Grant and Funding Programs Offered by The Charis Foundation
Overview of Available Grants and Funding
The Charis Foundation is a Canadian Christian foundation that provides grants to registered Canadian charities engaged in international development and humanitarian work. Founded in 1995, the foundation has granted over $30 million to organizations in 82 countries, focusing on projects that bring hope and healing in the name of Jesus. It offers both project-based and longer-term unrestricted funding through a two-stage application process. View The Charis Foundation's website for more information.
Content last updated: March 14, 2026
About The Charis Foundation
What is the mission of The Charis Foundation?
To identify, resource and build relationships with Canadian charities that bring hope and healing to the world in the name of Jesus.
What type of organization is The Charis Foundation?
The Charis Foundation is a Foundation.
When was The Charis Foundation founded?
The Charis Foundation was founded in 1995.
What is The Charis Foundation's official website?
The Charis Foundation's official website is https://charisfoundation.ca/.
What else should I know about The Charis Foundation?
Role in the Funding Ecosystem
The Charis Foundation serves as a philanthropic intermediary, connecting donor resources with Canadian charitable organizations engaged in global mission and development work. As a faith-based granting foundation, it prioritizes relational philanthropy and has shifted toward trust-based philanthropy models, offering both project-specific and unrestricted multi-year funding.
Granting Approach
The foundation provides grants ranging from small project funding to larger operational support. It has funded diverse initiatives including education programs, healthcare, church planting, agricultural development, and disaster relief across multiple continents. The foundation emphasizes long-term partnerships rather than transactional funding relationships.
Application Process
Organizations seeking funding submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) annually. Selected applicants are invited to submit full grant proposals. The foundation considers factors including organizational capacity, alignment with mission, sustainability plans, and local leadership development.
Recent Granting Activity
In 2021, the foundation granted over $4 million to approximately 84 organizations, representing a significant increase from $850,000 in 2010. The foundation manages assets of approximately $53 million and typically grants about 7% of assets annually.