Community involvement has always been a priority at McKercher LLP. Partners, lawyers, students, staff—all share a passion for giving back to the community, each in their own way and according to their own interests. We support that commitment through the donation of time, resources and dollars.
As a firm, historically, we have been committed to supporting local, provincial and national non-profit organizations and charitable events. We look for ways to create opportunities, to build communities, to promote next generation volunteers. Supporting the communities in which we work and live is part of our prairie pride.
Our newly formed McKercher LLP Community Fund was created to invest in projects in our communities in a different way. Our fund supports initiatives that are aligned with our three pillars of investment and provide impact in our communities. Currently our diverse volunteer investment panel makes decisions regarding investments from our community fund. Decisions are made annually and announced and celebrated publicly. Investments from this fund are meant to fund projects or programs, not sponsored events, fundraisers, etc.
For 2024, our community fund will provide three (3) grants of $3,500 each. The intent for the grants is to benefit communities throughout Saskatchewan. The panel will consider regional distribution in awarding the grants.
Intake for submissions has moved to the Awardify platform. The application portal will be open the week ending October 4th. When live, you will find the link here or announced on our social media feeds.
Grants are open to registered charities and incorporated non-profits in Saskatchewan, or regional and/or national charities and incorporated non-profits with operations in Saskatchewan. Applications are reviewed by a panel of volunteers from McKercher LLP with representation in both Saskatoon and Regina including staff, management and lawyers.
We have experienced resources available to provide legal services to charities and non-profits in Saskatchewan. As part of our formal Pro Bono initiative, qualified recipients of a monetary grant from our Community Fund may also be eligible to receive legal services as part of our program.
Investments from McKercher LLP’s Community Fund align with our values statements. The projects we support fall under one or more of the following pillars:
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – supporting programs and projects with a mandate of fostering diversity, equity and inclusion in communities including a focus on truth & reconciliation.
Education & Literacy – supporting programs and projects with a mandate of instructing, educating, and/or guiding knowledge with the purpose of providing opportunities for personal growth in communities.
Community Development & Capacity – supporting programs and projects with a mandate of creating or enhancing general quality of life in communities with a focus on building a more sustainable future for the communities.
2024 Recipients
It's a special place! The Mackenzie Infant Care Centre is open on school days so that young student parents can attend high school classes at the Shirley Schneider Support Centre (SSSC) located right across the street inside of Balfour Collegiate, in Regina. The SSSC offers regular, modified and alternative academic programming. They work in conjunction with other programs within Balfour to accommodate student needs on an individual basis. In total, MICC has 36 Infant spaces & 15 Toddler spaces. After 18 months of age, the child switches to a toddler care site inside of Balfour Collegiate. The daycare is named after Alex B. Mackenzie, a former principal who — while he was principal and even after he left the administrative ranks — was a strong advocate of the importance of education and support for young mothers.
Grant funds will be used to support the young teen parent program by helping remove program barriers such as food insecurity for their families.
The mission of BGC Saskatoon is to provide a safe, supportive place where children and youth can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build positive relationships and develop confidence and skills for life. Their Pleasant Hill Neighbourhood Club Food Bag Program will ensure regular, secure access to nutrition for the children and youth (and their families) who attend our program. It is proven that consistent access to nutrition improves the health, educational and behavioral outcomes for children and youth in our community who are living with food insecurity challenges. The Pleasant Hill community is located in one the largest food deserts in Saskatoon, with limited options available for healthy, nutritious food for families without transportation. This food bag program not only removes the transportation barrier to accessing healthy food for our club children and their families but also supports them financially and emotionally in their general quality of life.
Grant funds will be used to support the Food Bag Program, providing access to nutrition for the children, youth and their families.
Early Childhood Intervention Program
The Early Childhood Intervention Program (ECIP) Regina Region provides support for families who have children 0-6 years of age, whose development is delayed or at risk for delays. During the pandemic, ECIP trialed a Sensory Bin Workshop, where resources were provided to families over a 6-week period to offer strategies on how to incorporate different areas of development, including fine motor, gross motor, cognitive, social emotional, imaginary play, and speech and language development. Outside of Regina, their program serves a radius of 2 hours outside of the city, including 18 First Nation communities.
Grant funds will be used to support the Sensory Bin Workshop and virtual visits to families in their rural and First Nation communities.
‘Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.’ ~ Helen Keller
For more information view our 2024 Community Fund FAQ’s.
