Who We Are

The Empire Club Foundation is the charitable arm of the Empire Club of Canada, one of the country's most respected public forums, with a history spanning more than 122 years. Building on the Empire Club's legacy of convening influential leaders and national conversations, the Foundation ensures that students and emerging leaders have meaningful access to the ideas, networks, and opportunities that shape Canada's future. By connecting young people with today's decision-makers, innovators, and changemakers, we equip the next generation with the confidence, relationships, and leadership skills needed to contribute to Canada's civic, social, economic, and cultural life.

WHAT WE DO

The Foundation delivers a growing suite of programs designed to give students direct access to the people and ideas shaping Canada.

• Student Table Program — Students from colleges and universities attend Empire Club events alongside business leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and public servants. They participate in the conversation, build professional networks, and gain exposure to leadership in action.
• Student Spotlight — Selected students submit questions that are featured live during Empire Club events, giving young people a platform to engage directly with some of Canada's most influential voices.
• Beyond the Podium — Post-event mentorship circles where students participate in small-group conversations with speakers and panellists, creating meaningful opportunities for learning, connection, and career exploration.
• Hal Jackman Future Nation Builder Awards — A national scholarship and leadership initiative launching in 2027 that will identify, recognize, and connect exceptional student leaders from across Canada.
• Campus Ambassador Program — A growing network of student representatives who help bring Foundation programs and opportunities to campuses nationwide.

WHY YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS

When you donate to the Empire Club Foundation, you invest in Canada's next generation of leaders. Your support helps students gain access to rooms they might never otherwise enter, conversations they might never otherwise hear, and relationships that can change the trajectory of their lives. Every gift helps create opportunities for young people to learn, lead, connect, and contribute. It helps ensure that talent, curiosity, and potential, not circumstance, determine who gets a seat at the table. Together, we are helping build the next generation of Canadian leaders.