Community Vitality in Action

Forever Funds

Story:

To celebrate its 50th Anniversary in 2005, The Calgary Foundation (TCF) established the Forever Funds. This initiative supports emerging needs that require increased leadership and funding in five areas: the Environment, Arts & Heritage, Seniors, Diversity & Inclusion and Mental Health. Five decades of effective granting and the development of networks in a wide range of sectors provides TCF with a broad perspective of the local charitable landscape. This knowledge, experience and thorough research make TCF well positioned to identify the five areas of need.

There are three components to the Forever Funds initiative:

  1. To engage citizens in conversations that inspire increased leadership and investment, TCF is presenting a multi-year Forever Funds Speaker Series
  2. To assist donors in making meaningful, strategic philanthropic decisions, TCF shares its knowledge of emerging community needs
  3. To identify and support signature projects that will make a lasting impact in each area of need, TCF convenes community innovators to inspire discussion.

One example of a signature project is an Arts Incubator project, where TCF and Calgary Arts Development convened the community to discuss the benefits of an “arts incubator,” an interdisciplinary venue for artistic creation. In another, TCF worked with Calgary Seniors Resource Society, the Calgary Motor Dealers Association and ElderNet Calgary to develop an innovative program that provides shuttle vans and drivers at no cost, to transport isolated seniors.