Reflections on the PFC 25 Ensemble Conference
The following article was written by Alyssa Obrand, the Managing Director at FES. Read about her key learnings from the Philanthropic Foundations of Canada’s National Conference.
Last week, I had the privilege of attending the Philanthropic Foundations Canada “25 Ensemble” conference in Ottawa. The gathering brought together leaders, partners, and friends from across the Canadian philanthropic landscape to explore the urgent challenges of our times, and to discuss pathways forward.
The three-day event included a lot of time spent connecting, discussing, and learning. From panel sessions to networking receptions, and lunchtime learnings to room-filled plenaries, I spent my time engaging with peers and leaders in the sector, learning from each and every one of them and forming connections I hope to continue beyond the event itself.. The experience was thought-provoking, exhilarating, exhausting, and inspiring all at once, and as I reflect on the experience, I’d like to share some key insights that I’ve taken away from my discussions, whether in panel sessions, group workshops, or one-on-one lunchtime conversations.
Dismantling Exclusionary Language:
One shared realization was just how challenging it can be to work within the regulatory frameworks set by the CRA. As an individual working in the youth space, I spent a lot of my time this year working to interpret the CRA’s changing regulations to charities, trying to make sense of the legal jargon to be able to bring my findings to my team, and the youth sector. I chalked my struggles in this task solely up to my lack of experience of working through these in-depth guidelines, however, my conversations with peers at PFC revealed that many of us, with varying levels of experience and qualifications, faced the same difficulties. These conversations, over the shared laughter of misfortune, brought a sense of community, however they also revealed a more displeasing truth.
As the governing body for all Canadian charities, the CRA's regulations shape the future of the sector. However, the language they use is often cryptic, highly technical, and filled with circumlocutory vocabulary. It feels as though much of the meaning is buried "between the lines," which can make this an exclusionary space to navigate. We spent considerable time discussing how this creates barriers, especially for smaller charities that may not have the resources to decode these complex regulations. While we are grateful for organizations like McConnell, who created their NQD toolkit to help clarify some of the murky guidelines, it’s clear that more needs to be done. Simplifying this language and providing truly accessible resources is crucial to making the charitable space more inclusive and less intimidating for everyone. It's not just about compliance—it's about creating a system where more organizations can thrive without getting bogged down by bureaucracy.
The Role of Intermediaries:
Rising on the back of this issue, the importance of intermediaries shines. The CRA’s 2024 guidance on grant-making to Non-Qualified Donees (NQDs) was initially seen as a revolutionary change that could reshape charitable giving. At first glance, it seemed to offer the possibility of directly supporting organizations doing crucial work without requiring them to meet the rigid definition of a "qualified donee." However, in conversations throughout the week, it became clear that the situation is far more complicated. The guidance remains difficult to interpret, even with resources like McConnell’s toolkit, and many charities find it unrealistic to pivot toward direct NQD funding. Confusing guidance, rigid charitable objects, perceived risks, and internal capacity issues have all been issues which have prevented meaningful progress.
Nearly a year after these new rules, the impact has been minimal: one-third of organizations were already giving to NQDs before the change, about 15% are using intermediaries to manage these relationships, and many admit they will never be able to work directly with NQDs. This has underscored the critical role of intermediaries, such as FES, in bridging the gap. Intermediaries can help to bridge the gaps which policy cannot address, and help to shift the sector toward more inclusive and impactful funding practices.
Collaboration is Key:
Another recurring theme throughout the conference was the undeniable need for collaboration. The energy of the participants across the three-day conference was very much that of a shared readiness and willingness to work together—whether across sectors, within sectors, or even with government bodies. It was refreshing to hear so many participants speak about the importance of uniting forces to create lasting change, which one panelist referred to as forming “unlikely alliances.”
A distinct outcome of the conference was the shared desire and acknowledgement that we must break down silos and recognize that, especially in areas like climate solutions, the intersection of diverse skills and perspectives is essential. No single organization can tackle these challenges alone, but by coming together, we can build solidarity and join forces to pool resources and create solutions that are far greater than what we can do alone. The momentum for collaboration is real and it is here, but we must act upon those feelings before it can fade, if we do in fact want to create a stronger, more unified sector.
Climate and Youth Engagement:
On the subject of intersectionality, much of the discussion naturally leads us to climate action and environmental issues. One of the biggest questions that emerged during the conference for myself was: Where’s the funding for climate action?
In truly opportune timing, just before the conference began, the Clean Economy Fund released a study showing that only $106M of Canadian charitable donations in 2021 went toward climate-related efforts. Of that, a tiny fraction —estimated at under $9M—was directed toward youth-led climate initiatives, based on global statistics from the Youth Climate Justice Fund (YCJF).
These numbers are startling, especially when compared to the nearly $10B in overall charitable giving in Canada that same year. During the climate panel at PFC, I had the opportunity to highlight this, emphasizing the urgent need for more robust, sustained and empathetic investment in youth leadership and climate action. This looks like long-term, unrestricted and sustainable funding that allows youth to explore their creativity and to actually have the opportunities to create and deploy the solutions they dream of. If we don’t support young leaders now, we risk losing a generation of climate champions who can lead us into a more sustainable future.
Abundant and Unrestricted Giving:
Perhaps my most significant takeaway from the conference was this: if you can, give abundantly and without restrictions! Now more than ever, philanthropy must invest in the sustainability of social movements and the individuals driving them.
We’ve seen moments of momentum rise in response to social, political, and climate crises. But without real long-term, flexible funding, these efforts struggle to maintain their energy, their creativity, and their spark. Philanthropy must go beyond short-term fixes and embrace new, more flexible and empathetic funding models that allow for innovation and experimentation at the grassroots level. By doing so, we can create space for new leaders—especially young people—who will shape the future of our collective efforts.
Compassion Over Polarization:
Finally, to keep it short and sweet: we have more in common than we do different. As we navigate the political uncertainties ahead, one thing became abundantly clear during the conference: narratives of care and compassion will always overcome polarization. Regardless of our political views or the divisions that may arise, values like empathy, kindness, and a focus on collective well-being can and will unite us.
As we face challenges that test our values, it’s critical to remember that compassion can bridge divides. By centering a narrative and ethic of care, we can create a philanthropic ecosystem that fosters understanding, collaboration, and empathy, no matter where people stand on the political spectrum.
The PFC 25 Ensemble conference was a transformative experience, and I’m eager to continue these important conversations. More importantly, I look forward to working with my team and the incredible people I connected with in Ottawa to tackle these challenges head-on. There is much work to be done, but together, we can find our way through these obstacles and create a more sustainable, inclusive, and compassionate future.