Celebrating a decade of giving in Calgary

In Macquarie’s Calgary office, an employee-led tradition continues to achieve new milestones in providing support to those most in need.

We celebrated the 10-year anniversary of our charity fundraiser in Calgary in October by returning to the event’s origins – an oyster shuck-off, combining friendly competition and client engagement with a common purpose of supporting local organisations.

The themed event saw four teams put their skills to the test, competing to shuck the most oysters in the shortest amount of time.

This annual charity event has grown into one of Calgary's largest charitable corporate fundraisers. Since its inception in 2015, it has raised more than $C19 million – including matching from the Macquarie Group Foundation – benefiting 28 local non-profit organisations. This year, the event raised more than $C1.9 million for four charities: Families of Alberta for Conductive Education (FACE), Children’s Cottage Society, STARS Foundation and Gordie Howe CARES.

With matching through the Foundation’s ‘Macquarie Gives’ program, which supports our people to give to the causes that matter to them, the funding is flexible and enables organisations to respond to immediate needs, invest in innovation or strengthen their operations — ultimately enhancing their capacity for impact.

Every year, the funds raised at the event support organisations that serve the wide set of community needs. 

In 2025, Graydon Falls, Vice President in Macquarie’s Commodities and Global Markets business, partnered with Mark Munro, Chief Financial Officer at HWN Energy, to raise money for Made by Momma. Run by a team of dedicated volunteers, it supports mothers and caregivers by providing meals, baby essentials, children's items, and supportive in-home visits, giving them time to rest, recover and focus on their families and their health.

Made by Momma not only used funds raised to stock up on the meals, diapers and baby formula it provides to families in need. The fundraiser also served as a catalyst for new donors, volunteers and corporate relationships.

“When a mother is caring for her child in hospital, a family is coping with a critical illness, or parents are struggling to provide for their family, Made by Momma is there to support them. Funding from Macquarie’s fundraiser has played a pivotal role in helping us expand services to meet Calgary’s growing needs for families in crisis,” says Allyson Palaschuk, Made by Momma Founding Member and Volunteer President.

“Participating as one of four charities in Macquarie’s 2025 fundraiser was instrumental in introducing us to new donors and corporate partners. A year later, this event continues to have a meaningful impact on the work we provide to the community by opening new funding streams and allowing us to grow our offerings to ease the burden on families and caregivers. We are grateful to Macquarie’s Calgary office, its people, clients and corporate partners for helping families feel supported as they navigate difficult times.”

In 2025 alone, Made by Momma supported over 16,500 people, including more than 8,500 children. As a volunteer-led organisation, Made by Momma provides wholesome nourishment and nurturing care to mothers and caregivers with young children facing situations of adversity and crisis. “Contributing to this vital grassroots organisation helps ensure that mothers and young children in Calgary who are navigating challenges and crises have access to critical resources, services and physical and emotional support, setting them on a path toward future stability and success,” says Falls.

In addition to supporting Made by Momma, funds raised over the past decade have contributed to transformational outcomes across Calgary, including building community facilities, combating food insecurity, expanding family support services and creating opportunities for thousands of children and families.

• The Calgary Public Library opened the Outdoor Early Learning Centre at Signal Hill Library, a vibrant space expected to serve approximately 31,000 visitors each month. 

• I Can for Kids expanded its grocery gift card program into Central Alberta, helping provide more than $C3 million in grocery support to approximately 44,000 children each year. 

• Children's Cottage completed a new facility that expands services for vulnerable children and families, including crisis care, family support and emergency shelter programs. 

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area enhanced staff recruitment and retention by supporting a transition from minimum wage to a living wage, helping sustain mentoring and support services for approximately 1,500 youth. 

• Renfrew Educational Services built the Three Sisters Centre, a 60,000-square-foot facility supporting junior high students with significant disabilities.