The Oakville Community Foundation (OCF) has been a cornerstone of positive change in the community for 30 years. They have invested heavily in the community, enriching the lives of Oakville residents in countless ways.
"For the past 30 years, The Foundation has poured millions of dollars into local charities and our community,” says Wendy Rinella, CEO of Oakville Community Foundation.
“Thanks to the generosity of our Fundholders, OCF has led a number of initiatives that community members enjoy each and every day. From the Heritage Trails and Moccasin Trails, to installing Treaty Signs throughout the Town, to supporting gardens and the planting of hundreds of trees, to providing thousands of dollars for local scholarships, bursaries and educational awards, and supporting a number of charitable capital campaigns including the YMCA of Oakville, Lighthouse for Grieving Children and the Oakville Hospital Foundation, and giving our kids the opportunity to experience arts, culture, heritage and environmental programming at their school."
Christopher Lockwood Foundation
OCF is a large community of 400 philanthropic families, organizations and businesses whose common goal is to help create strong, prosperous, and thriving communities. One such example is the Christopher Lockwood Fund, which is a testament to the power of philanthropy in honoring a loved one's memory and making a lasting impact. Established by Jay and Mary Lockwood in memory of their son, Christopher, the foundation embodies his passion for education and community.
"Christopher was an outstanding young man," say the Lockwoods. "He graduated summa cum laude from Northwood University and was passionate about sports. We wanted to keep his memory alive by helping others achieve their educational dreams."
The Christopher Lockwood Fund provides scholarships to deserving Oakville students who need financial assistance. Their long-term goal is to establish a home for those in need, further reflecting Christopher's spirit of helping others. In addition, the Town of Oakville with support from OCF and the Christopher Lockwood Fund have built a commemorative kiosk as part of the North Oakville Trail.
Jay and Mary work closely with OCF, which allows them to help a wide variety of community members in need. In addition to their annual scholarships, they also support the food bank, the backpack program, Halton Women’s Place, and a number of other initiatives.
They explain, “It has been very easy to work with OCF. We just let them know who we want to support or give a donation to and they administer that very quickly. A lot of times, they will recommend to us some charities that need extra assistance. It has been very cohesive working with them.”
Everyone Can Support the Community
OCF believes that philanthropy should be accessible and impactful. Even a small investment can make a big difference in the community.
Rinella explains, "With the OCF, philanthropy is for everyone. Funds don't have to be created overnight and can be built with $0 down and through small monthly contributions that add up over time. You also don't have to go it alone; The Foundation is Oakville's largest community of philanthropists, where we engage a community of generous and caring individuals, families, businesses and more who all want to make a difference."
Corporate Charitable Funds
In addition to funds created in memory of a loved one, like the Christopher Lockwood Foundation, OCF supports a wide range of Fund types like bequest funds and community funds. Corporate charitable funds allow businesses to work alongside their employees and other stakeholders towards a common charitable goal.
“Corporate charitable funds are an easy solution when developing a company's Corporate Social Responsibility. They're great for employee engagement and can encourage team contributions, too,” says Rinella.
By supporting the Oakville Community Foundation, you can invest in the future of our community and leave a lasting legacy, just like the Christopher Lockwood Foundation.
Visit Oakville Community Foundation online or call (905) 844-3562 to learn more about creating your own fund or supporting existing initiatives.