HELPING YOU MAKE A LASTING difference report 2016 annual For assisting with our auditing needs: For supporting a variety of important needs: KPMG LLP AV Ontario Hacienda Sarria Blitzen Igloo Software a sincere thank you a sincere For assisting with our legal needs: Cober School of Accounting and Finance, University of Waterloo Crowne Plaza Simpson Print Miller Thomson LLP Darlise Café Taylor-Newberry Consulting Decision.io Tomasz Adamski Photography For assisting with our need for office and meeting space: For assisting us with media support: Family & Children’s Services of Waterloo Region 570 News 91.5 The Beat CHYM FM KidsAbility CKWR Country 106.7 DAVE FM KW Counselling Services New Hamburg Independent Exchange Magazine Faith FM Zehr Levesque Inc. Rogers Television Virgin Radio Woolwich Observer A SINCERE one And a specialthank thank you to our 2016 Sponsors and Partners! you Thanks to their continued support, this report The KWCF Annual Report is printed with the generous was designed by the incredible team at support of Cober Evolving Solutions. Quarry Integrated Communications Inc. table of table contents The Kitchener and Waterloo Community 1 A Sincere Thank You Foundation improves the quality of life 3 Leadership Update in Kitchener-Waterloo and area, now and 5 KWCF Volunteers for generations to come, by building 7 Waterloo Region’s Vital Signs® community endowment, addressing needs 9 Belonging at The KWCF through grant making, and providing 13 Remembering a Loved One – The Redman’s leadership on key community issues. 15 Small Donations Can Equal Big Impact – UW R+T Park 17 Honouring France-Anne – The Sweeny’s OUR 19 A Gift Today is a Gift for Tomorrow – KW Counselling Services 21 Settling Syrian Newcomers in Waterloo Region 23 Connecting Through the Ages – THEMUSEUM 25 Bridging the Gap – Newcomer Grants Program 27 The Business of Curating Dreams – Bridges to Belonging 29 Our Commitment – KWCF Donor Bill of Rights 31 2016 By The Numbers mission32 Funds – Market Value 35 Accumulated Donations & Legacy Leaders 41 2016 Grants 47 2016 Financial Report 53 Our Staff leadership update leadership IT’S A NEW DAY 2016 was a year of significant change and achievement three This Annual Report provides a snapshot into the important work that Our continuing focus on Belonging led to the co-hosting, with the The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation (The KWCF) is House of Friendship and the University of Waterloo, of an event in undertaking on your behalf. The KWCF continues to serve on behalf May with Canada’s former Governor-General, The Right Honourable of our many generous donors and dedicated volunteers. We are so Adrienne Clarkson. This event served as our annual 2016 Town Hall thankful for their unwavering support. meeting and highlighted Madame Clarkson’s recent work on Belonging. The Foundation continues to be at the forefront of improving Our annual Waterloo Region Vital Signs® launch event took place in the well being and quality of life in the Region of Waterloo. October and continued to examine the priorities for our Region. With By continuing to focus on Belonging in the community, particularly the insightful support of our Expert Review Panel, we painted a picture, through our work on Waterloo Region Vital Signs®, we believe using key statistical indicators, of how our Region is progressing in that tangible advances will be made in creating a more inclusive, the areas of Belonging & Leadership, Arts & Culture, Getting Started accessible community for all. and Health & Wellness. In order to fully support the broader priority setting work of Wellbeing Waterloo Region, we will be taking a one- 2016 witnessed an out-pouring of community support for the Syrian year hiatus from Vital Signs with a new report scheduled for 2018. Refugee crisis. Our work with the Immigration Partnership, combined with the generous support of many donors and fund-holders, led Random Act of Kindness Day®, held on November 4th, continued to the availability of almost $700,000 that was allocated to many to leave a footprint on the community with an even stronger and organizations that played such a vital role in embracing over 1,000 more pervasive response than previous years. People throughout the refugees who now make their homes in Waterloo Region. Region and across several sectors participated by showing kindness and support to others throughout the community. “We are delighted with our progress and our achievements update leadership in 2016, a year of change and renewal. For us, it’s a new day!” The Foundation’s popular Engage!KW Program took a pause local charities and organizations. We are proud of the support in 2016 to evaluate its strengths and potential areas for we were able to provide, due to the generosity of donors and improvement. We continue to gather information from participants the careful stewarding of our assets. and stakeholders in an effort to ensure the program consistently meets the needs of the community while producing top-notch, The KWCF also began exploring the possibility of engaging dedicated future leaders. in Impact Investing in 2016. This development would allow The Foundation to use its assets to make tangible, positive Our Annual Chair’s reception in November celebrated the contributions to the region via impactful projects, with an initial successes of 2016 while providing donors a glimpse of what is focus on affordable housing, while still ensuring fiscal prudence on the horizon for The Foundation. The event also provided an and responsible investing. This promises to be an area of priority emotional and fitting send-off to retiring CEO Rosemary Smith, interest for the Foundation’s Board and Staff in 2017. who stepped away from the Foundation in October. Since Rosemary’s departure, The Foundation has been fortunate to be In summary, we are delighted with our progress and our four led by Stephen Swatridge, our Interim CEO. Stephen has brought achievements in 2016, a year of change and renewal. For us, his many years of leadership, skill and experience to the role and it’s a new day! We look forward to welcoming several new Board we are grateful to him for sharing his time, expertise and members joining our governance team and to the appointment relationship-building acumen as The KWCF transitions to of a permanent CEO to lead the organization. With your continuing a permanent CEO expected in mid-2017. support and encouragement, we plan to work even harder during the next year to make a positive impact on the health and well-being Through prudent stewardship, The Foundation is pleased to report of our community. success with the financial results – our Investment Committee oversaw an 8.1% return on investment; we received new gifts in excess of $1.3 million; and we disbursed $3.5 million in grant to Board of Directors Carl Coelho Vital Signs Expert Panel David Brenneman – Chair Xiaopu Fung Tara Bedard Debbie Currie – Vice Chair Sospeter Gatobu Lucille Bish Ed D’Agostino Randy Gondosch Jim Bowman Roger Farwell Chris Harold Ryan Connell Brock Hart Gordon Hatt Nancy Dickieson Dan Herman Rita Hemmerich Silvia Di Donato kwcf 2016 volunteers John Milloy Ryan Huckle Lorie Fioze Mike Murray Pari Karem Pat Fisher Lori Payne Earle McCormick Jenny Flagler-George Eric Strassburger Mellissa McDonald Robert Hemple Patrick McKeen Michael May Audit Committee Susan Quarry Kelly McManus Lori Payne – Chair Erin Rudland Leia Minaker Ed D’Agostino – Past Chair Kristine Schumacher Shaena Morris David Brenneman Isabella Stefanescu Dr. Liana Nolan Mike Murray Nate Tedesco Katherine Pigott Eric Strassburger Jen Vasic Trisha Robinson Lisa Short Investment Committee Leadership Identification Committee David Siladi Eric Strassburger – Chair Brock Hart – Chair Denise Squire David Brenneman Roger Farwell – Past Chair Linda Terry Jason Daly David Brenneman five Dennis Huber Debbie Currie Impact Investing Task Force Claude Macorin John Milloy Dan Herman – Chair Larry Murray Mike Murray Mike O’Neill Youth In Recreation Committee Lori Payne Jennifer Ramsey-Armorer Roly Webster – Chair Eric Strassburger Richard Skehan Dayna Giorgio – Vice-Chair Robin Stanton Kourtney Beckman Bryce Walker Debbie Dover For Sharing Their Time & Talent Cheryl Ewing Nancy Bird Engage!KW Committee Loretta Kooymans Cathy Brothers Loretta Kooymans Tamara Neill Ryan Connell Mellissa McDonald James Popham Cameron Dearlove Kay Nadalin Jennifer Sharer Georgina de Barros Mike Pereira Amy Tupling Mary Jo Fedy Jordan Schmidt Rose Greensides Yesenia Torres Nominating Committee Jane Hennig Anne Lavender Amy Tupling Mayor Dave Jaworsky Stephanie Mancini Jessica Weisner Rosa Lupo Kelly McManus Ingrid Pregel Kenneth Murray Grants Committee Regional Chair Ken Seiling Jessica Kropf – Chair Karen Redman Mayor Berry Vrbanovic Peter Meier – Past Chair Tim Sipkens Lillian Bass University of Waterloo BASE students Building We build assets and other funds to provide lasting support for local priorities. We make giving easy and effective, accepting a wide variety of gifts and providing leading investing, building, donors with a number of charitable options. You can contribute cash, stocks, property, and other assets. You may establish a fund in your name or in the name of a loved one. In most cases, your gift qualifies for maximum tax advantage under federal law. At The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation, asset building also includes knowledge and relationships. By building our knowledge of community issues and opportunities as well as developing and maintaining strategic relationships, The KWCF provides a strong foundation for community development. Investing six Our foundation’s staff and volunteers have an in-depth understanding of the issues, opportunities, and resources that shape our community. We evaluate all aspects of community well-being — including belonging, social services, education, the environment, health care, youth, seniors, and the arts. We can help you learn more about local organizations and programs that make a difference in areas you care about most.