To celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2004, Hamilton Community Foundation's logo was redesigned to reflect its evolved role.

The logo's design uses a pinwheel concept, showing movement and momentum, but grounds the image in a solid base, demonstrating longevity and permanency. The blades, or elements of the wheel are represented in both white and in a warm golden green, conveying diversity, flexibility and change

 

About

CEO's Message

 

July, 2010

Dear Friends:

The Foundation recently held its Annual General Meeting – its 55th, and my first.

As I prepared for the meeting, I reflected on the generations of donors, board members and staff who have built HCF and prepared our promise for the future.  I was reminded of that line in that famous poem In Flanders’ Field… “to you….we throw the torch, be yours to hold it high.”  

I thought about what has changed over the years, and what has stayed the same.  The issues change, but we have always had challenges and we have always had opportunities. What enables us to hold our torch high is the work and commitment of board and staff in building long-term relationships and inspiring the confidence of donors through the Foundation’s integrity and effectiveness.  I don’t see that ever changing.

Part of the challenge and the advantage the Foundation has is that we are here to help people create their unique legacy. It’s not about what we want as board and staff, but how people want to give back.  We made a judgement five years ago to make poverty reduction a priority for our community fund, and results show that we made the right decision.  At the same time, we are every mindful that our donor base has broad interests, and we continue to make significant contributions to health care, the arts, the environment and other areas.  Poverty is our most visible focus, but our mission remains broadly inclusive.

Over the summer our team is working in a number of areas to raise the level of discussion and encourage more citizens to think about what they can, and want to do for our city; and at the same time, to increase the flexibility they have to make that difference through the Foundation.  These are exciting times for the Foundation with many possibilities for our donors to strengthen every aspect of our city. 

The late Judge Theo McCombs is a past board chair.  He used to end Foundation meetings in the 50s and 60s with the reminder that “we should never forget that our job is to be a powerful force for good for Hamilton forever”.  I am confident that we never will. 

Terry Cooke
President & CEO

 

Listen to Terry Cooke interviewed on “The Forum” here.