Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Alliance Charitable Foundation (ACF)

Alliance Charitable Foundation (ACF) is a Canadian public charitable foundation created to provide sustained financial support for the ministries of The Alliance Canada (Christian and Missionary Alliance) and other qualified donees. Rather than operating as a traditional grant program with open calls for proposals, the ACF functions as a structured charitable gift fund. It pools donations from supporters, invests them in a market-based fund, and channels the resulting resources as ongoing contributions to The Alliance Canada’s Global Advance Fund and related mission work.

The foundation’s key tool is the charitable gift annuity, often combined with life insurance. Donors contribute capital, a portion of which is used to purchase an annuity from a licensed insurance company. This annuity provides the donor (and in some cases a spouse or other beneficiary) with fixed, guaranteed payments for life or for a set term. The remaining portion of the contribution stays with the ACF to grow within its pooled fund, ultimately being directed to The Alliance Canada and other qualified charities designated by the donor.

ACF’s funding model is designed primarily for individuals—especially older supporters—who want to make significant charitable gifts while maintaining reliable income. By using reinsured annuities and paired life insurance policies that name the ACF as beneficiary, the foundation can offer donors a predictable stipend often higher than typical GIC returns, along with favourable tax treatment. At the same time, it preserves or enhances the value of the original donation that will eventually flow to the foundation’s charitable beneficiaries.

The foundation distributes funds from its pooled investment portfolio on a recurring basis. As explained in the site’s FAQ, its purpose is to create sustained funding for The Alliance Canada by distributing funds quarterly from the pooled fund. In addition, where donors indicate other qualified donees, part of the retained capital can support those organizations as well, broadening the impact within the Canadian charitable sector.

As a public foundation, the ACF must comply with Canada Revenue Agency rules governing charitable status, including how it structures annuities and manages obligations. It therefore reinsures annuities through licensed insurance companies rather than self-insuring, which keeps its balance sheet focused on charitable assets instead of long-term debt obligations. Board members, including the Board Chair highlighted on the site, provide oversight, and donors are encouraged to review personalized financial illustrations with their own tax and financial advisors before committing.

Through educational content, FAQs and example scenarios, the ACF explains annuity rates, tax implications, and estate-planning benefits. This approach supports donors in aligning their philanthropy with their financial goals, while ensuring that a significant stream of funding flows back to The Alliance Canada’s missions and, where designated, to other registered charities across Canada.