About the Foundation

The Davies Charitable Foundation is a registered, non-profit charitable organization founded in 1990 by Elaine and Michael Davies, former owner and publisher of the Kingston Whig-Standard.

The purpose of the Davies Charitable Foundation is to support individuals and registered charitable organizations within the Kingston, Ontario region in the areas of the arts, education, health and sports. Since its inception, the Davies Charitable Foundation has supported more than 500 individuals and organizations and has donated over $11 million to local charities.

Trustees

Sam Davies

Chair

Sam is a personal injury lawyer at Bergeron Clifford LLP which primarily serves clients in eastern Ontario. He recognizes the integral role Kingston's charitable organizations play in the success and prosperity of our community and enjoys helping applicants reach their specific goals.

Jack Davies

Vice-Chair

Jack holds a BA (Hons.) in Business Administration from Western University's Ivey Business School. Jack manages an Independent Health Facility in Ottawa. His funding interests include education, food security, healthcare, and the environment.

Andrew Davies

Trustee

Andrew received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Queen's University, a Masters in Architecture from the Southern California Institute of Architecture and a Masters of Science in Cities from the London School of Economics. Through his extensive career in the visual arts, first at MoMA and then as a public art consultant in Toronto, he has learned the power and influence that art and culture can have on our society. In 2006, he founded the charitable arts organization No.9: Contemporary Art & the Environment in support of artists and their quest to bring awareness to pressing environmental issues. Under Davies direction, No.9 has produced and commissioned more than 30 public art installations in Toronto and delivered hands-on sustainable design education to over 3,000 students across Canada. In 2018, No.9 launched Canada’s first Sustainability and Reconciliation Centre called No.9 Gardens. This alternative educational facility empowers students through creative hands-on learning to lead a revolution in building sustainable communities. Andrew has taught at Eyebeam Atelier in New York and at George Brown College in Toronto, Canada. He has spoken at lectures, reviews and symposiums around the world including MIT Media Lab, Columbia University and MoMA. He served on the Educational Advisory Committee at the Art Gallery of Ontario and currently sits on the Environmental Advisory Committee for the Toronto District School Board.

Caroline Davies

Trustee

Caroline is a graduate of Queen's University's BSc (Hons.) and Education programs. Caroline is now retired from her french immersion teaching career. She has been an active member of the Kingston community volunteering with a number of local organizations for over 30 years. She gravitates to hands-on opportunities to make a difference in her community, particularly around issues of food security and empowering women re-entering the workforce. Caroline's volunteerism has also taken her further afield to Haiti and Jamaica working alongside local educators teaching best practices as well as health and wellness initiatives. Caroline enjoys broadening her scope and awareness of the needs and creative initiatives in her community.

Gregory Davies

Trustee

Greg holds a BA (Hons.) from Queen's University in Economics and MD from McMaster University. Greg is Professor Emeritus at Queen's University in Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Diagnostic Imaging and the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies. Greg was Chair of the Davies Charitable Foundation from 2013 - 2021. Greg has volunteered with a number of local charities and is a former board member of the Kingston Community Foundation. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic related lockdown in April 2020, Greg raised $500,000 in 48 hours that was then distributed  to some 5,000 Kingstonians unexpectedly out of work prior to the availability of any federal government support. 

Ian Edginton

Ian graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a BA(Hons) in Civil Engineering.  He works for a construction and development company in Kingston as a Site Superintendent.  Ian's funding interests include educational opportunities and mental health support for the community's most vulnerable. 

Elaine Davies

Paul Tidman

 

Connor Tidman

Connor is currently studying at Trent University working towards a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Media Studies. During the summer Connor works at Parks Canada, helping boaters on the waterway in the Kingston area. Through various volunteer experiences, Connor has developed a keen eye for service opportunities and appreciates the variety of charitable needs in the community.