The Birch Bark Coffee Company Foundation Fund
The Birch Bark Coffee Foundation
When you find something you believe in, you build for it.
The Birch Bark Coffee Foundation was established on November 29, 2024, held at the Ottawa Community Foundation as a donor-advised fund. Founded by Mark Marsolais-Nahwegahbow, Ojibwe, citizen of Whitefish River First Nation. This Foundation exists because purpose and commerce are not opposites. They belong together. The first contribution to Indigenous communities goes out in 2026, and it will grow every year after that alongside the company that funds it.
A Legacy Built One Cup at a Time
Every bag of Birch Bark coffee sold generates royalties. A portion of those royalties up to 10% of net earnings is directed into two giving streams that reflect the values this company was built on.
The first is the Foundation Fund. Five percent flows to seven Indigenous-serving organizations across Canada, each chosen because it embodies one of the Seven Grandfather Teachings: Nibwaakaawin, Zaagi'idiwin, Minaadendamowin, Aakode'ewin, Gwayakwaadiziwin, Dabaadendiziwin, Debwewin. Wisdom, Love, Respect, Bravery, Honesty, Humility and Truth. These are not words on a wall. They are the framework through which every dollar is directed.
The First Peoples Innovation Centre carries Wisdom forward, equipping Indigenous youth with the technology skills that open real doors. The First Peoples Wellness Circle holds Love, providing culturally grounded mental health support to communities that have carried too much for too long. One Drop Foundation answers the call of Respect because clean water is not a privilege, and too many First Nations communities still wait for it. Indigenous Clean Energy embodies Bravery, building the sustainable infrastructure reserves deserve. The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business stands for Honesty, driving economic power back where it belongs. The Inuuqatigiit Centre reflects Humility, walking alongside Inuit children and families navigating two worlds at once. And the Edmonton 2 Spirit Society carries Truth because every person deserves to be fully seen.
Wiisiniwin
The second stream carries its own name. Wiisiniwin the Anishinaabe word for nourishment.
Indigenous post-secondary students across Canada experience food insecurity at rates that rarely make headlines. They are pursuing education, building futures, and doing it on empty. This five percent is directed toward campus food security programs at Canadian universities and colleges because if Birch Bark coffee is going to be on those campuses, it is going to mean something to the students there.
This is intention built into the way we do business.
Give Directly to the Foundation
If you would like to contribute directly to the seven organizations guided by the Seven Grandfather Teachings, you can donate to the Birch Bark Coffee Foundation Fund through the Ottawa Community Foundation.
Chi-Miigwetch. Every cup counts.