Exploratory research on the cause of seniors in Quebec: Perspectives on donations from granting foundations and state subsidiarity in relation to the cause of seniors

Justification of research project

COVID-19 has revealed—and intensified—deep-rooted racial, gender, and class disparities in Canadian society. In response, philanthropic foundations have instituted significant reforms in grantmaking policy and practice to meet the needs of socially and economically marginalized communities. However, despite this considerable shift in philanthropic policy and practice, the sector has paid little attention to the social and economic challenges faced by one growing subset of Canada’s population: senior citizens. This absence of aging and age 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. 

Research approach

This exploratory research project seeks to address this gap at the intersection of philanthropy and aging—with an emphasis on senior citizen populations that are socially and economically vulnerable. Drawing on archival/database research, policy analysis, and informal interviews with activists, academics, and sector leaders, this research seeks to:

1. Explore the social and economic challenges and barriers faced by seniors in Canada;
2. Examine how these challenges and barriers are shaped by social, economic, political, and cultural context;
3. Document the extent of current philanthropic practice around seniors’ issues in Canada; 
4. Identify areas of intervention for philanthropic funders interested in combatting social and economic challenges and barriers faced by seniors;
5. Develop a resource/guide for Canadian grantmaking foundations interested in incorporating seniors’ issues into their work on justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.