationship with grantees toward a position that assumes more active responsibility for identifying and framing problems, as well as for designing strategies to address them.” Ibid.
These partnerships allow for the strategic alignment of resources, expertise, and networks, often leading to more substantial and sustainable funding initiatives. By combining their philanthropic efforts, family values and societal interests, these entities can tackle larger projects, leverage diverse perspectives, and share the administrative burden, ultimately amplifying their collective impact.
Case Study: GeShiDo Foundation
Started by a group of philanthropists and entrepreneurs, GeShiDo Foundation focuses on market-place investments. Most foundations focus on the disbursement quota (5% of the total assets). GeShiDo focuses on the 95% of investable assets that can be put to work by coordinating the efforts of the investees in its portfolio. The theory being that by enabling the investees to allocate the types of working capital they need (debt, catalytic, grants, equity, etc.), in the time they need, coordinated amongst themselves, that change can happen more efficiently. The ultimate goal is to move 1 million Canadians from crisis to stability through this integrated approach in food security, housing and mental health.
Case Study: Converge Mental Health Coalition
Led by the Hunter Family Foundation, Converge created a coalition of funders, non-profits, for-profits and government agencies in an effort to streamline access and system navigation of mental health services across Canada. By pooling their financial resources, sharing their respective expertise in grant-making and program evaluation, leveraging networks and access to policymakers as well as engaging industry experts alongside consumers, the Coalition is able to network support programs, reaching communities that were previously underserved. This has resulted in new integrations between existing organizations for smoother transition of support for the end-user as well as updates to privacy legislation, thereby allowing people to engage in intra and interprovincial activities within the mental health sector.
Pooling Resources: Maximizing Impact Through Collective Giving
Beyond formal joint ventures, Canadian philanthropists are also embracing the concept of pooling resources to maximize their impact. This can take various forms, from informal donor networks to more structured giving circles and pooled funds. The underlying principle is that collective giving allows for larger grants, greater flexibility, and the ability to support initiatives that might be too ambitious for a single donor.
- Giving Circles in Canada: Giving circles, where individuals contribute to a common fund and collectively decide how to allocate grants, are gaining traction across Canada. These circles empower donors to engage more deeply with the causes they care about, learn from their peers, and make informed decisions about their giving. (Further details and specific Canadian examples of giving circles are highlighted in Part 1 of this series).
- Thematic Pooled Funds: Many Canadian charitable organizations and community foundations are establishing thematic pooled funds, allowing multiple donors to contribute to a specific cause, such as environmental conservation, Indigenous reconciliation, or affordable housing. These funds offer a convenient way for donors to contribute to large-scale initiatives while benefiting from the expertise and due diligence of the fund administrators. This is most common for emergency funding – victims of war – Ukrainian Relief Effort, natural disasters like wildfires, floods and hurricanes, etc.
Co-hosting and Ambassadorship: Elevating Projects and Issues
Collaborative philanthropy also extends to co-hosting events, campaigns, and acting as ambassadors for specific projects or issues. This involves using one’s influence, networks, and resources to raise awareness, attract additional funding, and build momentum around a particular cause.
- Impact Investing Initiatives: Canadian HNWIs and family offices are increasingly co-hosting events focused on impact investing, bringing together investors, social enterprises, and non-profits to explore innovative financing solutions for social and environmental challenges. By lending their credibility and networks, these philanthropists help to drive capital towards impactful ventures. Most recently, Platform Calgary hosted Impact 2025, a half-day summit on balancing people, planet, and profit in an uncertain world.
- Advocacy and Awareness Campaigns: Philanthropic leaders often act as ambassadors for critical social issues, leveraging their platforms to raise public awareness and advocate for policy changes. This can involve co-hosting public forums, supporting research, and engaging with policymakers to drive systemic change. The Mental Health & Wellness Affinity Group (MHWAG) started by the Graham Beockh Foundation is an example of funders coming together to advance service delivery in the Integrated Youth Services space for mental health.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Canadian Philanthropy
Today, many strategic donors recognize that they can have a greater impact than just the size of the cheque they are writing. Social issues are more complex and as government relies more and more on civil society to step in (aka private philanthropy), this type of funding will become more commonplace and an even greater economic force in the charitable sector.
Collaborative funding models continue to evolve. They are not only reshaping how philanthropy is practiced in Canada but also challenging traditional power dynamics within the charitable sector. By fostering deeper engagement, shared decision-making, and a collective commitment to impact, collaborative philanthropy promises to create a more resilient, responsive, and ultimately more effective charitable landscape for all Canadians.
About Karma & Cents: Philanthropy advising for individuals, families and family enterprises. Operating in Calgary since 2017 and built on the 30+ years of collective work of its founders Gena Rotstein and Richard Ouellette, K&C creates bespoke philanthropy plans, legacy, impact investing and foundation management services.
