Western Communities Foundation
We’re here for your community. Always.
Established in 2001 through the vision of former CEO Scott Tannas, the Western Communities Foundation was born from a desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our neighbours. What began with a single grant in High River, Alberta, has grown into a national initiative spanning coast to coast. Today, we are proud to support Canadian communities by helping ensure they have the resources and opportunities needed to thrive.
Our Focus
Whether it’s creating parks, supporting communities after natural disasters, or helping young people find their footing during tough times, Western puts both heart and energy into making a difference. From British Columbia and Alberta to Manitoba, Ontario, and the Atlantic provinces, we’re proud to stand alongside Canadians, offering support where it’s needed most, to help create safe places for us all to live, work and play.
Safe Places
Western supports projects that help communities adapt to a changing climate, expand and care for green spaces, and ensure public places are accessible and inclusive for everyone.
If your initiative helps build a more resilient, welcoming, and sustainable community, we’re right there with you.
Emergency Response
Emergencies come in many forms, wildfires, floods, or sudden tragedies that shake an entire community. Whatever the crisis, the Western Communities Foundation is committed to supporting people in times of crisis. Our goal is to provide timely support and resources, so communities feel safe, supported, and empowered to rebuild.
Mental Resilience
At Western, we champion mental resilience as a foundation for strong, healthy communities. We invest in local mental health programs, post-disaster recovery services, and crisis intervention initiatives that empower people to overcome trauma, stress, and emotional hardship. Through this commitment, we help Canadians navigate adversity and rebuild with strength, hope, and confidence.
Our Impact
Every one of those numbers represents a real story, a neighbour, and genuine Canadian resilience.
Every Dollar, Every Neighbour Since 2001
Western Communities Foundation has:
- Granted more than $9 million into Canadian communities: from playgrounds in High River, Alberta, food banks in Brandon, Manitoba, to disaster relief in Kelowna, BC.
- Helped 180+ communities from coast to coast annually.
- Funded 500+ community spaces like parks, playgrounds and hospital healing spaces to date.
- Awards Inspirational Bursaries to over 100 graduating high school students each year—real kids, real dreams.
- Supported over 800 local charities (from emergency shelters and housing programs to food banks).
Our Programs
Inspirational Bursary Award
Western Communities Foundation annually awards over 100 bursaries to graduating high school students across Canada who’ve shown exceptional mental resilience. Whether overcoming trauma, emotional hardship, or personal adversity, these youth inspire hope and strength in their communities.
Emergency Support Fund
The Emergency Support Fund offers up to $10,000 in emergency funding to eligible Canadian charities facing urgent crisis or operational needs. With $100,000 available annually, the program helps organizations respond quickly to emergencies, when it matters most.
Community Infrastructure Grants
The Foundation awards $5,000 grants to Canadian charities and municipalities for projects that enhance public spaces, climate resilience, accessibility, and safety. Since 2004, over $2.4 million has supported more than 490 initiatives that strengthen local infrastructure and community well-being.
Our Events
National Walk for Safe Places
Every May, people across 180+ communities—like Okotoks, AB, Kamloops, BC, and Brandon, MB to Schomberg, ON and Saint John, NB—walk, wheel, or roll to support local parks, mental health, and emergency relief. We welcome individuals or groups with strollers, families and pets to join us!
Western Charity Golf Classic
Our annual gathering for Western’s partners and sponsors is a memorable day of camaraderie, friendly competition, and community spirit—all in support of Canadian communities.
In 2025, our event raised over $110,000, thanks to our generous sponsors. Meet them here
Grant A Wish Toy Drive
The Annual National Grant a Wish Toy Drive is a signature Western Communities Foundation program that collects new, unwrapped toys for local charities across Canada. Each donation supports children and families in need while strengthening community connections and spreading holiday giving nationwide.
Stories
May 12, 2026
Western's Winnipeg Team Volunteers at Children's Hospital Book Market
The Winnipeg branch team, led by Shannon Landles, Western Communities Foundation Manitoba Le…
May 12, 2026
Western Donates $1,800 to BC Children's Hospital Research Institute
The BC Mainland group was proud to present an $1,800 donation to the BC Children’s Hos…
May 12, 2026
Western's Lloydminster Branches Present $5,000 Community Infrastructure Grant
Our Lloydminster branch is proud to support the next step in building stronger communities t…
Sponsorship
Become a Community Builder
Showcase your business as a proud supporter of Canadian Communities.
Partner with Western Communities Foundation and align your brand with meaningful impact. Our sponsorship opportunities offer high-visibility exposure and authentic community and employee engagement across Canada.
Thanks to our dedicated sponsors and partners, the Foundation donated nearly $700,000 to 160+ local causes in 2024. Meet our Sponsors
Why Partner With Us?
- National Event Exposure: See your logo featured at high-profile charity events like the National Walk for Safe Places and the Charity Golf Classic
- Social Media Amplification: We’ll feature your company on our social feeds and annual giving reports.
- Exclusive Networking: Receive VIP invites to celebration events and gatherings.
- Local Impact: join a network of over 50 leading Canadian brands in building Safe Places in communities across Canada
Leadership
Meet our Board Members
Grant Ostir
President
Craig Kozlowski
Vice President
Rod Cunniam
Board Chair
Jonathan Hoey
Secretary/Treasurer
Matt Friesen
Board Member
Morgan Mackenzie
Board Member
Abby Thorsell
Board Member
Darren Sinclair
Board Member
Meet Our Foundation Director
Michelle Mak
Director
Michelle Mak
Michelle is a social impact strategist with 20 years of experience across Asia and North America. As Director of Western Communities Foundation, she leads community investment, employee and donor engagement, driving support for local causes through strategic partnerships. Her previous leadership includes managing BMO’s $30M employee giving program and transforming donor experience at Canada’s Children’s Hospital Foundations. Michelle holds a Master of Education, a Postgraduate Certificate in Public Relations and Communications, a BA from York University, and is a Certified Professional Impact Analyst (CPIA) from Queen’s University.
Get in touch with Michelle at michelle.mak@westernfg.ca
Contact Us
Communities Foundation
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions to view hot topics that our customers have asked in the past.
To express our appreciation and demonstrate our support for the communities where we live and work, Western Financial Group founded the non-profit Western Communities Foundation in 2001 under the Income Tax Act of Canada (Registration #87030 2619 RR0001).
The Foundation does not accept requests, applications, or nominations from outside organizations; we only accept via a Western Financial Group or affiliate office. According to CRA guidelines, we can only donate to a registered charity or municipality and its boards.