Like many, Rosalind and Dieter Kays feel they are blessed to live in this community. And, they think it's only proper to pass some of those blessings back to others who have not been so fortunate. 

Their strong personal values and deep-seated faith have inspired them to take an active role in supporting a number of causes including their church and local and international relief organizations. 

This past year the Kays took their charitable giving one step further when they set up a family…

After his late wife passed away in 2004, Brian Fisher knew that he wanted to honour her memory. Christine Fisher was an avid golfer and supporter of the Golf Association of Ontario. While considering a donation in Christine's name to the Golf Association, one of Brian's KPMG colleagues suggested to him that he set up an endowment fund.

"That got me thinking about The KWCF and the work they were doing in the community," shares Brian.

Brian met with The KWCF and set up a scholarship in…

A new initiative rallying philanthropists in Waterloo Region has begun. Social Venture Partners Waterloo Region (SVPWR) is a network of community-minded individuals who combine financial contributions and professional skills with a passion for philanthropy.

Leveraging their collective expertise and resources, SVPWR connects with and strengthens promising non profit organizations.

Founded by Tim Jackson and Jacqui Murphy from Tech Capital Partners, SVP was first introduced by KWCF CEO,…

'Don't just stand by, stand up' was a phrase
passionately used by a remarkable young woman whose life was tragically cut short as a result of a horseback riding accident in May of 2009.

Those few words provided the foundation on which France-Anne Sweeny built her life's dreams, ambitions, and passions. "No matter what she was doing, she always strived to be a better person and bring out the best in others," shares her mother, Marie-Josée.

Earlier in her life, France-Anne battled with…

Lending a helping hand, The Lions Club
of Kitchener is committed to building a stronger community.

In 2009, the Lions Club established the Community Service Fund at The KWCF. "We came to the conclusion that in order to keep doing the good work we were doing, we needed to build a reserve," shares Dr. Jack Bishop, the Club's Finance Chair and visionary of the fund. "Given the services they provide to the community, The KWCF was a good vehicle in which to pool those funds."

Adhering to…

From humble beginnings in a nearby town,
Arthur Edward (Ted) Johnson led a successful business life in Kitchener-Waterloo. A World War II veteran, Ted was employed for more than 42 years in a variety of positions at the Dominion Rubber Company (subsequently Uniroyal), until retiring in 1986.

In his personal life, he was an active volunteer, avid fisherman, great friend to dogs, enjoyed flying model airplanes, and loved to travel.

Products of the great depression, Ted and his wife Audrey…

How does a family deal with the loss of a family member?

In 2007, Mike and Suzanna tragically lost their 15 year old son Alex. In an effort to manage their grief and honour their son's memory, Alex's parents, and his brother Jordan, decided to set up a memorial fund at The KWCF.

"Helping others, particularly the youth in our community, is one way we cope with losing Alex," says Alex's mother Suzanna. "Establishing a Donor Advised Fund at The KWCF gave us flexibility and the time we needed…

The tenants from the University of Waterloo Research + Technology Park have banded together to make a difference in their community now and for the future.

The UW Research + Technology Park Activities Committee (R+T PAC) - consisting of representatives from 43 companies, totaling 1,300 employees was formed in 2007 to help plan events for the Park's tenants.  Some of the tenants approached Carol Stewart, Business Development Manager of the UW Research Park, to run a golf tournament two…

Increasingly, philanthropists are choosing to provide their charitable donations anonymously so that they can concentrate on the effects of assisting others without making themselves the focal point.

The newly established Hughraine Fund was set up to help improve the lives of those less fortunate. 

These anonymous donors researched their options and were referred to The KWCF through Amnesty International.  After speaking with a number of foundations, the donors felt that The KWCF was the…