Philanthropy and Seniors: Exploring Current Practices, Key Challenges, and Paths Forward

Prominent Canadian philanthropic foundations are instituting significant reforms in grantmaking policy and practice in order to meet the needs of socially and economically marginalized communities. However, the sector has largely ignored the social and economic issues faced by one growing subset of the population: senior citizens. This absence of aging as a lens through which to understand philanthropic policy and practice is particularly concerning within a COVID-19 context that has highlighted an ongoing crisis in seniors’ programs and care. This exploratory research project seeks to address this gap at the intersection of philanthropy and aging by: (1) exploring the unique social and economic challenges and barriers faced by vulnerable seniors in Canada; (2) documenting the current state of philanthropic practice around seniors’ issues in Canada; and (3) developing a resource/guide for grantmaking foundations interested in incorporating seniors’ issues into their work on justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Faculty Supervisor:

Jean-Marc Fontan

Student:

Partner:

Fondation Mirella et Lino Saputo

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Public Service, Policy, and Governance

University:

Université du Québec à Montréal

Program: