The Veritas Foundation is a non-profit charitable public foundation, federally incorporated in Canada and registered with the Canada Revenue Agency. Operating from Toronto, it positions itself as an authoritative platform for individuals, families, groups and corporations to participate in the Canadian charitable sector, combining donor-advised fund services with sector research and granting programs.
Role of The Veritas Foundation in the funding ecosystem
At the core of the organization is the Veritas Foundation Giving Fund, a donor advised fund (DAF) structure that allows donors to establish named accounts or endowments. Donors make irrevocable contributions of cash or eligible securities, receive official donation receipts, and benefit from tax-efficient giving such as capital gains relief on qualified securities. The foundation invests these assets and, over time, makes grants from each account to the donor’s favourite registered charities and other qualified donees in Canada.
Through online forms, account holders can request charitable donations to specific registered charities or withdrawals to fund approved charitable projects. Grants are typically disbursed on a quarterly basis, and donors can update their recommended beneficiaries and timing as their philanthropic goals evolve. This structure simplifies giving by consolidating multiple donations into a single account while supporting a variety of organizations and causes.
Research, evaluation and awards
Beyond administering donor capital, Veritas conducts intensive research into Canada’s charitable sector to evaluate the performance, governance and impact of charities. It publishes regular research reports, newsletters and financial reports that analyze trends across small and large charities, foundations, donor advised funds and fundraising practices. These resources help donors make better-informed granting decisions and increase transparency and accountability in the sector.
The foundation also operates initiatives such as The Veritas 500 Awards, which highlight fast-growing and notable charities across Canada. Charity reviews and sector reports are made available to donors and the public, positioning the foundation as both a grantmaker and a source of independent charitable intelligence.
Publics served and impact
The Veritas Foundation primarily serves Canadian donors seeking a structured, tax-efficient way to manage their philanthropy, as well as the registered charities and charitable projects that ultimately receive grants. By combining donor advised fund services with ongoing sector analysis, the organization aims to channel more effective funding to high-performing charities, foster public trust, and strengthen governance and accountability across the charitable landscape.