Blog: Why Supporting Community Through Philanthropy Matters—And why I believe WRCF can help donors on their journey
At Waterloo Region Community Foundation (WRCF), I have the pleasure of engaging in a wide range of discussions around philanthropy, where I often get asked: Why partner with a community foundation? For me, the answer is simple—because we know Waterloo Region better than any other organization offering Donor Advised Funds and similar services. We exist to serve this community—and we’re proud to do it with transparency, care, and a commitment to lasting change.
Philanthropy isn’t just about giving money. It’s about building a stronger, more connected Waterloo Region. It’s about making sure our neighbours, our nonprofits, and the people and places they depend on across our community thrive. When it comes to making that kind of impact, WRCF is uniquely positioned to help.
We do so much more than managing funds—we’re deeply embedded in the community. We’re at local events, in conversation with nonprofit leaders, and listening to the needs of over 1,000 organizations – every day. This kind of insight helps us guide donors toward meaningful, effective giving. Whether you have a specific cause in mind or want to explore new opportunities, we can help you navigate the local charitable landscape with confidence and ease.
Last year, we granted to 429 charities—almost all of them right here in our region. We manage more than $170 million in assets across 450 funds, pooling resources to amplify the good we can do together. We also provide endowment management support to nearly 50 local charities so they can focus solely on their mission.
But what really sets us apart is how we operate. As a registered charity, we reinvest administrative fees back into the community, not into our bottom line. We use these fees to fund research, convene conversations, and support local initiatives. Your giving doesn’t just support a cause—it strengthens the entire ecosystem of care and innovation in Waterloo Region.
We are focused on making it easy for people to do more good. Our funds offer flexibility, tax benefits and an ability to balance short-term impact with long-term legacy planning. We believe it’s critical to offer personalized service – and to reflect our values in our work every day. We are part of a network of about 210 community foundations across Canada, and collectively we are working to provide place-based attention to the needs in each of our communities.
If you’re curious about how your giving can make a difference, I’d love to talk. There’s no cost or commitment—just a conversation about what’s possible. You might be surprised by what you discover.
