Young philanthropists pledge $570,000
New program links agencies with dozens of young people eager to make a difference
Toronto has more than 90 new, young philanthropists who have so far committed $570,000 to make the city a better place.
They’re part of a new program at Toronto Foundation called Vision 2020. Over two years, the philanthropists will meet with 10 service agencies and residents who have “historically been shut out of the decision-making process” to figure out how to invest their donations, said Toronto Foundation CEO Sharon Avery.
She spoke Friday at the program’s launch at Native Child and Family Services of Toronto on College St.
“You all have your work cut out for you. There are a lot of tough topics we need to discuss,” Avery said to the new philanthropists, who are all between 25 and 45 years old and have committed $10,000 as individuals or couples to a permanent endowment. “We have gaps in this city we need to close. The equity gap in this city is huge. We are losing our middle class.
“But we love our city and want to do something about it.”
At the end of the program, after spending “significant” time learning about the city’s “most pressing” is- sues, the philanthropists will have earned an “MBA in philanthropy,” Avery said.
Toronto Foundation is partnering with the city of Toronto’s resilience office to host the meetings, beginning in February, and to conduct research on residents’ sense of belonging.
Mayor John Tory said for Toronto to be resilient, citizens need to be engaged in social-justice issues and push the government to follow suit.
“I believe government serves a very important role and does a lot of things only government can do, like building transit and affordable housing,” Tory said to the crowd. “But the activities that push government (to act for social change) are the activities of citizens.”
He praised the philanthropists for their engagement, saying: “Your activity in the community will make for a great city.”
Native Child and Family Services is also part of the collaboration, which will examine barriers facing Indigenous residents and children.
“Our community knows a little about resilience,” said executive director Kenn Richard.
“There’s been a tremendous disconnect between the philanthropic system and Indigenous people, particularly Indigenous children. I see a lot of promise and a lot of hope with respect to us working together and changing that.”
One philanthropist, Roz McLean, 25, said she isn’t sure what issue she’ll want to focus on, but is ready to learn about how each issue Toronto faces impacts another.
“It’s not about people who are fortunate giving money to people who are unfortunate. It’s about engaging with the community, because sometimes the solution isn’t just money — it’s engagement, it’s relationships, it’s friendship.”
Toronto Foundation has matched the $570,000 committed by the philanthropists, bringing the total to $1.14 million.
Vision 2020’s goal is to raise another $1.14 million within two years, Avery said.