Grant and FundingOpen
Civic Engagement for Social Change
Supports community projects using education to promote justice and equity.
Eligible Funding
- From $10,000 to $50,000
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Types of eligible projects
Quebec, Canada
Grant and Funding Programs Offered by The Catherine Donnelly Foundation (CDF)
A Canadian national foundation established in 2003 that transforms the lives of underserved communities by funding innovative solutions in housing, civic engagement for social change, and the environment. Based in Toronto, the foundation provides grants to organizations across Canada through bi-annual funding rounds. View The Catherine Donnelly Foundation (CDF)'s website for more information.
Featured grants at a glance
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About The Catherine Donnelly Foundation (CDF)
What is the mission of The Catherine Donnelly Foundation (CDF)?
The Catherine Donnelly Foundation strives to transform the lives of underserved communities by supporting initiatives in housing, the environment, and civic engagement for social change. We achieve this by funding, ethical investing, and collaborating with organizations across Canada to create a world where everyone has a voice and the opportunity to realize their full potential.
What type of organization is The Catherine Donnelly Foundation (CDF)?
The Catherine Donnelly Foundation (CDF) is a Foundation.
When was The Catherine Donnelly Foundation (CDF) founded?
The Catherine Donnelly Foundation (CDF) was founded in 2003.
What is The Catherine Donnelly Foundation (CDF)'s official website?
The Catherine Donnelly Foundation (CDF)'s official website is https://catherinedonnellyfoundation.org/.
What else should I know about The Catherine Donnelly Foundation (CDF)?
Role in the Funding Ecosystem
The Catherine Donnelly Foundation is a Canadian national foundation established in 2003 as the legacy of the Sisters of Service, a Catholic religious order. The foundation distributes grants to nonprofit organizations working in three core funding areas: Housing, Civic Engagement for Social Change (formerly Adult Education), and Environment. As of 2025, the foundation has surpassed $33 million in grants to over 400 projects and partners since its founding.
Funding Programs
The foundation operates three primary funding streams:
- Housing: Supports projects addressing homelessness and affordable housing through research, policy development, capacity building and advocacy
- Civic Engagement for Social Change: Funds initiatives using adult education processes to promote active citizenship and democracy
- Environment: Supports climate justice initiatives and diverse inclusive environmental movements
Grantmaking Process
The foundation accepts Letters of Inquiry twice yearly, with deadlines in February for Housing and June for Civic Engagement and Environment. Review committees evaluate applications and invite selected applicants to submit full proposals. Grants typically range from $10,000 to $50,000 for one-year projects, with some multi-year funding available.
Impact and Reach
By Fall 2024, the foundation had provided more than 235 housing grants (totaling $9.7M), 240 civic engagement grants (totaling $9.2M), and 210 environment grants (totaling $10M). The foundation has a national focus, with funding distributed across all Canadian regions including the North.