Raymond James Canada Foundation

The Raymond James Canada Foundation is a private foundation established in 2012 to facilitate and nurture the philanthropic work of Raymond James Ltd., one of Canada’s premier independent investment firms. The foundation grew out of the existing charity work of Raymond James employees, and together, we continue to make positive impacts in our communities year after year.

A message from the Executive Director

The Raymond James Canada Foundation was established in September 2012 in response to the good work already being done by the people of Raymond James in Canada. It has always been a fundamental value at Raymond James to give back to the communities in which we live, work and play. The foundation is here to encourage and support those charitable and sustainability activities while supporting the firm’s core tenets of being people-driven, values-built and future-focused.

The foundation has facilitated grants of more than $45 million to thousands of charities across the country and internationally. And when disaster strikes, both in our communities and abroad, we have responded with support for relief efforts.

Through our Raymond James Charitable Giving Fund program, we are also committed to helping individuals, families, business owners and organizations build a legacy of giving to last a lifetime and beyond. Working with their Raymond James advisors, we can help clients turn their financial objectives and charitable giving into strategic philanthropy and social impact.

We are very proud of the work we do at the Raymond James Canada Foundation. Whether working with Raymond James advisors, associates and clients, or advancing our corporate responsibility and sustainability strategies, we have one goal — to activate, support and empower people in making a positive difference to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.

Thank you for spending your time learning more about our work.

Eric Saarvala
Executive Director, Raymond James Canada Foundation
Head, Corporate Sustainability, Raymond James Ltd.

Our Mission

The mission of the Raymond James Canada Foundation is to help build healthy, vibrant and livable communities across Canada.

Raymond James Ltd. advisors, associates and our clients share a passion and desire to give back to the communities in which we live and work. We believe that being active in our communities helps us continue to grow a successful business and build strong personal relationships. The success of the Foundation is the result of our shared enthusiasm, passion and desire to make a difference. Our areas of focus are the arts, children and disadvantaged youths, disaster relief and health-related programs that have a national impact.

Through the Advisory Committee granting program, RJ Cares Month and emergency response initiatives, the Foundation distributes to causes that matter to the firm’s colleagues.

For clients, we’re committed to helping individuals, families and corporations build their philanthropic legacies. We offer sophisticated and cost-effective investment vehicles designed to simplify strategic charitable giving. By incorporating a charitable giving fund into their overall financial plans, clients are empowered to grow and sustain their charitable giving for their lifetime and beyond.

Our People

The executive director of the Raymond James Canada Foundation is a full-time employee of Raymond James Ltd., and the foundation’s board of directors is comprised of individuals who are also directors and/or officers of Raymond James Ltd (RJL). The foundation also has a volunteer advisory committee comprised of officers, employees, and agents of RJL who meet regularly for the purposes of considering applications and making recommendations on Foundation grants and fundraising initiatives. The directors, officers and advisory committee members (associates) volunteer their time to the Foundation and receive no direct compensation from the Foundation for their services.