Our History

Capitalize for Kids started with a bold idea from two young professionals, Jeffrey Gallant and his co-founder Kyle MacDonald, who recognized an opportunity to bring Toronto’s financial community together for a cause close to their hearts: child and youth mental health. In 2014, they launched the Capitalize for Kids Investors Conference, uniting the world’s leading money managers in support of this vital mission. The inaugural event exceeded expectations, raising over $1 million in its first year. What began as a passion project quickly became a responsibility—the remarkable generosity of Canada’s capital markets demonstrated a strong appetite for meaningful impact, inspiring the team to build an organization that would endure.

At its core, Capitalize for Kids is driven by a powerful mission: to solve complex challenges in the community child and youth mental health sector. By harnessing the strength of collaboration, expert advisory services, innovative funding, and pro bono consulting, the organization works to create systemic, sustainable change. Their approach is unique—they don’t just fund programs, they help implement solutions that elevate the entire sector. This means children, youth, and families can access the care they need, exactly when they need it, breaking down barriers that too often delay or deny critical support.