Celebrating 25 years of Impact across Waterloo Region
WRCF’s largest donor has made huge impacts by contributing more than $27 million to funds at WRCF
Photo credit: Ljubodrag Andric, 2016
Michael Barnstijn and Louise MacCallum, who started The Musagetes Fund 25 years ago, are passionate about making the arts and the environment more central and meaningful in people’s lives, to create a healthier, more beautiful and equitable world.
They are leaders among a new generation of philanthropists, actively involved in numerous charitable organizations, and deeply committed to creating a socially just, environmentally sustainable world with art leading the way. Their passion for the arts and conservation has left a lasting impact on our communities and the environment.
In 2000, Michael and Louise made charity history by donating $13.4 million to Waterloo Region Community Foundation (WRCF), which at that time was the largest gift ever made by a living donor to a Canadian community foundation. Half of the funds were used to establish The Musagetes Fund. The other half went to WRCF’s Community Fund, supporting organizations in every area of our communities. Over the years, their donations to WRCF have grown to nearly $27 million.
“From their very first grant of $20,000 from The Musagetes Fund, to assist with accessibility of the Eden Mills and District Community Club, to a recent grant of nearly half a million dollars to support the work of the rare Charitable Research Reserve, and over 500 grants in between, their generosity has made an incredible impact across Waterloo Region,” WRCF’s President & CEO Eric Avner said while marking the 25th anniversary of The Musagetes Fund.
Their contributions to the arts and conservation in Waterloo Region have been immense. So far, The Musagetes Fund at WRCF has provided over $7.4 million in grants to the local community. And, because they had the foresight to establish an endowment fund – it will continue to provide grants forever. In addition to their annual grants, Michael and Louise have further supported community with over $10 million in flow-through grants.
Despite the huge contributions Michael and Louise have made to the arts and conservation in Waterloo Region, very few people know of the significance of their philanthropy. This is a tribute to their generosity of spirit, wanting to draw attention to the work, not to themselves.
In December 2024, they were named members of the Order of Canada. Administered by the Governor General’s Office, the Order of Canada is the second-highest honour after the Order of Merit. This award was given in recognition of the role they have had in building the local community and its impact nationally. And in 2025, 25 years after The Musagetes Fund was established at WRCF, we also want to recognize them as supporters in our community, and individuals who have advanced the work WRCF has been able to do and will continue to do across Waterloo Region.
WRCF offers a range of fund types to choose from, depending on philanthropic interests and desires for specific levels of involvement in annual granting decisions. Learn more at wrcf.ca/types-of-funds.
Funds can be established in your name, or in the name of your family, your organization or anyone you wish to honour. If you would like to learn more about setting up a fund, contact Dan Robert at dan@wrcf.ca or 519-725-1806 x 205.
For more information about WRCF, visit wrcf.ca.