Calgary Children’s Foundation is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to supporting vulnerable children and youth by funding grassroots charities in the Calgary area. We spoke with Susan Holzman, Executive Director, to learn more about how the foundation helps local programs provide essential services, from food security to education and mental health support.
Describe your charity/non-profit in a few sentences.
The QR Calgary and the Westin Calgary Calgary Children’s Foundation raise and distribute funds to children’s charities and programs in the Calgary area. The programs we fund help support kids with physical, mental, financial and/or social challenges.
What problem does it aim to solve?
Many of the grassroots charities we support just need a small amount to see a big result. We support a variety of programs which include offering kids a safe place to go after school, providing funds to make a family’s home more accessible for a child with severe physical challenges, as well as programs that simply bring children together with their peers to talk, play, laugh and enjoy being a kid, regardless of limitations and differences.
When did you start/join it?
The foundation officially started in 1992, but our very first Pledge Day radio-athon was back in 1974 when CHQR radio created “Light Up a Child’s Life” in support of the Cerebral Palsy Association. I have personally been the administrator since 2021.
What made you want to get involved?
Seeing the difference it makes in the lives of children and families who use these critical and meaningful programs. Also knowing that 90% of the money raised goes directly to the charities. QR Calgary and Westin Calgary absorb most of our operational costs, and we keep our administrative costs low in order to fund as many programs as possible.
What was the situation like when you started?
The foundation started in order to fill a need that wasn’t otherwise being met. Many of our recipients are not in a position to do large-scale fundraising. We can reach a large number of children-in-need and kids who would otherwise fall through the cracks.
How has it changed since?
The initial motivation behind the foundation wanting to help children is the same. The change is in our ability to reach more children with more funds. In 2024, we raised over $ 260,000 on Pledge Day, we can fund a lot of local children’s programs and projects with that money.
What more needs to be done?
We continue to strive to help as many children’s charities in the Calgary area as possible. The more money we raise, the more programs we can support.
How can our readers help?
We really appreciate a donation of any size. Any amount makes such a difference in the lives of children in our community. We also have a Hero of the Month program, for businesses looking to get involved, with their donation, they will get airtime on QR Calgary as well as promotion through social media and on our web page.
Do you have any events coming up?
We accept donations throughout the year, but our main source of fundraising is from a 12-hour radiothon broadcast on QR Calgary called Pledge Day. We broadcast live from the lobby of the Westin Calgary once a year prior to the holiday season. QR Calgary On-Air Hosts interview the charities and donors we support to raise awareness and donations. Global TV’s Leslie Horton broadcasts live throughout the morning and noon hour shows, interviewing the charities we support. I’ve included a couple of behind-the-scenes photos from Pledge Day 2024.
Where can we follow you?
You can find us on Facebook, Instagram or our website.
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
I can’t choose. There are so many amazing children’s charities in our community are doing incredible work!
