About the programme
Recognising the Canadians who give quietly and steadily.
The Canadian Philanthropy Awards, powered by Beneva and delivered with Community Foundations of Canada, recognises people whose generosity helps their communities. Each honouree directs a $5,000 donation to a registered Canadian charity of their choice.
What it is
Canada has Awards for many things. Not yet for people who give locally.
Canada has Awards for hockey, music, business, mining, sport, and medicine. We have rarely made the same kind of public place for people whose giving is local, quiet, and steady. The Canadian Philanthropy Awards fills that gap.
Anyone can nominate someone. An independent committee reads every nomination in context. Each honouree chooses a registered Canadian charity to receive a $5,000 donation, made in their name.
The programme is not a competition. There are no rankings. Honourees are recognised for the fact of their giving, not for giving more than someone else.
How it works
From a nomination to a donation, in four steps.
Nominate
Anyone can nominate someone whose generosity helps their community, given freely and without payment. It takes a few minutes, and no supporting documents are needed.
You can nominate one person or a group. You cannot nominate yourself.
Review
An independent committee reads every nomination in context, through three lenses: Time, Talent and Treasure. A nominee does not need to be strong in all three.
Reviewers look at the contribution, not its size or how visible it was.
Choose
Honourees are chosen and notified in winter 2027. The committee is kept at arm’s length from funders and organisers, under formal conflict-of-interest safeguards.
Committee members are not named publicly during the selection period.
Recognise
Each honouree directs a $5,000 donation to a registered Canadian charity of their choice, and is recognised on this website and through Beneva and Community Foundations of Canada.
The donation is made once the charity’s details are received and its eligibility is confirmed.
Who is involved
Three partners make the programme work.
Powered by
Beneva
Beneva brings long-term commitment, organisational credibility, and a national network. Its support makes the programme possible. Beneva is not involved in choosing honourees at any level.
Built with
Influence Marketing
Influence Marketing brings the marketing and storytelling craft that carries these stories to a wider audience.
Delivered with
Community Foundations of Canada
Community Foundations of Canada brings community intelligence and a connection to a network of more than 200 member foundations across the country.
Why it is credible
What makes the recognition mean something.
Independent selection
Honourees are chosen by an independent committee, kept at arm’s length from funders and organisers through formal conflict-of-interest safeguards. Beneva is not involved in the choice at any level.
Considered in context
Reviewers look at the contribution, not its size or how visible it was. Having more money, a public profile, or a professionally written nomination does not make someone more deserving. Strength in one of the three lenses can be enough.
Open to all kinds of giving
Anyone whose generosity helps their community is eligible, as long as it was given without payment. There is no minimum, and no sector requirement.
Not a competition
Honourees are not ranked. There is no first place. Recognition depends on giving, not on giving more than someone else.
Year one
The programme opens for nominations on 15 November 2026.
In its first year, the programme begins with a founding group of community foundations across Canada. Nominations open 15 November 2026 and close 15 February 2027. Successful nominees are notified in winter 2027.
The programme is designed to grow, widening the reach across communities in the years that follow.