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Source verified July 23, 2026
The Upside Foundation of Canada — Equity Pledge Program
Equity pledge support for Canadian founders
Latest source updateLast Update: July 9, 2026Latest change: The How it Works page now adds new pledge actions and a contact email, and it changes the donation support terms from no fees to 10% of donations supporting Upside.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: July 9, 2026
Latest change: The How it Works page now adds new pledge actions and a contact email, and it changes the donation support terms from no fees to 10% of donations supporting Upside.
Upside pledge process and donation terms updated
The How it Works page now shows new pledge actions, including Ready to Pledge!, Book a Call, and an email contact link at info@upsidefoundation.ca. It also replaces the earlier no fees language with a new term stating that 10% of donations support Upside, with the remainder going to Canadian charities. The page no longer surfaces the FAQ block that explained pledge legality, donation policy, and the Pledge 1% relationship, so the application guidance is more condensed than before.
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Quebec, Canada
Overview
This program helps high-growth Canadian tech companies and founders commit equity or personal proceeds to charity. The pledge is triggered by a future liquidity event, such as an acquisition or IPO, and can support causes chosen by the company.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Increase social or community impact
- Improve governance or administrative structure
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Quebec
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- 2SLGBTQI+
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Pledging equity or personal proceeds to charity through a legally binding process.
- Structuring a donation to be triggered by a future liquidity event.
- Joining a network of founders and investors committed to giving back.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Founders of private, incorporated Canadian companies.
- High-growth startups and tech companies.
- Companies from any industry, though most members are tech-focused.
Who is not eligible
- Unincorporated businesses.
- Public companies.
- Companies that are not Canadian.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Selection criteria
- Alignment with the foundation’s charitable mission and values.
- Commitment to a registered Canadian charity.
- Review of financial statements and due diligence for selected charities.
- Board approval for charity recipients.
How to apply
- Use the Ready to Pledge page.
- Book a call.
- Contact the team by email at info@upsidefoundation.ca.
Processing and Agreement
- The online pledge form is completed first.
- Legally binding documents are signed afterward.
- The pledge becomes active only if a liquidity event occurs.
- If the company never exits or fails, no donation is made.
Additional information
- The pledge is legally binding through subsequent legal documents, not the online form alone.
- If the company never exits or fails, no donation will be made and there are no liabilities for the company.
- The foundation may help with charity selection and provides templates, tools, and guidance for charities.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the The Upside Foundation of Canada — Equity Pledge Program Program
What is the The Upside Foundation of Canada — Equity Pledge Program?
This program helps high-growth Canadian tech companies and founders commit equity or personal proceeds to charity. The pledge is triggered by a future liquidity event, such as an acquisition or IPO, and can support causes chosen by the company.
Who is eligible for the The Upside Foundation of Canada — Equity Pledge Program program?
To be eligible for the The Upside Foundation of Canada — Equity Pledge Program program, you must:
Incorporated private Canadian company
Growth-oriented with exit goal
Founder wants charitable impact
What expenses are eligible under The Upside Foundation of Canada — Equity Pledge Program?
Pledging equity or personal proceeds to charity through a legally binding process.
Structuring a donation to be triggered by a future liquidity event.
Joining a network of founders and investors committed to giving back.
Who can I contact for more information about the The Upside Foundation of Canada — Equity Pledge Program?
You can contact The Upside Foundation of Canada by email at info@upsidefoundation.ca.
Where is the The Upside Foundation of Canada — Equity Pledge Program available?
The The Upside Foundation of Canada — Equity Pledge Program program is available the province of Quebec.
Is the The Upside Foundation of Canada — Equity Pledge Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
The Upside Foundation of Canada — Equity Pledge Program is a Partnering and Collaboration
Who are the financial supporters of the The Upside Foundation of Canada — Equity Pledge Program?
The Upside Foundation of Canada — Equity Pledge Program is funded by The Upside Foundation of Canada