Community Knowledge Centre - Toronto Community Foundation

Sharing our Community Knowledge

Welcome to the beta site for the new Community Knowledge Centre, which shares stories of impact with you, donors, media, policy makers, thought leaders, and community organizations.

It tells the meta-story of transformational work going on in our city and aims to

help Torontonians participate by engaging more deeply in philanthropy.

The Community Knowledge Centre is at the core of what we’re about at the Toronto Community Foundation: connecting philanthropy with community needs and opportunities. It is a companion piece to our Toronto’s Vital Signs^® Report. While Toronto’s Vital Signs^® offers a snapshot of the issues facing our city, the Community Knowledge Centre is a snapshot of the community organizations providing solutions.

Why the Community Knowledge Centre?

To respond to the need for a consolidated platform to showcase the stories of our city, through prose, photographs, and video.

Who is it for?

You, donors, media, policy makers, thought leaders, and community organizations and all those interested in make Toronto the best it can be. 

It provides the knowledge and opportunity to invest in highly relevant and effective solutions to pressing issues.

How can I use this site?

You’ll find stories showcasing the important work being done by community organizations to build effective solutions to some of our city’s most pressing issues. You’ll be able to watch videos, see pictures, and read stories about how these organizations are working to help transform Toronto. This Community Knowledge will help you appreciate the impact these organizations are making, and gain an understanding of how and where there are opportunities to help. In addition, you can view financial reports, annual reports, and board of directors, in case you’d like to take a deeper look.

If you’re interested in what’s being done to address the needs of specific age groups, neighbourhoods, or needs that fall into a specific issue area, our Community Knowledge Centre allows you to search accordingly.

Are you a Fundholder at the Toronto Community Foundation?  If so, feel free to contact our Donor Services team for further insights and recommendations as part of our philanthropic services.

How did the Community Knowledge Centre come to be?

In June of 2009, in response to requests from community organizations to share their stories and accomplishments with potential supporters, the Toronto Community Foundation convened community organizations alongside private, public, philanthropic and media leaders for a Dialogue on the Importance of Storytelling, at the CBC.

The Dialogue, supported by The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, reinforced the need for a Community Knowledge Centre that could act as a virtual platform, highlighting and consolidating the stories of Toronto’s community assets. With the strong support of IBM, we have developed this platform.

Currently, the Community Knowledge Centre highlightscommunity organizations are recipients or finalists of our Vital Toronto Fund grant streams. (These profiles have an insignia on them, identifying each as a Vital Toronto Fund award winner, or finalist.) It also profiles organizations that Toronto Community Foundation Fundholders have supported.

We look forward to sharing more transformational stories of impact over the coming months on organizations working to enhance this city.

If you have thoughts or feedback regarding the Community Knowledge Centre beta-site, please share them with us.