Major Giving
Making a major impact in Calgary
Major Donors are influential members of the Calgary community and serve as inspirational philanthropic leaders with generous donations of $10,000 or more annually. As a part of a dedicated, like-minded, group of individuals committed to making a difference, Major Donors play a key role in helping people overcome poverty, setting kids up for success, and building strong communities.
Major Donor levels, as donated annually:
At $1,000,000 entrusted to United Way over your lifetime, we welcome you to join our prestigious Million Dollar Roundtable!
See your impact
Your contributions directly drive the change you want to see in the community, create innovative solutions to long-standing social problems, and improve countless local lives every day. Here are just a few examples of the impact Major Donors can make:
- At the entry-point of the Platinum level, your $10,000 investment can provide one year of housing and food for an otherwise homeless kid, or one-on-one career coaching for 100 women to gain sustainable employment.
- At the initial entry-point of the Innovator level, your $500,000 investment supports 438 Calgarians in achieving financial stability, or helps 261 local people meet their basic needs.
- At the $1,000,000 investment level—making you a valued member of our Million Dollar Roundtable—you have a greater impact than ever before: you can empower 2,042 children to transition to adulthood successfully, or connect 3,007 Calgarians to the supports and services they need to thrive and build a brighter future.
Carolina and her family left everything behind in Venezuela
to start a new life in Canada, choosing Calgary because of its
educational opportunities for her daughter.
Why become a Major Donor?
Million Dollar Roundtable
The Million Dollar Roundtable is a prestigious group of local people who have each entrusted $1 million or more to United Way throughout their lifetime. Leading by example, these generous philanthropists believe in the potential of all Calgarians and recognize the impact they can make by investing in their communities.
The Estate of JC Anderson
John Anderson
R W “Bill” Andrew
Criterium Group – Robin & Dale Auld
Bill & Irene Bell
Richard & Cathy Bird
David & Leslie Bissett
Nolan & Carol Blades
Estate of Steven Blitz
Hugh & Laureen Borgland
Rick F Braund
Heather Braund
Mike & Jacquie Broadfoot
The Brown Family
BURNCO Family Foundation
Marlie & Steve Burtt
Neil & Katherine Camarta
Carrera Foundation
Mrs Alice Chan & Dr Chen Fong
Lynn D Chouinard
Alec Clark & Sloan Pipella-Clark
Cornhill Family
Howard & Michelle Crone
Michael & Heather Culbert & Family
Jim Davidson
Donna & Lorenzo Donadeo & Family
Estate of Charles Wallace Drew
N Murray Edwards
Brian & Stephanie Felesky
Shane & Roxanne Fildes
Nancy & Dave Forbes
Estate of James Garner
Patricia & Lorne Gordon
Dick & Lois Haskayne
Jim & Susan Hill
Howden Family Fund
Barry & Maureen Jackson
Barbara & David Johnson
Kanovsky Family Foundation
Pentti Karkkainen & Denise Turner
Melissa, Sam & Van Kolias & Family
Art & Deborah Korpach
Gordon Lackenbauer & Jesse Trapp
LAMP family fund
Michael Lang
John & Sheilagh Langille
Francis & Marjorie Lefaivre Foundation
Nancy Lever & Alexander Pochmursky
Alvin Libin, Bobby Libin & Family
Larry & Gloria Macdonald
D Keith MacDonald Foundation
The MacIntyre Family
Keith & Kathy MacPhail
Mann Family Foundation
Allan P Markin
Ron Mathison
R Bruce McFarlane & Janice Heard
Peter and Adele McKeen
Michele & Bob Michaleski
Michael & Margaret Minchau
John & Karen Murphy
Ted & Margaret Newall
David & Gail O’Brien
Marge & Stan Owerko
Tom & Kathy Pinder
Poelzer Family Foundation
Terry & Marion Poole
Alex & Kelly Pourbaix
Gordon & Jill Rawlinson
Clay & Vi Riddell
Mike & Sue Rose
Vera A Ross
Glen & Erin Rumpel
Sarjeant Family
Jim Saunders & Glenda Nystuen
The Donald & Eleanor Seaman Family Foundation
Seasons Family
Mike & Lorraine Seth
Bill & Sharon Siebens
Hank & Carol Swartout
Swift Family Foundation
Dawn & Jack Thrasher
Michael J & Renae N Tims
Jeff & Kim Van Steenbergen
Mac & Susan Van Wielingen
Phil & Francine Welch
Ronald & Melissa Wigham
W Brett Wilson & Family
Andrew & Nancy Wiswell
Brad & Tanya Zumwalt
5 Anonymous Donors
Signature Initiatives
As the social issues affecting our city become more complex, the need for innovation becomes more critical. We know complex social issues cannot be solved alone–they require a collaborative effort, working together with social, health and education sectors, and government to create collective impact.
Major Donors are actively involved in supporting a number of Signature Initiatives that improve lives across our city, including:
All In for Youth: a citywide movement focused on increasing and addressing high school completion, and helping youth successfully transition to the workforce and adulthood
Community Hubs: a first-of-its-kind partnership between The City of Calgary, Rotary Clubs of Calgary, and United Way to provide supports and services to residents in priority locations across our city
Diamond Willow Youth Lodge: an inclusive, welcome gathering place for Calgary’s Indigenous youth to connect and celebrate their culture in a safe environment, developed in partnership with Pathways Community Services Association
Major Donor Cabinet
Members of the Major Donor Cabinet are exceptional volunteers who take generosity and commitment to the next level. As high-profile members of Calgary’s leading industries, they are passionate about creating long-term, sustainable social change in our city.
Co-Chairs
Scott Barron
TD Securities
Claire Greenwood
Suncor
Cabinet Members
David Baboneau
Scotiabank
Todd Dyer
Silvercote
Adam Fellows
CIBC
David Fillo
Shell Canada – Retired
Mike Lindsay
Aqua Solutions Inc.
Laura Lunt
CanGas Propane Inc.
Shane Popowich
Cenovus Energy Inc.
Terri Steeves
TC Energy – Retired
Mark Stumpf
Imperial
Mike Verney
McDaniel & Associates Consultants Ltd.
Brad Wells
BMO Capital Markets
Major Giving tax benefits
Your donation of cash, securities, and other assets are eligible for charitable tax credits, which can reduce the federal and provincial income tax you pay each year.
Below are some examples of particular donation amounts*. All gifts to charities over the initial $200 entitle you to a tax credit of 50% (29% federal tax credit plus 21% Alberta provincial tax credit).
| Tax Benefits | Platinum ($10,000 - $24,999) | Pillar ($25,000 - $49,999) | Benefactor ($50,000 - $99,999) |
| Annual Donation | $10,000 | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Alberta Tax Credit | $2,178 | $5,328 | $10,656 |
| Federal Tax Credit | $2,872 | $7,222 | $14,444 |
| Cost After Tax | $4,950 | $12,450 | $24,900 |
*These examples are based on an annual taxable income of less than $246,752. Please consult a financial advisor to learn more.
Thank you to our sponsor
The Major Donor program is proudly sponsored by BMO.