Leadership

We create lasting change in Hamilton.

Our Vision

A vibrant, diverse and inclusive Hamilton

Our Mission

To drive positive change by connecting diverse people, ideas and resources

ABACUS: Advancing Post-secondary Access

ABACUS, a collaborative initiative of Hamilton Community Foundation and The Fairmount Foundation, is an initiative that focuses on children in the middle-school years and the transition to high school, with a goal to increase the likelihood that young people who face multiple barriers will graduate high school and access post-secondary opportunities.

In 2021, at the midway mark of this 10-year commitment, the Foundation conducted a comprehensive review to identify the best ways for ABACUS to continue progressing toward its goal in a radically changing educational landscape. The result was ABACUS Phase II: Equity, wellness, academic achievement. Read more.

Education systems change

The Foundation has an objective to support systems changes that remove barriers and advance outcomes for students. It does this by working with education and community partners to influence policy, attitudes and culture to strengthen equity, wellness and academic achievement in the universal public education system. Read more.

Impact investing

HCF is a national leader in impact investing – an investment strategy that targets both financial returns and social impact – which allows us to align more of our assets with our mission. While most of our endowment remains invested in traditional markets, we’re actively engaged in direct impact investments and an ESG (environmental, social, governance) public market portfolio.  Read more.

Recent impact investments include Canadian Canoe Museum, Cross Border Impact Ventures and the Coppley building in downtown Hamilton.

Vital Signs

Vital Signs is a citizens’ report from Hamilton Community Foundation on a range of issues affecting Hamiltonians ­— from safety, transportation, the arts and the environment to education, gaps between rich and poor, and getting started in the community. It highlights the latest research, trends, progress and challenges, and provides an overall snapshot of the Hamilton community’s quality of life. HCF and community foundations across Canada are using Vital Signs to help identify strategic priorities in their respective communities. See the latest report.