Traquair Family Foundation

The Traquair Family Foundation is a Canadian nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting children, youth, and women to overcome poverty, abuse, and neglect, with the ultimate goal of providing equal opportunities for safety, health, and education. It primarily supports small to medium-sized Canadian charities engaged in projects that align with this mission[^1][^2].

History and Mission

Founded and managed by members of the Traquair family, the foundation's mission focuses on empowering vulnerable populations in Canada by funding initiatives that improve quality of life. Its vision emphasizes advancing education through scholarships, bursaries, awards, and other financial assistance, in addition to protecting women and supporting youth development[^1][^2][^3].

Activities and Grantmaking

The foundation provides grants to Canadian charitable organizations with revenue below $2 million, excluding branches or local chapters of large provincial, national, or international organizations. These grants are awarded biannually, with applications accepted in February and August and funds distributed in March and September respectively. By concentrating its support on smaller charities, the foundation aims to maximize impact within its targeted communities[^1][^3].

In 2023, the Traquair Family Foundation expanded its number of grant recipients to broaden its impact across mission-related areas[^3].

Governance

The foundation is governed by a Board of Directors composed of family members of Brian and Janis Traquair:

• Ellen Traquair – President; holds an MBA from DePaul University and has experience in the insurance industry. She resides in Chicago with her husband Robert Castro[^1].
• Hugh Traquair – Vice President; an internal medicine physician at Hamilton Health Services, married to Celina Baines, an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto. They live in Toronto[^1].
• Janis Traquair – Secretary; active in the Toronto community and church, residing in Toronto with Brian Traquair[^1].

Registration and Compliance

The Traquair Family Foundation is a registered Canadian charity under the Business Registration Number 844409656RR0001. It complies with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) regulations pertaining to nonprofit and charitable organizations[^4].