The Oakville Community Foundation

What The Oakville Community Foundation does

The Oakville Community Foundation is a registered Canadian charity (BIN 89193 4374 RR0001) founded in 1994 and headquartered in Oakville, Ontario, that operates as a community foundation managing philanthropic capital on behalf of donors (Fundholders), charities, students, and the Halton community. It manages 400 Funds holding $140 million in charitable investments, has granted more than $81 million since inception (including $8.8 million in 2025 alone), and is one of the largest of 200+ community foundations in Canada.

Its core products include GIVEOakville (an annual fee-free crowdfunding campaign for 65+ local charities that raised $916,227 in 2025), the Community Education Awards Hub (a free centralized portal at awardshub.ca with 5,110 lifetime student registrations and $2.2M+ facilitated since 2020), the Community Classroom (free arts/environmental programming for schools), Charity Microloans (up to $10,000 at 0% interest to Halton charities), the Women's Giving Collective ($1,000/year x 3-year pooled giving), the Oakville Urban Tree Fund (pledged tree planting toward 40% canopy by 2047), and Our Gathering Lodge (an Indigenous gathering space opened June 2026). The Foundation also publishes original community research on youth NEET outcomes, generosity, wealth/poverty, and climate. Technology is standard third-party infrastructure (fcsuite.com, Grant Interface) rather than proprietary IP.

The Foundation earns revenue primarily through a 1.125% administrative fee on managed fund assets, supplemented by impact-investment returns (2.3% in 2025) and program-level pledges. It does not charge charities or students, and absorbs all platform transaction fees on GIVEOakville so 100% reaches charities. Distribution is a mix of relationship-led engagement with Fundholders and professional advisors, event-driven community marketing (GIVEOakville LIVE!, Student Awards Celebration), and self-serve online portals. The entity is governed by a Board Leadership Team and led by CEO Wendy Rinella and CFO Alison Moeller with a staff of roughly 10-15.

Name

The Oakville Community Foundation

Legal name

The Oakville Community Foundation

Website

https://theocf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Oakville Community Foundation is a registered Canadian charity, founded in 1994, that manages 400 philanthropic Funds holding $140 million in charitable investments for Oakville-area donors, charities, students, and community partners, channeling more than $81 million in cumulative grants through programs including GIVEOakville, the Community Education Awards Hub, Charity Microloans, and the Women's Giving Collective.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Foundation and Philanthropy Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Human Rights Organizations (813311)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM), Social Justice & Human Rights Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAN), Arts, Culture & Humanities Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAJ), Community Center Education Programs (EDAAAFAB), Community Health & Prevention Program Funding (HLAJALAF)

Keywords

• Community foundation services
• Donor advised funds
• Charitable grantmaking
• Community philanthropy
• Impact investing

Headquarters

HQ city

Oakville

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundholder Contributions: The Foundation receives donations from Fundholders and the general public through its online platform. Donations are pooled and invested to generate returns for community granting. The Foundation does not charge transaction fees on GIVEOakville donations — all fees are covered by the Foundation.
2. Administrative Fee on Fund Assets: The Foundation earns revenue through a reduced top administrative fee of 1.125% applied to managed fund assets, generating operating income from the investment pool.
3. Impact Investment Returns: The Foundation makes impact investments (e.g., $75,000 loan to Food for Life, $50,000 to Windmill Microlending, $250,000 renewed for Windmill Microlending) that return capital with interest (2.3% in 2025) while generating social impact, supporting future granting capacity.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Oakville Community Foundation is a charitable public foundation that manages more than 400 Funds totaling about $140 million, helping individuals, families, and businesses give to the Oakville community. It offers donor-advised Funds, Impact Investing opportunities, annual community grants, the GIVEOakville crowdfunding platform, Community Education Awards and scholarships, charity Microloans, and programs like the Women's Giving Collective.

Product overview

The Oakville Community Foundation operates as a community foundation facilitating local philanthropy through multiple programs. Its core offerings include GIVEOakville (annual crowdfunding campaign for local charities), the Community Education Awards Hub (centralized scholarship portal), Community Classroom (free educational programming for schools), Charity Microloans (emergency financing for charities), Women's Giving Collective (pooled women's philanthropy), Oakville Urban Tree Fund (tree planting initiative), and Our Gathering Lodge (Indigenous gathering space). The Foundation also produces research reports on community issues including youth NEET rates, wealth/poverty contrasts, generosity trends, and climate impacts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Donor-Advised Funds Managed charitable Funds that allow individuals, families, and businesses to donate, grow, and direct gifts to community causes over time. For donors seeking a structured, locally focused giving vehicle.
• GIVEOakville Crowdfunding Platform Online crowdfunding platform that enables registered Oakville-area charities to raise money directly from community donors through dedicated campaigns.
• Community Education Awards Hub (Scholarships) A centralized awards hub that aggregates named community scholarships and education awards funded through Foundation Funds, for Oakville-area students pursuing post-secondary education.
• Charity Microloans Zero-interest microloans made available to registered charities and community organizations to address short-term operational liquidity needs.
• Community Grants Program Annual grant rounds that distribute foundation funds to registered charities and community projects that address local needs in Oakville.
• Women's Giving Collective A collective giving program where women donors pool contributions and collectively decide how to allocate funds to community causes in Oakville.
• Impact Investing Program Investment vehicles available through Foundation Funds that aim to generate both social impact and financial returns aligned with charitable goals.
• Community Classroom A community education program offering classes and learning opportunities delivered through the foundation to Oakville residents.
• Oakville Urban Tree Fund A dedicated Fund supporting urban tree planting and environmental sustainability projects within the Oakville community.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $80 million granted to charities since 1994
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Appleby CollegeminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2025Hosted the award-winning GIVEOakville LIVE! 2025 launch event at their campus, providing the venue for the charity showcase that launched the annual giving campaign.
• Shoppers Drug Mart (Prince Michael Drive)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2025Presenting Sponsor of the GIVEOakville 2025 campaign, providing financial and promotional support for the annual crowdfunding campaign.
• Advisory Money StrategiesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2025GIVEOakville LIVE! Event Sponsor for 2025, supporting the launch event for the annual campaign.
• Henderson Partners LLPminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2025GIVEOakville LIVE! Event Sponsor for 2025, supporting the launch event for the annual campaign.
• RBC (Royal Bank of Canada)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2025GIVEOakville LIVE! Event Sponsor for 2025, supporting the launch event for the annual campaign.
• Strongman Properties Inc.minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2025GIVEOakville LIVE! Event Sponsor for 2025.
• O'Connor MacLeod HannaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2025GIVEOakville LIVE! Event Sponsor for 2025.
• MNP LLPminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2025GIVEOakville LIVE! Event Sponsor for 2025.
• KPMGminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2025GIVEOakville LIVE! Event Sponsor for 2025.
• CogecominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2025Community Sponsor of GIVEOakville 2025 campaign.
• Oakvillegreen Conservation AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Multi-year partnership for the Oakville Urban Tree Initiative to increase Oakville's urban tree canopy, raise awareness about urban trees as climate solutions, and enhance community engagement. The Foundation granted $10,000 to plant 400 trees in 2025. The partnership also includes Community Classroom programs (Maples and Oaks, Biodiversity Discovery Walks, Bring Monarchs Back) delivered in schools.
• Windmill MicrolendingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Impact investment: $50,000 five-year investment helping 141 Halton newcomers meet Canadian professional certification requirements. Investment was subsequently renewed for $250,000.
• Ford of CanadaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Ongoing supporter for a decade. In 2026, Ford of Canada President & CEO Bev Goodman delivered remarks at the Student Awards Celebration. Ford provided the venue for the awards event.
• Dave Pecharich Insurance Agency – Co-operatorsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Campaign Sponsor of GIVEOakville 2025, providing financial support for the annual giving campaign.
• Engelbrecht AssociatesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Campaign Sponsor of GIVEOakville 2025, alongside Dave Pecharich Insurance Agency.
• Miller Family FoundationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Generous match sponsor of the Oakville Youth Education Award in 2025, providing matching funds that doubled the impact of student awards.
• Halton Environmental NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Collaborative partner in producing the Foundation's climate report 'Our Community Legacy' examining climate change impacts on the Oakville community. Also a resource partner in the climate report's local climate action resources section.
• Sheridan CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Collaborative partner alongside Halton Environmental Network in producing the climate report 'Our Community Legacy.' Sheridan College students also developed the VR experience for GIVEOakville 2024 showcasing Oakville's environmental evolution.
• Community Foundations of Canada (CFC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Through its membership with CFC, OCF signed the Canadian Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change (October 2021) and participates in the #PhilanthropyForClimate movement of nearly 800 foundations globally. OCF also attended the Illuminate Conference in Halifax organized by CFC.
• Tamarack InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024OCF joined Tamarack Institute's Community Climate Transitions learning community to advance climate expertise and identify where to apply a climate lens for greater impact.
• Food for LifecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Five-year social impact loan of $75,000 from the Foundation (alongside Hamilton Community Foundation) enabling Food for Life to expand capacity, fresh/frozen storage, and accessibility upgrades (accessible washrooms, entryways) at Mountainside Market. Food for Life now supports over 100 food assistance programs in Halton and Hamilton.
• Mississaugas of the Credit First NationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Longstanding partnership for Truth and Reconciliation initiatives including the Debwewin Oakville Truth Project, Indigenous-led consultations for Our Gathering Lodge, and the Moccasin Identifier Kit program delivered to all Oakville schools. Elder Peter Schuler serves as Indigenous Knowledge Keeper and Indigenous Advisor to the Foundation.
• Halton Children's Aid Society (HCAS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Impact investment partner for the Bridging the Gap transitional housing program. A trilateral loan (with Burlington Community Foundation and Hamilton Community Foundation) in 2018 supported purchase of a home for homeless and at-risk youth aged 16-24, housing 55 youth to date.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Ottawa Community Foundation: Major Ontario community foundation with donor-advised funds, community grants, and local research. Comparable mid-size community-foundation operating model in a different Ontario market.
• Toronto Foundation: Canada's largest community foundation by assets, operating the same donor-advised fund, grantmaking, and community-research model. OCF is positioned as Oakville's specialized equivalent to Toronto Foundation's city-wide mandate.
• Calgary Foundation: Major Canadian community foundation with donor-advised funds, community grants, and impact investing. Comparable governance, asset scale, and program breadth to OCF.
• Winnipeg Foundation: Long-established Canadian community foundation managing pooled funds for local grantmaking. Operates a parallel model of donor-advised funds, community research, and endowment investing.
• Burlington Community Foundation: Direct neighboring Halton Region community foundation. Co-invested with OCF on the 2018 HCAS Bridging the Gap transitional housing loan. Operates the same donor-advised fund, grantmaking, and community-research model at smaller scale.
• Hamilton Community Foundation: Another large Canadian community foundation in adjacent Halton/Hamilton geography. OCF has co-invested with Hamilton Community Foundation on the Food for Life and HCAS Bridging the Gap impact investments, indicating close peer collaboration and overlapping service-area ambitions.

Others

• Community Foundations of Canada: National network organization representing 200+ community foundations, of which OCF is a member. Provides shared infrastructure, advocacy, and convening (e.g., Illuminate Conference) rather than direct competitive activity.

Broad incumbents

• Vancouver Foundation: One of Canada's largest community foundations with a national-scale research, grantmaking, and impact-investing portfolio. Functions as a broader incumbent in the same community-foundation category.
• Silicon Valley Community Foundation: Very large U.S. community foundation with donor-advised funds, impact investing, and community research. Represents the scaled end of the community-foundation model OCF operates.

Regional players

• Foundations for a Better Oregon: A regional community-foundation intermediary focused on equity-focused grantmaking in Oregon. Comparable in mission emphasis on equitable funding (where OCF ranked Top 10 in Canada) but operating in a different geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/OakvilleCF
• Facebookfacebook.com/OakvilleCommunityFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/oakville-community-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Oakville Community Foundation