iA Financial Names 12 Philanthropic Contest Finalists
The insurer doubled the contest's annual funding to a record $1 million, with the public voting on four $200,000 grand prizes.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Philanthropy
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iA Financial Group has selected 12 finalists for the 10th annual edition of its Philanthropic Contest, drawn from Quebec, Ontario, Western Canada and Atlantic/Northern Canada. The company doubled the annual contest funding to a record $1 million this year.
Why it matters
The contest directs charitable funding to community projects across Canada and gives the public a direct role in choosing grand prize recipients. The insurer's annual contribution target ties the contest to its broader pledge to give 1% of pre-tax profits to charitable causes.
iA Financial Group has invested $11.4 million in community initiatives in 2025 and aims to contribute 1% of its pre-tax profits annually to charitable causes. The contest has received over 2,100 submissions since its 2017 launch, and the public vote for the grand prize winners remains open.
The players
iA Financial Group
A Quebec City-based financial services company that operates insurance and wealth management businesses across Canada.
The details
Public voting for the four $200,000 grand prizes runs from November 3 to November 25 at ia.ca/donations-contest, and the remaining finalists share the balance of the donation. This year's contest focuses on investing in the next generation.
Timeline
November 3, 2026: Public voting opens for the grand prize winners.
November 25, 2026: Public voting closes.
Week of December 7, 2026: Four grand prize winners are to be announced.
Corporate Giving Trend
iA Financial Group's 1% pre-tax profit pledge sets the framework for this year's record $1 million contest funding, doubled from prior years. The contest, launched in 2017 to mark the company's 125th anniversary, has since invested more than $5 million in charitable initiatives.
Canadians can vote for grand prize winners between November 3 and November 25 at ia.ca/donations-contest. Voting is open to all Canadians, so residents of any region can help decide which projects receive the $200,000 prizes.
The takeaway
Corporate giving programs that let the public choose recipients can channel funds to local priorities that a single committee might overlook. Readers who want to influence where the money goes can vote during the open window.
What happens next
Public voting for the four grand prize winners runs from November 3 to November 25, 2026, with winners to be announced the week of December 7, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more philanthropy coverage for context on how Canadian companies direct community funding.
More information
Cast a vote on the Philanthropic Contest public voting page during the November 3 to November 25 window.
Live Poll
Do you trust big companies' charitable giving to really help your community?
