September 28, 2023
This post was published as part of our 2023 Fall Check-In Newsletter.
Six months into his new role, President and CEO Michael Maidment reflects on his time with the organization so far, what makes the OCF unique, and how the organization must continue to address the community’s biggest needs through the lens of Truth and Reconciliation and inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA).
Having worked in the charitable sector for the past 20 years, I’ve seen the momentum and impact created by the Ottawa Community Foundation first-hand. I’ve worked in many areas throughout my career, directly tackling and raising awareness about food insecurity, homelessness, poverty reduction, human trafficking, long-term care, and cancer care and research.
While these issues may appear disparate, the Ottawa Community Foundation has always been at the forefront of recognizing their interconnectedness and providing critical support in solving some of our community’s most complex social problems.
The Foundation’s mandate is to help make our community better for everyone. It uniquely positions the OCF as an organization capable of impacting a broad range of issues. We don’t focus on just one area – we focus on all aspects of our community.
Our business model also allows us to work with all stakeholders in the charitable sector to build long-term sustainability for our communities by leveraging investments made and wisdom gained from present and past generations to benefit the current and future generations. A fund set up today can help make a difference in people’s lives for many years to come.
We recognize that the pandemic’s enormous effect on our community remains. Increasing interest rates and housing affordability are affecting families trying to stay afloat. The wait for affordable housing in Ottawa has reached an all-time high. We continue to see numbers in food bank usage soar. Hundreds of families live in motel rooms, waiting for a safe and affordable place to live. The stress and anxiety of balancing family budgets at home have worsened an already worrying mental health crisis.
To address the issues of our time, we must fully embrace what makes the OCF unique while acknowledging the need to apply our principles through a lens that incorporates Truth and Reconciliation, inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility.
To address the issues of our time, we must fully embrace what makes the OCF unique while acknowledging the need to apply our principles through a lens that incorporates Truth and Reconciliation, inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility. My team and I are committed to working with donors, partners, and other vital stakeholders like you to face these challenges and opportunities together.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to us to share ideas, discuss issues, or collaborate on a partnership.