What We Do

Nearly half of the world’s population — more than 3.5 billion people — live on less than $2.50 a day. More than 700 million people live in extreme poverty (less than USD $1.90 a day), the majority of whom are in Africa and Asia.

Aga Khan Foundation Canada tackles the root causes of this poverty through a holistic and interconnected set of programs. These initiatives address people’s most pressing needs and enable them to unlock their full potential, with a particular focus on marginalized groups like women and girls.

Our programs aim to ensure access to high-quality education and health care, ensure food security, improve economic well-being, and develop resilient communities and societies. We bring together human, financial, and technical resources to some of the poorest and most marginalized communities, with an emphasis on women and girls, investing in human potential, expanding opportunity, and improving quality of life.

Where everyone sits in a circle: The Edmonton school giving youth a second chance

Three times a day — morning, midday, and late afternoon — the whole of Edmonton’s Inner City High School gathers

Dispatch from the Fellows: From a Bazaar in Vahdat to the Boardrooms of Central Asia

“My first memory of entrepreneurship is my father’s shop in an open bazaar in Vahdat, Tajikistan. I was maybe eight

Growing together: Parental engagement in Pakistan

Since 2020, over 41,000 parents like Imtiaz in northern Pakistan have participated in training on topics like early childhood development.

A doctor wearing a blue button-up shirt stands in a NICU ward, smiling with his arms crossed. Behind him are newborn incubators against the walls.

The Mountain Doctor: Meet Dr. Ashraf

In mountainous northern Pakistan, access to care is hindered by limited health facilities, inadequate transportation infrastructure, and sociocultural barriers —

We take care of the soil, and the soil takes care of us

This article was originally published in Global Citizens 2026, a special issue of Canadian Geographic magazine that explores how youth, educators,

Dispatch from the Fellows: Where running meets community

“Being part of Kampala’s running community and witnessing these initiatives firsthand has deepened my passion for sport for development. Sport

Dispatch from the Fellows: Positionality, Purpose, and Place

Lougein Metwally is part of AKFC’s 2025-26 cohort of International Youth Fellows. She was placed in Dar es Salaam, working

Running on hope: Izmir Kassam

As told to Caro Rolando  I’m Izmir and I just turned 13 years old. My parents named me after a

Leadership Lens: Israel Ekanem

Leadership Lens is a series of Q&As with participants, and alumni of AKFC’s Global Leadership Program. From artists to philanthropists, finance executives to medical