Who We Are

“With your efforts, we are raising awareness of the incredible impacts that are made by our social services sector.”

Hon. Michael Tibollo,
Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Government of Ontario


Roots
Collage of photos

About the Bhayana Family Foundation

The premier national awards program for excellence in the human services sector

Incorporated in 2006, the Bhayana Family Foundation partners with United Ways and Provincial Nonprofit Associations and Governments across Canada to close the recognition gap for the Nonprofit sector. The contributions to our society’s well-being – and to our economy – are well-documented and immense. Yet all too often, the sector and its dedicated professionals are overlooked and undervalued. Our focus is to strengthen the roots of the community-the Invisible Champions of Canadian Communities.

The United Way/Bhayana Family Foundation Invisible Champion Awards are multi-dimensional, and honour staff in the areas of Leadership, Innovation, Dedication, Partnership, Community Building and Team Achievement.

*Photo top right: MPP Daisy Wai and MP Arif Virani with 2019 Greater Toronto Award Winners.

*Photo bottom right: UW Calgary Chair Jeff Pearson with Award Recipient, UW Staff and Raksha M. Bhayana.

Our Vision

National recognition of the value that the human service sector contributes to Canadian communities.

Our Mission

To ignite excellence and strengthen the roots of Canadian communities by celebrating the Invisible Champions of human services.

Philanthropy based on Partnerships

The United Way/Bhayana Family Foundation Awards have recognized close to:

* Of these 300 organizations more than 100 organizations have received multiple Awards between 2008-2019 for the outstanding contributions of different staff.

Our Board of Directors

The Bhayana Family Foundation Board, 
counter-clockwise starting from the top right:

  • CEO and Co-Founder, Raksha M. Bhayana
  • Secretary and Co-Founder, Madan M. Bhayana
  • Treasurer, Samir M. Bhayana
  • Marketing and Communications, Ninotchka (Nina) M. Bhayana

External Advisors assist the Foundation in its work.