Services

Philanthropy Advisory

You are a changemaker. Watermark is your independent and trusted guide to giving with purpose, clarity and confidence.

Watermark helps you identify and align on your motivations and purposes for giving, determine appropriate giving structures and governance, and build the strategies and partnerships that support your ambitions. We can even help you implement and bring specific initiatives to life, as we strengthen your ongoing capacity.

We are passionate about families.  With discretion and care, we support generous families through pivotal moments of transition, particularly as the rising generation prepares to lead.

Governance is how families organize themselves to make decisions about giving, and demonstrate accountability to self, family and community.  Whether your philanthropic tradition is new or long-established, we blend corporate and family governance principles in our consultation and facilitation to define and build systems that support your vision for impact, provide continuity, and make giving a fulfilling and satisfying experience.

We can help you with:

  • Philanthropy strategy

  • Structures for giving

  • Family and corporate governance

  • Grant-making

  • Implementation and resourcing

Learning and Growth

Watermark offers a suite of engaging individual and collective experiences.

Greater Governance

Watermark helps you deepen your capacity for effective leadership, and promote a healthier governance culture in your foundation, family, or operating charity – anytime or during times of challenge and transition. Our three key modules ensure you have what you need for the governance you want. 

  • Board Builder
    Get your governance glowing

  • Board Check-up
    Comprehensive governance assessment

  • Board Wizard
    Board management services

Retreats & Workshops

Watermark crafts and facilitates meetings and retreats for families and boards. Active conversations and exploration strengthen relationships and builds trust among family members or colleagues. 

We also offer educational workshops to deepen your knowledge and sharpen your skills, in areas such as:

  • Trends and developments in philanthropy

  • Governance and decision-making models

  • Giving and your relationship with wealth

  • Working effectively across the generations

Learning Journeys

Curated learning journeys to inspire and inform your understanding and leadership in philanthropy, customized to your goals and preferred learning styles, over 3-12 months.

These are designed to help you:

  • gain clarity where you may be stuck or lack knowledge

  • open to new possibilities or approaches, and better understand your community

  • expand your network of content experts and practitioners, and

  • inform confident decision making

Research

Watermark holds deep research capacity and experience.

We conduct our own independent research studies and conduct commissioned research projects on topics related to philanthropy, affluent giving in the charitable sector, generous families, and family and corporate governance.  

We bring this rigorous research lens to client engagements when there is a need to better understand an issue, system, organization or approach. Please contact us to learn more. 

View the highlights of our research below.

  • The Governance of multi-generational family philanthropy

    A new model for family philanthropy governance

    Read the summary

  • A Portrait of Affluent Giving in the Caribbbean

    Experiences, challenges and the future of philanthropy

    Read the report

  • Impact Investing & Donor Advised Funds in Canada

    Opportunities, barriers with a view to the future

    Read the report

  • Creating relationships & Inspiring Giving

    Informing a positive dialogue between operating charities ad providers of donor advised funds

    (Coming Spring 2026)