As the third quarter of 2021 comes to a close, we start to look back at the many challenges our community has faced since the pandemic began, and the impact it has had on our lives. Despite the recent challenging times, we have remained steadfast in our commitment to giving back to our community as an organization. Our focus on community giving is based upon four pillars of the acronym MAKE – Mental Health, Athletics, Kids(next-generation), Education.

Over the past year, we have continued to support areas in all pillars, focusing on mental health as there is a heightened need for mental health services and programs in the community. These organizations include the Canadian Mental Health Association - Calgary Region, Made by Momma, UofC Dinos Athletics, Calgary Police Youth Foundation, and the Rotary Club Calgary Downtown Stay-in-School program.

Canadian Mental Health Association - Calgary Region

YouthSMART

Kinsted’s three-year commitment to CMHA Calgary’s YouthSMART program continues to make a difference in the community. Local junior high and high school students are able to participate in an integrated initiative to promote mental health. With YouthSMART resources, youth in Calgary and surrounding areas are educated about mental health topics, combat stigma, and foster appropriate help-seeking behaviors. Through Kinsted’s commitment, CMHA Calgary is able to reach close to 25,000 students each year.

Energize Don’t Hide

Kinsted and all its employees participated in an 8-week fundraiser, the CMHA Calgary Energize Don’t Hide 2021 campaign. The mental and physical wellness challenge ran for two months to raise awareness, build relationships, and raise money for CMHA Calgary programs and services. Kinsted partnered with Sagium to complete over 79,000 minutes of activity and raised $15,836, landing the top fundraiser for the event. 

Made by Momma

Kinsted jumped at the opportunity to help out Made by Momma (MBM) this summer. MBM is a grassroots non-profit organization that assists families experiencing adversity and crisis. To allow mothers the time they need to rest, recover, and focus on their families and their health, MBM provides healthy prepared meals, wholesome baked goods, baby essentials, children's items, and supportive in-home visitors. Kinsted, along with our partner Sagium, sent two teams to MBM's community kitchen to make healthy meals for families in need.

U of C Dinos Athletics

This past year, we were reminded as an organization, given the pandemic and cancellation of sports, how impactful donations are to the future generation. For the past 18 years, Kinsted Wealth has supported The University of Calgary Dinos basketball through annual donations, internship opportunities, and student mentorship.

Calgary Police Youth Foundation 

Together with the Calgary Police Service and other community partners, the Calgary Police Youth Foundation supports a number of initiatives in Calgary that offer wrap-around services to vulnerable youth who are at risk of criminal involvement or becoming victims of crime. Kinsted has partnered with Sagium as the title sponsor of their upcoming charity golf tournament on Wednesday, September 8, 2021. 

The Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown Stay-in-School Program

Through the Carl Smith Stay-in-School Program, local youth can receive mentorship and financial rewards, enabling them to pursue higher education. Students selected in sixth grade are matched with a mentor until the 12th grade to enable them to complete high school. As a result of completing high school, participants receive awards that can be used to cover the costs of post-secondary education. Kinsted has partnered with Sagium as the title sponsor of their upcoming charity golf tournament on Monday, September 20, 2021. 

Despite adapting how we came together for events and activities, Kinsted has continued to focus on the four pillars of community support and look forward to continuing to give back to the community. As Ted Ellard, renowned Calgary entrepreneur, philanthropist, and Dinos basketball alumnus once said to Royce Baker, President of Kinsted Wealth, “If you don’t start giving back immediately, you won't be giving back. Ever.”