Giving back with a twist: growing one of Calgary's largest corporate charitable fundraisers

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

In October 2025, we hosted our ninth annual charity fundraiser, a Mix-Off, combining friendly competition with a common purpose of supporting local organisations. Returning for its third year, the Mix-Off saw three teams put their mixology skills to the test by using local ingredients to create unique beverages which were voted on by an audience of energy industry partners and clients.

With nearly 300 attendees this year, the annual charity event has grown into one of Calgary's largest corporate charitable fundraisers. Since its inception in 2015, it has raised nearly $C16 million – including matching from the Macquarie Group Foundation – benefiting 27 local non-profit organisations. This year, the event raised over $C1.8 million for Youth Centres of Calgary, Made by Momma and STARS.

Macquarie’s matching support is flexible, allowing non-profit organisations to allocate the funds where they’re needed most. The funding enables organisations to respond to immediate needs, invest in innovation or strengthen their operations — ultimately enhancing their capacity for impact.

“Macquarie’s fundraiser in Calgary exemplifies the purpose of the Foundation’s employee-led approach to giving,” said Pritha Mittal, Macquarie Group Foundation Regional Head, Americas.

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

In 2024, Andrew Roorda, Senior Vice President in Macquarie’s Commodities and Global Markets business, partnered with Don Sewell, President and Director at NG Energy International Corp., to raise money for the Calgary Public Library Foundation, an organisation serving nearly 60 per cent of Calgary’s population, empowering Calgarians to reach their full potential and build a community where everybody belongs.

The Library will put the funds raised from the Mix-Off towards building its newest Outdoor Early Learning Centre at Signal Hill Library. Signal Hill is one of the busiest community hubs in Calgary’s southwest, welcoming up to 31,000 visits each month and serving a broad and diverse community.

“Funding from Macquarie’s Mix-Off fundraiser has played a pivotal role in expanding opportunities for learning and discovery across Calgary,” says Tracy Johnson, CEO of the Calgary Public Library Foundation. “The Signal Hill Outdoor Early Learning Centre will be a welcoming and imaginative space designed for young children and their families. This playground will spark curiosity, foster school readiness, and help shape a vibrant, literate community. We are grateful to Macquarie’s Calgary office, its people, clients and corporate partners for helping us create inclusive spaces and connect families with the wealth of free Library resources.”

The Calgary Public Library fosters community engagement and cultural enrichment through a wide range of programs, workshops and events for all ages, supporting lifelong learning and literacy for all. “By contributing to this important Calgary institution, we are ensuring Calgarians have comprehensive access to educational resources, digital literacy tools, and a vast array of books and online materials,” adds Roorda. 

“At Macquarie, we support our people to respond to areas that matter to them. Through this annual event, we see how the Calgary community comes together to do just that,” added Lisa George, Global Head of the Macquarie Group Foundation.

Macquarie’s fundraiser in Calgary, which started as an oyster shuck-off in 2015, briefly shifted to a beer brew-off in 2022, and is now its third year themed as a cocktail mix-off, continues to be a favorite amongst our people. The event empowers our staff by providing the opportunity to collaborate with clients and partners, all united by a shared goal of creating positive social change.