In 1896, Hart Massey, an industrialist who built the Massey-Harris farm equipment company, died.
In his will he decreed that the majority of his estate be disposed of by 1916 for the benefit of various public institutions and causes.
In 1962, it built and endowed Massey College at the University of Toronto.
In 1959, the Massey Foundation also established the Massey Medal "to recognize outstanding personal achievement in the exploration, development or description of the geography of Canada."
The Medal is awarded by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.