Grant and Funding Programs Offered by The Taylor Family Foundation (TFFF)

Role of The Taylor Family Foundation in the funding ecosystem

The Taylor Family Foundation is a public foundation created in 2011 and based in Calgary, Alberta. It extends the personal philanthropy of its founder, Don Taylor, by providing substantial financial support to charitable organizations whose work aligns with four pillars: Education, Arts & Culture, History, and Health. The foundation is governed by an independent Board of Directors, with members of the Taylor family represented on the board.

The foundation focuses primarily on significant, often capital, projects that can create long-term benefits for communities. According to its mandate, it has contributed more than $200 million across its pillars, with notable investments in facilities, endowed chairs, and major institutional initiatives.

Funding focus and main pillars

• Education – Supports the development, implementation and evaluation of educational initiatives that strengthen the social fabric and help develop future leaders. Examples include major gifts to universities and institutes, libraries, centres of excellence and national educational initiatives.
• Arts & Culture – Funds projects that broaden and enhance established and emerging arts, artists and cultural organizations. The foundation prioritizes initiatives that promote belonging, community engagement and social connection, such as performing arts venues and music organizations.
• History – Supports initiatives that enhance understanding and appreciation of Canadian and Albertan history and culture. Projects often highlight events, people and experiences that have shaped identity and heritage, including museums, historical centres and commemorative programs.
• Health – Provides support for health and social development initiatives that help citizens live healthier, more productive lives. This includes hospital infrastructure, specialized care units, health research chairs and community health organizations.

Application process and eligibility

The Taylor Family Foundation accepts funding applications directly from organizations. Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt entities as defined by the Canada Revenue Agency. Proposals must clearly outline the project, anticipated benefits, total funds required and contact information, and can be submitted via an online form or by mail.

The foundation generally concentrates on contributions of $5,000,000 or more, distributed over several years in order to sustain impact while supporting multiple organizations each year. There are no fixed application deadlines; instead, the Board of Directors meets two to three times annually to review submissions. The foundation does not solicit or accept donations from the public.

Discretionary initiatives and history of giving

In addition to its four main pillars, the foundation maintains a stream of Director Supported Initiatives, where individual directors can nominate projects that reflect the foundation’s values. These discretionary grants have directed nearly $1 million to various health, education, arts and history organizations.

Across all pillars, the foundation publicly highlights both current initiatives and a history of giving, showcasing support for universities, hospitals, cultural institutions, community organizations and national foundations. This transparency illustrates the breadth of its philanthropic impact in Alberta and across Canada.