Taking the Show on the Road

Jun. 2026

Spring Field Trips

Continuing on our three-part series of Power, Learning and Strategy in Philanthropy, this issue explores putting philanthropic "theory" into practise.

We will take you on a behind-the-scenes field trip to Foundry BC's flagship building that was recently donated and is undergoing a major renovation. From there we will head over to Berlin, Germany where we dive into how the Robert Bosch Foundation aligns research with giving. Ultimately creating a "learning organization."

We host these unique learning experiences throughout the year. Our next one will be in Cologne, Germany on October 13th, 2026. Save the date! More details will be sent out via our newsletter so make sure you have signed up.

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Entrepreneurial Philanthropy in Action: Canadian Family Leaders Tour Foundry Vancouver

On May 25, 2026, a group of Canadian family business owners and family office members participated in an exclusive “hard hat tour” of Foundry Vancouver’s newest facility in Yaletown. The visit showcased how private philanthropy can extend far beyond traditional cheque-writing—leveraging the same entrepreneurial skills that built their businesses to create meaningful, systemic social impact.

Applying the Entrepreneurial Mindset to Philanthropy

Family business leaders brought their operational expertise and strategic thinking to the table, exploring how the “4 T’s” of philanthropy—Time, Talent, Treasure, and Ties—can be deployed more effectively. Together with other levers like capacity-building investments and meaningful youth engagement in program design, donors helped successfully adapt Australia’s Integrated Youth Services model to meet Canadian needs.

This entrepreneurial approach to giving is defined by a commitment to building a healthier and thriving society through innovation, practical solutions, and sustainable impact.

Nuvyn Peters Partners with Karma & Cents to Lead New Charitable Advisory Service

Karma & Cents has built its reputation on helping foundations and families give with intention. Today, we are proud to evolve that mission. We are thrilled to announce that Nuvyn Peters is partnering with our team to launch a dedicated service suite designed specifically for charities.

Nuvyn is a titan in the Canadian philanthropic landscape. As the former VP of Advancement at the University of Calgary, she spearheaded the $1.41 billion Energize campaign - one of the most successful in Canadian history.

From the halls of Georgetown University to her advocacy at the Tahirih Justice Center, Nuvyn has spent her career mastering the art of the "Big Ask" and the science of lifelong engagement. Currently, Nuvyn serves as President & CEO of Axis Connects and Board Ready Women.

By adding Nuvyn’s expertise to our firm, Karma & Cents now offers a truly 360-degree perspective. We don't just help foundations find the right causes; we now help charities become the "right cause" through sophisticated capital raising, advocacy, and strategic growth.

Curious about integrating entrepreneurial philanthropy into your family’s strategy?

Scan the QR Code to contact Karma & Cents to explore how your Time, Talent, Treasure, and Ties can drive meaningful change.

Oh the Places We've Been...

Robert Bosch Foundation

Gena recently returned from Berlin where she spent an afternoon with Alexander Thamm, Project Manager for the Robert Bosch Academy.

We discussed how a private foundation integrates deep learning on complex issues related to geo-politics and socio-economics within their decision making and program offerings. For North American donors, this approach to embedding knowledge across a grantmaking institution is in its infancy.

This year's Academy fellows include fellow Canadian the Honourable Ratna Omidvar. The focus of her research is on the role that immigration plays in advancing civil society and national economies.

We host these types of events throughout the year in various cities. They are spurred on by our clients who want to connect with other funders and industry experts.

Curious about how your family foundation can integrate deeper learning within your organization? Want to connect with other funders on a topic?

Reach out and we can help you plan unique learning journeys for your foundation.

Upcoming Events

Save the Date:

October 13, 2026

Family Philanthropy Tour in Cologne, Germany

Join a small group (5-6 family foundations) on a private tour of Cologne. The focus of the tour will be on the role that philanthropy plays in building a strong job-market. We will discuss issues concerning youth unemployment, impacts of immigration on the local economy and ways that private philanthropy is creating new opportunities for both these demographics.

This is a unique experience for funders who are investing in similar projects in North America.

Tour includes visits to a couple non-profit organizations, a visit to some of Cologne's unique sites and a private meeting with the head of the foundation.

More details will be released over the coming months. Make sure you join our mailing list to be kept informed.

This event is open for family foundations and private donors only.

Nov. 20-22, 2026

Banff Alberta

Families Summit of Minds

Join Gena Rotstein and Daryl Kootenay at this year's Family Enterprise Canada/Family Enterprise Foundation - Families Summit of Minds where we will explore the interconnectedness of Indigenous and Non-Indigenous families, community systems and how philanthropy shapes these relationships.

This workshop is part of a full weekend gathering where the knowledge is in the room. Brining families together to explore a variety of topics including economic impacts, geo-politics, complexities of family businesses and how technology and AI are re-designing how families work together.

More Information

Looking for a speaker for your next event?

Stop funding problems. Start financing solutions.

"Why do we still have the same problems we were trying to solve 50 years ago?"

That is the question the Karma & Cents team asks audiences to help them rethink their approach to giving and of organizations to improve their operational effectiveness.

In a world filled with complex social issues—from food security to mental health—traditional philanthropy often falls short. K&C acts as a bridge, helping donors, foundations, and businesses connect their capital to solutions that actually stick.

Karma & Cents team members are now accepting bookings for 2026/27 speaking engagements.

Known for work in:

"Wicked Problem" funding models
Social Impact Lab facilitation and design
Family legacy and foundation strategies
Indigenous Grantmaking

If you are looking for a speaker who brings both heart (Karma) and data (Cents), book a session for your event today.

Karma & Cents Inc.| Contact Us