Created in 2016, the Gateman-Milloy Inc. Fund, is an unrestricted fund that will support a wide range of projects and initiatives across Stratford, St. Marys and Perth County.

In addition to being a leader in customer service, Ideal Supply is also a leader in "community" service.Tim MacDonald, President & CEO of Ideal Supply, is quick to point out that serving the community in North Perth and the communities in which they have branch offices – throughout South-Western Ontario, including Stratford – is nothing new and has always been a priority for the company. “At Ideal Supply we are proud of our employee’s record of community service throughout our company’s history,” says Mr. MacDonald. “It is our commitment to work toward achieving safe and economically vibrant communities where citizens – individual and corporate – work together to improve the quality of life for each other. This has always been the foundation of our corporate philosophy.”Unlike many other named funds where income is directed to specific sectors or organizations, income from the Ideal Supply Community Fund will be directed where it will benefit the community the most.

Giving in our own backyard

Tobin Schlegel is a proud farmer – the sixth generation of his family to operate his home farm, located just east of Tavistock. He also comes from a family with a long history of philanthropy and giving back to its community.

Tobin says he and his wife, Erin, had already been actively supporting several charities, including an organization providing micro loans in developing nations. But they wanted to do something local, too. Something that would allow them to celebrate the ties they had to a
community they loved.

“We knew our region Stratford had a lot of diverse needs, and wanted our giving to go where it was needed the most,” says Erin. An unrestricted fund was the perfect choice. This sort of fund gives the  Foundation flexibility to direct fund proceeds to wherever they are needed most
in any given year.

“We wanted to give without tying the hands of the organization, and we have confidence in the Foundation’s management. We’re happy to invest in our community through them,” says Tobin.