Dear Community Foundations,

It was such a joy to be with many of you in Halifax at Illuminate 2025—three action-packed days of peer learning, dialogue, and exchange. With the help of AI, our team has created one-pagers from each Illuminate concurrent session—full of valuable insights. Browse them here!

This fall, we’re pleased to share new opportunities to learn, connect and act together, with a view to building the path towards Winnipeg 2027. 

📣 Learning Institute and Other Opportunities

• Communities for Climate Resilience – A new 12-month cohort for up to 40 community foundations, focused on climate resilience, with a $5,000 honorarium per foundation.
• Virtual Peer Gatherings – Dedicated meetups for Finance, Grants, Donor Development, Communications, Executive Directors, CEOs, and our Francophone community of practice.
• Foundation Essentials – A six-part orientation for new leaders.
• Community Foundations Day on the Hill – Join us in Ottawa on November 18 for the second edition of this advocacy and government relations initiative, open to 20 community foundation leaders.
• Webinars & Workshops – Virtual learning sessions on timely topics with voices from across the network and beyond.

🎉 Snapshot of Programs Underway

• Vital Signs – A network-wide consultation is underway to reimagine the program. Thank you to all leaders who have participated so far. The fourth and final session takes place Thursday, September 18.
  
• Free To Play – A new granting initiative bringing funders and communities together to support unstructured play.
  
• Gender Equality in Action – 20 community foundations are implementing projects to embed greater gender equality into their operations and governance. We will share more about their projects and resources soon.
  
• Communities for Gender Equality – With renewed funding from Women and Gender Equality Canada, this impactful program continues into its sixth year.
  
• Together for Justice – A pilot supported by The Law Foundation of Ontario exploring barriers to justice in rural, remote, and northern Ontario communities, with potential to scale nationally. Ontario foundations: if you haven’t yet, please complete the survey by September 26.

🔭 Looking Ahead: Winter & Spring 2026

Thanks to your feedback at Illuminate, in ongoing conversations, and through our annual survey, we’re shaping the next phase of programming. More details coming soon on:

• A formal mentorship program for community foundation staff
  
• A national community foundation awareness campaign
  
• Expanded virtual learning through CFC’s Learning Institute
  
• A redesigned, more accessible Vital Signs program
  
• Strategic planning and governance training tailored to your needs

If you have other topics, speakers, or recommendations for our team, please reach out to Sam Campling.

📌 Evolving Peer Connections in 2026

Next year, instead of hosting in-person, role-based peer gatherings, we’ll be focusing on supporting provincial and regional convenings that are already in motion across the country. If your province or region doesn’t yet have one planned, we’d be glad to explore coordination. Our team will also be on the road in 2026, joining you in community for milestone events and celebrations. Please let Sam Campling know if your foundation has an upcoming event! 

Many good things lie ahead. Thank you, as always, for the extraordinary leadership you provide to your communities every day. Wishing you a beautiful autumn season and we look forward to seeing you soon! 

Yours in community,
The CFC team

Explore the 2025 Fall Curriculum for the Learning Institute and register for sessions today!