The Philanthropist’s Dilemma

Charitable foundations in this country come in all shapes and sizes: private, public, “donor advised”; small, large, and jumbo. From none in 1917 to more than 10,000 today, they hold assets of $70 billion. In 2015, foundations gave $5.6 billion to other registered charities: hospitals, universities, research facilities, community associations, groups working internationally, and arts organizations (including the magazine you’re reading). They are a vital part of our social and cultural fabric, and their number, along with their largesse, is growing.

“To date, the story of foundations in Canada, with very few exceptions,” the editors of this new essay collection write, “has been told by the foundations themselves.” To a large extent, Philanthropic Foundations in Canada is cut from the same cloth. Its first five chapters discuss the hist­ory of foundations, how they are managed and regulated, and what the current landscape looks like. The final five, grouped...