Slightly aerial view of downtown Guelph.

Our History

The Guelph Community Foundation (GCF) was founded by the citizens of Guelph to reinvest in the community and its people.

The Guelph Community Foundation federally incorporated in 1999 as a registered charitable public foundation, and began its operations in 2000 with $13,000 in donations. The first fund to be established was the William K. Greenaway and Anne C. Bawden Fund, supporting the community as an unrestricted fund.

“We are proof that people do not need to be wealthy to establish a named fund and we decided not to specify the use of the fund as the needs and priorities of the local community are bound to change over time”
Bill Greenaway, Founding Board Member and first fundholder

“We wanted to offer a unique way for caring people to fulfill their charitable interests and strengthen our community”
Ken Hammill, Founder of The Guelph Community Foundation.

Key Milestones

1999 – The Founders Circle is formed, these are the first donors who launch the Foundation, made up of 40 individuals and corporations from the local community.
2000 – Cindy Lindsey is hired as the first Executive Director.
2005 – The Musagetes Fund, which supports art and culture locally, reaches over $1.5 million and we received a bequest gift of $1 million from Norman Earl Webb whos generosity will benefit the community forever.
2005 – Received our largest bequest gift of $1 million from the late Norman Earl Webb, the community will benefit from this generosity forever.
2006 – The elimination of capital gains tax of gifts of securities stimulates charitable giving. In just four years following this change, we received over $1.5 million in gifts of securities.
2007 – Our largest granting year to date with a total of $630,000 in grants to 110 charities.
2008 – Published our first Vital Signs report to help measure the health of the community and better inform our grant making.
2009 – Published our second Vital Signs report in response to results with a $70,000 grant to build a vital community and reduce poverty in Guelph and Wellington County.
2010 – Celebrated our 10th anniversary, permanent endowment funds grow by 27% and we receive over $1.3 million in gifts of securities.
2011– With Guelph being the 5th fastest growing City in Canada, our Community Fund <link to fund page> became even more important to support the entire community.
2012 – Two of the Foundation’s original Founders received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award: Ken Hammill, Founding Chair and Pat McCraw, Founding Board Member & Grants Committee Chair.
2013 – Over $460,000 was granted to the community, Chris Willard joined as the Foundation as Executive Director.
2014 – Nine new funds were added, creation of a new Stabilization Policy and launch partnerships with OakTree and Guelph Gives.
2015 – GCF moved to 46 Cork Street, with $559,890 granted, we then managed 133 funds with over $10 million in permanent endowed assets.
2016 – We collaborated with Community Foundations of Canada and the Government of Canada to support grass roots programming to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary.
2017 – Our largest granting year so far with over $704,00 granted to the community!
2018 – Released our third Vital Signs Report providing key indicators of the wellbeing of Guelph and Wellington County, and gained over $14 million in total assets under management.
2019 – Moved to our current location in Old Quebec Street Mall, we managed 152 funds, with over $538,000 granted to 115 charities in 2019. A record breaking $1.13 million received in gifts from donors. Selected RBC Dominion Securities as our new investment advisor.
2020 – Upgraded our grants and financial software, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic we granted a record breaking $1.45 million to the local community. Formed new Community Response Fund in partnership with United Way GWD.
2021 – We added six new Board members with a depth of experience to bring greater diversity and skills as we embarked on a new strategic plan.
2022 – We launched the Home for Good Campaign with United Way GWD, four new Board members were added and the Around Downtown fundraising event was held for its second year and raised $23K for the Foundation.
2023 – An incredible $512,000 was granted to Guelph charities through the Community Service Recovery Fund, the Home for Good Campaign had raised over $2.6 million towards Permanent Supportive Housing and we published our fourth Vital Signs Report
2024 – The donor advised Sleeman Better Water Fund was established to provide $40,000 to charities that focus on responsible water use (conservation and preservation) and the accessibility of clean water in communities.
2025 – We celebrated our 25th year of providing philanthropic leadership and financial support to the valued charities in our community, as well as Sarah Haanstra joining the Foundation as the new Executive Director