Message from our CEO
September is in many ways a better time to make goals and plans than January as it’s already a month with so many new experiences. There’s the new school year with new books and pens, new sports and hobbies, new styles, and new recipes after, hopefully, a successful summer harvest.
This past month, I had the new experience of putting up a tipi. It was part of the Home Fire Tipi Teachings through the ta-tawâw Student Centre and is one of many Indigenous-knowledge based events we are lucky to take part in this year. This fall, there is also the First Nations University’s annual smudge walk on September 24th and on September 30th, some staff will be taking part in a day of learning on reconciliation. We’re so grateful for these opportunities as well as the local expertise that goes into these events.
And lastly, we’re pleased to announce and celebrate people in new roles at the Saskatchewan Community Foundation. Chad Hilton, Ron Kruzeniski and Katelyn New having joined our board and Rhonda Ekstrom and Sarah Tkachuk have joined as committee members. You can see our full board and our committees here. We’re proud to have so much talent, knowledge and caring in the groups that support us.
Thanks to all our friends of the Community Foundation, new and old, for your continued support.
With gratitude,
We had another great summer student team this year and added some new roles including our first ever Rural Marketing Student. We asked Brooke Lutz to share with us what this new position was like and what she got up to:
“I am grateful for the opportunity to share my ideas and experiences, especially being from a small town. I feel that my rural background allowed me to connect with communities on a different level and better understand how the Community Foundation can offer their support.
Throughout the summer, I put quite a few kilometres on my car, travelling across Saskatchewan. I travelled from Lafleche to Outlook and even all the way to Biggar. From designing our parade float to selling 50/50 tickets at Saskatoon Berries games, every experience was unique and one that I would not have been a part of without my position.
Some of my favourite experiences included planning events in Humboldt and presenting our SUMAInvest programs to the communities of Lipton and Davidson. I had the opportunity to connect with so many different communities throughout the province while also learning about local Saskatchewan charities and the incredible work they do.
This summer gave me so much more than a job. I had the opportunity to explore Saskatchewan, travel to communities I may never have otherwise visited, build meaningful connections, and learn from people doing incredible work across the province. It was a truly unique and one-of-a-kind summer!”
Thanks to Brooke and all of our amazing summer students for making it such a fun and successful season.
A Summer Summary
September Events
- Sep 16 - CAGP Presentation at SaskCF
- Sep 21 - Family Tree Celebration
- Sep 25 - 2026 Annual REALM Gala
- Sep 26 - Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame 2026 Induction Dinner and Ceremony
- Sep 30 - National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
It’s news we hope you don’t ever have to use, but always good to know. Across Canada, we’re seeing a rise in scams targeting organizations of all sizes, from large government departments to small community groups. We’re very lucky to have excellent cyber security measures but we recognize criminals are always looking for ways to target people and one day that could mean a scammer trying to impersonate us or other local charities.
Because of this, we wanted to be proactive and make sure all our donors know the signs of a scam. This information is taken directly from the CRA:
“Scammers can use artificial intelligence to create realistic messages, images and websites. They often imitate government services or officials in order to gain access to your personal and financial information. It may be a scam if someone:
• demands immediate payment
• uses threatening language
• sends you a link and asks you to click on it
• requests a payment to release or recover funds
• asks for personal or financial information
• requests payment by cryptocurrency or gift cards
Take a minute to ask yourself why you are being contacted or asked to do something.”
Note- we will never call asking for bank information or credit card information from donors or fund advisors, and we will never ask for any 2-factor authentication codes.
If you ever are unsure about a call you received from us, hang up and contact us directly. Use the phone number you got on our business card or call our info line at (306) 751-4756 and a staff member will direct your call. You are also welcome to come to our office in Regina or book a face-to-face meeting.
Be Informed about Fraud
Quotes on the 2026 Friendraiser
The 4th annual Friendraiser took centre stage this past August and shone a spotlight on local charities. We wanted to share what people had to say about this incredible event.
“The Friendraiser was a wonderful experience that left me feeling energized, inspired and more closely connected to the community.”
-Myles McMorris, Fund Advisor and Guest of the Friendraiser
“I am finding that each year I am having richer conversations with [the] donor guests, and there seems to be a deeper understanding of the intention behind the event. People appear more open, engaged, and willing to talk about the work happening in our community.”
-Angela Ricci, Executive Director at Autism Resource Centre
“It was incredible to see so many charities and community-minded people all in one room. Planning this event gave me a deeper understanding of the non-profit sector and the incredible work being done across our community every day.”
–Rylie Bryden, the Student Leadership & Events Lead at the Saskatchewan Community Foundation
“Being involved in planning all four Friendraisers, it’s been incredible to see how much the event has continued to grow and transpire since that very first year. As we work to make every year better than the last, it’s also special to see that the core remains the same– relationships, connections, and celebrating the heart of our community.”
–Karley Stangel, Engagement & Events Officer at the Saskatchewan Community Foundation
“Community impact is rarely a solo performance. It happens when people come together, start conversations, and collaborate with one another. That is the purpose of a Friendraiser and powers why we continue to provide this amazing event.”
-Donna Ziegler, CEO at the Saskatchewan Community Foundation
Story Corner
This part of the newsletter is where we will highlight and celebrate new and existing funds at the Saskatchewan Community Foundation. We have more than 40 donor stories you can read today.
New Fund Story
Boston Pizza Saskatchewan Fund
Did you know businesses can have funds with the Saskatchewan Community Foundation?
Last month was the 1-year anniversary of the Boston Pizza Saskatchewan Fund. Over the past year, Boston Pizza Saskatchewan has supported 14 charities across the province, helping keep donations local and making a meaningful difference in the communities they serve.
Through generous initiatives like Kids Cards in September and heart-shaped pizzas in February, guests, restaurant teams, and community members have come together to support causes that matter close to home.
Each Boston Pizza location has the opportunity to choose charities and organizations that are meaningful to their own community, ensuring donations reflect local needs and relationships.
As Brandy Kindred shared, working with the Foundation has helped make giving “streamlined and easy,” especially with restaurants located across Saskatchewan and each team wanting to keep their impact local. We are proud to partner with a community-minded organization that is committed to giving back across the province.
This first year has shown the power of local generosity and the impact that can happen when businesses, guests, and communities work together. A heartfelt thank you to the entire Boston Pizza Saskatchewan team for being incredible local champions.
We look forward to continuing this partnership and supporting even more communities across Saskatchewan in the years ahead.
Adam Hicks (SaskCF), Boston Pizza’s Darcy Vanos, Nick Laursen, and Brandy Kindred, and Trina Owens (SaskCF) at a recent cheque presentation of more than $75,000 that all goes to local charities.
Legacy Impact Story
Lyn Goldman Legacy Fund
We’re honoured to highlight the late Lyn Goldman as she was this year’s recipient of the Lasting Legacy award at this year’s Friendraiser. It recognizes her extraordinary contributions to Saskatchewan’s arts, culture, education, and community life.
Through her work at the University of Regina, Lyn expanded access to education by helping grow the University’s Lifelong Learning Centre from just 30 students to more than 1,000. She also helped establish the School of Journalism which created opportunities that continue to benefit generations of students.
Believing that strong communities are built through arts, education, and leadership, Lyn helped found the Regina Women’s Network and the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards. She also played a vital role in preserving the historic College Avenue Campus and restoring Darke Hall, ensuring these spaces would remain vibrant places where people could learn, connect, and celebrate Saskatchewan’s culture.
Her lifelong dedication to strengthening the province earned her an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Regina, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, and the Saskatchewan Order of Merit. Even in the final days of her life, Lyn established the $50,000 Thorn Prize, leaving one final gift that continues to support artists and reflects her enduring belief that investing in creativity strengthens the entire community.
The Lyn Goldman Legacy Fund at the Saskatchewan Community Foundation grew from a lifetime of steady generosity and a wish to ensure that her support would continue. You can read more about the fund and Lyn Goldman here.
Through decades of leadership, volunteerism, and philanthropy, she touched countless lives, leaving a legacy that will shape Saskatchewan far into the future.
