Driving positive change by connecting diverse people, ideas and resources.

Driving positive change by connecting diverse people, ideas and resources.

A Foundation for the Future: 2024 Annual Report

We’re excited to launch our latest annual report: A Foundation for the Future. Read some inspiring grant and donor stories, our financial highlights and meet HCF staff members along the way! View the full report here.

Creating a vibrant, diverse and inclusive Hamilton

SCAFFOLD is a $50 million commitment to affordable housing that brings together resources based on research, consultation and the advice of policy experts.

Hamilton’s Vital Signs is a resource to help us understand our city over time; the more we understand, the better our effort to help it thrive.

ABACUS focuses on the transitions to and through the middle-school years to increase the likelihood that young Hamiltonians graduate high school and access post-secondary opportunities.

News & events

Join the team! Vice-President, Grants & Community Initiatives position available

Join the team! Vice-President, Grants & Community Initiatives position available

Tracy VarcoeNov 6, 20241 min read

Come work with us! We are hiring for the position of Vice-President, Grants & Community Initiatives. The Vice-President, Grants & Community Initiatives ensures effective leadership to its grant programs and the design and development of its complex granting strategies.  As a key member and collaborative partner on the senior management team, the Vice-President contributes to HCF’s vision, strategic priorities and operational objectives in many ways, including through the organization’s long-term…

Building on a foundation

Building on a foundation

Rudi WallaceNov 4, 202415 min read

Building on a foundation The following was a speech delivered by HCF President & CEO Rudi Wallace at the Foundation’s 2024 annual general meeting. Good afternoon, Thanks for making the time to be here with us today, as we close…

Rudi Wallace hosts Emily Power and Doug Sider for a Vital Signs episode about co-op housing

Vital Signs TV: Co-operative Housing in Hamilton

Michael ParenteOct 25, 20242 min read

Vital Signs TV: Co-operative Housing in Hamilton It’s a brand new season of Vital Signs on Cable 14! It’s also Rudi Wallace’s first episode as our new President & CEO. In this episode, Rudi hosts Emily Power (President, Caroline St.…

Affordable housing efforts in action

Affordable housing efforts in action

Michael ParenteOct 22, 20243 min read

Affordable housing efforts in action Two recent developments supported by Hamilton Community Foundation demonstrate that the affordable housing crisis can be approached in a variety of ways. This past year the Foundation helped facilitate an agreement that will see the…

ABACUS turns 10

ABACUS turns 10

Michael ParenteOct 22, 20242 min read

ABACUS turns 10 ABACUS, the foundation’s education initiative is marking a decade of supporting students in Hamilton. The initiative was launched in 2014 as a partnership with The Fairmount Foundation with the overarching goal of increasing the likelihood that young…


Hamilton Community Foundation land acknowledgement

The City of Hamilton is situated upon the traditional territories of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Mississaugas. This land is covered by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, which was an agreement between the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabek to share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes. We further acknowledge that this land is covered by the Between the Lakes Purchase, 1792, between the Crown and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.

Today, the City of Hamilton is home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island (North America) and we recognize that we must do more to learn about the rich history of this land so that we can better understand our roles as residents, neighbours, partners and caretakers.

Actions

HCF has approved a draft Declaration of Action to contribute and implement its response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action, as well as to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. We are also undertaking board and staff education to deepen our knowledge and understanding of colonialism’s history and ongoing impact. 

Read about our Impact

Building for community

Trinity Lutheran Church’s gift helps address affordable housing in Hamilton This is a story about honouring the past. And buildi…

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Home for good

Program helps urban Indigenous tenants maintain their housing for the long term It’s one thing to have housing. It’s another t…

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Step by step

Tutoring program helps newcomer families find a path to a brighter future The room is remarkably quiet, considering its four walls…

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The gift that keeps on giving

Sisters continue their parents’ legacy of philanthropy The late Mark Nimigan never lost his commitment to Hamilton’s north end…

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Good vibrations

McMaster studies show music therapy improves student mental health It’s been said that music is medicine — and now there’s p…

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Honoring a legacy of belonging

New fund supports families of people living with disabilities Marcia Marcaccio believed in the power of community. In a long life,…

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Heeding the call of community

Dr. Juliet Daniel’s giving enables flexibility to address changing needs Dr. Juliet Daniel is a world-renowned cancer biologist …

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Trusting in our community

Sometimes trying something different can reveal new possibilities and strengthen relationships. A participatory granting pilot at …

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