Chinook Fund Dinner 2023
Our annual fundraising dinner on October 18, 2023 at The Ranchmen’s Club was our most successful dinner ever. Together we raised nearly $60,000 and brought our endowment at the Calgary Foundation to over $1 million!
With an endowment of $1 million we are able to provide grants of $50,000 next year and every year thereafter providing meaningful, ongoing funding for 2SLGBTQI+ organizations and programs in the Calgary area…forever!
It was a great evening all around. We received 25 donations of $1000+ qualifying 23 individuals for our fabulous donor incentive of tea followed by a Gay Calgary History Walk with Kevin Allen.
Thanks to TD for your ongoing support and for all our Chinook Fund contributors and supporters!
Click here to see photos of the evening.
Chinook Fund Underground 2023
On Saturday, May 6, 2023, in partnership with Detour YYC, we hosted a new event–the Chinook Fund at Twisted Underground, a lively night of entertainment and fun for long-time donors and new friends!
The evening included drag, male burlesque, and dance performances, along with plenty of music. The lineup included Dayna Hart, Argintina Hayley, Shawn Tay, and Snap. Join our MC Justin Mulrain and DJ Lively Blake.
The Chinook Fund at Twisted Underground evening of entertainment was held in the underground space of Twisted Element, 1006 11 Ave SW.
Click here to see photos of the evening.
Chinook Fund Dinner 2022
The 2022 Chinook Fund Dinner on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 was oversold and by all accounts everyone had a great time! More importantly, we estimate nearly $40,000 was raised bringing us ever closer to our goal of having a $1million endowment with the Calgary Foundation. In addition to the great conversation, food and wine, we announced our 2022 Chinook Fund Grant recipients and 2022 Chinook Fund Hero.
Thanks to Philip Bandura for once again providing us with a glass blown item for our hero and one to auction, Hammer Headz Salon and Una Pizza + Wine for providing us with our door prize, and Bill Brooks for providing coverage in the Calgary Herald.
Special thanks to our friends at TD for yet again sponsoring the evening. We could not do it without you!
Finally, thank you to everyone who attended.
Click here to see photos of the evening.
Chinook Fund Dinner 2021
The twice-rescheduled Chinook Fund Dinner 2021 was finally held on March 3, 2022 at The Commons in Ramsay.
While we hosted fewer guests than past years, it was wonderful to reconnect with friends who were able to attend. In all the evening raised over $25,000 in new funds for the Chinook Fund.
Bill Brooks was on hand to document the event, we are thrilled to have the Chinook Fund annual fundraising dinner to be featured in his Calgary Herald article.
The evening featured Al Osten and Buddy Victor, our 2021 Chinook Fund Hero Award recipients, and Philip Murray Bandura who auctioned off two pieces of glass artwork, raising an additional $1200. Many laughs were had as Philip auctioned off “Shiny Sh!t”!
The evening concluded with our first after party, at sponsor, Ol’ Beautiful Brewing Co.
Thanks to all of our sponsors and a special thanks to TD for once again providing sufficient sponsorship dollars to ensure every dollar raised at the dinner went straight to the Chinook Fund.
Click here to see photos of the evening.
Chinook Fund Dinner 2020
The Chinook Fund Advisory Committee has made the difficult decision to not host any events in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic is causing too much uncertainty for us to proceed with planning one or more events this year.
While we take a pause on hosting events, organizations in our local LGBTQ community may be particularly vulnerable this year, which is why the pause on events should not equate to a pause in building the fund for today and the future.
COVID-19 has changed everything, including how we will fund raise for the Chinook Fund this year. Watch for a campaign that does not expose anyone to the virus in the Fall, when we normally host the dinner, in an effort to continue to build our endowment.
Chinook Fund Dinner 2019
The 2019 Chinook Dinner will be on October 24th at Skyline in Kensington.
We will again be buying attendees dinner and in return we request a 100% tax deductible donation (provided the donation exceeds $25) to the Fund, which is administered by the Calgary Foundation.
At the dinner our annual grants are awarded and the 2019 Hero Award will be presented to a Calgary area group or person whose contributions to our community warrant receiving this special recognition.
Last years dinner was ‘sold out’ so register early!
Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor of the dinner, TD for it’s generous grant and assistance to make this event possible!
Chinook Fund Dinner 2018
The 2018 Chinook Dinner will be on October 25th at Hy’s Steakhouse and Cocktail Bar.
We will again be buying attendees dinner and in return we request a 100% tax deductible donation (provided the donation exceeds $25) to the Fund, which is administered by the Calgary Foundation.
At the dinner our annual grants are awarded and the 2018 Hero Award will be presented to a Calgary area group or person whose contributions to our community warrant receiving this special recognition.
Last years dinner was ‘sold out’ so register early!
Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor of the dinner, TD for it’s generous grant and assistance to make this event possible!
Thanks also to our host and donor Hy’s Restaurant, and also to Bee Kingdom Glass, which each year donates a prize of an original glass piece.
Chinook Fund Dinner 2017
The 2017 dinner occurred on October 26th, at the WORKSHOP Kitchen & Culture – 608 1st St SW
The 2017 dinner was highly successful with contributions of about $50,000 to the Fund.
Thanks to our 2017 sponsors, the TD, the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation, and Bee Kingdom Glass for their generous support of the dinner!