For more than 35 years, the Azrieli Foundation has been dedicated to strengthening communities and improving people’s lives through strategic and impactful giving.
Unfortunately, in recent months our Foundation has been the repeated target of an ongoing campaign to spread false and damaging misinformation about our work, our values and our philanthropic history. I would like to take this opportunity to address those allegations and provide clarity:
- The Azrieli Foundation is a registered Canadian charity and strictly abides by all CRA charity regulations.
- The Azrieli Foundation is a distinct entity from the Azrieli Group, with an independent board of directors and a separate vision, mission and structure. The Foundation is not the philanthropic arm of the Azrieli Group.
- The Azrieli Foundation is a passive minority shareholder of the Azrieli Group. As a responsible investor, based on our knowledge and information, we can confirm that the Azrieli Group’s activities are entirely within Israel’s internationally recognized borders.
- In keeping with our Foundation’s values, we strive to ensure that every organization we invest in maintains ethical business conduct and the highest Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards.
- We have always been believers in, and advocates for, peaceful coexistence and intercultural understanding in Canada, Israel and beyond.
I am particularly saddened that ongoing attempts to disparage the Foundation have impacted many of the artists, creators and organizations that we have supported over the years in Canada, where our funding touches the arts, education, research, healthcare and caregiving. Many of our programs empower children and youth in marginalized communities, support educators who teach students about the Holocaust and inspire early-stage researchers to think freely and boldly in their pursuit of new medical discoveries.
I want you to know that we strongly condemn these targeted attacks and will not be intimidated by those who seek to vilify our name and discredit our important contributions to communities across Canada and Israel. We are incredibly proud of the work we do, which is guided by Jewish values of compassion, dignity and responsibility, and supports people of all faiths, ages and backgrounds.
Our mission has not changed. We will always stand up for what we believe in and strive to empower those most vulnerable, nurture potential and improve the lives of all people, today and in the future.
Naomi Azrieli
Chair and CEO, Azrieli Foundation
