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We create lasting change in Hamilton.

ABACUS: Advancing Post-secondary Access

ABACUS, a collaborative initiative of Hamilton Community Foundation and The Fairmount Foundation, is a 10-year commitment to increasing the likelihood that young people who face multiple barriers, will graduate high school and access post-secondary by focusing on the pivotal middle school years and supporting the transition into high school. Read more.

Strengthening neighbourhoods and reducing poverty

We launched a multi-year commitment to poverty reduction in 2002, with a focus on strengthening low-income neighbourhoods, community development, and engaging and supporting residents to take leadership roles and have a voice in the changes needed. Read more.

Neighbourhood Leadership Institute

At the Neighbourhood Leadership Institute people put their ideas into action. They receive leadership training while growing a locally developed project idea, developing skills such as project management, conflict resolution, communication, grant writing and public speaking along the way.  Participants also have the opportunity to develop their ideas into a tangible project which may be put into action in their neighbourhood. Read more.

Impact investing

HCF is exploring “impact investing” as a way of putting more of our assets to work in the community. It supports our mission, and uses strategies that target both financial returns and social impact. While most of our endowment remains invested in traditional markets, we’re piloting direct impact investments and an ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) public market portfolio.  Read more.

Read about our loans Hamilton Artists Inc.Mustard Seed Coop and Indwell.

Vital Signs

Vital Signs is a citizens’ report from Hamilton Community Foundation on a range of issues affecting Hamiltonians ­— from safety, transportation, the arts and the environment to education, gaps between rich and poor, and getting started in the community. It highlights the latest research, trends, progress and challenges, and provides an overall snapshot of the Hamilton community’s quality of life. HCF and community foundations across Canada are using Vital Signs to help identify strategic priorities in their respective communities. See the latest report.