FAQ

What is ENGAGE!?
What does joining the program mean?
What's in it for me?
What would I be committing myself to?
Will I be solicited for money?
Who is involved?
What is The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation?
Can I set up a fund at the Community Foundation before I'm successful? What's the minimum amount required?
What are the benefits?
Will my information be shared with fundraising organizations or any other organizations?
If I join ENGAGE! who will have access to my information?
Will I be able to support my alma mater elsewhere in Canada through the Community Foundation?
I already support other local charities. Will this compete with my relationships there?
Can I involve my family in this?
Can my company be included in this?
I'd like to help somehow, but I don't know what the needs are in the community. Can the Community Foundation help me?
Who does the Community Foundation report to?
What is the organization's financial management track record?
How do I join?

1. What is ENGAGE!?

ENGAGE! is a program of The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation aimed at engaging entrepreneurs and their employees, aspiring community leaders, and investors in philanthropy and their community, by making a commitment to contribute to the community when they feel that they are ready, be it through a liquidity event, profits, etc.

2. What does joining the program mean?

You now have access to a range of resources to help inform your own charitable giving WHEN you are ready in a way that suits you, or to more strategically consolidate your current giving. For more information contact Tracy Van Kalsbeek.

3. What's in it for me?

Lots! ENGAGE! Has been set up to help you do three things:

Learn about community social issues
Connect with other like-minded people who care about our community's future
Give back to your community - when it suits you - how it suits you

4. What would I be committing myself to?

There is no hard commitment per se, only a willingness to be engaged when you are ready. From time to time, The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation may send you updates on the status of the ENGAGE! program and/or invite you to events specially designed for you and your peers.

5. Will I be solicited for money?

No. The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation does not fundraise so you will not be canvassed or solicited for money.

6. Who is involved?

ENGAGE! is a program of The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation with the help of business leaders from our community.

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7. What is The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation?

The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation helps the community by providing leadership on key community issues, addressing community needs through grant-making, and building and managing community assets. The endowments managed by The KWCF generate investment income that is then distributed through grants to help charitable organizations throughout the Kitchener and Waterloo area. It's through these grants that we help you make a lasting difference. Visit the The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation website to learn more: www.kwcf.ca.

8. Can I set up a fund at The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation before I experience a large liquidity event? What's the minimum amount required?

You are free to approach us at any time about establishing a fund at The Foundation. The minimum required for a named fund is $5,000 (and this can be spread over five years). For more information, visit the donor section of The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation website or contact Rosemary Smith.

9. What are the benefits?

The key benefits of an association with The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation include the ability to consolidate your giving easily and effectively; the opportunity to tap into expert knowledge of the local community across all sectors; access to a range of highly personalized philanthropic services at a low cost with maximum tax benefits; flexible giving options and the assurance that your gift will remain relevant over time.

10. Will my information be shared with fundraising organizations or any other organizations?

No. The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation prides itself on the confidentiality of its relationship with donors and other stakeholders and does not share the information it holds on donors. At the same time, it does support those who would like recognition for their contribution in a way that is appropriate for both parties.

11. If I join ENGAGE! who will have access to my information?

The privacy of your contact information is guaranteed. We won't publish a list of ENGAGE! members. We will use your email address to send you periodic newsletters and information. Then, you make the choice when to contact The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation when you are ready be actively ENGAGED!

12. Will I be able to support my alma mater elsewhere in Canada through The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation? What about overseas giving?

Yes. Any organization which has charitable status with the Canada Revenue Agency, can be supported by The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation. Most universities and colleges have this status. Overseas giving can be facilitated through an organization with charitable status in Canada, but this is a complex area. For more information please contact Rosemary Smith.

13. I already support other local charities. Will this compete with my relationships there?

No. The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation itself is not the object of anyone's charitable giving. It is simply a vehicle to facilitate philanthropy so your current support to any charity is in no way comprised. On the advice of its donors and/or through its grant making program The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation has supported almost every charitable organization in the Kitchener-Waterloo area and does not compete with them for donors.

14. Can I involve my family in this?

Yes. The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation is keen to support family philanthropy and encourages donors to consider and involve their children and/or future generations. Please visit Family Philanthropy at www.kwcf.ca to learn more.

15. Can my company be included in this?

Yes. The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation has a number of funds which operate like corporate giving programs.

16. I'd like to help somehow, but I don't know what the needs are in the community. Can The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation help me?

Yes. Because of its strong grant making program and its leadership role in the community, The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation's knowledge of the community is broad and deep so it is ideally positioned to offer advice to those wishing to help.

17. Who does The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation report to?

The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation is independent, autonomous and accountable to the community as a whole. As a way of ensuring that The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation will be well managed today and into the future, the governing body is appointed by an outside Nominating Committee made up of the incumbents in positions of responsibility and influence. This Committee is responsible for selecting the best possible people to fill vacancies as they arise on the Board of Directors. The members of the Board are chosen for their integrity, expertise and ability to serve The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation without compensation. These Board appointments are limited to three years, renewable once. The Board, in turn, hires and oversees the CEO who is responsible for the day to day running of The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation, including the hiring of other staff. The Investment Committee oversees the investment management policies as well as the selection and performance of The Foundation's investment management counsel.

18. What is the organization's financial management track record?

The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation prides itself on excellent financial performance. Retaining expert counsel, who have demonstrated relatively conservative stewardship of The Foundation's portfolio in keeping with the latter's mandate to manage its assets in perpetuity, while outperforming industry benchmarks has earned The Foundation the enviable distinction of being one of best managed public foundations in Canada. Full financial statements are available on The Foundation's website.

19. How do I join?

Joining the ENGAGE! program is as simple as clicking this link: Join now.

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