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Message from
the CEO
Creating
Connections
OUR SPRING ISSUE of Thrive celebrates the power of
connection. Our work is, at its core, relationship centred. The
people and organizations we work with — donors, grantees
and community partners — make Edmonton a stronger,
more vibrant place for all and help us achieve our purpose of
enriching communities now and for generations.
I am constantly amazed and inspired by how generous
Edmontonians are. In 2024, thanks to the contributions
of our donors, we granted approximately $35.5 million
to nearly 900 charities and 550 students, bringing
Edmonton Community Foundation’s lifetime funding to
over $430 million.
As Black History Month draws to a close, we’re proud of
our collaborations with the Africa Centre, City of Edmonton
and Edmonton Heritage Council. Together, we provided
funding for a variety of important programs and events
celebrating Edmonton’s African diaspora community. It’s
an honour to celebrate how they profoundly and positively
influence the culture and vibrancy of where we live. We’ve
also fulfilled our commitment to match donations to
endowments supporting Black-led and Black-serving
organizations, securing $200,000 for the Edmonton Black
Community Fund and the Africa Centre Fund. Created by
the community for the community, these funds ensure
lasting support for future generations.
Our capital grants program provides crucial support
for infrastructure and long-term sustainability for
organizations. In 2024, we provided more than $1 million for
capital projects. This includes:
•
$80,000 to the Fort Saskatchewan Food Gatherers
Society for the purchase of a commercial refrigerated
truck, expanding its capacity to distribute perishable
food items to those in need
•
$50,000 to the Zebra Child & Youth Advocacy Centre
Society to furnish a new child forensic interview suite,
ensuring proper care for children affected by sexual abuse
•
$50,000 to the River Valley Alliance for interpretive
signs and wayfinding symbols along the newly named
Amisk Wacîw Mêskanaw Trail, enhancing accessibility
to our shared natural spaces
Image supplied
With International Women’s Day on March 8, we
remember three remarkable women we lost this past
year — Dianne Kipnes, Grace Rumbold and Elexis
Schloss. Their legacies of advocacy, participation and
generosity live on through the many organizations they
touched like NAIT, the Lois Hole Hospital for Women,
Edmonton Opera, Compassion House, Pilgrims Hospice
and the Citadel Theatre. Each was a dedicated volunteer
and philanthropist shaping our city, and an example to
which we can all aspire.
As we move forward into 2025, we do so with deep
gratitude for the relationships that make our work
possible. Thank you for being part of this journey with us.
Tina Thomas
CEO, Edmonton Community Foundation
4 Together we thrive