About PhiLab
The Canadian Philanthropy Partnership Research Network (PhiLab) is a partnership-based center of expertise dedicated to the study of philanthropy in Canada and Quebec. It is the result of a collaboration between researchers from various Canadian universities and representatives of the philanthropic ecosystem.
PhiLab positions itself as a unifying, independent, and accessible space where those interested in philanthropy or working in the field on a daily basis can meet. Both rooted in academia and open to practice, the network aims to promote the advancement of knowledge, the circulation of ideas, and the sharing of expertise among researchers, students, foundations, community organizations, and public actors.
It is a true national meeting place, a space for reflection, analysis, and rigorous discussion, which contributes to a better understanding of the transformations in philanthropy and supports the dissemination of knowledge to both the general public and the professional community.
Follow these links to our research projects, members, financial partners and annual reports.
PhiLab’s partnership-oriented research position
The Network conducts both field and theoretical research on themes, questions and issues related to the history and development of philanthropy in Canada, with comparisons made with foreign philanthropy.
From pragmatism, we retain the idea that the reflection on and production of knowledge cannot be disassociated from the action and that action relies on the mobilization of reflection capacities and existing knowledge. According to this perspective, the stage of society’s development requires a close connection between “thought and action”. This position requires an engaged and engaging conversation between field workers and the scientific community. The idea is to adopt an approach that is inclusive of all perspectives, opinions and interests, without trivializing or neglecting any.
PhiLab is designed as a space where scientific mission can be fully deployed in its fundamental, collaborative, and applied dimensions. You will find a variety of contributions on our website:
- analyses by researchers, rooted in fundamental research;
- texts from stakeholders in the philanthropic sector (memoirs, position papers, feedback) on the issues that motivate them;
- and jointly developed outputs from action research, collaborative research, or partnership-based research initiatives.
The project was originally thought-up in 2014, in the context of a granting proposal for a three-year (2014-2017) SSHRC Partnership Development project entitled “Social Innovation, Societal Change, and Canadian Grantmaking Foundations”.
This funding was renewed with a second SSHRC grant (2018–2024). Entitled “Evaluating the role and actions of Canadian grant-making foundations in response to social inequalities and environmental challenges,” this second phase of work, known as PhiLab 2.0, brought together some 20 partners from the Canadian philanthropic ecosystem and more than 80 established and emerging researchers.
For the years 2024-2027, PhiLab has obtained bridge funding from the Lucie and André Chagnon Foundation and the Mirella and Lino Saputo Foundation.
Research Axes
Objectives, research activities, and knowledge transfer tools
Objectives
- produce and disseminate new knowledge about Canadian philanthropy;
- provide an independent space for dialogue, coordination, and knowledge enhancement;
- promote the emergence of new forms of philanthropic and community action;
- Support structural transformations in the sector by supporting professionalization, skills development, and practices oriented toward social change;
- organize scientific and knowledge transfer activities;
- train and support the next generation of researchers. space for the conduction and coordination of research
Research activities
- sectoral or regional profiles
- case studies
- seminars and conferences
- academic publications, reports, analyses
Knowledge transfer tools
- infographics, comics, educational tools
- network website;
- The PhiLanthropic Year magazine;
- podcasts, videos;
- online training courses;
- Webinars;
- Fall School (annual event for knowledge transfer and democratization)
Quick links
Philanthropic training database
Easily find the training programs you are looking for
Support for NPOs database
Filter support offers according to specific criteria
Glossary
Sharing terminology with stakeholders in philanthropy
Publications
Articles, books, research papers, infographics, special editions, presentations
