Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Good Foundation Inc. (GFI)

Good Foundation Inc. is a private Canadian charitable foundation established in 1974 by Milton and Verna Good. It distributes funds exclusively to organizations recognized as qualified donees under Canada Revenue Agency regulations. While national and international projects are occasionally supported, the foundation’s primary focus is on communities with which family members have direct ties, especially London, Waterloo Region and, increasingly, Ottawa in Ontario. Historically it has also supported initiatives in British Columbia and other provinces when there is a strong connection.

Since its creation, Good Foundation Inc. has awarded hundreds of grants totalling more than $10 million, as documented in its public master grant list and the yearly “Grants Made” reports. These grants range from smaller project-based contributions to large multi‑year commitments that can reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The foundation’s original mandate was broad, covering arts and culture, health, social services, research and publication, and education. Over time, and in response to demand and limited resources, Good Foundation Inc. has concentrated its efforts primarily on arts, culture and heritage, while still making selective grants in education and social services. It does not generally fund disease‑ or condition‑specific medical charities, large hospital appeals, or routine operating appeals, as these categories generate more requests than the foundation can reasonably address.

Within its preferred sectors, the foundation often supports performing arts organizations, festivals, galleries, museums, music and theatre initiatives, literary and publishing projects, heritage conservation, and educational institutions. It has also used flow‑through or directed grants to channel larger sums to particular institutions or funds when donors or family members designate support.

Decisions on grants are made annually by the foundation’s directors, typically in January, February and early March for the fiscal year that begins on April 1. Directors review proposals, assign preliminary “yes, no, maybe” assessments, and reach consensus until the available funds for that fiscal year are fully allocated. Grants are then paid out during the fiscal year, and all awards are listed on the foundation’s website for transparency.

Good Foundation Inc. can fund only organizations able to issue charitable or other acceptable receipts under CRA rules. Individuals must apply through such organizations. The foundation maintains strict receipt and timing requirements to ensure compliance with tax regulations, and organizations that fail to provide proper receipts may not be considered for future grants.

The foundation’s support is highly regional. Projects in London and Waterloo Region have an inside track because that is where many family members reside, and new family ties are gradually extending attention to Ottawa. Provincial, national and international grants are possible but usually occur when there is a clear connection to the family or when a larger organization with local presence undertakes a broader initiative.

Good Foundation Inc. favours one‑time projects or clearly defined initiatives over ongoing unrestricted operating funding, though it may occasionally approve multi‑year commitments or special grants. The foundation notes that it has made grants from as little as a few hundred dollars up to multi‑year commitments of $1.5 million, but the smallest and largest amounts are exceptional; most grants fall in a more moderate project‑scale range.

The foundation publishes detailed lists of all grants awarded each year, including recipient names and amounts, and maintains a comprehensive master database of grants since inception. This openness allows applicants and the public to understand its evolving priorities and the types of projects it supports. Governance is provided by a board of directors drawn from members of the Good family, supported by a foundation administrator who manages communications and application intake.