Help us recognize individuals and organizations “Doing More Good” in Waterloo Region

Nominations for the 2025 WRCF Community Awards are now open

WRCF recognizes individuals and organizations in the community who have demonstrated their commitment to Waterloo Region and align with WRCF’s vision that “as Waterloo Region grows to one million residents, our communities are equitable, connected, and sustainable; and people are thriving”. We are asking members of the community to nominate individuals or organizations in three award categories:

  • Ken Murray WRCF Community Catalyst Award

  • David Borges WRCF Organizational Goodness Award

  • WRCF Social Infrastructure Champion Award

Information about all three award categories is outlined below.

Recognition of Award Recipients

Award recipients will be announced at WRCF’s Townhall event on September 18, 2025 (Details will be shared soon so you can register and join us!). If you have questions or comments, please contact info@wrcf.ca.

 

2024 Award Recipients. From left to right: Teneile Warren, Lori Payne, Eric Avner (WRCF President & CEO), Isabel Cisterna (Neruda Arts), Payton Randerson (TLC Pet Food).

Submit a nomination for the 2025 WRCF Community Awards

WRCF will be accepting nominations from the community between June 4, 2025 and July 16, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST.

 

Ken Murray WRCF Community Catalyst Award

The Ken Murray WRCF Community Catalyst Award was created in 2019 in memory of the first president of Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation, to recognize individuals who are demonstrating their commitment to Waterloo Region by "Doing More Good" and supporting WRCF’s vision that “as Waterloo Region grows to one million residents, our communities are equitable, connected, and sustainable; and people are thriving”.

In 2024, the Ken Murray WRCF Community Catalyst Award recipient was Teneile Warren.

Eligibility and Criteria

  • Must be a resident of Waterloo Region

  • Has not been a previous recipient of the award

  • A community volunteer or philanthropist who demonstrates character traits evident in Ken Murray’s life, including:

    • living a life with purpose and generosity

    • leadership

    • mentorship

    • the ability to creatively tackle issues of today, with an eye to the future, by utilizing innovative philanthropic approaches and solutions

 

David Borges WRCF Organizational Goodness Award

The David Borges WRCF Organizational Goodness Award was created in memory of David Borges, former Chair of the Cambridge & North Dumfries Community Foundation, to recognize businesses or organizations located in Waterloo Region that are committed to building and supporting our community through “Doing More Good”.

In 2024, the David Borges WRCF Organizational Goodness Award recipient was TLC Pet Food.

Eligibility and Criteria

  • Business/Organization must be located in Waterloo Region

  • Business/Organization must operate in a manner that aligns with WRCF’s values

  • Has not been a previous recipient of the award

  • Support for the community could be demonstrated through:

    • Corporate philanthropic giving through financial donations or gifts in-kind

    • Encouragement and motivation of employees to become involved in community

    • Community leadership in local projects and initiatives

 

WRCF Social Infrastructure Champion Award

Social infrastructure is WRCF’s primary area of strategic focus between 2024 and 2027. To that end, we believe it is important to recognize individuals or organizations in the community who are demonstrating innovation, excellence and/or ongoing commitment to advancing social infrastructure in Waterloo Region.

In 2024, the WRCF Social Infrastructure Champion Award recipient was Neruda Arts.

What is Social Infrastructure?

Physical infrastructure is the visible, built environment systems of housing, parks, roads, public transit, recreation centres, and the less visible systems of sewers and power grids. It’s the systems on which economic development traditionally relies.

Social infrastructure is the system of organizations, spaces and experiences that enable people to connect with each other, the bridges necessary to build trust and civic participation, to create a sense of belonging and wellbeing. It’s the system that enables sustainable widespread community development.

To learn more about social infrastructure click here.

Eligibility and Criteria

  • Individuals and organizations (including for profit organizations) must be located in, and support/serve individuals in Waterloo Region

  • The individual or organization must align with WRCF’s values and must contribute to WRCF’s vision that “as Waterloo Region grows to one million residents, our communities are equitable, connected, and sustainable; and people are thriving”

  • Individuals or organizations actively focusing on social infrastructure and have made an observable impact in Waterloo Region