Create a foundation What if you had your own foundation?
No need to be a large company. No need to have a team to manage it. No need to deal with all the complexity.
Your vision. Your foundation. Your legacy.
Create your endowment fund
You choose the cause. You set your intentions. We take care of the rest.
An endowment fund is a powerful philanthropic tool. It allows individuals, families, businesses and charities to create a lasting impact while enjoying tax benefits. It offers great flexibility to support the causes of public interest that matter to you.
You choose the causes, sectors or organizations to support; the Philanthropie Laurentides team takes care of the rest: setup, day-to-day management and follow-up.
Philanthropie Laurentides manages the funds entrusted to it itself, following a responsible investment strategy that integrates ESG (environmental, social and governance) criteria. Whatever the type or amount of your donation, it is managed rigorously for a concrete and lasting impact.
How it works
An irrevocable gift
The fund receives donations or financial assets irrevocably.
Responsible management
Philanthropie Laurentides manages the investments according to its investment policy and ESG criteria.
Start at $5,000
An initial amount of $5,000 is required upon signing.
The impact
An endowment fund provides lasting support to environmental, social or cultural charitable causes. Thanks to professional and prudent asset management, your donations can generate solid returns and maximize their impact.
It is a lasting and effective way to bring your philanthropic vision to life, whether you are an individual who wishes to leave a legacy, a business structuring its social responsibility or an organization diversifying its sources of funding.
The benefits of a fund
Simplicity
Creating a fund is simple, and its management is entrusted to experts.
Tax benefits
You receive tax credits for charitable donations, in accordance with Canadian legislation.
Flexibility
Your fund can bear the name of your choice, and you direct the use of its income.
Sustainability
Your commitment continues over the long term and ensures steady support for the chosen causes.
Types of funds
Philanthropie Laurentides offers two main families of funds: philanthropic funds, which can use part of their capital, and endowment funds, which preserve it.
Philanthropic funds
Definition
Philanthropic funds are created to support a specific cause or organization. They can have a limited or unlimited duration.
Short-term philanthropic fund
- Designed for rapid distribution of the capital.
- The assets are invested in a way that protects the capital.
- Minimum investment of $500,000 (unless the creator already has a fund at Philanthropie Laurentides).
Limited-duration philanthropic fund
- Its distribution allows part of the capital to be used.
- The assets are invested in the Fonds d’investissement Philanthropie Laurentides (FIPL) if the term exceeds 5 years.
- Minimum investment of $5,000.
Term and contributions
From 5 years to perpetuity. Additional contributions are possible.
Use
Donors can designate beneficiaries or let the foundation choose them each year. This type of fund is suitable for short-term projects that require flexibility in withdrawals.
Flexibility
Allows up to 20% of the capital to be used per year, subject to two rules:
- The $10,000 rule : the fund must reach $10,000 before distributions can begin.
- Four consecutive quarters : distributions begin after four consecutive quarters, based on the calendar year.
Fund ownership
The gift is irrevocable: the donor does not remain the owner of the fund. Philanthropie Laurentides administers it and ensures that it is used according to the agreed objectives.
Who can give
- Individuals
- Corporations (businesses)
- Trusts
Who can receive
- Registered charities
- Non-profit organizations
- Public institutions, such as universities or hospitals
Features
The creator chooses how the fund’s income is distributed:
Designated or self-designated fund
In the agreement, the creator names the organization(s) that will receive the annual grants from the fund’s income.
Field-of-interest fund
In the agreement, the creator specifies their areas of interest and entrusts Philanthropie Laurentides with choosing the beneficiary organizations in those areas.
Unrestricted fund
The creator entrusts Philanthropie Laurentides with determining the priority issues in each sector and choosing the organizations that will receive grants from the pooled funds.
Donor-advised fund
Each year, the creator recommends to Philanthropie Laurentides the organizations or sectors to support. They can make these recommendations themselves or entrust this role to a family member or their advisory committee.
Endowment funds
Definition
The capital of an endowment fund is invested over the long term: only investment income is used to fund grants.
- Available income is paid out as grants according to the distribution policy (5% per year, unless otherwise agreed), without encroaching on the capital.
- The assets are invested in the FIPL. At the end of the initial term, the fund becomes permanent. The creator specifies their intention regarding distribution; if it is imminent, Philanthropie Laurentides may choose an investment that guarantees the protection of the capital.
- Minimum investment of $5,000.
Term and contributions
From 10 years to perpetuity. Additional contributions are possible.
Use
The capital is kept intact to generate income every year. It is the ideal option for long-term projects, with a vision of capital growth.
Flexibility
No encroachment on capital. Distributions are annual: 5% per year, according to the distribution policy, unless otherwise agreed.
Fund ownership
The gift is irrevocable: the donor does not remain the owner of the fund. Philanthropie Laurentides is responsible for investing the capital and using the income to fund grants, according to the fund’s objectives.
Who can give
- Individuals
- Corporations (businesses)
- Trusts
Who can receive
- Registered charities
- Non-profit organizations
- Public institutions, such as universities or hospitals
Features
The creator chooses how the fund’s income is distributed:
Designated or self-designated fund
In the agreement, the creator names the organization(s) that will receive the annual grants from the fund’s income.
Field-of-interest fund
In the agreement, the creator specifies their areas of interest and entrusts Philanthropie Laurentides with choosing the beneficiary organizations in those areas.
Unrestricted fund
The creator entrusts Philanthropie Laurentides with determining the priority issues in each sector and choosing the organizations that will receive grants from the pooled funds.
Donor-advised fund
Each year, the creator recommends to Philanthropie Laurentides the organizations or sectors to support. They can make these recommendations themselves or entrust this role to a family member or their advisory committee.
Frequently asked questions about creating a fund
By creating an endowment fund at Philanthropie Laurentides. Your fund bears the name of your choice and supports the causes close to your heart, like a private foundation, but its management and investments are entrusted to our team. Three steps are all it takes: we discuss your project, you sign an agreement, and your fund starts supporting the region.
An initial amount of $5,000 is required when signing an endowment fund agreement. You, or your loved ones, can then add donations at any time. A short-term philanthropic fund requires a minimum investment of $500,000, unless you already have a fund at Philanthropie Laurentides.
Both make it possible to support causes over the long term. A private foundation must handle its own governance, accounting, investments and regulatory obligations. With an endowment fund, Philanthropie Laurentides takes care of all that: you keep the choice of causes, without the administrative complexity.
Each donation to your fund entitles you to an official receipt for income tax purposes, which gives access to the federal and Quebec charitable donation tax credits. Some gifts, such as publicly traded securities or a life insurance policy, may offer additional benefits. Your accountant, notary or financial planner can help you choose the best option.
Yes. You direct the use of your fund’s income: you can designate specific charities or let Philanthropie Laurentides choose them each year according to the needs of the region.
The assets are invested responsibly, according to Philanthropie Laurentides’ investment policy and environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria. In an endowment fund, the capital is preserved and only the income is given to the chosen causes, year after year. The gift is irrevocable.
Because some things deserve to last.
Create a fund, make a donation or discuss your project with our team: we are with you every step of the way.