About PRISM | PRISM
Our Collective Impact
We help leading Canadian companies further their community impact by providing resources and third-party validation of corporate support. By setting benchmarks and sharing best practices, we aim to strengthen business-nonprofit partnerships, catalyze Canadian philanthropy and volunteerism, and ensure resources flow more equitably to nonprofit organizations and communities.
Established in 1988, the Imagine Canada Certification awards a Trustmark to companies that donate at least 1% of pre-tax profits to the communities where their employees live and work. Beyond Certification, we offer custom assessments, specialized learning, and partnership support to help companies enhance and communicate their social impact and community investment strategies.
Catalysing Charitable Contributions
“In Canada, as an Imagine Caring Company, we support the principles of corporate citizenship and benchmarks for community investment established by Imagine Canada. As a founding Imagine Caring Company since 1988, we have contributed more than $245 million to Canadian communities.”
– Canada Life
From Caring Company to PRISM: What’s Changed?
The Imagine Canada Certification is now part of the PRISM Community Impact Company Network. This new network combines the trusted Caring Company Certification with expanded resources and thought leadership to shape the future of corporate social impact.
The PRISM Network offers a full suite of support - including advisory services, insights, training, and partnership solutions - to strengthen your community engagement. Any company can join the network, whether or not they are certified, creating opportunities to grow your team’s skills and amplify your impact.
Certified companies will now be more closely tied to the Imagine Canada brand, as the “Caring Company” name is phased out. The PRISM Network will be your go-to hub for research, standards, and evolving best practices - helping your team stay ahead with Certification standards evolving over time to reflect new insights.
History of the Program
Launched in 1988 by the Canadian Centre for Philanthropy and five founding companies, the Imagine Canada Corporate Certification has played a defining role in shaping corporate social responsibility in Canada.
It quickly became a respected symbol of a company’s commitment to community investment.
The program introduced clear, measurable standards - most notably the benchmark of donating at least 1% of pre-tax profits - which gave companies a framework for meaningful, strategic giving.
A strong culture of knowledge sharing ensured that corporate contributions were aligned, impactful and connected to broader goals.
Over time, the prestige of the Caring Company Certification has inspired healthy competition and driven billions in new corporate donations. It continues to leave a lasting legacy of generosity and community impact across the country.
FAQs
The PRISM Network builds on the foundation of the Caring Company Certification by adding a suite of new resources, including advisory services, training, and cutting-edge research. While the original program was focused solely on meeting the 1% pre-tax profit giving standard, PRISM expands the scope to foster innovation and provide more support for companies to increase their social impact through best practices and thought leadership.
Joining the PRISM Community Impact Company Network connects your company to a trusted certification and a growing community of peers committed to corporate social impact. You’ll gain access to practical tools and expert advisory services, thought leadership, training, and insights to strengthen your community investment strategy. Whether or not your company is certified, the PRISM Network offers opportunities to grow your team’s expertise, enhance your social impact, and stay ahead of evolving best practices in corporate giving. Learn more about the services we offer.
To be eligible for Imagine Canada Certification, companies must donate 1% of their pre-tax profits to Canadian charities and nonprofits every year. This commitment is verified on an annual basis to ensure ongoing compliance with the certification standards.
Being Imagine Canada Certified comes with several benefits, including the use of the Trustmark, which serves as a public symbol of your company’s commitment to community investment and responsible business practices. It can enhance your company’s reputation, build trust with stakeholders, and set you apart as a leader in social impact. Additionally, certified companies gain recognition from Imagine Canada, which can open up new opportunities for partnerships, networking, and support within the community investment sector.
Absolutely! Our team is here to guide you through the eligibility requirements and certification process at every step. Please reach out to us at prism@imaginecanada.ca if you have any questions!
Yes, any large Canadian company can join the PRISM Network, even if they do not currently meet the criteria for Certification. PRISM offers resources such as training, advisory services, and partnership solutions designed to help companies elevate their corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices and move towards future qualification.