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Al Hildebrandt is a self-described accidental community philanthropist.
“Ever since Irene and I married in 1974, our family has been involved in many charitable
projects which have always been part of our core values,” explains Al.
“My life as a community philanthropist became more purposeful after I retired in June 2015. It took on new meaning for us in October 2016, when a company I founded (QHR Technologies) was sold. It was the first time in my business life that we had the opportunity to make a bigger difference in the lives of others. Our family is very blessed and giving back is important to us.”
Al characterizes his business career working with start-up companies as an overnight success that only took 27 years to mature. “Al is good at so many things, but retirement isn’t one of them,” says Irene with a laugh. “That’s why he’s so busy with philanthropy now.”
The Hildebrandt’s help fund several local projects including Foundry Kelowna, Cops for Kids and JoeAnna’s House. Internationally, they have helped World Vision bring healthcare and water to African communities and aided children at risk in Third World countries. Most of these projects had a matching incentive to maximize the giving impact.
In May 2017, a personal family tragedy led the Hildebrandt down a new path. Their six-year-old grandniece’s life was taken by her father, who himself had been abused, which made this a generational impact story.
Al and Irene with a desire to do more, took over the Kelowna Foundation of Hope and Social Innovation in July 2017. The foundation’s first initiative was the Child Advocacy Centre of Kelowna in helping them dream BIG, fundraise, build partnerships, create a safe space, and inaugurate the centre. Together we can do great things for our community.
In February 2020, the Kelowna Foundation was renamed Impact Tomorrow Foundation with the ambition of becoming a national organization. Funding will be granted for programs and initiatives related to child abuse, neglect and associated social issues such as mental health, domestic abuse, homelessness, and addictions.
We will be taking an entrepreneurial approach working on national social issues related to children, youth, and their families. Our objective will be to hopefully fund some gaps that could potentially save lives. We strongly trust in the power of collaboration as a strategic tactic in making a greater impact together.
We believe that our most precious resource is our children, so we are committed to investing in them and their futures”, says Al. “That’s why I’m always challenging everyone to donate or match funding to a cause that they care deeply about as it does make a difference.
Impact Tomorrow Foundation will be launching in the spring of 2021. ImpactTomorrow.ca.
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