The Brenda Strafford Foundation

When planning its annual golf tournament, The Brenda Strafford Foundation wanted to use its one by one grant to purchase golf-related promotional materials for nonprofits and allow golfers to donate small or large amounts for those items. Lip balm and wireless speakers were selected to be sold at the event. Because of the grant, all the money from sales benefited last year’s project—Heart Home Network—which houses women and children fleeing domestic violence. It also helps them achieve long-term stability through affordable housing, employment and comprehensive support services. “Heart Home Network doesn’t use a ‘one size fits all’ approach,” said Jaimee Tompkins, resource development associate. “It builds on the individual needs and strengths of clients, especially as it relates to employment, by considering education and what skills are most needed, like resume building or computer software training, etc.” Small promotional materials for nonprofits make a big differenceEight people holding decorated paper plates in front of their faces. Each plate contains a letter to spell the phrase, “thank you." Even small promotional materials for nonprofits, like lip balm, can make a big difference when it comes to raising awareness and funds. The impact of the foundation and Heart Home Network is evident when you ask the people it has helped. Here’s what a former resident said about her family’s stay there. “The staff and other clients have redefined what family means to my children and me. Family is respect for each other. Family is having fun. Family is support for each other’s personal development,” said the former resident. “It is important for my kids to respect me. I know they can respect me now.” Foundation benefits a variety of nonprofits and people Heart Home Network is just one division of The Brenda Strafford Foundation. The foundation also operates five aging care sites, including assisted living and long-term care, in Calgary and the surrounding area. In 1982, it began providing international healthcare to Haiti and, later, Jamaica and Dominica. And, most recently, it expanded its commitment to research and innovation across all service divisions by creating the Dr. Barrie Strafford Centre for Learning, Innovation and Quality (CLIQ). Why are there such diverse and vast areas of support? The founder, Dr. Barrie I. Strafford, created the foundation in 1975 to honour his late wife, Brenda, who passed away in a car accident in 1974. She was a philanthropist in their community and did extensive volunteer work in Haiti. Dr. Strafford remained active in the foundation until his death in 2016, leaving it well-positioned to now honour his legacy as well. “Dr. Strafford started by carrying out his late wife’s legacy,” said Tompkins. “As the years went on, he expanded the foundation’s reach to ensure everyone had a chance at quality of life, especially older adults and those who are less fortunate.”

For more information about The Brenda Strafford Foundation, please visit https://thebsf.ca/ opens in new window