About Us

The Raymond James Canada Foundation is a private foundation established in 2012 to facilitate and nurture the philanthropic work of Raymond James Ltd, Canada’s largest independent brokerage firm. 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.

We facilitate workplace giving programs and volunteer initiatives to inspire and support community engagement within the firm. For our clients, we simplify strategic charitable giving and offer personalized solutions to meet their philanthropic and financial goals.

Message From the Executive Director

The Raymond James Canada Foundation (the 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 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 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 visiting our website, and we invite you to learn 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.

The Raymond James Canada Foundation serves as a catalyst to mobilize the cumulative resources of Raymond James Ltd. and our people at both the corporate and grassroots levels. At the corporate level, we support many charitable organizations in the communities in which we live and work. Our areas of focus are the arts, children and disadvantaged youths, disaster relief and health-related programs that have a national impact.

Across the firm, our people volunteer their time and talents to make a difference in the lives of others. We support and applaud their efforts, as we share in their vision to make a positive impact on our communities. 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. Donations to the Foundation help fund grants in support of healthcare, children and disadvantaged youth, the arts, and disaster relief.

For our clients, we are committed to helping individuals, families, and corporations build their philanthropic legacies. We offer our clients a sophisticated and cost-effective investment vehicle designed to simplify strategic charitable giving. By incorporating a Charitable Giving Fund into their overall financial plans, our clients are able to increase and sustain their charitable giving for their lifetime and beyond.

Raymond James Ltd.

Raymond James Ltd. is Canada’s largest independent full service investment firm with over 1200 employees and agents across Canada. The greatest strength of our firm is our people. Our Canadian executive team provides industry leadership based on their broad range of expertise and experience. We are dedicated to providing client satisfaction, award-winning equity research, strong asset management performance, long-term corporate stability and a unique culture focused on the success of our advisors and their clients.

Raymond James Ltd. is the Canadian subsidiary of Raymond James Financial, Inc. Established in 1962, our parent firm made its initial public offering in 1983 and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange using the ticker symbol RJF. Raymond James was founded on the principle of always putting the needs of clients first. Our predecessor companies in Canada were doing the same for more than 80 years, and our 3Macs division has a respected legacy of helping individuals and families with their wealth management needs going back to 1849. Today, this principle remains the foundation on which we continue to build our company.

The Executive Director of the Foundation is a full-time employee of Raymond James Ltd., and the Foundation’s Board of Directors is comprised of directors and officers 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 fund-raising 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.

Great Place To Work 2023

Great Place To Work has recognized Raymond James Ltd. as Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance, Best Workplaces for Mental Wellness, for Inclusion, and Best Workplaces in British Columbia.

BC’s Top Employers

Raymond James Ltd. has again been recognized as one of the top employers in BC for 2019. Raymond James is a unique firm. Our deep conviction to our core values of integrity, independence and conservatism, all centered around our intense client-first focus, sets us apart.

Imagine Canada Caring Company

Imagine Canada has recognized Raymond James Ltd. for our leadership and excellence in community investment since 2014. We are proud of our Caring Company status.