Role of the Taylor Taliesin Foundation in the funding ecosystem
The Taylor Taliesin Foundation is a family foundation created in 2011 as a donor advised fund at Canada Gives, a registered Canadian charity. The donor family selects all qualified grant recipients, while Canada Gives manages administration, reporting and the formal issuance of grants. The foundation’s mission is to support and empower women and children through arts and education, primarily by funding charitable organizations and community programs.
The foundation structures its philanthropy around three main streams of giving: Fine Arts & Theatre, Literacy, and Adult Education & Skills Development. Within fine arts and theatre, it supports inclusive, therapeutic and community-based arts initiatives that encourage creativity, life skills and personal empowerment. In literacy, it focuses on early childhood and family literacy, with a strong emphasis on putting books into the hands of children who might not otherwise have access. In adult education and skills development, it funds programming that helps women build employable skills, increase their knowledge and move out of poverty.
Publics served and geographic focus
The Taylor Taliesin Foundation primarily supports local and regional initiatives in Vancouver’s Lower Mainland, Squamish and the Shuswap region, while acknowledging that some partner organizations may operate beyond these areas. Its grants benefit a range of populations, including children and youth in arts and culture programs, low-income families receiving literacy support, and women and adults facing barriers to employment or mental health challenges.
Examples highlighted on the foundation’s site include support for the Vancouver Bach Choir’s youth retreat, transportation and program costs for The Polygon Gallery’s “Gallery School” arts education program, book distribution for low-income families through Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives, and skills training for women participating in Common Thread – a 3H Craftworks Society program for people living with severe mental health issues.
General evaluation criteria and types of support
The Apply For Funding page outlines a structured grantmaking process. Eligible initiatives align with themes such as adult and continuing education, children and youth arts and culture, literacy, women’s health and empowerment, and related social and educational services. The foundation considers a wide range of support types, from program and project funding to seed and pilot initiatives, multi-year commitments, scholarships and awards, operating support, capital and equipment needs, and funding for conferences or awareness activities.
Applications are assessed using criteria that include commitment to underserved populations, evidence of community need, inclusive practices, measurable objectives, strong governance and leadership, sound financial management, and meaningful community or volunteer involvement. Grants typically range from $500 to $10,000, and there is a clear annual deadline of October 1, with applications submitted via a standardized form and emailed to Canada Gives for processing.
Transparency, partnerships and accountability
The foundation states its goal of growing as an active grant-making foundation and expanding its reach within its three streams of giving. Its strategic objectives focus on strengthening brand awareness, enhancing the experience of grant recipients and maximizing giving efficiency. Accountability measures emphasize building personal relationships with partner charities through site visits and ongoing communication, developing feedback and outcome metrics, and regularly exploring new partnerships while maintaining key long-term relationships.
By combining the donor family’s philanthropic vision with Canada Gives’ administrative infrastructure, the Taylor Taliesin Foundation operates as a focused, regional grantmaker that supports arts, literacy and education initiatives designed to empower women and children and create lasting community impact.
