When generosity becomes a lever for sustainable transformation

31 March 2026 by National Bank
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Philanthropy in Canada has evolved significantly in recent years. Donors, whether they are individuals, families or entrepreneurs, now want to give in a more structured, measurable way that aligns with their values. Strategic philanthropy provides a clear vision and helps integrate values into financial, tax and estate planning. This innovative approach to support, which units emotion and reason, seeks to build sustainable philanthropic capital as well as a transferable and meaningful social asset that makes a measurable impact and benefits from tax advantages.

This article was first published in Le Devoir on November 15, 2025.

A long-term philanthropic commitment

In this changing landscape, donor clients are committing to a long-term journey of growth, thoughtfully planning, measuring and fine-tuning the impact they will make over time. One anticipated outcome is that donations will be larger, more numerous, and distributed more quickly over time.

Giving is more than an act of conviction: it can also be a strategic decision woven into your life plans and legacy vision. For many donors, it's a way to combine both financial and social returns. By embracing this approach, the Philantra Foundation has become one of the country's leading strategic philanthropists.

For example, without proper planning, a gift made through a will could deprive the donor's estate of significant tax credits, which will impact their heirs. With the right support to maximize the tax credits of a donation, a donor can give partly in their will and partly during their lifetime if it's feasible for them to dispose of an amount without waiting for their estate to be settled.

A philanthropic legacy based on personal values

Strategic philanthropy is much more than a financial strategy: it’s a philosophy of life. It encourages us to think about what we want to pass on, not only in terms of assets, but also in terms of values.

This model is attracting more and more families who want to bring their values to life beyond their own journey, each based on their ability to help. It makes it possible to cultivate generosity as a shared value, teach social responsibility and give meaning to accumulated wealth.

What if you started building your own philanthropic capital today? Whether to support a cause you care about, relay your values to your loved ones or demonstrate your generosity over time, the Philantra Foundation, as a true facilitator of philanthropy, will accompany you every step of the way.

In short, strategic giving is investing for the benefit of society as a whole.

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Philantra Foundation: Financial planning and human engagement serving good causes

The foundation stands out for its straightforward, flexible model: donors are given the opportunity to create personalized, turnkey charitable funds within a public foundation, avoiding the delays, costs and complexity of a private foundation. Donors choose the causes that inspire them, and the Philantra Foundation takes care of everything: from managing administrative matters, executing and monitoring distributions, and providing support to tax planning and project rollout. Philanthropic funds invested are managed by advisors at National Bank Financial – Wealth Management and Private Banking 1859 who are already assigned to each client. This combines the strength of a well-established institution, National Bank Trust, with the flexibility that today's philanthropists expect.

By positioning philanthropy as a pillar of personal financial planning, the Philantra Foundation unites two worlds that are often polarized: finance and the common good. The result is an integrated approach where giving becomes a thoughtful, optimized act of planning that makes the greatest possible impact.

In the 5 years since its official launch, the Philantra Foundation has invested more than $200 million in philanthropy with $26 million in spinoffs for 1100 organizations. And this is only the beginning!

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