About Us
Founded in 2001 as the charitable arm of Western Financial Group, the Western Financial Group Communities Foundation was created as a way for our team members to give back to our communities all year long! With their passion and dedication, we’ve invested over $9 million in communities since 2001.
Our Mission
Because we care, we support causes that matter most to our customers, people, and the diverse communities we serve.
Our Pillars of Giving
We consider it our responsibility to make a positive impact in the communities we serve.
Developing Leaders of the Future
We are focused on developing future leaders within our communities.
Strengthening our Communities
We are committed to help develop, improve and maintain the places where our communities gather.
Taking Care of our Communities
We are here to help our communities when they need us most.
Our Communities Foundation is proud to have Western team members at the front line of our community givebacks. Western team members submit all applications in support of the community projects they care about. If you are an organization or charity looking for support, contact your local Western Financial Group or affiliate brokerage to learn more about our Communities Foundation programs.
Board of Directors
Kenny Nicholls
Chairman
Nancy Green-Bolton
Secretary/Treasurer
Grant Ostir
Vice President
Kristy Rachkowski
Vice President
Craig Kozlowski
Vice President
Lisa Colangelo
Vice President
Jonathan Hoey
Vice President
Our Journey
Mouse over the dates below to learn more.
Western Financial Group founded the non-profit Western Communities Foundation to express appreciation and demonstrate support of the western communities where Western employees live and work.
The Western Communities Foundation (WCF) was registered as a private registered charity. Its mission was threefold:
- To foster the development of community pride through sponsorship of worthy endeavors by teams or individuals in the various communities where Western operates
- To develop and enhance the infrastructure in these communities through public health, education and recreation
- To assist in the export of community products, expertise and financial support to parts of Canada and the world that are lacking such benefits
The first major fundraiser was initiated: Annual Fall Classic Golf Tournament held at D’Arcy Ranch in Okotoks on September 24, 2002
Established the WCF major fundraiser, Support the Cause Day, where employees from each branch participate in a 5 km walk securing pledges & holding fundraisers to fund the Foundation programs.
The Foundations AED program ends with a total of 48 AED’s had been placed in Western communities.
Flood Relief of $110,000 given for 2 playgrounds, one at Holy Spirit Academy & one at Spitzee School in High River. $10,000 donation was given to Samaritan’s Purse for Flood Relief and $500 for Christmas Food Hampers to the Salvation Army.
Record Infrastructure Grant draw of 40 projects for a total of $200,000.
Habitat for Humanity program ends with total awards of $150,000 – Many of our branches were not able to participate in this program because they did not have a H for H build in their community.
$171,923 was given to the High River Spring Registration Program to cover the cost of one youth sport registration fee per child residing in High River and surrounding areas affected by the flood The Western Communities Foundation reaches a MILLION $$$ donated.
In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic and the strain felt by community food banks, the Communities Foundation launched the Community Food and Nutrition Emergency Fund, a fund that provided a total of $75,000 to food banks in communities across Canada.
On Giving Tuesday our employees were able to select on of four charities to direct their donations to (Ability Online, United Way Canada, Food Bank Canada, Humane Canada) These donations totaled $45,000.
2021, was a huge year for the Communities Foundation, celebrating its 20th Anniversary with a 20th Anniversary Giveback in which $20,000 was awarded to 20 communities across Canada.
2021 was a record setting year for Infrastructure Grants in which we were able to award every single applicant a grant, totaling $180,000.
A record amount of $340,000 was donated to improving community infrastructure across Canada. One of the most notable initiatives in 2022 was our commitment to the Red Cross in support of Ukrainian refugees. In partnership with Western Financial Group, we were honoured to contribute $100,000 to support the Ukrainian refugees arriving in Canada with little more than the clothes on their backs.
Our teams across Canada have contributed an impressive $615,000 to local communities this year, supporting causes that are meaningful to our People and making an incredible impact on our local communities, we also awarded 135 deserving high school graduates with our Western Inspirational Bursary Award.
Western Financial Group founded the non-profit Western Communities Foundation to express appreciation and demonstrate support of the western communities where Western employees live and work.
The Western Communities Foundation (WCF) was registered as a private registered charity. Its mission was threefold:
- To foster the development of community pride through sponsorship of worthy endeavors by teams or individuals in the various communities where Western operates
- To develop and enhance the infrastructure in these communities through public health, education and recreation
- To assist in the export of community products, expertise and financial support to parts of Canada and the world that are lacking such benefits
The first major fundraiser was initiated: Annual Fall Classic Golf Tournament held at D’Arcy Ranch in Okotoks on September 24, 2002
Established the WCF major fundraiser, Support the Cause Day, where employees from each branch participate in a 5 km walk securing pledges & holding fundraisers to fund the Foundation programs.
The Foundations AED program ends with a total of 48 AED’s had been placed in Western communities.
Flood Relief of $110,000 given for 2 playgrounds, one at Holy Spirit Academy & one at Spitzee School in High River. $10,000 donation was given to Samaritan’s Purse for Flood Relief and $500 for Christmas Food Hampers to the Salvation Army.
Record Infrastructure Grant draw of 40 projects for a total of $200,000.
Habitat for Humanity program ends with total awards of $150,000 – Many of our branches were not able to participate in this program because they did not have a H for H build in their community.
$171,923 was given to the High River Spring Registration Program to cover the cost of one youth sport registration fee per child residing in High River and surrounding areas affected by the flood The Western Communities Foundation reaches a MILLION $$$ donated.
In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic and the strain felt by community food banks, the Communities Foundation launched the Community Food and Nutrition Emergency Fund, a fund that provided a total of $75,000 to food banks in communities across Canada.
On Giving Tuesday our employees were able to select on of four charities to direct their donations to (Ability Online, United Way Canada, Food Bank Canada, Humane Canada) These donations totaled $45,000.
2021, was a huge year for the Communities Foundation, celebrating its 20th Anniversary with a 20th Anniversary Giveback in which $20,000 was awarded to 20 communities across Canada.
2021 was a record setting year for Infrastructure Grants in which we were able to award every single applicant a grant, totaling $180,000.
A record amount of $340,000 was donated to improving community infrastructure across Canada. One of the most notable initiatives in 2022 was our commitment to the Red Cross in support of Ukrainian refugees. In partnership with Western Financial Group, we were honoured to contribute $100,000 to support the Ukrainian refugees arriving in Canada with little more than the clothes on their backs.
Our teams across Canada have contributed an impressive $615,000 to local communities this year, supporting causes that are meaningful to our People and making an incredible impact on our local communities, we also awarded 135 deserving high school graduates with our Western Inspirational Bursary Award.
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.