The Foundation was first established in the 1950s by Willard Garfield Weston and his wife Reta, with a donation of shares from the family company, George Weston Limited. Today this business has grown into Canada’s largest private sector employer with over 200,000 employees. The group of food retailing and baking companies includes not only the original baking division, Weston Foods, but also ACE Bakery and Loblaw Companies Limited. It is the success of these companies, the dedication of their employees and the loyalty of their customers that ultimately enables the Foundation to fulfill its charitable mandate.

In 2002 the Executive of the General Council of the United Church of Canada created the Foundation as an arm’s length body that is expert in the management of the trusts and endowments that support the work of the Church now and forever. Over 250 people, known as Founders, helped establish the Foundation by making a gift of at least $1,000. Their gifts were matched by a grant from the United Church of Canada’s Morrison Bequest Fund.

Canon Canada has no formal donations policy but the company supports a wide variety of organizations. Funding interests include arts and culture, health and welfare, athletics, education, community services, and the environment.