Grant and Funding Programs Offered by The William Shenkman Foundation

The William Shenkman Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation established by the Shenkman family in Ottawa, Ontario. Governed by an independent Board of Directors, the Foundation channels a portion of the family’s wealth into charitable giving, with an explicit commitment to supporting programs that benefit the wider community. Over the past fifteen years alone, it has provided financial support to more than one hundred charities, illustrating a broad and sustained grantmaking role.

The Foundation focuses particularly on initiatives that benefit children, promote education, and enhance the health and well‑being of individuals and families. Its philanthropy spans both operating support and project‑based contributions, working with established institutions and community partners to deliver services and programs.

In the arts and culture sector, the Foundation has made major contributions to strengthen local creative infrastructure. A notable example is a $1 million gift to the Arts Ottawa East ARTicipate endowment fund, helping create a long‑term funding vehicle for the east‑end arts community. This support is closely tied to the development of the Shenkman Arts Centre in Orléans, a bilingual community hub hosting performing and visual arts, where the Foundation’s involvement has helped ensure diverse programming and access for residents.

The Foundation also invests in children’s health, recreation and values‑based education. Through the “Kids and Values in Motion” program, the Shenkman family’s philanthropic arm purchases and donates new bicycles, helmets and safety equipment to students in designated Beacon Schools for Success in Ottawa. Run in partnership with the National Capital Region YMCA‑YWCA, the City of Ottawa Public Health and the Ottawa‑Carleton District School Board, the program removes financial barriers to physical activity while encouraging students to reflect on core values such as caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

Beyond these highlighted initiatives, corporate news associated with the Shenkman Group points to additional major gifts, such as multi‑million‑dollar contributions to hospice and health services in the region. These donations underline the Foundation’s interest in palliative care, community health infrastructure and quality of life for vulnerable populations.

The William Shenkman Foundation primarily supports registered charities and community‑based organizations operating in the Ottawa area, though some gifts may reach wider geographic audiences through partner institutions. Beneficiaries include arts organizations, schools, health and social service agencies and youth‑serving programs. While the site does not present a formal open call for proposals, the breadth of past recipients and detailed descriptions of initiatives indicate a flexible, discretionary grantmaking model focused on long‑term community impact.