Marion Shivas could name every flower, bird, tree and weed in her backyard and at the cottage on the Bruce Peninsula she owned with her husband, Bob. The enjoyment of nature was the main focus of their lives. It found expression in the garden of their Dundas home and their love of hiking on the Bruce Trail.
The two met while employed at Hamilton’s Tuckett Tobacco Company, although Bob went on to become general manager of Rheem Canada Ltd. When Marion retired after 32 years as secretary to Tuckett’s vice-president of sales, she devoted her life to natural history, wildflower protection and land conservation. She was active in the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club as President for six years and as Sanctuary Director for 25 years. In 1961 she led the club in its first land purchase, Spooky Hollow Sanctuary, a 95 acre tract of stream-crossed, wooded land rich in plant and animal life near Normandale, making Hamilton the first naturalist club in Canada to possess its own nature sanctuary. Subsequently, she guided the club in the purchase of the Short Hills Wilderness Area and other nature reserves.
Marion Shivas was honored not only by the HNC for her leadership of Ontario Naturalists of which she was a director. In addition, she was recognized by the Dundas Horticultural Society, Ontario Heritage Foundation and Hamilton Region Conservation Authority.
Predeceased by her husband in 1972, Mrs. Shivas established the W. Robert and Marion S. Shivas Conservation Trust in order to ensure that generations could continue to enjoy the rich natural heritage they cherished. She died at the age of 91 and, in her will, bequeathed the residue of her estate to the Foundation to be used for the preservation, promotion and protection of plants, wildlife and conservation in general, in the areas under the jurisdiction of the Hamilton and Halton Region Conservation Authorities.
Excerpt from 1996-1997 Annual Report
Miss Shaw enjoyed a career as a successful life underwriter with Canada Life which career started in June of 1936. Lillian had a genuine interest in people and helping with their problems.
Upon her death the Hamilton Community Foundation established a fund in her name with proceeds received from her estate. The purpose of this fund is to support the work similar to that being carried out by the Canadian Mental Health Association with particular reference to the support of research or treatment in the interests of frightened or mentally disturbed children.
Angelika Sellick
Angelika Sellick has no doubt that philanthropy can be taught. The fund she created at Hamilton Community Foundation, in honour of her parents, illustrates the point perfectly.
“My father is a minister and my mom is an educator. They’re both very giving people,” Angelika says. “Thinking of others and the needs of the community is just something that my parents always taught me to do. They always say, and I say it too, if everyone just gave a little bit, it could really make a difference.”
Angelika quietly made history at HCF in 2004 when she became the youngest person ever to start a fund: The Glenn and Sidney Sellick Fund. “As a child, I observed how my parents consistently gave a portion of their earnings to other individuals and organizations,” she says, noting that with five children in the family, it wasn’t always financially easy to do so.
Angelika moved to Hamilton from Leamington in 1998 to attend McMaster University. After graduation she took a number of contract jobs in education and the arts before leaving Hamilton to teach English in South Korea. “I love the city for its character. It has its struggles and downfalls, but I think the people are great. Before I left, it was important to me to give something back to the city where I had six great years.”
Originally attracted by the ”Growing Roots…Strengthening Neighbourhoods” program because of its grass-roots approach, Angelika’s fund benefits the Foundation’s TPT II: Building Strong Communities which continues the emphasis on charitable grants supporting small projects. “HCF doesn’t say, ‘we think the area needs this’ – it’s the citizens themselves who decide what the needs are,” she says.
“When Angelika contacted us about starting a fund, we were just thrilled,” says Carolyn Milne, HCF’s President and CEO. “Although we know many young people are involved in philanthropic activities, either as volunteers or as donors, she is by far the youngest person to have started a fund with us. It’s a wonderful tribute to her parents, and Hamilton’s citizens will benefit as a result.”
Excerpt from Spring 2005 Newsletter
Jeanne Scott’s great love of Hamilton and her desire to help others are nourished through her fund at Hamilton Community Foundation.
Jeanne Scott learned many lessons from her mentor, the late Dan Giannini; for her, giving back to your community has been the most rewarding.
“Hamilton has been wonderful to me,” says Jeanne. “Dan always told me if you’re fortunate, don’t forget to give back to the things that have meant something to you.”
For almost 50 years, Jeanne worked as Dan’s assistant in the financial services industry. As new immigrants from England, Jeanne’s and her husband’s early years in Canada were not easy, and the opportunity to cash in an unexpected $1,000 accumulated sick benefit seemed like a windfall.
“Dan convinced me to let him invest it,” says Jeanne. “I was reluctant. It was more money than I had ever had, but I had faith in him.” Dan began to show her how to manage her investments and, as a savvy businessperson in her own right, Jeanne followed his example and watched other advisors they worked with. She also began to follow Dan’s lead in donating to local charities – including HCF.
“I would attend meetings with him at the Foundation,” she says. “I liked what they were doing and the way they did it.
The fact you could support your interests really appealed to me.”
“I used to live in the North End,” she says, “and I loved the diversity – hearing ‘good morning’ in so many languages; it
reminded me of my travels through Europe and made me feel less homesick. Living in Hamilton, I was active in opera,
musical theatre, curling and my church. I made so many friends; the city really enabled me to do the things I loved.”
Jeanne established a designated fund at HCF with gifts of shares, supporting the Good Shepherd Centre where she is a long-time volunteer, and the HCF Community Fund, recognizing her great love of the city. As a classically trained singer and performer, she also supports a bursary award for performing arts students through her fund.
“I’m so happy to be able to give back to this city,” says Jeanne. “I never thought I’d be able to do what I have been able to accomplish – or that it would give me so much pleasure. It makes me feel that my purpose in life has been fulfilled.”
Excerpt from Fall 2008 Newsletter
Born in Winnipeg and raised in Montreal, Joan Bann met her future husband, Gordon Rutherford, at McGill University in the 1930s. When Gordon accepted a position at Stelco in 1948, they moved to Hamilton and Joan quickly settled in, raising two children and volunteering in numerous organizations.
Their son Hugh Rutherford and daughter, Ann Goddard describe their mother as a selfless person, willing to help anyone at any time, and with a large circle of friends. “Mother loved people and was a real doer. She was one of the founders of Meals on Wheels, a fundraiser for Christ’s Church Cathedral and a Junior League member,” Hugh recalled. Owing to her flamboyant driving style, she earned the nickname “Leadfoot Joanie”. “Stop signs, stop light and speed limits were minor details, ” Hugh laughed. When her church had a fee-for-service fundraiser, she volunteered to be a driver!”.
Mrs. Rutherford remembered several charities in her will including the Foundation.
Excerpt from 1996-1997 Annual Report
The Hamilton Community Foundation has been given the privilege of safeguarding the rich history and perpetuating the memory of the Royal Canadian Humane Association, a national organization established in Hamilton in 1894. Modeled on the Royal Humane Society of Great Britain, the RCHA’s mandate was to recognize and honour acts of heroism and bravery in the saving of human life. Over its 107-year history, the Association awarded more than 6,000 medals and citations to individuals across the country.
RCHA was founded by Adam Brown, often referred to as Hamilton’s “Grand Old Man”. He so loved and believed in the Association that he stayed on for 30 years and celebrated his 100th birthday while still in office. Through his efforts, Queen Victoria approved the use of the word “Royal” in the Association’s name. In addition to this distinction, RCHA medals were among very few decorations that could be worn on the armed forces uniform.
Initially, the RCHA had a much broader focus as it also worked toward the prevention of cruelty to children and animals. Gradually, these roles were assumed by the Children’s Aid Society and the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. In time, the Association found itself competing with bravery awards bestowed by the Government of Canada – the Cross of Valour, Star of Courage and Medal of Bravery which are presented by the Governor-General at Rideau Hall – as well as the country’s police and fire departments. With a decline in nominees and criteria that were virtually the same as the government awards, RCHA decided that more than one national program was no longer needed.
“We did not have the prestige or the funds to collect information on nominees in the way the Governor General’s office can. We have never been a large organization and we’re volunteer-driven, so we can’t compete, “explained Sheila Scott, who joined the Association in 1975. “We had to find a way to leave a record of the Association’s work and a memorial to the people who started it.
In 2000, the board of governors decided to surrender the Association’s charter and transfer the remaining assets to the Hamilton Community Foundation. With the help of an advisory committee, the Foundation will honour RCHA’s original intent by making awards for outstanding acts of citizenship and bravery by citizens of Hamilton and Burlington.
Richard McLaren, great grandson of the first treasurer and fourth generation to serve on the board, said, “this is a good solution to a difficult situation. My family would have been pleased.”
Excerpt from the 2000-2001 Annual Report
Claire Lewis
Hamilton Community Foundation is home to Revolution Hope, an endowment fund established by Brenda and John Lewis after the tragic death of their eleven-year-old daughter, Claire, in October 2001.
Claire was a talented and creative girl who preferred writing and drawing to television and video games. She enjoyed all kinds of music, played the piano, and as her father says, “loved all of God’s creatures with reckless abandon.”
Six of God’s creatures received the gift of health from Claire when her organs were donated to other children with terminal or serious medical conditions. Scores more will feel her spirit through grants from Revolution Hope, a fund focused on programs and activities to help young people, particularly children at risk, experience the arts.
“We know first-hand that children grow in self-esteem through participating in the artistic process,” say Brenda and John, “and we want to help other children experience that same joyful learning.”
Brenda and John Lewis, their older daughter Jesse, relatives, and friends began the Revolution Hope Fund at Hamilton Community Foundation with gifts made in Claire’s memory. The family’s goal is to raise $1 million in the fund; they welcome contributions from the community.
Excerpt from 2002-2003 Annual Report
Ethel Harriett Prouse was the youngest of ten children in the Bluhm family of Sullivan Township (in Owen Sound area). She worked for Bell Telephone all her life, as did several of her relatives.
Ethel lived to the age of 94, surviving her husband, William Russell Prouse, by many years. As there were no children, Mrs. Prouse divided the residue of her estate equally among four charities, including the Foundation.
Excerpt from 1994-1995 Annual Report
Kathleen C. Nolan
Kay Nolan was born in Hamilton in 1915 to Mary Ann (O’Brien) and John J. Hunt, K.C. She was the cherished wife of Edward (Paddy) Nolan, D.F.M., C.A., dear mother of John, Dermot and Mary and fond grandmother of eight grandchildren.
She was a graduate of Loretto Academy, McMaster University and the Ontario College of Education who became a dedicated high school teacher and the first woman ever elected to Hamilton’s Catholic School Board to which she dedicated herself as a Trustee for almost 20 years. In 1988, she received the Award of Merit from the Ontario Separate School Trustees’ Association for outstanding service to Catholic Education.
Kay was a proud Hamiltonian whose life reflected her commitments to her family, faith and community and her abiding belief that “of those to whom much is given, much is expected”.
Upon her death in January 2007, her family chose to establish the Kathleen C. Nolan Education Fund in memory of her lifelong dedication to education as a teacher, school trustee, mother and grandmother. In particular, her appreciation of faith, language, music and art will be remembered in considering appropriate applications for the proceeds of the fund on an annual basis.
An online donation is one way to make a gift to the Kathleen C. Nolan Education Fund and is tax deductible.
Or you may contact the Hamilton Community Foundation directly to make a gift.
Excerpt from 2007-2008 Annual Report
Five years ago, Mark Nimigan was nominated to serve on the Hamilton Community Foundation’s Board of Directors. Mr. Nimigan, an official examiner who provides verbatim court reporting services to the legal profession, says that although his knowledge of the Foundation’s role was vague at the time, he was persuaded to join because he’s passionate about Hamilton. “I was born and grew up here. This city has given me an opportunity work and for my wife and I to raise three fine children. I saw it as a wonderful opportunity to give back to my community. Serving on the Grants Committee has been a real education. I’ve met terrific volunteers, learned about wonderful organizations which are trying to improve the community and I have seen what the Foundation can do to empower them.”
With his term on the Board nearing completion, Mr. Nimigan and his wife Barbara decided that they would like to continue their involvement by establishing a fund to benefit youth and the environment. “You don’t have to give a lot,” he says. “It’s about giving what you can.” “It’s a natural extension of my volunteer work with young people from the city’s north end,” Mark adds. “I wanted my relationship with the Foundation to have a financial implication. I’m a great believer in the work that they do and I trust their judgment”.
Through their fund, the Nimigans can ensure that their commitment to addressing youth and environmental issues continues. “It’s a way to have a positive influence long after we’re gone.
Excerpt from 1999-2000 Annual Report
Donations to the Foundation are invested for the long term in public markets and in alternative investments. Investment income is then allocated annually to support granting, community leadership and operations. The summary and charts presented here provide both a financial snapshot and a history of recent activity that underlies the grants and community leadership activities represented in this annual report, made possible by remarkable donors.
Donations to the Foundation are from individuals, corporations and other charities. Donors may contribute to named endowment or flowthrough funds, to the Board-directed Community Fund, or to HCF’s community leadership projects.
The $35.1 million in donations this year is the second highest total in HCF’s history. Annual donations are influenced by the timing of the realization of donations in wills and significant one-time donations like the $27.7 million in donations of property and private equity. As illustrated in Chart 1, annual donations have ranged between $3.2 and $35.1 million over the past eight years. The five-year rolling average of donations ranges from $5.0 million to $13.3 million over the past eight years.
The five-year rolling average number of donations is 1,787 with 2019-20 at 1,853. The number of donations fluctuates based on “in memoriam” donations and the number and nature of events sponsored by donors to raise money for their funds.
Chart 1
Grants are made annually from both endowed and flowthrough funds. Because flowthrough fund balances are distributed in a shorter time period, granting from these funds can materially influence HCF’s total annual amount granted.
As illustrated in Chart 2, grants and community leadership project spending over the past eight years has ranged from $4.7 million to this year’s historic high of $11.5 million. Granting from endowment funds was reduced in 2013 as a result of the decline in investment returns in 2012 which a) lowered the asset base used for the granting calculation (currently four percent of the fund balances), and b) resulted in less income available to grant. Flowthrough granting and expenditures on community leadership projects has ranged from 22 to 56 percent of total granting in any given year and is dependent on the timing and nature of flowthrough and project activity. At 893, the number of grants for this year is 37 percent higher than the eight-year average.
Chart 2
Investments traded in active markets are reported at fair market value. Investments not actively traded are recorded at their cost less any impairment of their value.
To support our strategy of aligning our assets with our mission and to provide a more diverse and robust portfolio, HCF has committed to investing in alternative asset classes including loans to charities and not-for-profits, private debt, real estate, infrastructure and private equity. These alternatives are consistent with the Foundation’s long-term investment horizon and liquidity requirements. Since these investments are not actively traded, they are valued at cost in the investments. These alternatives total $25.8 million.
HCF invests according to policy guidelines established by the Board of Directors. Two committees of the Board oversee investments to ensure compliance with the policy:
As an endowment builder, HCF’s policy focuses on long-term investing and is supported by reserve accounts that are currently at their policy maximum.
The investment policy sets out a total portfolio target asset mix, as well as a range around these targets. The public market investment managers have mandates within this targeted asset mix and use their discretion to invest the portfolios within this range. Chart 3 reflects the current and target asset mix. Note: $25 million of private equity relates to a fund established by a donor and is not part of the asset mix or the consolidated portfolio results.
Chart 3
Two long-term portfolios are invested in the public markets with Jarislowsky Fraser, and Connor, Clark & Lunn. Chart 4 compares those portfolios against benchmarks as follows:
Benchmarks reflect the performance of each market index based on HCF’s specific target asset mix. Comparing actual results to the benchmark measures the value added by investment managers compared to the average market performance. HCF’s investment policy target is a long-term investment return in the 6.5 to 7.5 percent range.
Chart 4
The effect of the global pandemic has materially affected investment returns, resulting in a -8.4 percent public market return for the year. The seven-year annualized return at 6.8 percent is within the targeted investment policy range and is 1.2 percent higher than the 5.6 percent benchmark. As noted in the financial highlights, the current 10-year annualized return of 7.0 percent is in the target range and is higher than the benchmark by 1.2 percent.
Impact investments enable donations to endowed funds to drive positive change beyond granting, because they represent investments of capital that deliver financial returns coupled with positive social and/or environmental outcomes. In addition, these investments provide a pool uncorrelated to the public markets which, in turn, buffers the portfolio from the volatility currently experienced.
More than 15 percent of our long-term assets are in impact investments. Chart 5 illustrates HCF’s impact investing progress over the past five years, with $25 million currently placed or outstanding and another $15 million committed. This brings the total commitment to $40 million, up from $34 million last year. Impact investments cover areas including affordable housing, arts, environment and sustainable development.
Chart 5
Local loans since inception total $9.7 million with $7.1 million outstanding at year end. Chart 6 shows the impact areas our loans have supported. Since the loan program’s 2012 inception, $2.6 million in loan principal has been repaid and recycled as new loans. In addition, the interest from these loans supports HCF granting.
Chart 6
IRP is a Government of Canada program being delivered nationally by partners including Community Foundations of Canada. As the first phase in the government’s long-term investment in social finance, the IRP’s goal is to make social-purpose organizations “investment ready” so they can make a difference in new and innovative ways through their participation in the social finance market. HCF has partnered with community foundations in London and Niagara, and the McMaster Innovation Park to manage the program regionally on behalf of Community Foundations of Canada. The first request for proposals for funding in January created enormous interest nationally and garnered 65 submissions to our regional partnership. Approved funding is expected to be released in June 2020. As an additional benefit, the IRP brought a growing number of potential opportunities for local loans to HCF’s attention.
These investments include private equity, private debt and real estate investments. Many of these investments are long term in nature, are maintained at cost and do not have a regular income stream. As these investments are maintained at cost, their results include interest income and realized gains, but not unrealized gains. Results for these investments are closely monitored and are reported when realized. Chart 7 identifies the investment areas, with $18.0 million placed and a total commitment of $33 million across 21 investments.
Chart 7
Operating expenses for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020 total $2.5 million and were 2.5 percent higher than last year. Staffing costs related to the Foundation’s 22 employees represent 70 percent of HCF operating costs.
In addition to breaking out cost by type, operating costs are allocated to each of the Foundation’s operating areas: grants administration, community and philanthropic leadership, community relations and knowledge dissemination, development activities, and administration and governance. Examples of community and philanthropic leadership include convening around the city’s critical issues and fostering the growth of philanthropy by sharing staff time and knowledge to support other charities. Charts 8 and 9 illustrate these costs by operating area and by expense type.
Charts 8 and 9
The Foundation’s annual development expenses are not necessarily attributable to the donations received in that year. The nature of donations to the Foundation can result in costs preceding the receipt of the donation by several years (for example, donations through wills). As a result, consistent with the community foundation sector, operating costs are evaluated by a ratio of total operating expenses to average total assets. Ratios fall within a range depending on the size and stage of the community foundation’s development.
Management considers the ratio of 1.26 percent (1.25 percent in 2019), as illustrated in Chart 10, to be within an acceptable range for a foundation of HCF’s size, stage and level of community leadership, compared against benchmarks established in the community foundation sector. We continue to monitor both the actual results and the benchmarks on an ongoing basis.
Chart 10
Hamilton Community Foundation’s total assets of $201 million at March 31, 2020 include balances of HCF funds and funds held on behalf of others at $1.7 million.
Hamilton Community Foundation’s fund balances, illustrated in Chart 11, represent accumulated donations plus the net investment earnings on these donations, minus granting and operating costs. Funds include both endowed and flowthrough funds. Endowed funds are held permanently and grant from investment earnings. Flowthrough funds are fully distributed as grants over a pre-determined term.
Chart 11
The fund balances have grown 55 percent to $198 million at the year ended March 31, 2020 from $128 million in 2013. Donations of $35.1 million included $4.4 million in flowthrough donations that were largely distributed as grants in the year and, as a result, do not remain in the fund balances at year end. This results in a modest total funds balance growth of 4.8 per cent for the year. The number of funds has grown 19 percent to 377 from 318 in 2013.
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