AIMCo Foundation for Financial Education

What AIMCo Foundation for Financial Education does

The AIMCo Foundation for Financial Education is an independent registered charity (Charity #77374 3281 RR0001) founded in 2018 and headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta. It operates two core programs: a Community Grants Program that funds registered Alberta charities delivering financial literacy programming to populations including new immigrants, seniors, youth, people with disabilities, and financially vulnerable individuals, and a Scholarships and Bursaries portfolio administered through six Alberta post-secondary institutions. The foundation has distributed more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships since inception, including $384,100 to 20 community partners in 2024 and $350,000 to 21 organizations in 2025.

The foundation is led primarily by Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) employee and client volunteers, with governance provided by a volunteer Board of Directors and operational execution through three volunteer committees covering granting, fundraising, and scholarships. It functions as a separate legal entity from its corporate sponsor AIMCo, with funding sourced primarily from employee donations and corporate partner fundraising rather than a corporate budget allocation. Its partner ecosystem spans international asset managers (BlackRock, Goldman Sachs, Blackstone, TPG), Canadian banks (National Bank, TD Securities, BMO, CIBC, RBC), and specialized investment firms (Mawer, Polar Asset Management, Apollo), in addition to in-kind legal and professional service providers.

The business model is straightforward charitable fundraising and grantmaking: annual fundraising campaigns solicit donations from AIMCo employees and corporate partners, with grants distributed once per year through an application cycle (applications accepted in spring, decisions communicated in fall). Revenue streams include corporate and community partnerships and employee giving programs, with no commercial pricing or product sales. The foundation does not develop technology products; its operational footprint is the province of Alberta, while its corporate donor base spans Canada and internationally.

Name

AIMCo Foundation for Financial Education

Legal name

AIMCo Foundation for Financial Education

Website

https://aimcofoundation.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The AIMCo Foundation for Financial Education is an Edmonton-based registered charity founded in 2018 that funds financial literacy programs through community grants to Alberta nonprofits and scholarships at six post-secondary institutions, supported by AIMCo employee and corporate partner donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Foundation / Financial Literacy Grants

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC), Personal Finance & Financial Literacy for Students (EDAMAIAH), Financial & Consumer Literacy (Banking, Credit, Contracts) (EDAAAAAG)

Keywords

• Financial literacy grants
• Community grants program
• Post-secondary scholarships
• Financial education charity
• Registered charity funding

Headquarters

HQ city

Edmonton

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Corporate and Community Partnerships: Corporate partners contribute annual support through donations and multi-year funding commitments. Major partners include financial institutions, asset management firms, and investment companies. In 2024, corporate partners contributed more than $400,000 to advance financial literacy and education in Alberta.
2. Employee Giving Programs: AIMCo employees contribute through internal events, fundraising initiatives, and payroll deductions. Grassroots fundraising efforts include campaigns like Jeans Week where employees can wear jeans to work in exchange for donations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The AIMCo Foundation for Financial Education is an independent registered charity that funds financial literacy initiatives in Alberta through two core offerings: (1) a Community Grants Program providing annual grant funding to registered nonprofit organizations delivering financial literacy programming to diverse populations, and (2) a Scholarships and Bursaries portfolio administered through six Alberta post-secondary institutions for students in finance and accounting programs. Since inception in 2018, the foundation has distributed more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships.

Product overview

The AIMCo Foundation operates two core programs: a Community Grants Program that funds registered Alberta charities delivering financial literacy education, and a Scholarships and Bursaries portfolio that supports post-secondary students pursuing finance and accounting education at Alberta institutions. These programs work together to advance financial literacy across diverse populations throughout the province.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Community Grants Program
• Scholarships and Bursaries Portfolio

Quantifiable outcome

• $2.5 million in grants and scholarships distributed in Alberta since 2018
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and key.

• National Bank of CanadaflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Multi-year funding commitment of $30,000 over three years supporting women's financial independence initiatives. National Bank's commitment integrates personal finance services with professional expertise and targeted community investment. In 2024, National Bank continued its partnership with AIMCo Foundation to ensure women across Canada can find information to build financial resilience. The partnership includes both financial support and expertise sharing through events like International Women's Day programming.
• Africa CentrecoreOthersCommunity partner receiving grants to deliver the Financial Empowerment Initiative, including free community tax clinics and follow-up financial literacy workshops for newcomers in Edmonton and Calgary. Reached approximately 800 community members through tax clinics. Programs include Money & Marriage course and support for navigating Canadian financial systems.
• Bow Valley CollegekeyOthersCommunity partner addressing financial literacy gaps in low-income and Indigenous communities in Calgary. Funding supports Jasmine Blood as Indigenous Financial Coach, including resource development, elder honorariums, and multimedia content delivery to help students heal their relationship with money.
• Bissell CentrecoreOthersLong-standing community partner taking an inclusive, people-centred approach to poverty reduction in Edmonton. The Financial Empowerment Project embeds financial literacy within supportive programs, helping clients navigate benefit systems, set up savings accounts, and access financial planning support.
• Rainbow Literacy SocietykeyOthersCommunity partner in the Vulcan area working with seniors who are particularly vulnerable to financial abuse and fraud. In partnership with Senior Protect and FCSS, delivers the Senior Financial Literacy Empowerment Program focused on increasing awareness of financial manipulation and guidance on tax and pension benefit systems.
• Wellspring AlbertakeyOthersCommunity partner helping cancer patients and families navigate the unexpected financial complexities of a diagnosis through the Money Matters Program. Supports access to income replacement programs and taxation, financial and estate planning assistance.
• MomentumkeyOthersCalgary's Financial Empowerment Collaborative receiving funds to build capacity of its collective of community partners. Through education, coaching and credentialing, organizations integrate financial literacy best practices throughout their programs.
• Junior Achievement of Northern Alberta and NWTkeyOthersCommunity partner providing financial literacy programs that equip youth with essential life skills from budgeting to saving to understanding credit. Funding supports expansion of existing financial literacy programming across northern Alberta.
• YMCA of Northern AlbertakeyOthersCommunity partner receiving funding for the Youth Transitions Program that takes youth from at-risk to future-ready. Funding integrates money management components to strengthen financial literacy through personalized support and guidance.
• YWCA EdmontonkeyOthersCommunity partner empowering women toward lifelong financial literacy through YOUth Retreats and Financial Literacy Weekend Workshops. Programs provide age-appropriate education focusing on fundamentals of money management including saving, budgeting and investing.
• The Immigrant Education Society (TIES)keyOthersCommunity partner providing financial empowerment learning to new Canadians and low-income Calgarians through the FISCAN Project. Programs include financial literacy education, individual counselling and tax services, expanding reach to newcomers and youth.
• Project Adult Literacy SocietykeyOthersLong-time leader in financial literacy for Edmontonians with very low levels of financial literacy and numeracy skills. Funding supports the Money Basics program helping clients develop foundational skills to achieve financial goals.
• Windmill MicrolendingkeyOthersCommunity partner offering financial literacy programs and microloans to skilled new Canadians. Funding exclusively supports the Empowering New Albertans project, integrating financial literacy coaching and mentoring into program delivery.
• United Way of the Alberta Capital RegionkeyOthersCommunity partner leading the Empower U collaborative effort involving 15 partners. Combines financial literacy education and coaching to increase financial knowledge, tools and resources for financially vulnerable people, primarily women who have experienced hardship.
• Carya Society of CalgarykeyOthersCommunity partner working with vulnerable seniors, empowering them to navigate financial and benefits systems. Funding supports a Financial Education Coordinator overseeing workshops and an annual tax clinic.
• ASSIST Community Services CentrekeyOthersCommunity partner working with newcomers to Canada, addressing financial literacy education needs for English language learners and those unfamiliar with the digital financial landscape. Programs address language barriers within personal financial management context.
• Senior ProtectkeyOthersNonprofit partner working with seniors in Vulcan County on elder abuse prevention. Partners with Rainbow Literacy Society and FCSS to provide financial education to seniors vulnerable to financial abuse and manipulation.
• Autism Independent Living AssociationkeyOthersCommunity partner committed to improving financial literacy of adults with autism through educational videos tailored to meet different learning styles on the autism spectrum.
• GROW Women Leaders through YWCA EdmontonkeyOthersCommunity partner offering transitional employment program for immigrant and minority women with integrated financial literacy material. Meets women where they are by embedding money education into employment-focused programming.
• Hinton Adult Learning SocietykeyOthersCommunity partner delivering financial literacy seminars to low-income people in the Jasper area following devastating wildfires. Supports program delivery on personal financial management and building resilience in a volatile economy.
• Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest TerritorieskeyOthersCommunity partner creating a podcast episode focused on financial literacy customized for people living with Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias, supporting a population vulnerable to financial disinformation.
• Canadian Foundation for Economic EducationkeyOthersCommunity partner delivering the Talk With Our Kids About Money program encouraging conversations about money between children, parents and teachers, with resources tailored for Alberta.
• Inclusion FoothillskeyOthersCommunity partner helping people with disabilities and their families in High River access financial resources and guidance through the Family Support Program.
• Whitecourt Community Adult Learning Program at NorQuest CollegekeyOthersCommunity partner delivering financial literacy workshops for adults with disabilities focused on budgeting, digital banking and fraud prevention through the My Money, My Life initiative.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Canadian Foundation for Economic Education: National non-profit dedicated to financial literacy education across Canada, including the 'Talk With Our Kids About Money' program. Directly comparable as a peer grantmaker and program partner already funded by AIMCo Foundation.
• Prosper Canada: National charity focused on financial empowerment for low-income Canadians. Comparable in mission—advancing financial literacy and capability among vulnerable populations—and in operating model of grants and partnerships.
• Junior Achievement of Canada: National non-profit delivering financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship programs to youth. Comparable as a financial-literacy grant recipient and direct operating peer in the same beneficiary segment (youth).
• ABC Life Literacy Canada: Canadian non-profit promoting adult literacy including financial literacy. Comparable mission focus on foundational literacy and financial capability for adults, often partnering with corporate donors across Canada.
• Momentum: Calgary-based Financial Empowerment Collaborative delivering financial literacy, coaching, and credentialing for low-income individuals. Direct comparable as both an Alberta financial-literacy provider and a current AIMCo Foundation grant recipient.
• United Way of the Alberta Capital Region: Edmonton-area United Way running the Empower U collaborative for financially vulnerable populations. Direct comparable as both a financial-literacy program operator and current AIMCo Foundation grant recipient.
• Project Adult Literacy Society: Edmonton-based adult-literacy non-profit running the Money Basics financial-literacy program. Direct comparable as a community partner delivering foundational financial-literacy services funded by AIMCo Foundation grants.

Regional players

• Calgary Foundation: Alberta community foundation managing donor-advised funds and grantmaking across Calgary. Comparable as a regional grantmaking peer in the same geography, although its scope is broader than financial literacy.
• Edmonton Community Foundation: Alberta community foundation based in Edmonton—the same city as AIMCo Foundation. Comparable as a regional grantmaking peer operating in the same geography and competing for overlapping corporate donors.
• Vancity Community Foundation: BC-based community foundation affiliated with Vancity Credit Union, with financial-literacy and cooperative-economy grantmaking. Comparable regional grantmaking model with strong credit-union and financial-sector donor base.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about AIMCo Foundation for Financial Education