The Philanthropist Journal

As Canadian donors age, crowdfunding may help fill the giving gap

Tim Harper — Mon, 25 May 2026 17:05:01 +0000

Whether it is the aging of donors, financial hardship, or the fraying of social connections that inspire giving, there are challenges lurking everywhere, but digital platforms can create new pathways into generosity.

The post As Canadian donors age, crowdfunding may help fill the giving gap appeared first on The Philanthropist Journal.

Canadian non-profits are using AI in a way that risks losing public trust

Sharon Riley — Tue, 19 May 2026 17:03:59 +0000

As charities race to adopt artificial intelligence, “the single most important step” should be a clear framework on how it is used. But only 10% of Canadian non-profits have formal policies.

The post Canadian non-profits are using AI in a way that risks losing public trust appeared first on The Philanthropist Journal.

Fighting the good fight: Philanthropy and policy advocacy

Toula Drimonis — Mon, 04 May 2026 16:47:02 +0000

The Atkinson Foundation’s Good Fight Prize celebrates the creativity and commitment within the movement for decent work. Toula Drimonis profiles the 2025 winning campaign and the two finalists.

The post Fighting the good fight: Philanthropy and policy advocacy appeared first on The Philanthropist Journal.

New CAGP research challenges stereotypes, suggests opportunities around planned giving

Sharon Riley — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 18:54:24 +0000

With shifting mindsets and a huge intergenerational wealth transfer underway, fundraising experts say charities need to be speaking to a more diverse cross-section of Canadians about legacy giving.

The post New CAGP research challenges stereotypes, suggests opportunities around planned giving appeared first on The Philanthropist Journal.

Addressing the caregiving crisis in Canada

Christina Palassio — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 18:02:06 +0000

Coming to grips with the “existential” crisis in care amidst an increasingly austere economic environment requires not just financial support for caregivers, but broader system investments and reforms.

The post Addressing the caregiving crisis in Canada appeared first on The Philanthropist Journal.

What happens to labour rights in a sector built on care?

Emmanuel Akanbi — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:44:24 +0000

While non-profit workers fulfill the needs of their communities, many are overworked and under-compensated by their employers.

The post What happens to labour rights in a sector built on care? appeared first on The Philanthropist Journal.

Cultural centre in Nunatsiavut is helping Inuit reconnect with culture and language

Frey Blake-Pijogge — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 17:25:27 +0000

Inotsiavik is offering youth-led cultural programming, Inuttitut lessons, and more in northern Labrador. Founders say that winning the million-dollar Arctic Inspiration Prize in 2024 allowed them “to have the freedom to just do what the community wants to see.”

The post Cultural centre in Nunatsiavut is helping Inuit reconnect with culture and language appeared first on The Philanthropist Journal.

Inuit face food insecurity, cultural loss 13 years into Labrador caribou hunting ban

Frey Blake-Pijogge — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 19:24:39 +0000

This is the first piece from Frey Blake-Pijogge, a writing fellow working with The Philanthropist Journal and The Independent in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The post Inuit face food insecurity, cultural loss 13 years into Labrador caribou hunting ban appeared first on The Philanthropist Journal.

Why supporting Black founders strengthens Canada’s economy

Stella Igweamaka, Stacy Bellanger Bien-Aimé — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 17:45:19 +0000

When capital finds Black founders, it grows enterprises, creates jobs, and diversifies the innovation ecosystem. Initiatives led by non-profits and philanthropy are demonstrating what more responsive capital can look like.

The post Why supporting Black founders strengthens Canada’s economy appeared first on The Philanthropist Journal.

On the front lines of eviction prevention

Toula Drimonis — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 20:02:14 +0000

‘A little goes a long way’ in keeping people housed, advocates say, and the social costs of not addressing the housing crisis are immeasurable.

The post On the front lines of eviction prevention appeared first on The Philanthropist Journal.

10 years after the TRC, Indigenous philanthropy is gaining momentum

Will Pearson — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 18:13:29 +0000

In 2015, the Canadian philanthropic community made a “pledge to do better” on reconciliation. At an event marking the 10th anniversary of the Declaration of Action, Indigenous-led charitable foundations took centre stage.

The post 10 years after the TRC, Indigenous philanthropy is gaining momentum appeared first on The Philanthropist Journal.

How to support non-profits in AI adoption

Julie Sobowale — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 19:22:16 +0000

Non-profit leaders are struggling to figure out how AI fits into their organizations while navigating ethical, privacy, and governance concerns. Contributor Julie Sobowale looks at some of the challenges and opportunities.

The post How to support non-profits in AI adoption appeared first on The Philanthropist Journal.

What does a ‘trilemma’ mean for the sector in 2026? We turned the tables and asked journalists to weigh in

Sharon Riley, Julien Posture — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 21:06:33 +0000

We asked journalists who cover the sector to share what they’ve been hearing and thinking about the challenges facing the charitable and philanthropic sector in 2026.

The post What does a ‘trilemma’ mean for the sector in 2026? We turned the tables and asked journalists to weigh in appeared first on The Philanthropist Journal.

Creative outlets: Why some non-profit leaders are picking up the mic

Gordon Bowness — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 18:35:45 +0000

Creative pursuits outside of work like stand-up comedy or playing in a band might just be what your colleagues in the philanthropic sector need right now – to counter burnout, strengthen skills, or express their whole selves.

The post Creative outlets: Why some non-profit leaders are picking up the mic appeared first on The Philanthropist Journal.

To grieve, to learn, to unite: A eulogy for an ever-shifting sector

Angela Long, Eruoma Awashish — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 18:28:42 +0000

The loss, or realignment, of a funder affects the entire charitable sector, and how it chooses to say its goodbyes has far-reaching implications, both practical and emotional, contributor Angela Long writes.

The post To grieve, to learn, to unite: A eulogy for an ever-shifting sector appeared first on The Philanthropist Journal.

La philanthropie : un catalyseur ponctuel pour les médias locaux, non une solution de survie à long terme

Tim Harper — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 19:25:27 +0000

Lors d’un symposium de trois jours à Charlottetown, le message principal qui ressortait était l’urgence et l’ampleur des défis auxquels est confronté le journalisme indépendant, et le fil conducteur incontestable était la résilience et la détermination de ceux qui se battent pour maintenir leurs publications à flot.

The post La philanthropie : un catalyseur ponctuel pour les médias locaux, non une solution de survie à long terme appeared first on The Philanthropist Journal.

Philanthropy can be a catalyst for local media but not the long-term answer to ongoing challenges

Tim Harper — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 19:23:49 +0000

At a three-day symposium in Charlottetown, the overarching takeaway was the urgency and scale of the challenges for independent journalism, and the indisputable through line was the resilience and determination of those fighting to keep their publications afloat.

The post Philanthropy can be a catalyst for local media but not the long-term answer to ongoing challenges appeared first on The Philanthropist Journal.

Stopping the funding rollercoaster for feminist and 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations

Christina Palassio, Maïa Faddoul — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 18:57:50 +0000

A projected 80% decrease in Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) funding ahead of the federal budget highlighted a level of precariousness that feminist and 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations and activists have been calling attention to for decades.

The post Stopping the funding rollercoaster for feminist and 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations appeared first on The Philanthropist Journal.

Avoiding founder’s syndrome through good governance

Susanna Kislenko, Cathy Barr — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 17:17:45 +0000

A strong, engaged board is one of the most effective mechanisms for ensuring that founder control doesn’t supersede an organization’s needs and objectives, Susanna Kislenko and Cathy Barr write. They share some key strategies and a new guide for founder-led organizations.

The post Avoiding founder’s syndrome through good governance appeared first on The Philanthropist Journal.

Aging and re-engaging: Volunteer participation post-pandemic

Yvonne Rodney — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 19:05:04 +0000

Contributor Yvonne Rodney looks at how organizations are responding to the aging factor in volunteerism and what they’re doing to encourage volunteers to engage and re-engage.

The post Aging and re-engaging: Volunteer participation post-pandemic appeared first on The Philanthropist Journal.