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 The Community Foundation of Ottawa had the great fortune to be invited to celebrate Urbandale Construction's 30th anniversary in 2009 by helping them to design and deliver a unique giving program for new home buyers throughout the year. An incentive to help their customers learn more about the community while also tangibly supporting a number of organizations and causes locally, the program presented home buyers with the opportunity to choose a local charity to support once they completed the purchase of their new home. Urbandale's fund at the Community Foundation would then make a donation on their behalf.
At the end of 2009, Urbandale ended up contributing $100,000 to 24 charitable organizations. They were particularly grateful for the light the Community Foundation of Ottawa was able to shed on some of the city's more urgent needs during the economic downturn. The expertise they were able to access is the main reason Urbandale President Richard Sachs approached the Community Foundation.
"The community knowledge the Foundation was able to share with us was invaluable in helping us determine where best to direct the financial support," said Mr. Sachs. "That, and the back-end coordination and management of the entire process, made the program run especially smoothly and efficiently. They took care of all the details, from sending out the cheques to coordinating the various acknowledgements. Ultimately, the Community Foundation made the whole process simple and seamless."
This isn't the first time Urbandale has sought out the Community Foundation of Ottawa's help in celebrating a company milestone. In 1998, Urbandale Corporation celebrated its 40th anniversary by making a gift of $250,000 to feed hungry children, fund community homes, refurbish local camps and aid seniors in the community. That gift was made through the Community Foundation by Urbandale founders Herb Nadolny and Lyon Sachs, Richard's father.
"We have been in the Ottawa community for a long time," said Richard Sachs, "with the corporation for more than 50 years and on the construction side for 30. We have grown up here, and are part of the fabric of the city. So, the desire to give back, while involving our customers, came naturally."
"We are so thrilled that this reputable, home-grown company has chosen the Community Foundation as its vehicle for giving back to the community, not once, but twice," said Barbara McInnes, President & CEO of the Community Foundation of Ottawa. "Urbandale has again lived up to its reputation by building a solid foundation for Ottawa home buyers, while generously continuing its support to the community."
To learn more ... Urbandale Construction ; CFO News ; The Ottawa Citizen
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