Henrietta F. Campbell Fund

Born in Lancaster, NY in 1905, Henrietta Rautenstrauch began her nursing career at St. Mary’s Hospital in Niagara Falls, NY where it is said she was the first nurse to use an x-ray machine. After a 17 year engagement to Lorne Thomas Campbell, the two moved to Hamilton where Mrs. Campbell found employment at the General Hospital and rose to the position of operating room supervisor.

Independent, generous and caring, Mrs. Campbell was active in her church as a member of the Catholic Women’s League. A neighbour, Karime Mafekh, recalled, “We met as neighbours in 1965 and adopted each other as family. I had arrived from Lebanon two years earlier and Henrietta was like a mother to me.”

Widowed in 1969, Henrietta Campbell remembered several organizations in her will and left the residue of her estate to the Foundation as a way of fulfilling her wish to help as many people as possible.

Excerpt from 1996-1997 Annual Report

Irene Caldwell Memorial Fund

When Irene Caldwell died in July 1996, her husband of 47 years, Campbell Caldwell of Burlington, decided to set up a fund in his wife’s name to honour her memory. His gift to the Irene Caldwell Memorial Fund is a gift which may be used as the Foundation determines.

Irene grew up in Hamilton’s north end, graduated from Central High School of Commerce in 1944 and went to work for the Burlington Steel Company where she met her future husband. Recalling his wife’s great love for reading, Mr. Caldwell says her favourite place was the public library. “She read everything from mysteries and politics to history and medical books.” Science fiction writers Stephen King and Isaac Asimov were two of her favourites. Mr. Caldwell reminisced about another of Irene’s passions – music and dancing, especially to the big band sound of Artie Shaw and Benny Goodman.

 Excerpt from 1997-1998 Annual Report 

Dorothy & Travice Broadbent Fund

Dorothy Broadbent, was a devout and lifelong member of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church where she was actively involved in many aspects of church life, especially the Women’s Missionary Society. Mrs. Broadbent was also a faithful volunteer at, and supporter of, St. Peter’s Hospital and the Canadian National Institute for the Blind.

F. James Travice Broadbent, a chemist by trade, came to Canada from Huddersfield, England in 1992 as representative of a dye manufacturer. At the time of his retirement, he was associated with Hoechst Canada and Hoechst Celanses Corp., in the U. S. He was a devoted member and a Perpetual Deacon of the Anglican Church, serving in many capacities in the local, provincial and national levels, and was Honourary Assistant at the Church of St. Thomas. Mr. Broadbent was active in both Masonry and Scottish Rite, and served for more than 20 years on the Board of St. Peter’s Hospital.

Excerpts from 1987-1988 and 1990-1991 Annual Reports

Anne M. Biggar Fund

A lifelong resident of Hamilton, Anne Marion Biggar was a daughter of a former City Mayor, Sanford D. Biggar. Remaining alert and active until she died in her nineties at her Amelia Street residence in 1986, Miss Biggar was keenly interested in finance and the stock market.

Excerpt from 1988-1989 Annual Report

Gilbert P. V. Belton Fund

Gilbert Percival Vincent Belton came to Canada from England after World War I and worked in construction as a carpenter. His brother, Wilfred, recalled that they had worked together on building a bridge across Chippewa Creek on the Queen Elizabeth Highway many years ago – Wilfred pouring concrete in the water and Gil working on the structure above. Evidently, Mr. Belton was an excellent golfer and it was said that, had he been born later, he might have been a professional.

The Hamilton Community Foundation received a share of Gilbert’s estate, which is used for general charitable purposes.

Excerpt from 1994-1995 Annual Report

Marjorie L. Allan Fund

For about thirty years, Marjorie Lillian Allan was the friend of thousands of students and their teachers as secretary at Delta Collegiate, a position previously held by her sister, Dorothy (Broadbent). Active in volunteer work, she was a member of the Women’s Missionary Society of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church and, with her sister, devoted many hours to visiting patients at St. Peter’s Hospital.

Excerpt from 1986-1987 Annual Report

Donald J. Allan Fund

Donald Joseph Allan, a Burlington resident, was a long time employee of Howell Packaging Limited. Upon his death in 1993 at the age of 53, the Foundation was notified of its residual interest in the estate and received a bequest to be used by the Foundation for general charitable purposes.

Excerpt from 1994-1995 Annual Report

 

Terry Yates

Terry Yates is one of HCF’s longest-serving volunteers.  In this 2014 video he discusses the importance of community philanthropy and his view of HCF’s strengths.

A Boost for the Arts

A striking gallery at the corner of James St. North and Cannon Street West represents two landmarks:  a new home for Hamilton Artists Inc. supported by the first investment from HCF’s new community investment fund.

“It’s a stunning transformation at one of Hamilton’s most visible corners,” says Terry Cooke, HCF’s President & CEO.   “We are absolutely thrilled that the Foundation is able to use more of its assets in unique ways to support positive change like this.”

Canadian charities have historically had difficulty finding financing for expanding services and facilities. Lack of funding for core operations, growth and diversification inhibits what they can accomplish.

The Hamilton Community Investment Fund is a $5 million fund that invests in local charitable and non-profit projects – instead of the stock market. This amount includes $2 million available as loans to the sector, through a partnership with the Community Forward Fund, an innovative loan and investment organization that provides financing for financing charities and non-profits.

“We expect community investment to go beyond traditional granting and fill an important gap that will help to strengthen the charitable sector and the city,” says Terry.

“The Inc.” is a long-standing artist-run centre that supports and reflects the diverse environment of the community. A loan from HCF’s Community Investment Fund  allowed them to complete the building project on time while awaiting promised financing that had been delayed. Read more about community investing at www.hamiltoncommunityfoundation.ca.