When you plant a seed, you don’t just water it for a single season; you nurture it so it can grow deep roots and shelter generations to come. For the last decade, the Airdrie & District Community Foundation has been quietly planting those seeds across the region, building a sustainable financial engine designed to support the community far into the future.
While the concept of a legacy fund might sound complex, Kelly Boudreau, chair of the Board of the Airdrie & District Community Foundation, says the mission is simple: Transform local generosity into a permanent safety net.
“A community foundation serves to create a permanent legacy fund for the local area that it serves,” says Boudreau.
“Donations are taken in (tax receipts are given for all donations), the principal of the donation is invested, and only the growth/interest is given out to local registered charities.”
From Humble Beginnings to Exponential Growth
Airdrie & District Community Foundation is one of more than 200 community foundations in Canada and the journey to sustainability wasn’t instant. The foundation’s roots trace back to 2012, an official start marked by a board that wanted to do good things but struggled to gain traction. The true turning point arrived five years later. In 2017, a new board was built and revived, CRA Charitable status was achieved, and momentum started to build.
Boudreau, who has worked with the foundation for approximately 10 years, has witnessed this momentum firsthand. The growth since those early days is staggering. In 2017, the organization gave out just $5,000. The foundation distributed $50,000 in May of 2025, and $75,000 in May 2026.
“We are super proud of this as our grants have grown every year,” adds Boudreau.
“We currently have over $1.4 million in our permanent fund, the principal that generates the growth that we give away.”
Supporting the Full Spectrum of Local Need
Since inception, the foundation has given to 25 unique charities, granting out more than $267,000 over the past decade.
Securing these funds is an annual process for local non-profits. Local registered charities are eligible to submit a grant application yearly, with the deadline landing in March. From there, the foundation’s grants committee looks at all applications and decides where to grant money based on current need as well as the merit of the projects that are proposed in the grant applications.
Boudreau says the beauty of the foundation is that it doesn’t limit its focus to just one sector.
“We grant to all types of charities – those serving food insecurity, arts, seniors, disabilities, health care etc,” she says.
Every Gift Makes a Difference
As the foundation looks toward the future, Boudreau reminds residents that building a legacy is a collective effort, and no contribution is too small to matter.
“Gifts to the community foundation don’t have to be large, any gift adds up with others that then make a permanent difference,” she says.
If you are looking to give back in a way that includes a fun day on the links, the foundation is the recipient and host of the Mayor’s Rock ‘n Roll Charity Golf Classic happening July 24 at the Woodside Golf Course. Learn more about this popular event at golfgenius.com.
By pooling community resources, the Airdrie & District Community Foundation ensures that today’s donations will continue to feed, inspire, and care for the community for decades to come. Learn more and contribute at airdriefoundation.ca.
