The Atkinson Charitable Foundation

The Atkinson Charitable Foundation is a major Canadian nonprofit organization founded in 1942 by Joseph E. Atkinson. Atkinson was a renowned philanthropist who served as the editor and later the publisher and owner of the Toronto Star from 1899 until his death in 1948. He and his wife, Elmina Elliott, were dedicated journalists, activists, and civic leaders who championed social and economic justice throughout their lives.

History

Joseph E. Atkinson established the Atkinson Foundation as part of his legacy to continue his work in promoting social and economic justice. After Atkinson's death in 1948, the foundation became a significant entity in Canadian philanthropy, with the Toronto Star under the control of its trustees. The foundation is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Mandate

The Atkinson Foundation focuses on strengthening movements for decent work and a fair economy in Ontario. Its mission includes advocating for racial justice, income equality, and democratic reforms. Since 2014, the foundation has concentrated its efforts on supporting community organizers, policy innovators, and other stakeholders to create a more equitable and prosperous province.

Activities

The foundation supports various initiatives, notably in the areas of early childhood education and economic justice. One of its notable contributions was the development of the Canadian Index of Wellbeing (CIW), a tool designed to measure the broader aspects of Canadian life beyond economic indicators. The CIW assesses progress in eight key areas: Living Standards, Healthy Populations, Time Allocation, Ecosystem Health, Educated Populace, Community Vitality, Arts and Culture, and Civic Engagement.

Governance

The Atkinson Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of ten members from diverse backgrounds in academia, journalism, labor, healthcare, business, government, and the community. Fay Faraday chairs the Board of Directors. Colette Murphy has been serving as the Chief Executive Officer since 2012. The foundation's staff team is small, consisting of six members, which allows for focused and strategic operations.

Funding

The foundation primarily makes grants to Ontario-registered charities for innovative projects within the province. These grants are aimed at supporting projects that align with the foundation's focus on economic justice and early childhood education.

Legacy

The Atkinson Foundation's legacy reflects Joseph E. Atkinson's commitment to social and economic justice. The foundation continues to be a significant voice in advocating for equitable policies and practices in Ontario.