Mackenzie Investments is today announced that its employee-driven Mackenzie Financial Charitable Foundation has selected 11 charities across the country as new charitable partners for 2006 and 2007.

The foundation, which will grant more than $500,000 to charities across Canada in 2006, has chosen to support a smaller number of organizations with the aim of providing a greater donation that will have a significant impact on each program.

“While there are so many remarkable charities across Canada, our employees are thrilled to play an important role in helping these inspiring community-based initiatives,” said Kevin Hurlburt, senior vice president, Mackenzie Investments and president of the foundation. “We know each one can have a tremendous long-term impact on their local communities.”

The charities the foundation will partner with in 2006 and 2007 are:

  • Action Nouvelle Vie (Quebec-based youth shelter);
  • Aunt Leah’s Independent Lifeskills Society (serving youth and families);
  • Eva’s Initiatives for Homeless Youth (shelter and education for homeless youth);
  • Gilda’s Club (charity for children and families touched by cancer);
  • Jennifer Ashley Foundation (financial assistance for sick children in Ontario);
  • Junior Achievement (business education programs for youth);
  • Massey Centre (centre for pregnant teens and their children);
  • Moorelands Community Services (life skills programs for underprivileged youth);
  • Second Harvest (delivers fresh surplus food to those in need);
  • Smart Risk (preventing injuries and saving lives);
  • Yonge Street Mission (meals and other essential services for the homeless).

Mackenzie’s Charitable Donations Committee conducted a thorough review of more than 125 charities who submitted a request for funding. The goal was to identify organizations that best fit its giving guidelines of supporting social welfare, poverty and education needs, offer volunteer opportunities for Mackenzie employees and allow Mackenzie to make a significant impact through its donation.

In addition, Mackenzie continues its long-standing partnerships with the following organizations: Heart and Stroke Foundation, United Way and Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation.

“Employees of Mackenzie, Cundill, M.R.S. and Winfund have a long tradition of giving back to their communities through volunteering, fundraising and through their generous donations,” added Hurlburt. “Working with our new partner charities, we hope our tradition of giving will become even stronger.”