Series - Editorial Fellowship: Transforming Funding Models

A short history of philanthropic perpetuity: tax havens, Catholic corruption and corporate control

Author Gabe Oatley
How the hell did we get here โ€” to this place where Canadian institutional philanthropy largely assumes perpetuity?

Why It Matters

The Canadian philanthropic sector is embroiled in a debate about the disbursement quota โ€” the rate at which foundations have to give to charity. Some argue itโ€™s fine where it is โ€” at 3.5 percent. Others argue that this rate is โ€œstarvingโ€ non-profits across the country. To understand the context for this debate, you need to understand the history.

var TRINITY_TTS_WP_CONFIG = {"cleanText":"A short history of philanthropic perpetuity: tax havens, Catholic corruption and corporate control. This story is part of the Future of Good editorial fellowship\u00a0covering the social impact world\u2019s rapidly changing funding models, supported by Community Foundations of Canada and United Way Centraide Canada.\u00a0 \u00a0 Canada\u2019s philanthropic sector is normally pretty calm. Charities apply for support. Foundations give out grants. Both groups attend conferences together and a few feathers are ruffled, but no big flaps.\u00a0 This last year however, things have been different. Call it the pandemic effect. Call it a tipping point around racial justice. Call it a long overdue reckoning over the genocide of Indigenous peoples. But whatever it

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