Inspired by Jewish values and the vision and resilience of our founder, David J. Azrieli z”l, the mission of Azrieli philanthropy is to improve the lives of present and future generations through Education, Research, Healthcare and the Arts in Canada and Israel.
Remember the past, heal the present, enhance the future of the Jewish people and all humanity.
Priority Areas
The foundation has eight priority funding areas:
- Education,
- Fellowships & Scholarships,
- Community,
- Holocaust Education & Legacy,
- Science & Healthcare,
- Neurodevelopment & Neurodiverse Initiatives,
- Architecture, Design & Engineering, and
- Music, Arts & Culture.
Our investments reach a diversity of people, places and needs.
Our Programs
In addition to strategic philanthropic investments in organizations large and small, the foundation operates a number of programs including the Azrieli Fellows Program, the Holocaust Survivor Memoirs Program, the Azrieli Centre for Music Arts & Culture, the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence and others.
These are hard times and when you have a partner that you can lean on and trust to help you make dreams happen, it really transforms the lives of everyone involved.
Elise Herzig, Executive Director JIAS Toronto (Jewish Immigrant Aid Services)
Our History
1989
The Azrieli Foundation is established in Canada by David J. Azrieli and begins to implement and extend his philanthropic vision in Canada and in Israel.
2002
With a mission of empowering youth at-risk and ensuring school perseverance, the Azrieli Institute for Educational Empowerment is created – reaching nearly 70,000 children in Israel.
2005
The Holocaust Survivor Memoirs Program was established to collect, preserve and share the memoirs written by survivors who came to Canada. More than 150 memoirs have been published, in English and in French, and more than 1 million free books have been distributed to schools across Canada. The program produces bilingual teacher training and education resources, made for and tested by the teachers who use these memoirs in their classrooms.
2007
The Azrieli Fellows Program is established. Identifying and generously supporting the best and brightest researchers in multiple fields working at all of Israel’s research universities, and establishing a network of leaders devoted to multidisciplinary and collaborative work, current and past Fellows now number 577.
2012
Embarking on a mission to fund cutting-edge research in neurodevelopment, the Foundation launches the Azrieli Neurodevelopmental Research Program. With approximately $60 million invested to date, the Foundation has enabled research that benefits people with neurodevelopmental disabilities.
2014
The Azrieli Foundation’s cumulative donations surpass $100 million.
2015
Recognising that music and the arts are vital endeavours that underpin creativity, communication and human development, the Azrieli Music Prize is established and strategic granting to music and arts institutions is significantly increased.
2016
The Foundation begins to drive breakthroughs in science and clinical medical research through multi-million dollar investments in world-class institutions in Canada and Israel.
2018
With annual disbursements now reaching $80M per year, the Foundation is poised to begin another 30 years of creative philanthropic leadership aimed at generating new knowledge and creating positive outcomes for future generations.
In the News
April 13, 2025
How I’m teaching Holocaust literature in light of Canadian recommendations around combatting antisemitism
Read more
Our Impact
Learn more about our Foundation’s impact through the stories of grantee organizations.
Have information and updates about the Azrieli Music Prizes sent directly to your inbox.
The Azrieli Foundation is strictly apolitical. As a registered charity, the Azrieli Foundation does not engage in or fund any partisan political activities.
