Welcome.

The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation is a private philanthropic organization funding programs that support Canadians in building a more innovative, inclusive, sustainable, and resilient society.

We encourage you to explore our site, share in our learning and contribute your voice.

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75th Anniversary

Timeline

Learn more about our founder, history, and where we are headed.

Launch timeline »

Spotlight

Social Finance

“There has never been a better time to reconsider the role of capital markets in creating sustainable value for our society.”

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Announcing the

McConnell Social Innovation Fund

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The Foundation newsletter:

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To keep informed about The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation's news, sign up for our monthly e-newsletter!

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Programs

Foundation Initiatives

Our initiatives share some common characteristics: all are based on engaging people directly in learning and problem-solving, all have qualities of innovation in their approach and all seek not simply to solve problems, but to transform systems.

Read more about our work »

Granting

Active Grants Database

Maintaining clear records of our recent granting history is an important part of the Foundation’s commitment to accessibility and knowledge-sharing. As a public record of our evolving efforts to support Canadians in building a more resilient society, this database is a living document.

Search the grants database »

Strategic area

Inclusion

Social inclusion lies at the heart of what it is to be a citizen. It is not simply to be accepted, but to be recognised for the qualities, skills and values each person represents. It is to belong and to contribute, to be fully a citizen with rights and obligations.

Read more about our strategic commitments »

Strategic area

Sustainability

Often invoked in relation to maintaining the natural systems supporting life, sustainability also refers to social systems: balancing the preservation of knowledge with the emergence of innovation. Briefly, sustainability can be defined as living as though we planned on staying here.

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Strategic area

Social Innovation

You can’t find new answers just by asking the old questions. For the Foundation, social innovation is the process of applying new approaches, perceptions or programs to meet social needs.

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Strategic area

Resilience

Resilience links social and ecological systems; people and nature. Increasing resilience means investing in our collective capacity to face challenges at multiple levels. The Foundation works to support innovative approaches to this challenge.

Read more about our strategic commitments »

  • Subscribe!

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  • Social Finance

    Investing, building the marketplace and supporting community organizations. 

  • SiG Hub

    SiG Knowledge Hub

    For Social Innovation resources and materials, visit the SiG Knowledge Hub.

  • innoweave

    Innoweave

    Learn how Innoweave can help your organization.

Recent News

Foundation Updates

Announcing the

McConnell Social Innovation Fund

The Foundation is excited to announce the launch of the McConnell Social Innovation Fund, a new initiative aimed at creating a more resilient society by supporting breakthrough ideas and approaches, game changing strategies and collaborations, and continuous innovation. Learn more.

The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation 1002 Sherbrooke W., Suite 1800, Montreal, Québec H3A 3L6

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