Role of the Adler & Lipkus Foundation in the funding ecosystem
The Adler & Lipkus Foundation is a Canadian family foundation created in 2014 by Sandy Lipkus and Ted Adler. It positions itself as a small but highly targeted grantmaker, directing its resources to clearly defined projects within established nonprofit organizations rather than to general operating “pots.” The foundation focuses on Canadian charities and develops ongoing partnerships to ensure its financial support translates into concrete benefits for beneficiaries.
Funding themes and types of initiatives supported
The foundation concentrates its giving in several broad themes: children, people with disabilities, community services, animals and nature, seniors, and cancer and palliative care. Within these areas, it finances tangible items and specific programs, such as adaptive equipment, program development, and multi‑year projects.
- Children: Purchases of literacy kits, iPads, and Mini‑Lite Boxes for visually impaired children, and financing of a multi‑year Print Braille Project to produce Braille children’s books for school and community libraries across Canada.
- People with disabilities: Funding for devices like Tobii Dynavox communication tablets, a technology “Smart Room,” early intervention clinic equipment, and adapted therapy bicycles through partnerships with rehabilitation centres and disability foundations.
- Community initiatives: Support for emergency discretionary funds, resilience and counselling programs, and scholarships for women experiencing domestic violence, as well as contributions to homeless services, food security and other community organizations.
- Animals and nature: Ongoing support to conservation initiatives such as pollinator habitat restoration and freshwater turtle protection through the Canadian Wildlife Federation.
- Elderly: Creation of a compassionate fund to cover essential needs for vulnerable seniors, from medical and mobility aids to home safety improvements and technology that enables virtual program participation.
- Cancer and palliative care: Contributions to compassionate funds, wellness centre equipment, and the publication of book series that help families talk with children about cancer, end of life, and bereavement.
Approach to partnerships and impact
The foundation describes a hands‑on approach: it researches potential partners, meets with each organization, and jointly designs a plan of action outlining how funds will be used. It seeks initiatives that deliver measurable, concrete benefits to clients across the life cycle—from children at risk to seniors and people facing serious illness or disability. During the COVID‑19 pandemic, the Adler & Lipkus Foundation supplemented its regular annual support with additional funding to help partners adapt services, deliver meals, purchase safety equipment, and respond to heightened needs in food security and homelessness.
Publics served and geographic focus
While its partners are located primarily in Montréal and across Canada, the foundation’s impact reaches a wide range of populations, including children living in poverty, people with visual or physical impairments, domestic violence survivors, homeless youth, isolated seniors, and patients and families affected by cancer. By funding targeted projects and equipment rather than broad unrestricted contributions, the Adler & Lipkus Foundation aims to ensure that each donation produces visible and lasting improvements in quality of life.