A Personal Message from Julie Toskan, Founder and President of YPI Canada
Dear Friends and Partners,
YPI was founded in 2002 on a simple yet revolutionary idea: empower the youth of Canada to lead change in their communities through direct philanthropic action. Two decades later, this vision has not only flourished but also transformed the educational landscape and community fabric across the nation.
Our journey has been remarkable, navigating through challenges and celebrating numerous milestones. None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of our partners. Your commitment has enabled us to deliver impactful grants and programming, fostering a generation of compassionate, informed, and engaged young leaders.
The role of our partners is critically important. Each contribution, whether big or small, fuels our mission and amplifies our reach, ensuring that more young Canadians can engage in philanthropy and make real decisions about real money for real change. As we look forward, the continued partnership of our existing supporters and the enthusiasm of new donors will be essential in sustaining and expanding our impact.
Thank you for believing in this mission. Together, we are not just funding initiatives; we are investing in the future leaders of our country.
With heartfelt thanks,
Julie Toskan
Founder and President, YPI Canada
OUR PARTNERS
At YPI Canada, we recognize that the methodology behind allocating funding is just as critical as the destinations those funds support. Since our inception in 2002, our ability to offer impactful grants and programming has been bolstered significantly by a dedicated network of donors. These benefactors are as diverse as the causes they champion, ranging from large national entities to smaller, community-focused foundations and local businesses that span the breadth of the country.
Our partners share a unified vision: to foster systemic social change and empower our youth. They provide the youth of Canada a unique platform to directly influence and engage in the distribution of funds within their communities, ensuring their voices are not only heard but are integral to the decision-making process.
We are immensely grateful to all our supporters, whose generosity and belief in our mission make it possible for YPI Canada to continue our work. Each contribution plays a pivotal role in shaping the leaders of tomorrow by investing in their potential today. Together, we are building a stronger, more equitable Canada.
Our National Partners
Our national supporters are pillars of strength that provide substantial backing and guidance, helping us scale our impact from coast to coast.
Hilary Pearson on YPI
"The core mission of promoting civic and community engagement among youth through the challenge of this prize is compelling. It's something that attracts funders.
Fundamentally, donors are interested in initiatives that engage youth—how you bring young people together amidst the divisive forces they face today, including social media. Concerns about how social media divides and isolates young people, contributing to serious issues like loneliness and mental illness, are significant.
Many funders in this country are concerned about these issues. Demonstrating that your efforts engage young people in their communities and combat this isolation and negativity is a very appealing proposition to them."
Hilary Pearson has had an illustrious twenty-year career in foundation philanthropy in Canada, primarily serving as the founding President of Philanthropic Foundations Canada (PFC) for nearly eighteen years. In this role, she collaborated with many of the country's largest private charitable foundations. Hilary is a strategic advisor and facilitator for numerous family foundations, helping them navigate the philanthropic landscape, define their goals, and shape their governance and grantmaking practices. A prolific author, she has penned numerous articles and reviews on foundation philanthropy and is a frequent speaker at conferences and workshops both in Canada and internationally. During her tenure at PFC, she edited comprehensive guides on starting and managing foundations and on collaboration between funders and governments, universities, and in public policy development and advocacy.
"Thank you for providing such a brilliant project that is at the forefront of education. I have been teaching for 30 years and I have never seen a project work so effectively across an entire grade that empowers youth to gain skills for their future and at the same time promotes empathy and caring. It is truly a recipe for success!”
- Marilyn Nunn, YPI Teacher from British Columbia
"Prior to being a part of this program, I believed that a couple hours of work done by a few kids couldn’t possibly make a huge difference, but now, looking back at the weeks of work and passion that was put into the initiative; it is clearer to me than ever before that passion, hard work and a voice no matter how young, can be a force for good."
YPI Teacher
Our Eastern Canada Partner
In Eastern Canada, our supporters are deeply embedded in the fabric of their communities, providing localized insights and resources that are vital for addressing region-specific needs.
Our Local Partners
Our regional supporters’ commitment to social change is demonstrated through their steadfast dedication and intimate understanding of the unique challenges their communities face.
We are immensely grateful to all our supporters, whose generosity and belief in our mission make it possible for YPI Canada to continue our work. Each contribution plays a pivotal role in shaping the leaders of tomorrow by investing in their potential today. Together, we are building a stronger, more equitable Canada.
