Two successful and long-standing foundations (the Waterloo Region Catholic Schools Foundation and the Catholic Community Foundation of Waterloo Region), supporting both Catholic education and the community-at-large, have strategically merged, under the name “The Catholic Community Foundation of Waterloo Region Inc.”, to establish a new organization to better serve the community.
For more than 25 years, these foundations have granted millions of dollars to various worthy community causes and organized numerous community events, with an emphasis on Catholic schools and the Catholic community across the Region of Waterloo. These foundations have also collaborated with other partners, including the Lyle S. Hallman Foundation, the Kitchener-Waterloo Community Foundation, and the Cambridge & North Dumfries Community Foundation, to fund significant community projects.
Fortunately, this a proactive strategy and both foundations are moving forward in this merger contributing leadership and strong governance infrastructures, positive reputations in the community, and solid financial positions. The united front will ensure continued evolution and sustainability.
“We will be a stronger, more effective contributor to our communities through this consolidation” states Chris Gehan, Co-chair of the new board of directors.
Co-chair Deb Zettel-Schmitt shared, “Our mandates are complimentary and pooling our resources is a logical progression to ensure that we continue to effectively fund the Catholic community and to demonstrate leadership, especially during the challenges to community in 2020 created by the pandemic”.
“The fundraising and granting programs of both organizations were effective in the past but always evolving” states the president of the new organization, Vic Degutis. “Over the coming months, new programs will be introduced with a strong emphasis on community partnership and collaboration. Better utilization of social media to support community communication and relationships will also be a necessary priority.”
