Azrieli Foundation reaches $1bn milestone in giving as new CEO appointed
The Azrieli Foundation, the largest non-corporate public foundation in Canada, has surpassed $1 billion in charitable disbursements since its founding in 1989 and announced a new leadership structure to guide its next phase of growth.
André Beaulieu, previously a member of the Foundation’s Board and Chair of its Financial Oversight, Risk and Compliance Body, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. With more than 30 years’ experience in senior leadership roles across the philanthropic, public and private sectors, he will now oversee the Foundation’s strategy and day-to-day operations. Dr Naomi Azrieli, daughter of founder David Azrieli and long-serving Chair and Chief Executive Officer, will step into an expanded role as Chair. Since 2005, she has led the Foundation’s development into a major philanthropic force across education, scientific research, healthcare, community initiatives and the arts in both Canada and Israel. In 2024 and 2025 alone, annual disbursements exceeded $150 million. The governance change reflects the scale and complexity of the Foundation’s work, which is guided by Jewish values and supports people of all faiths, ages and backgrounds. For the music sector, the Foundation is particularly known for the Azrieli Music Prizes, established in 2014 by Sharon Azrieli for the Foundation. The biennial prizes support the creation and performance of new works and have become a significant platform for contemporary composers. The 2028 edition will focus on chamber music, with three commissions awarded for Jewish, Canadian and International music. As a partner and major philanthropic funder, the Foundation’s continued expansion signals sustained support for artistic excellence, including new composition and performance opportunities relevant to both the choral and wider music education communities.