Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Nellie Philanthropy Foundation (NPF)

Nellie Philanthropy Foundation (NPF), founded in 2001 originally as the “Points to a Dream” Foundation, is a Canadian charitable public foundation headquartered in Montreal. It positions itself as an incubator and aggregator of grassroots charitable programs, sometimes described as the “Berkshire Hathaway” of philanthropic initiatives. The foundation’s mandate is to make a difference in Montreal, across Quebec and Canada, and internationally by channeling financial and in‑kind resources to people and organizations in need.

NPF focuses on vulnerable populations such as underprivileged children, people experiencing homelessness, seniors, and pregnant or lactating women, while also running initiatives that reach the broader public. It operates both its own charitable programs and structured mechanisms that transfer donated assets to other qualified donees under the Income Tax Act.

A core theme of the foundation is food security and access to essential goods. Programs like Mitzvah Morsels, the Strategic Purchasing Initiative (SPIn), and various food drives connect surplus food and optimized purchasing arrangements with community organizations and people facing food insecurity. The Bare Necessities program ensures that children attending summer camp receive basic hygiene items through credits, preserving dignity and choice.

Through Community Shares, NPF serves as a clearinghouse that accepts donations of publicly traded shares, handles brokerage logistics, and distributes proceeds to registered charities of the donor’s choosing. Other initiatives such as Points To A Dream and Aeroplan points campaigns allow donors to convert loyalty points into tangible support for domestic and international projects, including the social enterprise MotherFood International.

The foundation also supports education and financial literacy through the “Now I get it! – Demystifinance Seminar Series”, and provides technology access to low‑income families via the Dara‑Faith Retrofit Project, which refurbishes digital devices for redistribution.

Beyond its own projects, NPF has a strong track record of funding or otherwise supporting a wide spectrum of non‑profits and registered charities. The “Supported by Nellie” section lists dozens of beneficiaries, including food banks, hospitals and hospital foundations, community centers, religious congregations, arts organizations, health charities, and educational institutions across Montreal, Ottawa and other regions. The foundation also hosts memorial funds and can hold and later distribute contributions to multiple charities as directed by families.

This hybrid role—operating programs, incubating new ideas, and redistributing funds—means NPF functions both as a direct service charity and as a grantmaking foundation. In several pandemic‑era initiatives, it funded food programs, equipment purchases and emergency responses in partnership with local organizations and municipalities.

NPF promotes the concept of “Flash Philanthropy” or “Citizen Philanthropy”, encouraging individuals, families and small groups with a charitable idea to approach the foundation, which can provide the structure, expertise and financial mechanisms to bring projects to life. The foundation recruits volunteers and donors into defined roles (Angel Donors, Quarterbacks, Shoppers, Tradespeople, etc.) to match skills and resources with community needs.

The organization strives for “cost‑neutrality”, aiming for every donated dollar to flow into charitable programs. It reports that it pays no salaries, has no rent, and leverages accumulated promotional points and donated gift cards for operational necessities such as office supplies and fuel. Its Canada Revenue Agency charitable number is clearly displayed, and its program and achievements pages document outcomes across years, from blood drives and equipment collections to large‑scale food drives and pandemic relief.

Through its bilingual web presence (English and French), partnerships with corporations such as Aeroplan, IGA and Pharmaprix, and a portfolio of evolving programs, Nellie Philanthropy Foundation plays a flexible role in the Canadian philanthropic ecosystem, enabling donors to support a wide array of community initiatives with minimal administrative friction.