The charitable and non-profit sector is an essential driver of Canada’s economy and society. Over the last two decades, Canada’s not-for-profit sector has evolved significantly, continuing to contribute an essential part of Canada’s social fabric, civic life, and economy. Yet, its resilience has emerged as a critical issue.
Established in 2012 by the Mowat Centre, an independent public policy think tank, Mowat NFP provides evidence-based research and analysis on systemic issues facing the not-for-profit sector in Canada. Located at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto, Mowat NFP’s research assesses the policy drivers and enabling conditions that can strengthen, accelerate and scale the not-for-profit sector’s contributions to build thriving communities and improve well-being.
Mowat NFP works in partnership with umbrella organizations such as the Ontario Nonprofit Network (ONN), Philanthropic Foundations Canada, and Imagine Canada to ensure its research and policy recommendations are timely, relevant, and realistic.
In addition to undertaking collaborative applied policy research, Mowat NFP excels in convening and facilitating events, bringing together a diverse range of stakeholders across the country and internationally to discuss sector-relevant issues and to foster critical learning of innovative policy solutions to the most pressing problems facing Canada today.

Our People
Mowat NFP brings together a team of leaders and analysts to deliver cutting-edge public policy research and insights to enable the not-for-profit sector.
Lisa Lalande
Lisa Lalande is the Executive Director for the Mowat Centre’s Not-for-Profit Research Hub (Mowat NFP). She leads the development and execution of Mowat NFP’s research agenda. The hub’s research looks at long-standing structural, foundational, and systemic issues affecting the charitable and non-profit sector work together from a systems-lens.
Joanne Cave
Joanne is a Senior Policy Analyst for Mowat NFP, bringing her expertise in policy advocacy, impact evaluation and systems change. Located in Edmonton, Joanne is currently completing a J.D. at the University of Alberta Faculty of Law.
Our Advisory Committee
Mowat NFP’s Advisory Committee provides insight on trends and issues impacting the not-for-profit sector and its ability to effectively contribute to Canada’s society and economy. Committee members help inform and shape Mowat NFP’s research agenda and support research dissemination to the not-for-profit sector, government, and the general public. Current members include:
Jean-Marc Mangin
President and CEO, Philanthropic Foundations Canada
Hilary Pearson
Co-chair, Advisory Committee on the Charitable Sector
Ruth Crammond
Vice President, Community Investment & Development, United Way Greater Toronto
Jim Hughes
Executive Lead, McConnell Foundation
Susan Manwaring,
Partner, Miller Thomson
Katie Gibson
Consultant
Blair Dimock
Vice-President, Partnerships and Knowledge, Ontario Trillium Foundation
Sandy Houston
President and CEO, Metcalf Foundation
Elizabeth McIsaac
President, Maytree Foundation
Cathy Taylor
Executive Director, Ontario Nonprofit Network
Bruce MacDonald
CEO, Imagine Canada
Lisa Lalande
Executive Director, Mowat NFP
Andrew Parkin
Former Director, Mowat Centre
Our Funders
Mowat NFP’s work is made possible through generous support from the following organizations:



