Thanks to the generosity of our employees, sponsors and donors we were able to achieve our fundraising goal of $500k and support many community charities and 121 worthy Western Inspirational Award candidates across Canada.
2021, was a huge year for the Communities Foundation, celebrating its 20th Anniversary with a 20th Anniversary Giveback in which $20,000 was awarded to 20 communities across Canada.
Our Infrastructure Grant Program was revamped to include 3 different grants, the Community Infrastructure Grant, Indigenous Community Infrastructure Grant, and the Association of Manitoba Municipalities Community Infrastructure Grant.2021 was a record setting year for Infrastructure Grants in which we were able to award every single applicant a grant, totaling $180,000.
In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic and the strain felt by community food banks, the Communities Foundation launched the Community Food and Nutrition Emergency Fund, a fund that provided a total of $75,000 to food banks in communities across Canada.
On Giving Tuesday our employees were able to select on of four charities to direct their donations to (Ability Online, United Way Canada, Food Bank Canada, Humane Canada) These donations totalled $45,000.
The Communities Foundation welcomed the Wyatt Dowling, Axion and DMW teams on their first National Walk to Support the Cause, and we had a record breaking participation with almost 1900 employees walking their 5km across the county.
A record amount of 79 applications were received for the Matching Grant program, totally $78,000 donated back to communities through this program in 2019.
Exceptional Achievement Citation and Bursary Award name is changed to the Western Inspirational Award. A record 112 bursaries are awarded.
Participation from Western Life Assurance & Group Insurance Solutions ends
Participation from Wyatt Dowling branches begins
Donation made to Humboldt, SK of $10,000
Calgary Stampede Queen and Princesses were special guests at the annual golf tournament and emceed the evening banquet
Record 108 Bursaries to a value of $53,250; Matching Grants $18,457 for 42 projects; Infrastructure Grants 45 for $225,000; Goal Achievers $66,009.70 going back into our Western communities
Record Infrastructure Grant draw of 50 projects for a total of $250,000 awarded
Bursary awards are increased from $500 to $750 each; 93 awarded in 2016
Flood Relief to Yorkton of $10,000
86 bursaries at $500 each; Matching Grants $12,963.90 for 28 projects; 40 Infrastructure Grants drawn for $200,000; Goal Achievers $63,868.33
Established the Goal Achievers (50%) Program - Branches that achieve their Support the Cause fundraising goal averaging $100 per employee can apply to keep 50% of the total funds raised for a community project. 74 branches achieved their goal in 2014 with almost $60,000 given to Western community projects.
Coast Capital Insurance Services and Kootenays joined the WCF initiatives
Record Infrastructure Grant draw of 40 projects for a total of $200,000
Habitat for Humanity program ends with total awards of $150,000– Many of our branches were not able to participate in this program because they did not have a H for H build in their community.
$171,923 was given to the High River Spring Registration Program to cover the cost of one youth sport registration fee per child residing in High River and surrounding areas affected by the flood
Flood Relief to Roblin of $5,000
Flood Relief to Brandon of $10,000
Four core Foundation programs confirmed:
AED program ends. 48 AED’s had been placed in Western communities
Habitat for Humanity - 3 builds ($45,000) Wainwright, Prince Albert, Winnipeg
Flood Relief of $110,000 given for 2 playgrounds, one at Holy Spirit Academy & one at Spitzee School in High River. $10,000 donation was given to Samaritan’s Purse for Flood Relief and $500 for Christmas Food Hampers to the Salvation Army
Online donation capability for STC begins
Golf Tournament held at Heritage Pointe, DeWinton due to flood damage at Highwood. CTV anchor, Darryl Janz mc’d the banquet event. Theme: “Rebuilding our Communities”
Canadian Vision Care program ends. $23,500 was awarded to this program over 9 years.
Habitat for Humanity – 3 builds ($45,000) Prince George, Nipawin, Winnipeg
Bursaries 72; Matching Grants $6,672.58; Infrastructure Grants $70,000; AED’s 1
Habitat for Humanity – Two builds ($30,000) Vermilion & Winnipeg
Bursaries 66; Matching Grants total $5,055; Infrastructure Grants 14; AED’s 2; Vision Care $3,000
Established the Habitat for Humanity Program – With WCF grant funds ($15,000 each) and Western employee volunteer work commitment, the WCF was considered a “significant sponsor” to support a “build.” Branches in Lloydminster, piloted this program with two $15,000 awards for builds in Lloydminster, AB & Lloydminster, SK
After 4 years hosting the golf tournament in the “big tent” at Highwood, the newly built Highwood Club House became our hosting venue
6 branches requested AED’s. Another life saved (a woman in Weyburn) by our AED!
51 bursaries; $4,800 awarded in Matching Grants; $25,000 for Infrastructure Grants
Golf Tournament raised $30,000
Support the Cause Day raised $53,240 with 504 staff participating
Another 16 AED’s awarded at approx. $4,000 each; 36 bursaries awarded at $500 each; 5 infrastructure grants $25,000; almost $5,500 in Matching Grants; Vision Care $3,000
Golf Tournament raised over $55,000 with special guest, Gordie Howe
Support the Cause Day – over $39,000 raised
16 AED’s awarded at approx $4,000 each; 42 bursaries awarded at $500 each; 5 infrastructure grants $25,000; $3,100 in Matching Grants; Vision Care $3,000
Golf Tournament raised over $50.000.
Support the Cause Day – raised nearly $28,000
Established the Community Infrastructure Program awarding three $5,000 grants for community projects for renovation or construction of a publicly owned asset such as a rec centre, arena, splash park, hospital etc.
Established the Exceptional Achievement Citation and Bursary Award program for high school graduates in each community served by Western Financial Group who have displayed inspirational conduct or overcome adversity (mental/physical/emotional/financial) 36 bursaries at $500 each were awarded
Established the Community Defibrillator Program which funded the purchase of Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s) to be located in public facilities such as rec centres, arenas, schools. The program included a two-year service maintenance package, a glass framed wall cabinet and a professional instructor to train staff. A man, 48 years old from Beaverlodge, AB was saved by one of Western’s AED’s.
Completed the Canadian Fallen Heroes program on November 11th, 2006 to a value of $114,400 donated for 572 memorial plaques
Golf Tournament featured special guest, Gordie Howe, and raised over $42,000
Support the Cause raised over $38,000 (407 employees participated)
Established the WCF major fundraiser, Support the Cause Day, where employees from each branch participate in a 5 km walk securing pledges & holding fundraisers to fund the Foundation programs. Approx $37,500 was raised this first STC Day
Established the Matching Grant Program whereby branches could raise money for a local community project to be matched by the Foundation up to $500 ($1,800 awarded funding four projects)
Continued Fallen Heroes Program – 286 now placed
Continued Canadian Vision Care support - $2,000
The location of the Annual Golf Tournament was changed from D’Arcy Ranch to the Highwood Golf & Country Club in High River. A huge tent venue accommodated golfers on September 13, 2005. The golf course had experienced damage from flooding so this began the idea of a “theme” & decorations for each tournament. Instead of the Fall Golf Classic, a well-received theme that year was the “Flood Golf Classic.” The tournament raised over $40,000
Support the Cause Day raised over $34,000
The Helping Hands Program supported efforts to preserve eye-sight for people in developing countries by making a contribution to Canadian Vision Care for equipment and supplies. Eye specialists from Western Financial Group communities volunteered their time, expertise and travel expenses to bring eye care in places like Jamaica, St. Lucia, Dominica and Costa Rica.
Two $10,000 awards for infrastructure projects were made for the Olds swimming pool & SK Summer Games
Continued Fallen Heroes Program - 60 more memorial posters
Continued several fundraising activities including the annual golf tournament
Net $20,500
The Foundation’s first major undertaking was to support the Canadian Fallen Heroes Project, an organization dedicated to honouring the memory of Canada’s fallen heroes. The project created 17x22 inch oak-framed posters commemorating Western Canadians who lost their lives in World War I and II, the Korean Campaign and in Canadian Peace Keeping efforts. The posters included a photo and specific details about the life and death of each hero. Fallen hero posters were unveiled at Remembrance Day ceremonies in Western Financial Group communities commencing with Bow Island, Cochrane, High River, Nanton, Olds, Okotoks, Strathmore, Taber, Vulcan, and Yorkton. 197 posters were created in 2003
The Foundation showcased Canadian speed skater, Jeremy Wotherspoon who toured the network throughout the year visiting schools and business groups. Jeremy hails from Red Deer, AB – a Western Financial Group community
The Western Communities Foundation (WCF) was registered as a private registered charity.
Its mission was threefold:
The Foundation comprised three programs:
The first major fundraiser was initiated: The Western Communities Foundation Annual Fall Classic Golf Tournament held at D’Arcy Ranch in Okotoks on September 24, 2002
Western Financial Group founded the non-profit Western Communities Foundation to express appreciation and demonstrate support of the western communities where Western employees live and work
We are a non-profit registered charity #87030 2619 RR0001 | Copyright 2023
