2024 Impact Report

With the support and assistance of the Calgary Rotary Clubs Foundation, Calgary Rotarians support a wide range of important causes and make a real difference in our community.

A LETTER From the CRCF Chair

The Calgary Rotary Clubs Foundation (CRCF) is a registered foundation that manages a General Fund for participating Calgary area Rotary Clubs. The CRCF distributes funds annually to community service projects or other charities as directed by the Clubs. This year, I am pleased to announce that the CRCF Board has approved a $2.7 million distribution, leaving $63 million in the General Fund. Full details are available in the audited financial statements as of February 29, 2024.


Our work is driven by dedicated committees:


Investment Committee: Chaired by Greg Stevenson, the committee is conducting a thorough risk assessment of our investments. This year’s performance saw a $9.4 million increase in the General Fund, a significant recovery from last year’s challenges.


Audit Committee: Led by Sandy Dougall and supported by Treasurer Stan Peloski, ensured a timely and accurate audit of our financial statements. Thanks to Stan and CRCF Accountant Tracy Nelson for maintaining our financial records throughout the year.


Governance Committee: Under the leadership of Vern Kimball, the committee enhanced our governance practices. With the help of CRCF Administrator Alana Sargent, they updated policy documents, By-Laws, and established a comprehensive records management system.

Communications Committee: This year, the committee focused on implementing a new communications plan. Consultant Darren Nimegeers expanded his role to include executing this plan, aiming to enhance our website with imagery and project stories, launch an annual impact report, and increase communication with member Clubs.


I extend my heartfelt thanks to all CRCF Board members for their contributions this year. Special thanks to outgoing members Jim Davis, Stan Peloski, Eva Freisen, Paul Gagnon, and Darryl Gunn for their dedication and service. We welcome new Board members Jamie Powell, Jim Rhijnsburger, Randy Topolnitsky, Doug Webb, and Grant MacEachern, and look forward to their contributions.


It has been an honour to serve as Chair of the CRCF Board. I am confident in the continued success of our foundation under the leadership of incoming Chair Mike Ruttan.




Sincerely,

Rob Brookwell  •  Chair, CRCF

June 30, 2024


the NUMBERS

$2.7M

Funds distributed
to clubs in 2024.

$63M

Fund balance at year end
(Feb. 29, 2024)

CRCF Fund Balance

Total Value of Foundation Funds ($ Millions)

Note that reporting is not continuous across entire time frame.

Club Balances

As of 2024
Club Balance
Downtown $46,799,687
Stampede Park $11,127,734
North $6,460,842
Heritage Park $1,509,032
West $1,013,996
Centennial $347,688
Chinook $286,693
East $195,227
Olympic $52,647
Millenium $40,375
Sarcee $23,404
Fish Creek $18,016

the IMPACT

The Stella Endowment

In 2016, CRCF received some $2.5M to establish an Endowment fund named “The Estate of Rosetta and Mario Stella.” Mario was a long-time member of the Calgary Stampede Park Club and, in his will, left these funds to CRCF with the income to be used “to provide transportation for special needs persons.”


The investment income from this bequest is now flowing to the Stampede Park Club and, over the last few years, they have donated funds for Transportation Equipment to various Calgary charities. Specially equipped vans have gone to Pacekids Society, Woods Homes, The Alexandra Community Health Centre, and The Society for Autism Support


Last year, they filled a need for quads to move participants around the wilds at Camp Kindle for the Kids Cancer Care Society. This year they funded sophisticated power wheelchairs for ALS Society and Easter Seals along with Adaptive Bikes for special education students through Youth En Route.



Together, these donations have amounted to over $350,000.


With the investment income generated by CRCF, the Stampede Park Club now looks forward to receiving in excess of $150,000 per year to continue funding these and similar worthwhile projects in memory of Rosetta and Mario Stella.


Shelter and a New Foundation

The impact and benefit of Rotarian generosity extends far beyond the immediate aid it can provide.


Last year, a $5,000 donation by the Fish Creek Club illustrated the profound impact of giving. This contribution alone provided nine families in Gaza with durable tents, ensuring almost 50  individuals had a safe place to call home amidst the crisis.


ShelterBox is an international disaster relief charity that provides emergency shelter and essential tools to families who have lost their homes due to disaster or conflict. Founded in 2000, it has grown into a global organization, delivering aid packages including tents, water filters, and solar lights to millions affected by disasters worldwide.


ShelterBox tents are not just shelters; they are lifelines. Designed to withstand extreme weather and be quickly relocated during emergencies, these tents offer safety and security in the most challenging circumstances. Moh’s story brings this to life. After his family's home in Gaza was destroyed, they lived in a ShelterBox tent. Today, Moh is a Rotary Peace Fellow working for Rotary International, while his family continues to face uncertainties back home.


Your giving makes an extraordinary difference. The Fish Creek Club’s donation not only provided critical shelter to families in Gaza, but also offered safety and a foundation for rebuilding their lives. Rotary giving supports diverse needs, from emergency relief to enhancing personal wellbeing to building strong communities. Thank you for your generosity.


Click here to learn more about Shelterbox Canada.


Celebrating Donations

Charitable giving by Calgary Rotarians has been shared with dozens of organizations over the past year. This has included major and small donations – every one of which has had a substantial impact for the supported organizations and the people they serve.

The following is a partial list of support distributed. This is a living list that will be updated as additional donation information is received from the participating Rotary clubs.

Responsive Donations Tables

Large Donations

Recipient Club Amount Notes
Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation Downtown $175k Rotary Flames House Playground Project
Ronald MacDonald House Charities Downtown, Stampede Park $125k, $125k Rotary Flames Park and Playground at Ronald McDonald House expansion; Total budget $400k; Flames Foundation contributed $150k
Safe Haven Foundation Downtown $100k Community Hubs spaces within new Havens Harbour building
Brawn Family Foundation Rotary Park Downtown $81k Supporting youth mental health recovery; Part of the overall $1.4M project budget

Smaller Donations

Recipient Club Amount Notes
Easter Seals Stampede Park $15,000 Grant for purchase of power wheelchairs, scooters and similar equipment in Calgary area.
Rotary Bursaries Downtown $10,000 Educational Support
Wings of Hope for Africa Foundation Downtown $10,000 Helping families, primarily from Burundi & Rwanda here in Calgary
Calgary Quest Children's Society Downtown $9,362 Supporting young persons with developmental disabilities. Funding towards outfitting two special "calm" rooms
Youth en Route Stampede Park $8,000 Purchase of adaptive bikes for special education students in Calgary Schools.
The Drop-In Centre (The DI) Downtown $6,500 Commercial Steam Kettle
Inn from the Cold Society Downtown $5,000 Helping families out of the cycle of homelessness
The SHARP Foundation (Society Housing AIDS Restricted Persons) Downtown $5,000 Purchase of kitchen items
The Alex (Alexandra Community Health Centre) Downtown $4,000 Purchase of specialized ultrasound wand components to be used onsite or on their mobile unit
Wheels for Kids Downtown $3,000 Refurbish bicycles that are recovered from the City of Calgary landfills or donated. Repair & give to children with new helmet.
NSTEP Downtown $2,000 Adult & Child Literacy & foundational learning
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