Low-income families often face barriers that keep their children from experiencing Hamilton’s vibrant arts community. Supported by HCF, the art club at Cathy Wever School enabled students to receive 20 weeks of instruction from two local artists, visit studios on James St. North and mount their own public exhibition complete with opening night reception.
Resources
What We are Learning
One of Hamilton Community Foundation's key strategies is to be a knowledge resource on key areas of our work and to acquire and disseminate research in our areas of focus. In this section of the site, we provide access to research we have acquired and links to additional resources and sites that we believe will be of value to our colleagues and stakeholders.
Community Investing
In simple terms, community investing is defined as a process whereby foundations directly invest some of their assets in the community, or social/environmental enterprises consistent with their mission. The investments can take the form of an investment into ventures operated by charities or non-profits engaged in a social purpose – for example, affordable housing. They may also take the form of a loan, (rather than a grant), to qualified organizations, for charitable purposes which also further our mission. For more information on community investing, please click here.
Summary of Hope and Despair in the American City: Why there are no bad schools in Raleigh
Efforts to reduce poverty – and, in turn, improve social and economic outcomes for all Hamiltonians - are a priority for both the Hamilton Community Foundation and the community as a whole. This paper summarizes and explains income integration within schools as one potential focus of these efforts, as well as examine key research and policy considerations that will be helpful in the discussion of this approach.
Research Papers
Read HCF-authored papers on downtown revitalization, neighbourhoods and environmental protection
Links
Link to recent research on areas including the arts, environment, diversity, the economy, community collaboration, poverty and citizen engagement.
Leadership for Tough Times
Armine Yalnizyan is an economist with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. HCF recently invited her to speak to local leaders about the current economy, how it developed, how it is similar and different from previous recessions, the unique impact on Hamilton, and the potential opportunities or strategies we might consider including learning from other jurisdictions.
Hamilton's Diversity Scan
Hamilton’s Diversity Scan is a factual overview of the makeup of our city from multiple perspectives, including age, education, ethnicity and culture, income, family size, sexual orientation and ability. Using Statistics Canada and other data, the Foundation prepared this information, under the guidance of our Diversity Advisory Committee as a resource to our own diversity initiative. We believe it is a comprehensive source of data for any organization looking to strengthen their inclusiveness in any aspect of their strategy or operations; we hope you will find it useful to your organization and invite you to share it broadly.
Organizational Development Toolkit
NEW Resource for Community Organizations - The Organizational Effectiveness Toolkit provides practical tools to help community organizations plan, govern and manage their operations. It is based on real-life experience gained through reviews conducted by the Bay Area Arts and Heritage Stabilization Program supported by Hamilton Community Foundation
Small Project Funding Toolkit
From 2002 to 2008, Hamilton Community Foundation’s Growing Roots….Strengthening Neighbourhoods program provided the opportunity to fund small, resident-led projects in high-need Hamilton neighbourhoods, a strategy now integrated into TPTII: Building Strong Communities. Our experience and research tell us that that projects like these benefit both the individuals and their neighbourhoods. Read more, and access our Small Project Funding Toolkit, which will help local planning teams to ensure that their small projects contribute to neighbourhood vitality.