Making a Difference 2021
Making a Difference: 2021
At Kindred Foundation, we fund and partner with charities who are working hard to make Canada and the world better. We also develop and run our own programs and projects that we feel will make a direct and positive impact for individuals, especially for youth and their families who experience unyielding health challenges. In doing this, we are attracted to seemingly intractable problems, scientific uncertainty, and stacked odds. These challenges, that we also call our three pillars of support, include: childhood, adolescent and young adult cancer research and clinical trials, youth mental and physical health, and community support primarily in the areas of food security and end-of-life care.
Over this last year, we learned that people, especially youth, need help now more than ever. Challenges of mental health, mental illness, racism, unacceptance, cancer, food insecurity, and identity are more than enough for our youth to face; however, when more than one of these challenges are experienced together and when you layer on the pandemic, the suffering and need intensify. Charities, non-profits and grassroots organizations are answering the calls for help. And, because of COVID-19, they are redesigning their operations, finding ways to support their communities in light of physical distancing guidelines, and creating new ways to bring relief to those in need.
Helping to solve the problems that seem unsolvable.
Our Process
We want to see positive change happen, and to do this we know that we must invest our time, energy, and expertise to deeply understand the problems, the organizations working to solve these problems, and where the greatest chance of success lies to make progress and find solutions.
For the charities that we support, we work hard to get to know their community, the problems faced, their leadership, and how they are making a difference. We believe in building relationships with those that we support and doing this takes effort. We also do our research. We study each organization – examining financial documents, annual reports, Google reviews, LinkedIn profiles, and many other public records. We also connect with related experts and academic research consortiums who are working to understand the problems and the spaces that the charities are operating within. We try to learn as much as possible so that we can make good decisions on how to invest Kindred Foundation’s charitable dollars.
Supporting the now while providing funding for an improved tomorrow.
We know that there will be mistakes. We will invest in charities that ultimately won’t survive or meet the needs of the communities they serve. We know that no outcome is guaranteed and that finding even the smallest solution to a tough problem is unbelievably hard. We are willing to accept this, as long as we are always learning from every decision that we make.
We find ways to partner that will provide charities with the tools they need to be more successful. Every charity is different, and we know that a solution for one charity may not work for another. We don’t impose our values or ideas on how things should be done – we are not the experts, the charities are. Because Kindred Foundation is based on a resilient endowment fund model, we can provide sustainable and reliable funding; however, we are also aware that we can’t be a charity’s only source of capital. We refuse to be complacent, and we expect the same of the charities that Kindred Foundation supports.
Kindred Foundation is built on optimism. We believe that by working together, we can be a part of finding solutions, even to those problems that seem unsolvable.
Learnings from 2021
There are three issues that we see as exceptionally concerning for Canada, and for the world. Finding solutions to these issues are important to Kindred Foundation as a whole, and to each of us individually at the Foundation.
Childhood, Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer
Over the course of the pandemic, Canada has learned many lessons. Some of these include our lack of biomanufacturing capacity, a complicated and often negative relationship with the pharmaceutical industry, and an overly complex health regulatory environment that creates barriers instead of providing access to clinical trials, cutting-edge treatments, and drugs. These challenges translate across illnesses and are experienced deeply for children, adolescents and young adults with cancer.
Canadian children with cancer do not have access to the same high-quality and efficacious clinical trials and treatments that are found in the United States. Canadian pediatric oncologists are often leaders and significant contributors to North American childhood cancer research consortiums; however, Canadian children do not often benefit from the clinical trials that come out of these groups. Canada is falling further and further behind as treatments such as CAR T-cell therapy and immunotherapeutics surge forward in other countries.
Youth Mental Health
As we close on our second year navigating through the pandemic, it has become very clear that our youth are struggling[i] more than ever. We have only scratched the surface of understanding how isolation, lockdowns and physical distancing are impacting kids. Mental health, especially youth mental health, will be the next health crisis, bringing forward a tsunami of need that our medical systems will not be able to handle. Health system reports are showing that there are not enough inpatient beds for youth mental health and illness. In particular, youth eating disorders[ii] and self-harm have grown significantly over the pandemic.
The mental health challenges faced by Black and/or LGBTQ2S+ youth are even more acute as they are faced with additional challenges of racism, lack of acceptance, and other major issues. In comparison to their peers, Black and/or LGBTQ2S+ youth are often the last to receive the care that they desperately need due to barriers navigating medical systems, unmanageable costs, and lack of support from their immediate support network. In addition, it is more likely for these youth to have an altercation with police on their pathway to receive mental health care, creating even more distress and increased acuity.
Community Support: Food Insecurity
The latest report from Statistics Canada[i] shows that in 2019, approximately one in ten live in moderately or severely food insecure households in Canada. It is estimated that this statistic will change significantly as new reports emerge on the pandemic years for 2020 and 2021.
Many people who were just getting by prior to the pandemic, were no longer able to make ends meet once going into lockdown after lockdown. Food bank, meal and sharing programs saw a significant rise[ii],[iii] in the number of people relying on their services. Skyrocketing housing costs, rising food costs and the pandemic have created a perfect storm of challenges that are disproportionately impacting those who are financially insecure.
The increased demand and higher food costs have also seriously impacted charities providing food to those in need. Food is a fundamental necessity in life, and when this is not easily acquired, it causes a cascade of issues[iv] that become increasingly difficult to solve.
What We Did in 2021
Kindred Foundation officially launched as a public foundation in September 2021. Prior to launch, we worked carefully to identify how the Foundation would operate, our collective values, and the three pillars of support.
The last quarter of 2021 focused on making connections, building partnerships, and sourcing projects and initiatives to fund. We are excited by the charities and individuals who we are working with. We are constantly impressed by the work being done and the sacrifices made in the service of people who need help. The following is an overview of how we worked to make a difference in 2021.
$427,458
Total Giving for 2021
$549,398
Total Giving Since Inception
$8.9 million
Endownment Fund Value at the End of 2021
35%
Endownment Fund Returns in 2021
25
Charities Supported in 2021
3
Kindred Foundation Programs Created
Childhood, Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer
Kindred Foundation partnered to fund a Canadian adolescent and young adult oncology (AYA) grant focused on the "Molecular Classification of Primary CNS Tumours in Adolescent and Young Adults." The proposal from Dr. Uri Tabori, Dr. Julie Bennett and Dr. Cynthia Hawkins was selected by the C17 Research Network for funding in the Canadian AYA Oncology Grant Competition. This study is funded by Canadian Cancer Clinical Trials Network (through collaboration and financial support from the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer Corporation and Health Canada), Michael Kamin Hart Research Fund (AYA Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Center) and Kindred Foundation.
Created a partnership with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada to co-fund two pediatric blood cancer research innovation grants that will run over a two-year period. The application window opened in 2021 and the scientific peer-reviewed competition and awards will take place over 2022.
Youth Mental and Physical Health
Funding provided to researchers at Wilfrid Laurier University to provide physical and mental health programming for children with developmental disabilities and their families/caregivers. Research will focus on understanding the needs of the children and their caregivers to ensure that programs and supports are carefully designed.
The following unrestricted donations were made to organizations providing youth mental health support
Waterloo Region Suicide Prevention Council (Waterloo, Ontario).
Brigadoon Village, programming to children with health conditions or other life challenges in Atlantic Canada (Nova Scotia).
Pegasus Riding Association Nurturing Challenged Equestrians (PRANCE – Port Elgin, Ontario).
OK2BME (Waterloo, Ontario).
One Voice, One Team (Brampton, Ontario).
LGBT YouthLine (Toronto, Ontario).
Kidthink Children’s Mental Health Centre (Winnipeg, Manitoba).
Community Support
Cancer
Partnered with The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) to fund one of the oncology Resource Navigator positions for three years, starting in 2021. The oncology Resource Navigators provide assistance to families to help manage the challenges experienced during a pediatric cancer diagnosis, treatment, and after care.
Partnered with The EVAN Foundation to bring their Treats & Treasures Cart program to Canadian hospitals that provide pediatric oncology care. Kindred Foundation and The EVAN Foundation share the costs of purchasing the cart and providing a yearly stipend for ensuring the Cart is well stocked with healthy snacks, toys, candy, and other fun items. Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta is the first Canadian hospital to implement the program.
Created the U-Link Patient and Family Fund in partnership with The Phoebe Rose Rocks Foundation to help families with costs when they have to travel to access phase 1 or 2 clinical trials for their child with cancer.
Kindred Foundation became the lead funder of the Benevolent Fund operated by Childhood Cancer Canada. The Benevolent Fund assists families with the cost of their child's funeral when they die from cancer.
Provided an unrestricted donation to Wellspring to continue their important work in the area of cancer support.
The First Canadian Treats & Treasures Cart at Stollery Children's Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta.
End of Life Care
Designed and implemented the first Kindred Cares Grant for residential hospice and pediatric palliative care programs, projects, and research in Ontario. The applications were all reviewed by an expert committee resulting in funding eight different initiatives with the following:
Darling Home for Kids - Operational funding for supporting children and families access hospice palliative care services.
Emily's House - Funding for "Emily's House at Home", a pilot program to help with providing hospice care in hospital, at home, in transition, virtually, and at Emily's House to ensure that Families are supported no matter where they are.
Hospice Peterborough - Funding for a supportive care counsellor to provide grief support to families.
Hospice of Waterloo Region - Programming for bereaved children and teens to process grief through art and music.
Hospice Wellington - Support for the Art and Narrative Therapy research project utilizing art and storytelling to gain insight and personal perspectives through grief, working towards increased resiliency.
Hospital for Sick Children Pediatric Advanced Care Team (PACT) - Identifying the key components of family meetings for children with serious illness from the perspective of caregivers.
Hospital for Sick Children Child Life - Using social virtual environments and virtual reality for adolescents to connect and interact with others when in hospital or at home through personalized avatars.
Nipissing Serenity Hospice - Expansion of the grief, bereavement, and wellness program to provide comprehensive spiritual psychosocial, and emotional care to caregivers, families, and residents.
Two unrestricted donations to Huron Shores Hospice and Hotel Dieu Shave Health and Rehabilitation Centre.
Food Security Programs
Friday Night Community / Meal Bag Program (Burlington, Ontario). An unrestricted donation supporting the provision of a “take-home meal bag” that consists of prepared meals as well as fresh produce, bread, hygiene, and baby items.
Weston Area Emergency Support (Weston, Ontario). An unrestricted donation to support their food security operations.
Other
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). An unrestricted donation to support operations and research for childhood diabetes.
What 2022 Holds, As We Know So Far
2022 arrived with more challenges related to the pandemic – challenges that will inevitably cause more strife and need for those experiencing various life hardships. We have already started working on a youth mental health strategy that will provide funding to Canadian grassroots organizations providing support to youth, especially youth in vulnerable communities, to access the help they need when experiencing mental health challenges and illness.
We hope to donate more than $1 million to charities in 2022.
Kindred Foundation will be working with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada to co-fund two pediatric blood cancer research innovation grants. We will also work to provide funding that will bring innovative research and clinical trials to Canada for children, adolescents and young adults with cancer.
Kindred Foundation is working to expand the Treats & Treasures Cart program to more hospitals across Canada to ensure that childhood cancer patients and their families can experience a small moment of joy during very difficult days. The Kindred Cares grant for residential hospice and pediatric palliative care programs, projects and research will also run for its second year.
Kindred Foundation hopes to donate more than $1 million to Canadian charities in 2022.
We look forward to building deeper relationships with the charities we already support and building new partnerships with charities across Canada. We are excited by what 2022 will hold, who we will meet, and all the new things that we will learn.
Our Big Goal
For Kindred Foundation to be built on a $24 million endowment fund by 2024.
We will work to achieve our big goal through:
High investment returns.
A perpetual endowment fund model.
Low administrative expenses.
Strategic impactful giving.
With Immense Gratitude for Our Donors and Supporters
We are deeply grateful to Kindred Foundation donors and supporters. You help to make all of our work possible – you are all part of helping to find solutions to complex problems. Every dollar donated to Kindred Foundation is allocated to our charitable purpose. All of your donated dollars go towards grants to charities and Foundation programs.
In 2021, Kindred Foundation and CMLS Financial created a unique and impactful partnership, establishing a truly unprecedented approach to corporate philanthropy. We are very grateful for the support that CMLS Financial has already shown to Kindred Foundation, and we are excited by what this new partnership will hold as we move into 2022. We will share more about this partnership throughout 2022 and we look forward to what we will achieve together.
Our accomplishments and successes are your accomplishments and successes. We are all in this together and are working to make a difference. Thank you for being a part of Kindred Foundation.
To Close, With Kindness
If you are a Canadian charity that is doing excellent work and changing the lives of people who need help, reach out to us. We would love to meet you, learn more about the work that you are doing, and see if there is an opportunity to partner.
As we enter 2022, everyone at Kindred Foundation wishes you good health and happiness. Take care of yourselves and each other.
1Financial Post. December 14, 2021. “Canada’s Youth Are Not Alright: New Poll Reveals Why More Mental Health and Substance Use Supports are Needed.” https://financialpost.com/globe-newswire/canadas-youth-are-not alright-new-poll-reveals-why-more-mental-health-and-substance-use-supports-are-needed
2 CBC News. December 10, 2021. “I Stopped Eating: Rise in Eating Disorders Seen Among Ontario Youth During Pandemic”. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/eating-disorders-youth-mental-health-covid-pandemic 1.6280815
3Statistics Canada. January 7, 2022. Canada Income Survey: Food insecurity and unmet health care needs, 2018 and 2019. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/220107/dq220107f
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4Food Banks Canada. Hunger Count 2021. https://hungercount.foodbankscanada.ca/
5 Community Food Centres Canada. Beyond Hunger: The Hidden Impacts of Food Insecurity in Canada. https://act.beyondhunger.ca/page/66634/action/1?ea.tracking.id=cfccca
6 PROOF: Food Insecurity Policy Research. Household Food Insecurity. https://proof.utoronto.ca/food-insecurity/