• Past news 2008
• Past news 2007
• Past news 2006
• Past news 2005
• Past news 2004

November 27, 2006

We can now accept donations online through CanadaHelps.org. Please visit our donation page to view our profile.

September 29, 2006

Goodrich workers donate $280,000 to The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation!
Read the full story >>

September 28, 2006

Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation launches ENGAGE! - a place where emerging and established entrepreneurs can commit to investing in their community in the future.
Read the press release >>

September 5, 2006

The Hilde English Fund

It is with great sadness that we recognize the passing of Hilde English on June 29, 2006. Our community benefited greatly from her passion, her knowledge, and her committment. The Hilde English Fund, which has been established by her family, will allow Hilde to be remembered fro her great deeds and will also continue to make a lasting difference in her name. On July 30, 2006 The Record ran an article about Hilde's life and accomplishments. The Record has been kind enough to give us a permanent link to the article. You can read this article by clicking here.

If you would like to make a contribution to The Hilde English Fund, please email info@kwcf.ca or call 519-725-1806 ext. 3.

May 30, 2006 2006

Town Hall Meeting & WRIEN Launch

The 2006 Town Hall Meeting was held May 30th, 2006 at the Victoria Park Pavilion. More than 200 people attending the event, focused on "Immigrant Skills - Enriching Our Community". The Town Hall Meeting marked the "official launch" of WRIEN (Waterloo Region Immigrant Employment Network) and included a performance by MT Space. We were very pleased to see a widely diverse audience and children among the attendees.

What can I do to help WRIEN?

WRIEN needs businesses which will:

• Participate in focus groups to further our understanding of current practices and needs.
• Assist in educating and furthering the awareness of the importance of hiring immigrants.
• Share stories of your best practices and what is working in your company.
• Make introductions to others and help us by opening doors and encouraging other businesses to participate.
• Tell us where you need help. Where are there gaps requiring additional support?

WRIEN needs individuals who:

• Are willing to mentor.
• Will support immigrant professionals to better understand how their profession is practiced in this country.
• Will assist with the development of familiarity with the Canadian culture both in and out of the workplace.
• Are willing to tutor.
• Would be willing to work with an immigrant observer to help them with their work transition.

If you are interested in helping in any way, please visit http://www.wrien.com.

March 23, 2006

The January/February issue of the Grand Magazine features The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation.
Read the article >>

January 30, 2006

KWCF Launches New Web Resource for Charitable Organizations and Funders

The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation is excited to announce the launch of our innovative new web resource to help charitable organizations connect with potential funders. This unique tool is aimed at assisting non-profit organizations in meeting one of their biggest challenges- fundraising. The web resource will also help funders becomes more aware of the funding needs of charitable organizations in our community.

"Helping connect charitable organizations and funders in their community is one of the key roles of any Community Foundation," says Rosemary Smith, Executive Director of The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation. "Non-profit organizations spend huge amounts of time applying for grants and searching for funding. At the same time funders want to make a difference; want to know what the needs are and how they can help. This new resource will help connect both."

Check out the Funding Wanted section.

January 10, 2006

Emma Guild, chair of our Youth Advisory Committee and a member of our Board of Directors was honoured as one of ten University of Waterloo students honours for volunteerism. For more information about this award please follow this link: Ten UW Students honoured for volunteerism

Media Release

Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation launches ENGAGE! – a place where emerging and established entrepreneurs can commit to investing in their community in the future

Kitchener-Waterloo (September 28, 2006) – The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation (KWCF) will be launching an exciting new program called ENGAGE! at the gala dinner for Entrepreneur Week, organized by Communitech, on Friday, September 29, 2006, at 5:30 p.m. in The Embassy Room, Bingemans. “Communitech is pleased to partner on this important community initiative,” says Iain Klugman, President, Communitech. “ENGAGE! is another way the hugely successful entrepreneurs in our area are giving back to our community.” The message from ENGAGE! is simple: Join. Prosper. Give back.

ENGAGE! is intended to inspire entrepreneurs to commit to future investment in our community. When the timing is right, ENGAGE! program members can access resources to help support their charitable giving goals and make connections with other like-minded people who care about our community’s future. The ENGAGE! program provides entrepreneurs with an open, easy, accessible, non-threatening source for exploring philanthropic options—current and future—that will build a better community and make a lasting difference.

Here’s how you can learn more about ENGAGE!:

• ENGAGE! representatives will be at the gala dinner and other events during Entrepreneur Week. Look for their ENGAGE! buttons and ask them what this program is about.
• Pick up an ENGAGE! card describing the process for getting involved.
• John A. Pollock will salute the entrepreneurial spirit and emphasize the importance of giving back to the community. John is accepting the Legacy Award on behalf of his father, the late Carl A. Pollock, president of Electrohome Ltd. From 1951 to 1972 and Waterloo Region’s first hugely successful tech entrepreneur.
• Check out the ENGAGE! website at www.engagekw.ca (both live Friday, September 29 th) or call Rosemary Smith at The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation.
• For more information and to register for the Gala Opening Kickoff to Entrepreneur Week, please visit
  http://www.communitech.ca/entrepreneurweek/registration.aspx.

As part of its commitment to providing leadership in the community, the KWCF is partnering with Communitech for the launch of ENGAGE! Rosemary Smith, CEO of the KWCF, says “through ENGAGE!, we hope to raise the social consciousness about important local issues, help entrepreneurs get involved, and support and encourage philanthropy in the Kitchener and Waterloo areas.”

The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation improves the quality of life in Kitchener-Waterloo and the surrounding area, now and for generations to come, by building community endowment, addressing needs through grantmaking, and providing leadership on key community issues. The driving principle of KWCF is Making a Lasting Difference. In 2005, more than $5.6 million was invested in our community through KWCF endowment and flow-through grants.

Contact:
Rosemary Smith, Executive Director, KWCF
(519) 725-1806

Website: www.engagekw.ca