Donors
Edmonton Community Foundation (ECF) connects donors with opportunities that build a stronger, more vibrant community — now and in the future.
Through the creation of endowment funds, ECF helps connect donors’ gifts to the charities and causes that are important to them. Each year, a percentage of the fund is distributed to help the chosen charity achieve its goals. With one gift, the impact of each investment can be felt for generations.
Garnet Ireland
Our donors come from all walks of life. They each have unique charitable interests and financial circumstances. Many are like Garnet Ireland, who maintained a strong relationship with one non-profit during his life. For Garnet, that organization was Pilgrims Hospice. By planning ahead, Garnet ensured a stable future for the organization that meant so much to him. An endowment fund with ECF — a gift of shares and a life insurance policy — provide permanent support for Pilgrims Hospice.
Friends United For YEG - Gurvinder Bhatia
Sometimes our donors bring their friends together to establish a fund as a group. Gurvinder Bhatia did just that and created the Friends United for YEG Fund. Now the group meets every summer for a barbecue, where they select a charity to fund. One of the great things about an endowment at ECF is the flexibility you have to designate your support.
Ogilvie LLP
Some of our donors are businesses like Ogilvie LLP, who we help realize their goals of social responsibility. Ogilvie opened its fund on the company’s 75th anniversary in 1994. Its initial gift of $10,000 has grown to more than $550,000. It has issued more than $200,000 through more than 200 grants to charitable organizations around Edmonton. Ogilvie staff members select which charities receive grants from the fund, and the company posts the numbers in the lunch room as a testament to the company’s commitment to giving back.
Mile Zero Dance & FAVA
With ECF, charities can be donors themselves. Our Endowment Sustainability Program helps organizations like Mile Zero Dance and FAVA invest in long-term, sustainable support.
Emmy Stuebing
Others are like Emmy Stuebing. Her family has a long tradition of giving back to their community. These values were instilled in Emmy at an early age and for years she had been making several one-time donations to charities. However, she wanted to play a larger, permanent role of support in her community. When Emmy realized that a fund at ECF can start granting when it reaches $10,000, and that she could take 10 years to reach that threshold, the decision was easy. Now Emmy lives in Victoria, but her fund will continue to support charities and causes important to her here in Edmonton.
These are just a few examples of who our donors are. To see the full range of their impact, take a look at our Generosity in Action booklet and our memorial booklet.
There are so many ways to give. Whatever your circumstances, ECF is dedicated to helping tailor a plan that’s right for you. It all starts with a phone call.