You are 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.

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.

When Bryanna faced homelessness at 16, school couldn’t be her priority. Now, thanks to the generosity of people like you, everything has changed.

Read Bryanna's story

Why become a Major Donor?

Valuable tax benefits (see below)

Exclusive opportunities for you and your family to participate in personalized community tours and volunteering

Recognition as a Major Donor in our annual Honour Roll

An invitation for you and a guest to our Major Donor Appreciation Event—held annually, this key event celebrates and thanks all of our new and long-time Major Donors

An invitation to the President’s Series hosted quarterly by United Way President Karen Young, giving you an in-depth look at the social issues facing our city and allowing for networking opportunities with other Major Donors

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.

John Anderson
Estate of JC Anderson
RW “Bill” Andrew
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
Criterium Group – Robin & Dale Auld
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
Barry & Maureen Jackson
Johnson Family Fund
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 & Adele McKeen
Michele & Bob Michaleski
Michael & Margaret Minchau
John & Karen Murphy
Ted & Margaret Newall
David P 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
Phil & Francine Welch
Mac & Susan Van Wielingen
Melissa & Ron Wigham
W Brett Wilson & Family
Andrew & Nancy Wiswell
Brad & Tanya Zumwalt
7 Anonymous Donors

BOLD names denote donors who joined the Million Dollar Roundtable in 2022.

Philanthropists Circle

The Philanthropists Circle is an exclusive group of philanthropic leaders who are committed to creating long-lasting, positive change in our city through investments of $25,000 or more on an annual basis. Members’ gifts and time are efficiently invested to maximize community impact.

  • Valuable tax benefits (see below)
  • An invitation for you and a guest to the annual Philanthropists Circle event
  • An invitation to the quarterly President’s Series with guest speakers
  • Updates on the impact your gift is making in the community
  • Customized report back on the impact of your gift in the community
  • Access to a private consultation with a personal Philanthropic Advisor
  • Access to family service project opportunities and family philanthropy opportunities
  • An invitation for you and a guest to our annual Major Donor Appreciation event
  • Access to a private consultation with a United Way Impact Investor
  • Donors who cumulatively give over $1 million become members of the Million Dollar Roundtable

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:

Emily smiles in front of a classroom.

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

Learn more
A murral at Village Square Leisure Centre reads ``Community``.

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

Learn more
A painting of a dancer on a window.

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

Learn more

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 $235,675. Please consult a financial advisor to learn more.

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

Claire Greenwood
Suncor

Scott Barron
TD Securities

Cabinet Members

John Guderyan
Sagium

Shane Popowich
Cenovus Energy Inc.

David Fillo
Community Member

Mungo Hardwicke-Brown
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Adam Fellows
CIBC Capital Markets

David Baboneau
Scotiabank

Anna Davison
Guardyan Conservation

Mark Stumpf
Imperial

Bradley Wells
BMO Capital Markets

Todd Dyer
DTD Management Inc.

Laura Lunt
Linde Canada

Blain van Melle
TransAlta Corporation

United Way of Calgary and AreaMajor Giving