RBC and RBC Foundation have committed more than C$8 million in funding to help strengthen the capacity of Canada’s nonprofit sector
At a moment when Canada’s nonprofit sector faces unprecedented strain – surging service demands, financial instability and workforce burnout1 – RBC and RBC Foundation has unveiled the RBC Stronger Nonprofits Program and website as part of their ongoing commitment to help strengthen the capacity and resilience of the nonprofit sector. The new online hub will connect Canadian charitable organizations with essential capacity-building resources, programs and supports, enabling them to continue making a meaningful impact on their communities.
Contributing over $200 billion annually to the Canadian economy and employing more Canadians than any other sector, nonprofits are the backbone of communities across Canada, providing critical services while helping drive change at every level of society.
“Nonprofit organizations are at the heart of how communities across Canada grow stronger – and almost everyone’s life is touched by the work they do,” said Andrea Barrack, Senior Vice President, Sustainability & Impact, RBC. “We’ve listened closely to our community investment partners, and we understand the real challenges they face in delivering the services and programs people depend on. That’s why RBC is committed to investing in the health, resilience and capacity of the nonprofit sector – so these organizations can keep doing what they do best: delivering on their missions.”
Two-pillar approach to capacity building
Since its initial launch in October 2025, the RBC Stronger Nonprofits Program has committed over $8 million in funding over three years to 23 organizations across Canada that are working towards strengthening the nonprofit sector in two critical areas:
Leadership & Talent Resilience: Helping nonprofit leaders develop essential skills, strengthen their own and their teams’ well-being and resilience and providing access to resources and tools needed to thrive in challenging environments. These include coaching, mentorship and peer-to-peer learning programs to help combat isolation and burnout.
Digital Skills Development: Helping nonprofits bridge the digital skills gap and improve operational efficiencies through access to tools, training and systems in areas such as AI adoption, data management and cybersecurity.
“When charities thrive, we build a world where everyone can thrive,” said Duke Chang, President and CEO, CanadaHelps. “With the generous support of RBC and their unique program that reflects the unmet needs of charities today, we are launching CanadaHelps Ensemble to help close the digital capacity gap and build cyber resilience. This bold solution combines advanced digital infrastructure with sector-wide enablement, empowering charities to thrive in a tech-driven world.”
“The RBC Stronger Nonprofits Program is helping Volunteer Manitoba deliver responsive, sector-informed programming that strengthens leadership capacity across the province,” said Ashley Seymour, Executive Director, Volunteer Manitoba. “Through our Executive Director Network – a space for leaders to connect, learn and share experiences – and Advanced Governance Training focused on strategic leadership, risk management and succession planning, we’re equipping the people who lead Manitoba’s nonprofits with the tools and confidence they need to thrive.”
Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 101,000+ employees who leverage their imaginations and insights to bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada’s biggest bank and one of the largest in the world, based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our more than 19 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 27 other countries.
1 Carleton University: At a Tipping Point: The Trilemma Facing Canada’s Charitable Sector.
