The roots of The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation reach as far back as the 1930's. That's when the original trust from the estate of Henry Knell was created and administered by Waterloo Trust through the oversight of Walter Bean.

A man of vision, Walter saw the importance of starting a community foundation that could truly make a difference in our community. In 1984, Walter and a group of trustees approached the provincial government to create a foundation that was both stable and able to help the community. With an Act of Parliament, The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation was born with a fund of $135,000.

Today, The Foundation's permanent assets are over $46 million. In 2009, The KWCF approved grants of almost $607,000 in both Flow-through and Endowed grants, and has granted more than $23.5 million to worthy charities throughout Kitchener-Waterloo and area since its inception.