In 2012 Rob Staffen fell off his bike at high speed and suffered a brain injury. Today, Rob still suffers from both physical and mental health issues as a result of the accident. Supporting Rob through the process taught his family and friends how little they knew about mental health and brain injuries. A combination of the passing of a close family friend from mental health issues and through Rob’s recovery, they realized that they wanted to share this knowledge to help build improved resources for others in similar circumstances in Stratford, St. Marys, and Perth County. As a result, Rob and Sharon Staffen decided to start the Brain & Mind Matters Community Fund as a way to create awareness and invest in local, outpatient care for brain injury and mental health programs and projects. The Staffen family and the Community Foundation have also been networking with field experts and other funding partners in the community including The Cowan Foundation and RBC, to bring others together and match funds to make a greater impact.

The Brian (Barney) Dale Memorial Fund provides support for recreation projects/programs that benefit youth in Perth East.

‍Supporting sport, recreation and educational programs for kids and youth in Listowel

Canada’s new pro-golf superstar Corey Conners and his wife Malory have donated their 2019 PGA “Birdies Fore Love” winnings to help kids in their beloved hometown of Listowel.

Corey and Malory Conners are living a bit of a dream these days.

In 2019 Corey became the first Canadian ever to win the Valero Texas Open, a prestigious tournament on the PGA Tour with roots reaching back to 1922. Since then it’s been a whirlwind of international travel and tournaments, with Corey climbing quietly and steadily up the ranks as one of the sport’s very best.

Along the way he took part in a charity event called Birdies Fore Love, in which players compete for prize money which is then donated to a charity of that player’s choice. Corey knew right away he wanted to direct his giving to kids and youth in the town that gave him so much while he was growing up.

Both Corey and Malory grew up in Listowel in loving and supportive families, and both know how lucky they were. Corey played hockey in the winter with his buddies, and golf in the summer with his dad and other relatives. Malory swam as much as she could, and worked summers as a lifeguard at the local pool.

Says Malory, who later trained as an elementary teacher, “Those summers at the pool, along with my teaching experience, showed me that not every child had access to the opportunities I’d had.”

Adds Corey, “We’ve always been grateful for what we had growing up. It’s wonderful that we can now help other kids have those same advantages.”

The Conners’ gift will support both their own fund as well as the previously established North Perth Sports for Kids Fund. This generosity will make sure today’s kids can access their favourite sport and education programs, no matter what their financial situation.

Thank you,
Corey and Malory!

‍

The Donald McTavish Conservation Fund is a donor advised fund that was established in 2005 within the Stratford Perth Community Foundation (SPCF). The idea of the fund came from Donald’s grandson and his wife when they were looking for ways to honour their late Grandfather and to recognize his lifelong conservation efforts. After consulting with some family members it was decided to create a fund within SPCF that will forever support projects that Donald McTavish would have helped and supported himself. The Donald McTavish Conservation Fund targets long term conservancy and permanent improvements to forests, wetlands, surface water and soil protection within Perth County. Over the years the fund has supported many projects from Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, the Upper Avon River Conservation Club’s project to replant 4.5 acres along the Avon River near Shakespeare and to the Stratford Rotary Club’s Avon River Enhancement Project to improve water quality and aquatic life in the Avon River.

The Frank and Edda Lang Family Fund is a Donor Advised Fund that was established in 2012 by Edda Lang in memory of her husband Frank Lang. Frank was born and raised in Stratford and had a 25+ year career in the engineering and purchasing fields. He even worked for 12 years in Detroit before returning to Stratford in 1997 with his wife Edda and their three children. He was a valued Board Member and friend of the Stratford Perth Community Foundation, and he believed endowment based giving is one of the most effective and sustainable forms of “giving back” to the local community. This fund gives out grants to places which exhibit a passion for their work and in the past has given to Gallery Stratford and Wellspring Stratford.

The Hachborn-Courtnage Fund for the Arts is a donor advised fund that was established in 2010 within the Stratford Perth Community Foundation. This fund was created by David Courtnage and Elizabeth Hachborn to celebrate their marriage and encouraged friends and family to give to the fund so a permanent endowment would be created to support art organizations that contribute to the quality of life in their community. They believe the arts are sometimes out-of-reach for families and others who simply have nothing left over after their basic needs are met to see a play or to take a music or drawing lessons. One of the goals of this fund is to provide accessibility for all to enjoy and pursue the arts and in the past have supported Gallery Stratford and SpringWorks: indie theatre & arts festival.

This fund was established to celebrate the Hog Jog's 15 Anniversary. The Hog Jog Gives Back Fund will support the past and future charitable recipients of the annual Hog Jog proceeds today, tomorrow and forever.

The Irene McKennitt Fund for Nursing Excellence is a Donor Advised Fund that was established at the Stratford Perth Community Foundation by her family. Irene was born in Rosenfield, Manitoba and was a gifted and compassionate nurse, and as a tribute to her nursing career, the McKennitt Family established the fund in 2011. This fund helps further training in the nursing field and has supported local organizations like VON Canada Perth-Huron and Wellspring Stratford.

The John and Jill Skinner Family Fund is a donor advised fund held within Stratford Perth Community Foundation that will provide support to organizations serving Stratford, St. Marys and Perth County for all time.

After spending many years in Toronto and visiting annually for the Stratford Festival, John and Leslie Wright are happy to call this community home. With retirement on the horizon, the Wrights purchased a home in Stratford nine years ago. They knew they wanted to spend the next phase of their life taking in all that Stratford had to offer; walking along the Avon, visiting the quaint shops, dining at top-notch restaurants and of course the excellent festivals and theatre performances. They also knew that they wanted to give back in some way to their new community. As such, the two got involved at the United Church and John joined the Board at the Stratford Summer Music Festival. Now the Wrights have established an endowment fund at the Stratford Perth Community Foundation as another way of impacting this community.The John and Leslie Wright Fund will support charitable projects and initiatives that expand opportunities for seniors’ health and wellness in Stratford, St. Marys and Perth County. “We couldn’t be more pleased with creating this fund,” notes John Wright. “There are many important seniors programs out there and not always a lot funding – we hope to change that.”

The John and Marg Van Nes Family Fund, held within the Stratford Perth Community Foundation, will provide support to organizations serving Stratford, St. Marys and Perth County.

The Judi Hemmingway Memorial Fund is a donor advised fund that was established in 2008 within the Stratford Perth Community Foundation. Family and friends of the late Judi Hemmingway joined together to create this Fund in honour of Judy, a life-long advocate on behalf of women and the issues they face. It has been said she approached life with a quick wit and twinkle in her eye, qualities which served her well while helping others. Grants from the Judi Hemmingway Memorial Fund support a variety of organizations and projects in Perth County that work to improve the lives of women and children and in the past has given to The Emily Murphy Center and Optimism Place Women's Shelter and Support Services.

To celebrate her 75th birthday, Laura Pogson, a retired teacher and now bed and breakfast owner, created an endowment to support projects, causes and organizations that contribute to the physical, psychological, social and emotional well-being of children and youth in Stratford, St. Marys and Perth County. Laura has taught countless elementary and secondary school students, coached many figure skaters and volunteered for numerous organizations. “Youth are our future and I want to help ensure that there is funding for important initiatives that impact the welfare and potential of our young people,” shares Ms. Pogson.

The Marcel and Edith van Hulle Fund is a donor advised fund held within Stratford Perth Community Foundation that will provide support to organizations serving Stratford, St. Marys and Perth County for all time.

The Mathieson Family Fund was established in 2008 within the Stratford Perth Community Foundation. Siblings Madeline, Dan, Paul, Frank, Bob, Anne-Marie, Helen, Don, and Mark decided that a fitting way to honour their mother and father's memory was to give something back to the community where their parents had lived all their lives. The family wanted this fund to honour their parent’s legacy while supporting youth and the community.

The Melanson Family Fund is a donor advised fund that was established in 2013 within the Stratford Perth Community Foundation. After building a successful business and raising a family here, Tom and Bonnie Melanson began looking for ways to give back to the communities that had helped them along the way. Tom once said about his reason for starting a fund, “there is real satisfaction in helping at the grassroots level, where people’s lives can be impacted the most.” They chose to set up a donor-advised fund with us. This type of fund gives donors some input into where the fund’s proceeds are granted and in the past have given to places like Knollcrest Lodge and Thamesview United Church.

Critics may argue the term “visionary” is overused in  philanthropic circles, but there is simply no other word to describe the depth and power of the Orr family’s support for the community of Stratford.

From the first Thomas Orr, who arrived from Philadelphia in 1855, to today’s great-great-great grandchildren, the family has worked tirelessly and selflessly to help make Stratford what it is today.

The best-known example of this is probably our unique and beautiful riverside park system, famously saved from the rail industry at the turn of the twentieth century by R. Thomas Orr, son of the first  Thomas.

But even this is only a small example of the family’s legacy of public service. Family members have served and supported almost every foundational institution in the city, including the Stratford Festival, the hospital, the library and the museum. Also the art gallery, humane society and chamber of commerce, the Stratford Rotary Complex and almost every minor sport association in town.

When the region sought to join the community foundation movement in the early 2000s, it was natural to ask the Orrs to join the effort. They responded magnificently, with brothers Jeff and Rick establishing a donor-directed family fund to support projects for the betterment and improvement of the City, and sister Nancy serving seven years with the Foundation’s board.

Sadly, the family lost another beloved patriarch with the passing of the fourth Thomas Orr, known to all as simply “Tom,” in 2018. Although the Orr Family Fund was never meant as a legacy project, the siblings admit it’s taken on a different feeling since Tom passed away.

“We were touched and honoured when some gifts were made in Dad’s memory by people outside the family,” says oldest brother Jeff. “It seems perfectly fitting that we’re all working together to build something that will help Stratford forever.”

To donate to this fund, complete the form below.

The Paul and Anne Lake Fund will provide support to organizations serving Stratford, St. Marys and Perth County today, tomorrow and forever.

The Stratford-Perth Fund for Humanity has a mission to support organizations serving Perth County, Stratford, St. Marys, and elsewhere that assist people living with intellectual or developmental disabilities to realize their fullest potential in life. The Fund was established by Rita Geysens and Martin Kern. Growing up, Rita was very close to her brother, Gino Geysens, who had Down syndrome and she knows the value of the support given by organizations that assist people and their families to live happy and fulfilled lives. The Fund is especially focused on supporting organizations such as L’Arche Stratford, Community Living Stratford and Area, and Autism Ontario Huron Perth Chapter; however, the Fund will also support other organizations and causes that assist people in need, such as The Local Community Food Centre in Stratford. Organizations within Canada or abroad that meet the Fund’s mission may also be considered for support.