Network Benefits / Network Benefits

Network Benefits

CANADA’S COMMUNITY FOUNDATION MOVEMENT

We are a philanthropic movement working across sectors to help Canadians invest in building strong and resilient communities. For nearly 100 years, community foundations have been at the forefront of shaping our communities for the future.

We connect people with causes that inspire them. We animate civic engagement and dialogue. And we invest in talent, impact and innovation with a focus on tackling some of the most persistent social challenges facing our communities, our country and the world.

Our role is to act as a catalyst for the urgent and deep conversations that need to occur in our communities and engage in fostering a greater sense of belonging for all. As one of 191 community foundations you are part of that collective effort!

“The work of  a community foundation is unique and requires consistent support plus flexibility. Community Foundations of Canada has been key to the success of our foundation through professional mentorship and guidance. We also benefit from being part of a Canada-wide network with opportunities for professional development, knowledge sharing and access to key resources.”

Tracey Vavrek, CEO Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta

“Within the community foundation movement you never stop learning how to serve your community more efficiently and effectively. Canada’s community foundation network provides invaluable resources with support across the country in a timely way.”

Kelly Evans, Executive Director Greater Saint John Community Foundation

National Network = Connected Canada

We are stronger together. As one of the world’s largest philanthropic networks we reach into 90% of Canadian communities with over $5.2 billion in assets (including $200 million in responsible and impact investments) and a movement of globally-minded leaders across the country.

From Victoria to St. John’s and Yellowknife to Windsor we are greater than the sum of our parts. Our unprecedented scope means we can pool all forms of capital together giving us greater access to information and opportunities for impact than we could ever achieve alone.

See our Canada-wide reach on this interactive map

Network Benefits

We have a wealth of philanthropic experience and knowledge about community foundations and their work. We’re here to help you with guidance and expertise. From strategic planning to “who’s doing this?” questions, we’re here to track down resources, and connect you with the right information – and the right people – to put your vision into action.

Community Foundation
Support

– High-Touch Q&A Support
– Thematic and Rookie Retreat Gatherings
– Strategy, Governance Advice and Succession Planning Assistance
– Asset Mapping and Planning Expertise
– Conference Bursaries and Discounted Rates
– Partnership Opportunities
– On-site Visits

Knowledge, Tools and Resources

– Impact Investing Guidance
– HR Management Centre
– Online Tools & Educational Resources for Managing Daily Operations
– Professional Advisors eResource
– Listservs and Discussion Platforms

Collective Action and Engagement

– Vital Signs Program
– Community Knowledge Exchange
– Storytelling & Social Media Engagement
– Branding & Marketing Collateral
– Awareness Campaign Collateral

Learning Institute

Looking ahead, CFC’s Learning Institute will encapsulate a range of learning events and resources for the broad spectrum of staff and volunteers throughout our network. Our hope is to be the go-to advisor for our movement and to build a suite of opportunities for community foundations focused on the future. Through customized experiential learning, we can help accelerate and scale the work of community foundations.

Knowledge Sharing and Networking

Each year we host dozens of webinars, workshops, master classes and thematic gatherings to help community foundation staff, board and volunteers become stronger leaders and inspire a deeper understanding of what’s next for community philanthropy. Learn from the comfort of your desk or join us in person for opportunities to exchange ideas, strategies and innovations in a friendly, supportive environment.

Community Foundations Conference

Every two years, we host an international gathering that brings together hundreds of community leaders and philanthropic innovators for an opportunity to think differently about building strong and resilient communities. In June 2019, we will gather in Victoria, British Columbia with our friends at the Victoria Foundation  for the 2019 Community Foundations Conference.

Partnership Opportunities

Through curated relationships, we develop opportunities for you to connect with partners and service providers from nearly every industry and sector (including government, media, philanthropic organizations, finance and accounting, and marketing).

Check out our upcoming events here.

National Opportunities

Community Foundations of Canada works closely with our network to offer leadership development opportunities and personalized support for community foundation staff, board and volunteers on everything from fund development to philanthropic trends to impact investing.

We’re also thinking big about the future of community philanthropy – activating the collective power of our network to respond to some of the most urgent priorities facing our communities and our country. Here’s just a few of the ways we’re working together to expanding our impact.

Vital Signs Program

Vital Signs aims to inspire civic engagement and provide focus for public dialogue in our communities and around the world. The national program, led by community foundations and coordinated by Community Foundations of Canada, leverages local knowledge to measure the vitality of our communities and support action towards improving our collective quality of life. Close to 100 communities in Canada and internationally participate in the Vital Signs program.

Sustainable Development Goals

Canada’s 191 community foundations are already exploring the kind of leadership that’s relevant to help our communities become more inclusive, resilient and sustainable for the future. The SDGs have the power to be a milestone for engagement, activation, partnerships, and impact — one that will bring us together as part of a global philanthropic movement to improve our communities and the world around us.

Community Fund for Canada’s 150th

A collaborative effort, seeded by the Government of Canada and delivered locally by community foundations. During 2017, the Fund supported over 2,100 youth-led, Indigenous-led and community-led projects in every province and territory, engaging 100,000 volunteers, 400 communities and 175 community foundations (or 92% of our network!) along the way.

Impact Investing

We are focused on shaping the emerging field of impact investing in Canada, mobilizing the strength of our philanthropic and charitable network in collaboration with the private sector and government to have an even greater impact on Canadian communities. Through a new Impact Investing Guidebook and tools, we are exploring innovative ways to leverage our assets and direct upwards of $200 million in capital into impact and responsible investments.

Belonging & Reconciliation

These are key pillars of our work ahead as we continue to devote time and energy towards working with Indigenous communities, promoting reconciliation, and strengthening the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples. As signatories to the Declaration of Action, many community foundations are making a commitment to ensure that positive action toward reconciliation will continue.

Stay up-to-date with the latest news

Our movement is loud and proud with a lot to say and even more going on in communities across the country. Here are a few ways to stay up-to-date with the very latest news, events, information and activity from Canada’s community foundation network.

Find us on
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Ask us about joining a peer group or listserv

Subscribe to our
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Visit our
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Get to know us better

We come to work everyday to help make our national network stronger. Our team of staff, fellows, volunteers and board members are as deep and wide as our movement itself. There’s no question too small and no challenge too big for us to tackle together. We’re here to champion your efforts, celebrate your achievements and cheer you on every step of the way.

CFC Staff
CFC Board