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Media Release

Dec. 31, 2008

Barbara McInnes appointed to the Order of Canada

Long-serving President & CEO of the Community Foundation of Ottawa for her leadership and contributions to the national community foundation movement

The Board of Governors and staff of the Community Foundation of Ottawa are delighted to congratulate Barbara McInnes on her appointment as a Member of the Order of Canada this week. “Honoured for her contributions as a leader and catalyst for the development of the community foundation movement both in her city and across Canada, Barbara is highly-deserving of this most prestigious national award,” said Jim Nininger, Chair of the Board of Governors. “Barbara has been with the Foundation since its inception in 1987, and has worked tirelessly over more than two decades to empower communities through philanthropy.” Barbara was also a founding member of Community Foundations of Canada, the national umbrella organization that supports and oversees the work of Canada’s 165 community foundations.

“I couldn’t be more proud to offer my heartfelt congratulations to Barb for this most deserved honour,” said Grete Hale, Honourary Lifetime Member of the Community Foundation’s Board of Governors. Grete has been a staunch supporter of Barbara’s and of the work of the Community Foundation of Ottawa since its modest beginnings 21 years ago. “When we started out, no one could have imagined the importance that the community foundation movement would come to play in Ottawa and around the world. Its growth and impact on our local community have been immense and Barb has been right there at the helm through thick and thin. She has truly been steadfast in her unconditional commitment to this community and so many others beyond.”

“I am actually still in shock over receiving this honour,” said Barbara upon receiving the news of her investiture. “At first, I thought it was some kind of a joke. This is the sort of thing I nominate others for in our community – not something I ever expected to be nominated for myself! I am so humbled and grateful to be recognized in this fashion, and to have been allowed the opportunity to serve the community – and the national foundation movement – over these last two decades. But there is still plenty of work to be done and I look forward to taking on every challenge and sharing every reward with the entire community.”

Barbara McInnes will be invested as a Member of the Order of Canada at a ceremony at Rideau Hall in 2009. For more information on the December 30, 2008 Order of Canada appointments, visit http://www.gg.ca/media/doc.asp?lang=e&DocID=5601.

Established in 1987, the Community Foundation of Ottawa is a public, non-profit organization created by and for the people of Ottawa. It connects donors who care with causes that matter and serves as a trusted resource for addressing issues and leveraging opportunities in the community. It attracts and manages a growing endowment, the invested earnings of which provide grants to charitable organizations.

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