A major donation from a late philanthropic southern Alberta couple has been announced by the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta.
The foundation said Dr. David and Mrs. Shirley Hughes have bequeathed $3,191,289 in support of local youth-based programming.
The couple, originally from Calgary, moved to Lethbridge in 1960 to raise their three children. During their time in the city, the Hughes made a strong impact on the community, with David, a chartered accountant, serving as the president and CEO of Canbra Foods.
The duo supported local organizations such as Kinsmen and Kinette clubs, the Rotary Club of Lethbridge, the YMCA of Lethbridge, the U of L, St. Augustine’s Parish, and the Community Foundation before both passing away in 2024.
In 2000, they established the Dr. David W. and Shirley M. Hughes Fund at the Community Foundation. During their lifetime, they selected grant recipients.
The $3.19 million gift will support their fund.
“At the request of the donors, this generous gift will support charitable organizations, projects and activities in southwestern Alberta that focus on developing youth leadership and enriching the lives of young people,” said Charleen Davidson, the Community Foundation’s executive director.
“David and Shirley were strong advocates for youth leadership, so much so that they played a critical role in launching the Community Foundation’s Youth in Action grants program, a program that empowers young people to be leaders and have a positive impact on their community.”
Davidson explained that as it stands, fund recipients will be determined through the foundation’s Community Priorities Grants and Henry S. Varley Fund for Rural Life programs. Charities that work with youth can apply through those streams, and the review committee can choose to recommend to the board of directors that it support an application with a grant from the Hughes Fund.
This year, the fund has already helped Wood’s Homes and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lethbridge and District.
“For David and Shirley, giving back was not about recognition or having their name on a building. They were firm believers that to whom much has been given, much is expected. They believed that helping others was the best source of happiness. They also believed that it was important for the community to know that they gave back because they wanted to encourage others to also give back,” added Davidson.
She said the Hughes were not only strong advocates for youth leadership, but they believed that, “If youth benefit from philanthropy when they are young, they will be more inclined to give back themselves when they are in a position to do so in the future”.
For Davidson, she looks at supporting youth as ‘prevention’.
“If we can help folks when they’re younger, hopefully they’re in a better position when they’re older and don’t need as much help.”
More information on grants available for local groups is at the foundation website.
