Canada is a Christian nation. In the 2001 census, 77.1% of its citizens identified themselves as Christian. Most of them are Catholic: 46.5 percent of the population. Canada also has more than 1,000 Christian foundations that partner with ministries and churches to further Christian aims and purposes in Canada.
After finding a foundation that is compatible with your organization and making sure your organization is worthy of funding, your task is to find the foundation that is most likely to donate to your ministry. There are a multitude of variables to consider when evaluating the likelihood of a foundation giving to a Christian ministry. You may want to consider…
o The extent of assets held by a foundation.
o The number of grants you give to Christian organizations compared to the number you give to all organizations
o The value of grants you give to Christian organizations
o The percentage of the total number of grants awarded to Christian organizations
o The percentage of total grant dollars you give to Christian organizations.
o The size of individual grants you make (largest, smallest, and average size grants) to Christian organizations
The following are 12 Canadian foundations that are most likely to give to Christian ministries and churches ranked solely by the size of their assets.
United Way of Toronto
In its most recent reporting year, United Way of Toronto’s assets were $119,393,870. His grants totaled $121,225,431 and 858 of his 4,864 grants went to religious organizations. A good amount went to Christian organizations. The value of these grants was $16,642,469. The largest grant was $1,845,691; the smallest was $250; the average was $19,397. The proportion of scholarships awarded to religious groups was $17.64%; the value was 6.02%.
United Way collaborates with business, labor, and government leaders in Toronto to address critical community issues.
Your organization must become a member agency to receive funding. United Way generally admits two new organizations a year.
The Leder Charitable Fund
In its most recent annual report, The Leder Charitable Fund of Spruce Grove, Alberta had assets totaling $26,535,552 and awarded $819,000 in grants. Fifty-five of its 109 grants went to religion, mostly to Christian organizations. The value was $2,550. The largest grant was $217,000; the smallest was $1,000; the average was $46,273. The share of grants awarded to religious organizations was 50.46%; the value was $73.40%.
The interests of the Fund include the mentally handicapped, seminaries, universities. Their distribution of funds is as follows: seminaries and other religious colleges, 52%; missionary organizations and evangelism, 23%; social extension, religious fellowship, auxiliary organizations, 14%.
Christian stewardship services
In 2007, its most recent reporting year, Markham, Ontario-based Christian Stewardship Services had assets of $20,975,531. It awarded grants worth $755,161. In 2007, 127 of its 288 grants went to Christian organizations. The value was $2,097,079. The largest grant was $156,375; the smallest was $255; the average was $16,512. The share of grants going to Christian organizations was 44.10%; the value was 41.91%.
Only 2% of its grants directly funded Christian causes (mostly seminaries and other religious colleges), while 95% supported the charitable sector.
Munday-Maxwell and Gaylene Association
In its most recent annual report, the Munday-Maxwell & Gaylene Association of Burnaby, British Columbia, had assets of $19,311,905 and awarded grants of $3,413,980. Of its 226 grants, 111 went to religious groups, in its mostly Christian organizations. The value was $3,563,559. The largest grant was $158,000; the smallest was $1,000; the average was $32,104. The share of grants going to religious organizations was 49.12%; the value was 33.75%.
The geographic reach of the Foundation covers all of Canada. Their distribution of funds was as follows: seminaries and other religious colleges, 14%; religious publications and broadcasting, 13%; missionary organizations and evangelism, 12%.
Fleming Foundation (Beamsville, Ontario)
In its most recent annual report, the assets of the Fleming Foundation of Beamsville, Ontario were $9,270,207. Awarded $407,195 in grants. Thirty-six of the 253 grants it awarded went to religious organizations, mostly Christian. The value was $826,009. The largest grant was $212,500; the smallest was $600; the average was $22,945. The share of grants awarded to religious organizations, mostly Christian, was 14.23%; the value was 36.48%.
Fundable organizations include Christian organizations that support international aid abroad and social services in Canada, such as food or clothing banks, soup kitchens, shelters.
TELUS Charitable Trust
In its most recent annual report, TELUS Charitable Trust of Edmonton, Alberta reported assets totaling $5,341,199. His grants also totaled $5,341,199. Of its 2,027 grants, 531 went to religious organizations, mostly Christian. The value was $2,435,999. The largest grant was $104,224; the smallest was $250; the average was $4,588. The share of grants awarded to religious organizations was 26.20%; the value was 20.00%.
The purpose of the Foundation is to collect donations from corporations within the TELUS group and send them to charities. TELUS matches employee contributions on a 1:1 basis for all registered non-religious Canadian charities. The geographic focus of the Foundation is all of Canada.
Christian Economic Assistance Foundation
In its most recent annual report, the Christian Economic Assistance Foundation of Ancaster, Ontario, had assets of $2,520,812. His grants totaled $8,424,145. Twenty-four of his 65 grants went to Christian organizations. The value was $5,403,438. The largest grant was $518,200; the smallest was $15,300; the average was $225,143. The proportion of grants awarded to Christian organizations was $14.55%; the value was 14.89%.
The Foundation finances societies, organizations and associations that promote Christian thought and action. Provides tuition and scholarship assistance and supports schools, Christian schools, and Christian education projects.
Their distribution of funds is as follows: 90% to charity; 10% to schools and education.
The De Boer Foundation
In its most recent annual report, the De Boer Foundation of Concord, Ontario reported assets of $1,062,955 and awarded grants totaling $52,930. Religious organizations, mostly Christian, received 32 of its 125 grants. The value was $94,731. The largest grant was $10,000; the smallest was $500; the average was $2,960. The share of grants going to religious organizations was 25.60%; the value was 28.22%.
The Foundation’s funding interest is Christian organizations, schools, missions and missionaries. Funds construction, operating and program expenses, and special projects. Its geographic focus is all of Canada, with an emphasis on Ontario.
Fleming Foundation (Abbotsville, Ont.)
In its most recent reporting year, the Fleming Foundation of Abbotsville, Ontario had total assets of $805,133 and awarded grants of $314,975. Thirty-one of his 76 grants went to Christian organizations. The value was $1,538,848. the smallest was $350; the average was $48,640. The share of grants awarded to Christian organizations was 40.79%; the value was 73.05%.
The Foundation’s funding interests include Christian organizations and churches. Its geographic focus is all of Canada. Their distribution of Christian funds is as follows: missionary organizations and evangelism, 73%; places of worship, congregations, parishes, dioceses, factories, etc., 14%; religious publishing and broadcasting, 4%.
William Voortman Fund
In its most recent reporting year, the William Voortman Fund of Waterdown, Ontario, reported assets of $322,309 and grants of $1,217,000. It awarded 86 grants, 49 of which went to religious organizations, mostly Christian. The value was $914,750. The largest grant was $150,000; the smallest was $1,000; the average was $18,688. The proportion of scholarships awarded to religious groups was 56.98; the value was 36.63%.
Inner Peace Foundation
In its most recent annual report, the Inner Peace Foundation of Ancaster, Ontario, claimed assets totaling $25,207. Awarded $27,000 in grants. Fifty-three of its 129 grants went to Christian organizations. The value was $427,025. The largest grant was $47,500; the smallest was $1,000; the average was $8,057. The share of grants awarded to Christian organizations was 41.07%; the value was 44.45%.
The geographic focus of the Foundation is the Niagra-Horshoe area and third world countries. It funds education, Christian schools and organizations, Mennonite churches and organizations, missions, missionaries, and religious media. It also provides tuition assistance.
EnCana Cares
In its most recent reporting year, EnCana Cares of Calgary, Alberta had assets of $19,813 and awarded $2,862,756 in grants. Forty of the 1,500 grants went to religion, the vast majority of which went to Christian organizations. The value of the grants was $919,615. The largest grant awarded was $131,742; the smallest was $250; the average was $22,990. The share of grants awarded to religious organizations was 2.66%; the value was 8.49%.
EnCana seeks to promote the well-being and sustainability of the communities in which it operates. Its geographic focus is all of Canada. Funds only faith-based organizations with programs that are non-sectarian and prioritize capacity building. Organizations must be financially viable to be eligible for grants.
This list of foundations will give you a good starting point, as these are the foundations that support Christian ministries in Canada and have the largest assets. However, you will need to consider other issues that are specific to your organization.
