In 2014, the Arpeg Group of Companies and its founding Mathisen business family undertook to formalize their rich history of philanthropic endeavours. The Mathisen Family Private Foundation was officially granted non-profit status as a registered charity in order to continue a long tradition of A.K. and B.M. Mathisen’s support for the communities which we call home. By inspiring family-led giving, the Mathisen Family Private Foundation is a proud extension of our four-generation Vancouver, B.C. family and the values which have steered our business and family for over 60 years.


The following guiding principles are the embodiment of our philanthropic focus:
- To support the advancement, treatment, and/or education of Health Care and Research
- To support the appreciation, participation, and/or understanding of Arts and Culture
- To support the advancement of Education
- To support the advancement and/or participation of Sport
Our MFPF donation committee meets three times a year – April, July, and November. Proposals are to be submitted within 15 days of each meeting to allow our multi-generational committee an opportunity to engage with each organization in an effort to better understand how the request aligns with our stated values. Our goal is to communicate decisions within a week of our committee meetings and if possible, work with organizations around more than just monetary support. Opportunities to partner with unique causes and event-based activities are welcome.
Here are some examples of the great community partners of the Mathisen Family Private Foundation:
- Autism BC www.autismbc.ca/about
- Awkward Stage Production Society (ASP) www.awkwardstageproductions.com
- Beach House Theatre Society www.beachhousetheatre.org
- Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland www.bigsisters.bc.ca
- Canadian Premature Babies Foundation www.cpbf-fbpc.org
- Canucks Autism Network www.canucksautism.ca
- Crescent Beach Swimming Club www.cbswimclub.ca
- Earl Marriot Secondary www.surreyschools.ca/schools/earlmarriott
- Espoir For All Society www.espoirsociety.com
- Haida Gwaii Regional Recreation Commission www.hgrec.com
- Harvest Project www.harvestproject.org
- Kupaa Foundation www.kupaafoundation.org
- Northern Rockies Seniors Society www.nrss.ca
- One Girl Can Society www.onegirlcan.com
- Pacific Alzheimer Research Foundation www.parf.ca
- PAL Vancouver www.palvancouver.org
- Raven Spirit Dance Society www.ravenspiritdance.com
- Richmond Gateway Theatre Society www.gatewaytheatre.com
- River City Squash www.rivercitysquash.org
- Salvation Army www.salvationarmy.ca
- St. John Society (British Columbia and Yukon) www.supportsja.ca
- Surrey Urban Mission Society www.sumsplace.ca
- The Altitude Project www.altitudeproject.ca
- The Polygon Gallery www.thepolygon.ca
- The Writer’s Exchange www.vancouverwe.com
- UBC www.ubc.ca
- Union Gospel Mission Foundation www.ugm.ca
- Vancouver College www.vc.bc.ca
- Vancouver Opera Association www.vancouveropera.ca
- Vancouver Public Library Foundation www.vplf.ca
- YWCA Metro Vancouver www.ywcavan.org
To make a donation request please fill out the Donation Request Form and email it to us at [email protected].