We are thrilled to extend a tremendous congratulations to GCF Fundholders, Louise MacCallum and Michael Barnstijn, on their appointment to the Order of Canada. This prestigious honour is a testament to their remarkable philanthropic contributions, having donated over $80 million to various causes over the last 20 years.
As champions of the arts and land conservation, they are the visionary founders of the Musagetes Foundation and rare Charitable Research Reserve, a community-based urban land trust. Both of these organizations have significantly enhanced the artistic and environmental landscape of our community. The Musagetes Foundation, based in Guelph, actively promotes the arts as innovative tools for social transformation.
Continuing this purpose, in 2004 they established The Musagetes Fund, a donor-advised fund at the Guelph Community Foundation. The mission of this fund has been to support arts and culture by empowering local creative projects that tackle pressing issues such as social justice, climate change, and inter-cultural relationships. It is through this fund that we administer the Musagetes Grant each spring, which provides up to $5,000 to local arts organizations.
The couple’s financial support stems from their desire to shape better possible futures not only for the Waterloo-Wellington regions in which we live, but also for a planet in crisis. They believe that every person should have access to nature and artistic creativity as a fundamental part of individual and collective well-being. Their historic $13 million donation in 2000 marked the largest gift ever made by a living donor to a Canadian community foundation at that time. Their commitment to the local community is further demonstrated by their ongoing support for the Guelph Hiking Trail Club.
The Foundation wholeheartedly congratulates and thanks Barnstijn and MacCallum as they are honoured by the Governor General with Canada’s highest recognition as Members of the Order of Canada.
Photo credit: Ljubodrag Andric, featuring an art installation titled “280 Glass Spheres” by Monica Guggisberg and Philip Baldwin.