About The Foundation

WHAT IS A COMMUNITY FOUNDATION?

  • Connecting donors who care with causes that matter
  • Independent centre for community philanthropy
  • Includes donors from all walks of life – anyone can leave a legacy
  • Known for stewardship and prudent investment practices
  • Locally-run, volunteer foundation
  • Creating a better community – today, tomorrow, forever.

who we are

The strength of the Foundation lies with its volunteers. The Board is made up of 11 dedicated Directors, and many more Directors at Large, who contribute significantly on foundation committees. These volunteers also reflect the diversity of Chatham-Kent, which is truly a “Community of Communities.”

what we do

The goal of the Chatham Kent Community Foundation is to assist in the development of this community through grants to registered charitable organizations which focus on education, health, arts and culture, recreation, social services, heritage and the environment. The Chatham Kent Community Foundation builds endowments and other funds to provide lasting support for local priorities. The income earned by the Foundation’s invested permanent funds is used to give grants to a wide range of community groups, while the original investment is retained, and grows over time.

History of the foundation

In 1990, the Foundation became a reality after founder, John Bradley, approached City Council to explain the concept of endowment funds that would serve the community forever. In May of 1990, the City Council reported that the City of Chatham Foundation Act had been passed by the Provincial Legislature and received Royal Assent. John Bradley was appointed the first chairman of the Foundation.

The founding dinner was held on November 1, 1991, and the Guest of Honour was Beryl Nurse Ivey who was thanked for her continued support of the Chatham Kent community.

On May 1, 1993, the first grants to community agencies were given to three hospitals, Public General and St. Josephs in Chatham and Sydenham District Hospital in Wallaceburg, as well as to CK Transition House, Chatham Public Library, Tilbury Information Centre, Ridgetown Arena and the Blenheim Leisure Centre. Since that time the Foundation has continued to grant all areas of Chatham Kent. Following the amalgamation of Chatham-Kent, the Foundation name was changed to the Chatham Kent Community Foundation.

YEAR

CHAIR OF THE BOARD

AMOUNT OF PERPETUAL FUNDS

1990

John Bradley

$0.00*

1991

John Bradley

1992

John Bradley

1993

John Bradley

1994

David Dick

1995

David Dick

1996

Paul Courey

$139,324*

1997

Paul Courey

1998

Mike McGregor

1999

Mike McGregor

$226,845*

2000

Leigh Ann Shoji-Lee

2001

Leigh Ann Shoji-Lee

2002

Scott Geddes

2003

Scott Geddes

2004

Reg MacDonald

$1,606,436*

2005

Reg MacDonald

2006

Barry Fraser

$1,547,550*

2007

Dean Bradley/Penny McGregor

2008

Penny McGregor

$2,198,134**

2009

Penny McGregor

2010

Kris Stevens

$2,885,300**

2011

Kris Stevens

$3,036,421.37

2012

Rob McKinlay

$3,080,314.01

2013

Rob McKinlay

$4,354,013.28

2014

Jim Wickett

 $4,906,888

2015

Jim Wickett

$5,831,157

2016

John Mallory

2017

John Mallory

 $7,265,326

2018

Ed Little

$7,272,253

2019

Ed Little

$8,526,956.56

2020

Ruth Hook

 $10,004.165.41

2021

Ruth Hook

$12,097,561

2022

Irene Moore

$11,244,319

2023

Irene Moore

$12,929,458

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