The Community Foundation for Kingston & Area was established in 1995 with $65,000 in endowment funds. Since then, we have grown to over $39 million in assets under management and have granted more than $15 million to over 360 charities.
A Legacy of Local Giving, Rooted in Community
In 1985, a small group of inspired citizens gathered with the courage to dream—to pool their donations into an endowment fund to enhance the quality of life of Kingston & Area. What began as a grassroots initiative grew into an incorporated foundation, guided by a commitment to strengthen the Kingston region through ongoing grants to charitable organizations funded by community-led philanthropy.
We maximize our impact by channeling our energy toward priority issues identified through robust community discussions, partner agency insights, and active participation in issues-based roundtables. This collaborative approach ensures we tackle our region’s most pressing needs as well as embrace emerging opportunities.
We are proud to be an active member of Community Foundations of Canada, the national leadership organization for Canada’s over 200 local community foundations. Together with community foundations across the country, we help drive local solutions for national change on the issues that matter most to communities. We’re building a movement that connects community foundations, people and partners to create a just, sustainable future. Learn more: https://communityfoundations.ca/ Ranked as one of Canada’s Top 50 Equitable Funders in 2024. See https://topfunders.ca/
Our Mission
We are a catalyst for impact by transforming lives through connecting people, ideas, and resources to build a more resilient community.
Our Vision
A connected, resilient, and healthier community.
Land Acknowledgment
The Community Foundation for Kingston & Area is situated on Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Huron-Wendat territory. We acknowledge the significance of this land and all that is within it for the Indigenous Peoples who lived and continue to live here and who are sustained by this land.
It is our understanding that this territory is part of the Dish with One Spoon Treaty between the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee to share and protect this land. In the spirit of peace, friendship and respect, all subsequent Indigenous Nations and newcomers were invited into this living treaty to care for this land and its resources.
We affirm our commitment to continuously listen, learn, and honour Indigenous histories and perspectives as we work towards building a more resilient and welcoming community. We affirm our commitment to be a space for reconciliation in action.
The Values That Guide Our Work
Collaboration
We recognize the power of collaboration and strive to build partnerships with individuals, nonprofits, businesses, municipalities, agencies, and other organizations to address community needs.
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Indigenization
We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace focused on a culture of welcoming and belonging, where all voices are heard, and diverse perspectives are valued. We are continually learning new and unlearning old practices while examining systemic causes of inequity in our philanthropy and our granting practices. We are committed to engaging in ongoing learning about Indigenous ways of knowledge and to dedicating resources to support Reconciliation in action.
Integrity & Stewardship
We uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in all our actions and decisions. We are committed to responsible stewardship of the charitable resources entrusted to us, ensuring they are used effectively to achieve maximum community impact.
Responsiveness
We are responsive to the changing needs and opportunities within our community, adapting our strategies and actions to meet those needs effectively.
Long-term Thinking
We take a long-term view when fostering our relationships, managing our investments, and building our community partnerships. Our actions and decisions seek to build capacity-building and community sustainability over decades.
Building Resilience: Strategic Plan 2025-2028
We will lead community development and capacity-building, in collaboration with partner agencies, to build resilience and connection and belonging across the human lifespan.
We will develop our granting programs and processes to embed more community- based participatory engagement. We will focus our Community Grants program on building community resilience
We will grow our assets under management to $50 million. We will inspire and engage donors and enhance our reputational profile
We will enhance our organizational resilience
Our History: A Legacy of Community and Giving
1985
1985
The Courage to Dream
The Foundation’s roots began with the 1985 “Courage to Dream” conference, where Michael Davies (1936-2022), Eveline Flint (1938-2022), Reg Shadbolt (1933-2025), and Wally Viner proposed that community members pool resources to create an endowment to enhance Greater Kingston’s quality of life.
1986
1986
Martello Tower Society: Building Pride
To carry the vision forward, a group of 15 donors formed the Martello Tower Society. Arnold Maizen (1947-2003) joined as one of the original founding committee members. With $100 membership donations and $1,000 pledges, the Martello Tower Society raised funds through creative initiatives like the “Doors of Kingston” poster, led by Elaine Viner. By the late 1980s, the endowment had grown to $65,000, with $35,000 already granted to the community.
1995
1995
Incorporation of a Community Foundation
A decade later, the group formally incorporated as The Community Foundation of Greater Kingston. This marked a major step in bringing the North American community foundation model to our region—supporting local needs through long-term, sustainable giving.
1996
1996
Building a Lasting Institution
Passionate community advocate and philanthropist Regina “Gini” Rosen (1939-2018) succeeded Michael Davies as Foundation President. Katherine Manley, the Community Foundation’s inaugural executive director, was hired in 1996. The Community Foundation’s official launch party took place in late 1996 at City Hall, with actor Dan Aykroyd riding a motorcyle into Memorial Hall with then-Mayor Gary Bennett as passenger. By 1999, the Community Foundation raised $2 million through the Ontario Endowment for Children and Youth program. Monica Stewart took over as executive director from 2000. A $1.2 million gift from the Stark family in 2001 established a fund for Prince Edward County. By 2003, assets reached $10 million and Glenn Stressman was hired as the Community Foundation’s third executive director.
2004
2004
Icons Support the Cause
With Dan Aykroyd as emcee, legendary rock band The Tragically Hip headlined a benefit concert at Fort Henry, with special appearances by hokey legends Kirk Muller and Doug Gilmour, raising $200,000 to create the Tragically Hip Community Fund.
2008
2008
A New Name, A Broader Vision
Judith Mackenzie has taken over as President in 2004, To reflect our growing regional reach, we became the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area. While the name changed, the Martello Tower remained in our logo—a proud symbol of our roots and the solid foundation upon which we continue to grow.
2015
2015
Expanding Impact
Tina Bailey had become the new executive director in 2014. By its 20th anniversary in 2015, the Community Foundation managed $23 million in assets, over 220 endowment funds, and had granted $8 million to the community.
2020
2020
25th Anniversary
The 25th anniversary in 2020 coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic; the Community Foundation surpassed $12.5 million in lifetime grants. In 2021, The Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul made a transformational gift of $5M. By 2023, assets reached $33.4 million, with over $15 million granted.
2025
2025
Lasting Impact, Growing Legacy
In 2024, the Foundation had granted a total of $1,831,981 and its investments neared $40,000,000. The Community Foundation celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2025, and reimagined its granting priorities, fueling our legacy of giving and a stronger, more connected community.
Want to learn more? Check out our 30 Year Timeline Publication
Supporting a wide range of community projects and initiatives!
Every year, the Community Foundation supports a wide range of community projects and initiatives. In 2024, the foundation granted $1.8 million for programming and initiatives on behalf of donors. Our role is to be the connector for donors with charities to enable them to do their good work.
Our Endowment Model
Donations made to the Community Foundation are held in trust and pooled together into funds called endowments. Endowments generate income that is used to make grants.
As of December 31, 2024, our board, staff, and investment committee managed $39.9 million in endowed and non-endowed funds, earning an average net rate of return in the last ten years of 6.95%. A portion of the investment income provides a steady stream of grants that will benefit Kingston & Area for the future.
What makes up the Main Pooled Fund?
The fund is made up of donors’ endowed funds, agency endowed funds, and funds established by the Community Foundation. Invested together as a larger pooled fund, the collective impact of the smaller funds is greater.
How is the Pooled Investment Fund invested?
The fund is invested following the Community Foundation’s Investment Policy, as overseen by the Investment Committee and our Board of Directors.
The long-term goal of the Investment Policy is to generate sufficient returns, consistent with the Trustee Act of prudent and professional portfolio management, to allow steady and reliable granting, support the Community Foundation’s operations, and to preserve the endowed capital.
We maintain a portfolio consistent with a moderate risk investor. A moderate risk investor believes in managing risk by balancing a portfolio through strategic asset allocation (a prudent blend of cash & equivalents, equities, and fixed income investments) and diversification of investments across geographies and business sectors.
Our key investment beliefs are as follows:
Significant returns from tactical asset allocation (or market timing) are not reasonable given the objectives of the Community Foundation.
Asset allocation rather than security selection is responsible for most of the portfolio performance.
Portfolio diversification is achieved by diversifying across asset classes and geographic location
The scale of the portfolio does not permit significant investment in alternative asset classes.
For detailed information refer to our Investment Policy.
How does the foundation make decisions on spending the Pooled Investment Fund?
The Board of Directors, based on its Spending Policy, sets the Foundation’s granting rate annually, based on the Finance & Audit Commitee’s recommendation. The aim is to protect the fund against inflation for long term community benefit and provide stability in the granting amounts available for recipients.
For detailed information refer to our Spending Policy.