Role of Mindset Foundation in the Funding Ecosystem
Mindset Social Innovation Foundation operates as a private Canadian foundation dedicated to driving systemic change in social innovation. Based in Vancouver, BC, the organization serves as both a direct funder and a collaborative partner in multi-stakeholder initiatives. Its approach combines grant-making with strategic partnerships, leveraging additional capital and expertise from government agencies, other foundations, and private sector partners.
Funding Focus Areas
Global Anti-Corruption: Through participation in the World Refugee and Migration Council's Canadian Task Force Against Global Corruption, the foundation contributes to efforts addressing corruption that drives forced migration and human rights violations. This includes work on repurposing frozen and seized assets under Canada's Special Economic Measures Act.
Social Finance: The foundation is a pioneer in pay-for-success and social impact investing in Canada. Its signature partnership is the Amplify Fund (formerly Catalyst Fund), Canada's first health-related social impact bond, co-founded with Virgin Unite, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Public Health Agency of Canada, and MaRS. This initiative supports preventive health programs targeting hypertension.
Regenerative Humanitarian Models: Mindset Foundation supports sustainable, long-term approaches to humanitarian challenges, particularly through The Wayúu Taya Foundation. Their model focuses on agroecology, renewable energy, water management, education, Indigenous cultural preservation, and local economic development.
Organizational Profile
Founded in 2006 by Alison Lawton, the foundation is driven by values of equality, justice, access to knowledge, and the transformative power of collaboration. The team focuses on uncharted territories in human rights and systems change, commissioning research and bringing attention to complex issues.