Frequently asked questions.

The Canadian Philanthropy Awards, powered by Beneva, recognises the Canadians who give to their communities and rarely get thanked for it. Working with Community Foundations across the country, we honour local givers in more than 100 communities each year, and recognise a small number nationally.

Any individual, family, group, or business that gives to their community is eligible. There is no minimum donation amount and no sector requirement. The person does not need to give publicly or formally. Steady, local, and quiet counts.

Anyone can nominate someone. You can nominate a neighbour, a colleague, a family member, or someone you have observed giving over many years. Nominations are submitted through a local participating Community Foundation.

A strong nomination tells a specific story rather than a general summary. Instead of “she has dedicated decades to literacy,” a strong nomination describes what she actually does: the specific day, the specific behaviour, the specific detail that reveals the character of her giving. We ask for observations, not arguments.

Your nomination goes to the Community Foundation in the relevant community. They review nominations and choose local honourees. If your nominee is chosen as a local honouree, their Community Foundation will be in touch. Local honourees may then be considered for national recognition by an independent selection committee.

Yes. Local recognition and national recognition are two separate things. A local honouree is recognised by their Community Foundation regardless of whether they are considered for national recognition. National recognition involves a further review by an independent national selection committee.

An independent national selection committee chooses which local honourees receive national recognition. The committee is not affiliated with Beneva, with Community Foundations of Canada, or with the programme organisers. Its independence is deliberate: it is what makes the recognition credible.

Local honourees receive a $1,000 donation to a charity of their choice, made in their name, along with a certificate, a community ceremony hosted by their local Community Foundation, local press coverage, and a profile on the national website. The two to four national honourees each year receive an additional $10,000 donation to a charity of their choice, a national press feature, and a permanent profile on the national site.

No. Honourees are not ranked. Recognition does not depend on giving more than someone else. We use the word honouree rather than winner because the framing matters: this is recognition, not a competition.

Community Foundations of Canada has member foundations in communities across the country. A list of participating foundations will be available when nominations open. If your community’s foundation is not yet participating, you are welcome to contact us.

Beneva is the programme-defining partner. Its support makes the Canadian Philanthropy Awards possible. Beneva is not involved in choosing local honourees or national honourees at any level. We always write this as “powered by Beneva,” not “founded by” or “presented by.”

Nominations open in 2026. Dates will be announced on this site and through participating Community Foundations when confirmed.