Philanthropic Foundations Canada (PFC) published the 2026 Working in Canadian Foundations: Putting People First Report, developed based on data from the CRA T3010, PFC’s Foundation Staff Survey, PFC Salary and Benefits records, and the Charity Insights Canada Project (CICP). The report offers the most comprehensive overview available of foundation staff and experiences influencing their work across Canada, and serves as the baseline for ongoing evaluations of philanthropic workplace cultures.

The study found that the Canadian foundation workforce has grown significantly over time, with the number of Canadian public and private foundations growing from 1355 in 2000 to 1895 in 2023 – and the total number of reported staff positions rising from 11,481 to 23,526. According to the research, foundation staff are highly educated and enter the sector through diverse pathways, and entry continues to be shaped by relationships and networks, with more formal recruitment methods becoming more common. Career progression has been labelled as a structural constraint, with respondents on average rating the availability of career pathways below neutral (2.77 out of 5), and many reporting uncertainty or lack of access to progression opportunities.

For additional insights and to download the report, click here.