Role in the Funding Ecosystem
The Mathisen Family Private Foundation serves as a vital philanthropic arm for the Salish Sea Region, continuing a family tradition of community support spanning over six decades. Operating under the Arpeg Group umbrella, the foundation focuses on making meaningful contributions to local organizations that align with its core values.
General Evaluation Criteria for Applications
The foundation supports six key pillars: Health Care and Research, Education, Climate Action, Arts and Culture, Social Justice, and Sport. Organizations seeking funding must demonstrate alignment with these pillars and show evidence of values-based operations. The foundation involves family members across generations in the decision-making process to ensure diverse perspectives are considered.
Transparency, Governance, and Accountability
As a private family foundation, MFPF maintains a committee structure for evaluating donation requests. The foundation publishes its funding pillars openly and provides clear timelines for intake periods. Detailed examples of past recipients, including a $100,000 contribution to UGM Women and Families Centre, demonstrate their commitment to significant community investments.
History and Evolution
Established over 60 years ago through Arpeg Group's community initiatives, the foundation has grown to distribute $50,000-$100,000 annually. The foundation continues its tradition of supporting the communities where Arpeg operates, primarily in British Columbia and Washington State.
Supported Audiences and Overall Impact
The foundation supports a diverse range of non-profit organizations including health institutions, educational programs, environmental groups, arts organizations, social services, and sports programs. Their recipient list includes notable organizations such as Canuck Place, Autism BC, Surrey Hospitals Foundation, Vancouver Island Symphony, and many others.