The power of philanthropy
(L-R) Habitat GTA’s Joshua Bénard, EVP, Real Estate & Construction, and Brooks Barnett, Board Chair; Cecil Hawkins of the Canerector Foundation; Habitat GTA homeowner Zakerie Farah; Robert Somers, Susan Hawkins and Amanda Hawkins of the Canerector Foundation; and Habitat GTA CEO Ene Underwood cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the Canerector Foundation Build Factory and the announcement of a $10-million gift to Habitat for Humanity GTA in Toronto on September 14, 2026. supplied
Canerector Foundation’s $10-million gift drives Habitat GTA’s most ambitious decade yet
For Habitat for Humanity GTA, Canerector Foundation’s transformational $10-million gift is more than a donation. It is a vote of confidence in an organization poised for growth, and in the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to build a stable future through affordable homeownership. For the Habitat GTA team, it represents a moment of tremendous optimism about what can be achieved in the years ahead.
“The first $5-million will support building a permanent, new Habitat affordable homeownership community, transforming lives for generations to come. The second $5-million will change the trajectory of Habitat GTA itself, strengthening our ability to construct more homes than ever before,” says Ene Underwood, CEO of Habitat for Humanity GTA.
At a time when Canada is facing its greatest housing affordability crisis, Ms. Underwood describes the gift as an example of catalytic philanthropy at its best.
“This is a major investment in a non-profit’s capacity right at the time when we have the capability to build more,” she says.
“At a time when Canada is facing an unprecedented housing affordability crisis, we need more philanthropists to ask how they can be part of the solution. ”
Recognized as the largest gift any Habitat for Humanity affiliate has ever received in Canada, the investment will enable Habitat GTA to expand its capacity by having a permanent 16,000-square-foot build factory in central Toronto.
The purpose-built facility, which was officially opened last week, will enable supporters to work indoors year-round; improve safety and efficiency; dramatically reduce on-site framing time from three to four months to three to four weeks; and cut material waste, says Ms. Underwood.
“After years of trying to grow our capacity, we are at a point where we now have the capability to deliver at a much higher level. Against that backdrop, we finalized our 2,000 homes strategic plan. This is a commitment that by the end of 2035, we are going to deliver 2,000 new homes in the GTA, which is $1.2-billion to $1.5-billion of new, permanently affordable housing infrastructure,” she says.
Canerector Foundation’s support is the result of a long association with Habitat GTA and represents a deep trust in Habitat GTA’s operations, philosophy and staff.
Susan Hawkins, president of the foundation, shared, “Habitat’s mission first drew me to volunteer, over 25 years ago. Since then, I’ve worked in many capacities alongside people from all walks of life, giving me a true appreciation for their work and their genuine desire to create meaningful change. Our family soon began sponsoring individual homes, and we’ve been proud to share in the joy of homeownership with so many hardworking families.”
The gift to enable the build factory was a compelling opportunity, which intrigued Ms. Hawkins right away.
“Creating the Canerector Foundation allowed us to make a more significant investment to address our housing crisis. I’ve always loved working on build sites, and doing that safely, protected from the elements, sounded ideal,” she says.
“After a thorough cost-benefit analysis from the Habitat team, it was clear this was the right investment. The hands-on building experience is integral to Habitat’s philosophy, and adding the capacity for groups of volunteers and donors to build together, year-round, makes it a wonderful experience for everyone. It’s also a great complement to our homeownership community investment, building the capacity behind the homes themselves.”
“We hope people will see that Canerector Foundation’s gift is a major anchor investment in the growth of Habitat for Humanity GTA. We need others to follow, to put up their hands and say, ‘How can I help?’” says Ms. Underwood.
Ms. Underwood observes that Canadians tend to view affordable housing as a responsibility of governments; thus, housing rarely emerges as a philanthropic priority for people, and particularly for people who are in a position to make multi-million-dollar transformational gifts.
“Supporting Habitat for Humanity GTA is about investing in the people who make our communities thrive: teachers, early childhood educators, transit workers, artists and many others. At a time when Canada is facing an unprecedented housing affordability crisis, we need more philanthropists to ask how they can be part of the solution,” she says.
“Philanthropy is the secret sauce for us – we take what we can do, what volunteers can help us do, what governments can help us do – and then donations provide that final push to be able to deliver homes that working families can afford.
“Canada is on the verge of the greatest transfer of generational wealth in this nation’s history, and a lot of that wealth was created through real estate. Now is the moment for people who can make large gifts to consider the opportunity they have to make a real difference in what communities will look and feel like for their grandchildren in the future,” says Ms. Underwood.
Ms. Hawkins agrees and says solving the housing problem in Toronto requires bold action.
“The scale of Toronto’s housing crisis means no single gift, no single organization, can solve it. It’s going to take many people making bold moves and sustained effort. We hope this is just one of them,” she says.
Learn more: habitatgta.ca