Our History

Yukoners helping Yukoners achieve their potential.

The Yukon Foundation was established in 1980 by 17 Yukoners who each contributed $100 and their names and experience in various fields, to establish and register a new Yukon funding organization. The original $1,700 has now grown to over $8 million from donations, bequests, memorials, and family endowments. Many have bequeathed gifts from their estates; some have established a continuing fund; some have donated dollars for a special purpose project or scholarship.Others are taking out insurance policies, naming the Yukon Foundation as beneficiary (which can be a tax-free investment). There are many ways to benefit future generations through the Foundation.

Today, there are almost 200 funds invested under the Yukon Foundation Act. A professional investment advisory group manages the growth of these funds in order to benefit from greater returns made possible through its financial expertise. Interest from each dedicated fund is distributed through academic scholarships, financing of special projects, or other grants designated by the contributor.

As well, a number of former corporations, businesses and organizations have turned over their remaining funds to the Yukon Foundation (ex. the Alano Club, Boreal Alternate Energy Centre, Business & Professional Women's Club, CPR Yukon, Heritage North Association, Medical Laboratory Science Association of Yukon, Porter Creek Citizens' Association, Whitehorse Shotokan Karate Club, and Y.W.C.A of Yukon.)

The visionary founding members of the Yukon Foundation are:

Ione Christensen, CM
Laurent Cyr
Belle Desrosiers
William L. Drury
Robert Erlam
Thomas P. Firth
Charles M. Halliday
Rolf Hougen, OC
Lorraine Joe
Roy Minter, CM
Erik Nielsen, PC, QC
Willard Phelps
Gordon Ryder
James Smith, OC
Dr. Aubrey Tanner
Charles D. Taylor, CM
Flo Whyard, CM

Since then, the Yukon Foundation has grown, holding more than $8 million dollars in assets for the benefit of the Yukon and Yukoners. The Yukon Foundation is administered under the Yukon Foundation Act.

You can read more about our story here.

Photo by Leslie Leong.