CFNL Invests in Outdoor Play Projects Across NL Through Free to Play
Building a movement to bring outdoor, child-led play back into everyday childhood
The Community Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador (CFNL) is proud to bring Free to Play to Newfoundland and Labrador — a growing national, community-led movement that helps children get off screens, spend more time outdoors, stay active, and connect with their communities.
Free to Play supports community-led projects that remove barriers to outdoor play and help create the time, space, and freedom children need to move, create, take risks, and build confidence outdoors.
At a time when children are spending less time outside and more time on screens, Free to Play invests in local solutions that strengthen wellbeing, belonging, social connection, and joyful childhood experiences close to home. The initiative supports social infrastructure, activating parks, schoolyards, trails, gathering spaces, and community places to support child development, mental wellbeing, physical activity, and social connection. When children are free to play, they are healthier, more confident, more resilient, and more connected to the people and places around them.
Through this first round of funding, CFNL is investing $281,500 into 8 community-driven outdoor play opportunities across Newfoundland and Labrador. CFNL received 16 applications from across the province, requesting a total of $622,000. A review committee of community leaders from across the province narrowed the initial applications to this group of eight, representing strong, diverse experience in outdoor play and geographic reach. CFNL supported this group in a series of conversations to collaboratively allocate the $281,500 across their projects.
The response to Free to Play demonstrated growing momentum around the importance of outdoor play for children, families, and communities. Across Canada, communities are coming together to help spark a broader cultural shift that recognizes outdoor play as essential to healthy childhoods, thriving communities, and stronger futures for children.
Free to Play is powered locally by participating community foundations and was seeded by support from Waltons Trust, with additional support from The Lawson Foundation and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities.
Join the Movement
CFNL is calling on local donors, businesses, governments, and community partners to join us in expanding outdoor play opportunities for children in Newfoundland and Labrador.
By joining Free to Play, partners can help:
- Help more children get outdoors, off screens, and into joyful, active play close to home.
- Expand equitable access to outdoor play, particularly for children in Indigenous, rural, remote, and underserved communities.
- Join a growing national network of philanthropic, private, public, and community leaders helping drive a larger cultural shift around outdoor play and childhood in Canada.
- Stretch investments further by pooling resources alongside community foundations and other local and national partners.
- Support community-led solutions designed by organizations and leaders who understand local children, families, and neighbourhoods.
To learn more about partnership opportunities, contact Nicole at ndawe@cfnl.ca.
The following projects are being supported across Newfoundland and Labrador through CFNL’s $281,500 investment:
| Organization | Location | Amount Funded | Project Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of St. John’s | St. John’s | $25,000 | Enhance City-owned spaces with mud/snow kitchens and natural playground elements located near community centres and shared use paths, supporting low-barrier, unstructured play environments for children and families in all seasons. |
| Cloudberry Outdoor Play and Education Centre | St. John’s | $45,000 | Provide province-wide professional learning to NL organizations, building educator capacity in outdoor pedagogy, risk management, environmental awareness, and program implementation. |
| Global Citizen Incorporated | St. John’s | $28,500 | A summer mentorship-led outdoor play initiative for newcomer children ages 0–15, where community-based Play Ambassadors guide families into parks for child-led, risk-positive, unstructured play, building trust, belonging, and confidence. |
| Mi’kmaw Cultural Foundation Incorporated | Stephenville (Provincewide) | $50,000 | Develop a series of Free to Play Land Days for children ages 0–14 and their families across western Newfoundland, offering open access to outdoor spaces for free, unstructured play with light supports such as snacks and transportation. |
| North West River Youth Engagement Initiative Inc. | North West River | $30,000 | Support small outdoor play hubs in North West River, including community garden boxes and accessible sports equipment, to expand safe, low-barrier opportunities for children ages 0–18. |
| Pumpkin House Child Care Centre | Happy Valley-Goose Bay | $43,000 | Expand and redesign the outdoor free play and nature exploration space at the centre, adding natural loose parts, mud-play areas, accessible gardening zones, sensory pathways, and outdoor gathering spaces usable in all seasons. |
| St. Peter’s Academy and the Town of Humber Arm South | Benoit’s Cove | $30,000 | Create a nature play space and medicine walk through the woods adjacent to the school, with trilingual signage (English/French/Mi’kmaq) identifying culturally important plants and nature play pockets along the trail. |
| Union House Arts | Port Union | $30,000 | Offer free, unstructured outdoor play and creation programs through summer 2026 in the organization’s outdoor studio and community garden space. |
From the Ground Up: How North Shore Communities Are Rebuilding
Since May 2025, the Community Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador (CFNL) has been working with communities on the North Shore of Conception Bay to support their recovery from the wildfires that devastated the area last year.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed so generously to all of these recovery funds.
This is the latest update on progress to disburse on both the 2025 NL Forest Fires Recovery Fund and the North Shore Fires Recovery Fund. You can find all previous updates here.
2025 NL Forest Fires Recovery Fund
The 2025 NL Forest Fires Recovery Fund was established to support the long-term recovery of community organizations and infrastructure from wildfires across Newfoundland and Labrador. To date, it has raised over $170,000. Given the magnitude of the destruction on the North Shore, the Fund will focus on recovery in this area. The Fund is facilitated by the Community Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador, Community Sector Council of NL, Municipalities NL, and United Way of NL.
Thank you to all of the Donors and Supporters of this fund, especially ExxonMobil, Equinor, Cenovus Energy, Kraken Robotics, and North Sun Energy, for their very generous donations.
CFNL has been working alongside the community to guide how this fund would be put to work. We brought community leaders together and asked them what the North Shore meant to them. They told us: people come together here. People look out for each other without asking. Families, beaches, swimming holes, trails. Peace, quiet, the pace of life. Home.
And then we asked what they were missing. The green trees. The lights from the houses that were destroyed. The people who might not come back.
And what was giving them hope. Kids. New growth, green sprouts. Rebuilding. That people and the community are starting to heal. Grieving and rebuilding with intention.
When we asked the community what funding priorities mattered most, they were clear: restore what was damaged, invest in safety and resilience, support healing and wellbeing, and make sure the benefit is as broad as possible.
The projects that came out of those conversations reflect exactly that.
Western Bay Boardwalk ($40,000): More than half the boardwalk was lost. Restoring 320 feet of boardwalk and adding 1,000 feet of walking trail will give people back a place to be outside, breathe, and reconnect with nature and one another.
North Shore Recreation Trails ($66,175): Trail upgrades between Ochre Pit Cove and Western Bay and a warm-up shack in Northern Bay. These trails are used extensively by community members and many others who visit this area for a ride or a walk. This will also improve emergency vehicle access to these areas. Restoring and improving them is about resilience as much as recreation, and will connect the trail from the Trans Canada Highway to Northern Bay and beyond.
Dry Hydrant for the Volunteer Fire Department ($25,000): There are no hydrants from Salmon Cove to Old Perlican. Last year, firefighters struggled to access water when they needed it most. A dry hydrant on the northern part of the North Shore changes that, a practical and lasting investment in fire safety for the whole shore. A dry hydrant is a permanently installed, unpressurized pipe system that allows firefighters to quickly access water from a static source, like a lake, pond, or river, into their fire trucks
Town of Small Point to Adam’s Cove ($37,500): Remediating fire damage around Broad Cove and transforming it into a green space with a swimming hole, event area, and dry hydrant for the southern portion of the region. Broad Cove Park has been where the Town of Small Point-Broad Cove-Blackhead-Adam’s Cove comes to walk, gather, and connect with nature. This will help support this larger project. You can learn more and donate to support this project here.
Kingston Community Bench ($3,500): A bench with flowers in Kingston, where the most destructive fire began. A place to sit, remember, and mark that this community got through it.
North Shore Fires Recovery Fund
The North Shore Fires Recovery Fund was created to support those who lost their primary residence as a result of wildfires on the North Shore in 2025. The fund raised over $270,000 from many generous donors. CFNL is disbursing these funds to over 100 eligible households. Cheques to households will be mailed by the end of June. You can find more details on the disbursement of this fund here.
Thank you to the hundreds of individuals, businesses, and groups who have donated to this fund. It is your many gifts coming together that provide caring support to help fuel recovery. We would like to extend a special thank you to:
- The North Shore Strong Concert at the Princess Sheila Nageira Theatre for raising over $15,000.
- Signal Hill Foundation for their significant $50,000 grant.
- Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees for their very generous donation of $50,000.
- Jungle Jim’s franchises across the province for donating $10,000 from this fall’s Burger Battle.
- Port of Argentia for their nearly $10,000 donation.
A Story of Kindness from Bonavista | Nominated by SaltWater Community Association
Betty’s story reflects the ways people look out for each other across Newfoundland and Labrador. Kindness like this happens every day. Sharing it sparks more of it.
When the Best Kind Giving team showed up at Betty’s door, she had no idea they were coming. Her first words, after the surprise: “I didn’t do it for this.”Then she offered something to anyone watching: “Anybody out there, I want you to understand: when you’re doing something for someone else, it always comes back in some form. It may not come today, but it’ll come sometime, like today for me.”
For years, Betty has been making the Bonavista Peninsula feel like home, volunteering with SaltWater, serving as Mayor and pitching in across the community. Through Best Kind Giving, Betty is getting a hand with a few things of her own, and now she’s inviting others to do the same. That spirit, neighbours looking out for neighbours, is what makes work like this possible, like building a safe place for families who need one.
Your support helps this community work continue on the Bonavista Peninsula. Share your kindness by donating to help complete a 3-bedroom transition unit in this region. Domestic and intimate partner violence is a growing concern in rural Newfoundland and Labrador.
The finish line is in sight, but reaching it takes community support.
Your donation today will help complete this much-needed transition unit for a family fleeing domestic violence. Every dollar brings the doors closer to opening and puts safety, hope, and a fresh start within reach for a family when they are needed most.
With your help, a safe place will be waiting for a family on the Bonavista Peninsula when they need one.
As a registered charity, the Community Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador retains authority over the gifts we receive and uses our own judgment in granting them. This is in line with CRA’s guidance on grants to non-qualified donees (which includes non-profit organizations not registered as a charity).
This project advances important charitable activities in this community, aligns with CFNL’s charitable purposes, and SaltWater Community Association has the experience and community relationships to lead the initiative. Learn more about the project here.
Know someone else who is Best Kind?
Submit a nomination
North Shore Fires Recovery Fund: How Funds Will Be Distributed
*NEW* June 2026 Update
CFNL has now received all applications from households eligible for the North Shore Fires Recovery Fund. We expect to make payments by the end of June 2026.
About the North Shore Fires Recovery Fund Disbursements
Since the 2025 fire season, communities across the North Shore of Conception Bay have shown extraordinary resilience, generosity, and care for one another. Many individuals and community leaders have been working hard to support the community’s recovery. The North Shore Fires Recovery Fund was created to support those who lost their primary residence in the fires. Today, we are sharing how those funds will be distributed.
The Fund has raised just over $250,000, made possible by hundreds of donors, near and far, who gave when it mattered most. Thank you. If you would like to contribute before funds are disbursed this spring, you can donate here. Your generosity is making a real difference for everyone rebuilding on the North Shore.
What We Heard from the Community
In developing the distribution approach, the Community Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador (CFNL) listened to residents and community leaders across the North Shore. We heard that the support needs to be:
- Fair and transparent
- Simple to access
- Delivered in a timely way
- Flexible enough to reflect individual circumstances
How Funds Will Be Distributed
Based on this input, funds will be distributed equally among the over 100 households whose primary residence was destroyed. With current funding levels, each household can expect to receive approximately $2,000.
Each eligible household will be able to choose how to proceed. Options include:
- Receiving the funds this spring
- Declining all or part of the funds so they can support households with greater needs or fewer resources
- Holding the funds while multi-unit housing options are explored
If you would like to stay informed about potential housing initiatives, you can indicate that in the application regardless of which option you choose.
This approach is intended to respect individual situations while maintaining fairness across all affected households.
Supporting Multi-Unit Housing Options
We recognize that many households, particularly those who are uninsured or underinsured, are facing significant barriers to rebuilding. To help address this, 10% of the total fund (approximately $25,000) will be reserved to explore multi-unit housing solutions. If no multi-unit housing solutions move forward, those funds will be distributed to eligible households.
Participation in any future housing project is entirely optional. If you choose to hold your portion while these projects are explored, you will be able to change your decision before any commitments are made.
Who Is Eligible
CFNL is using the same verified list of destroyed primary residences as the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Using this list avoids duplicating verification work that has already been completed.
Whether you own or rent your primary residence, your household is eligible. A residence is considered a primary residence if the person lives there for at least 6 months each year. Households are not eligible if they own another residence that could serve as their primary residence, because the priority of this fund is to help people who no longer have a place to call home.
What Happens Next
If your household is eligible, you will receive a direct email or phone call with application details. The application process has been designed to be as simple as possible and will remain open until June 7, 2026, or until all eligible households have submitted applications, whichever comes first.
If you lost a primary residence and did not receive an email, check your junk or spam folder and then reach out to info@cfnl.ca.
Once all funds have been distributed, the North Shore Fires Recovery Fund will close to donations. The Community Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador will continue to support future recovery projects.
This fund reflects the generosity of those who care about Newfoundland and Labrador, and the strength of the North Shore itself. We are committed to ensuring these funds are distributed in a way that is fair, respectful, and responsive.
If you have further questions, you’re welcome to reach out to us at info@cfnl.ca or (709) 753-9899.
North Shore Recovery Funds: January Update
This post is written by the Community Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Executive Director, Nicole Dawe
In December, we provided an update on the Recovery Funds that CFNL is stewarding to support the North Shore of Conception Bay’s recovery from the devastating 2025 wildfires. You can find that update here. This included:
- A recap of the three Recovery Funds and details on funds raised in support of them, and
- Disbursements from the Adam’s Cove Recovery Fund to support volunteer firefighting on the North Shore.
We wanted to provide a further update on year-end fundraising and what’s next to disburse these funds to support recovery on the North Shore.
We’re very grateful for the trust that donors, communities, and partners place in CFNL to steward donations. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or feedback: ndawe@cfnl.ca or (709)221-1030.
Year-End Fundraising
Thank you so much to everyone who generously gave to support the Recovery Funds as part of your giving back during the month of December.
Thank you to everyone who has inspired donations to these funds. From sharing a Facebook post to telling someone else that you donated, it is all of this collective generosity that is making a difference. We’re especially grateful to the community leaders on the North Shore who have been working to actively raise funds while supporting themselves and their communities through rebuilding and recovery.
Click here to donate to the North Shore Fires Recovery Fund and here to donate to the 2025 NL Forest Fires Recovery Fund.
In the interest of transparency, we wanted to provide an updated report on funds raised and disbursed.
Recovery Fund Financial Update – December 31, 2025
| As of December 31, 2026 | Adam’s Cove (Fire Fighting) | North Shore (Individual Primary Residences) | NL Forest Fires* (Community Infrastructure and Groups) |
| Total Raised | $79,542 | $251,128 | $135,181 |
| Donation Processing Fees** | $891 | $561 | $649 |
| Funds Distributed | $77,466 | $0 | $0 |
| Funds for Distribution | $1,185 | $250,566 | $134,532 |
| Total Donors | 426 | 309 | 98 |
*Note – the 2025 NL Forest Fires Recovery Fund is a partnership with CFNL, Community Sector Council of NL, Municipalities NL and United Way of NL.
**Note – CFNL has waived its cost recovery/administration fees for all Recovery funds.
What’s Next?
CFNL has begun conversations with community groups and leaders on the North Shore to better understand and find consensus around how these funds can best support community recovery. These funds are meant to be flexible and fill in where there may be gaps in other financial recovery support.
We’ll share a what we heard, as well as what’s being recommended coming out of these conversations in the next month or two. Our hope is to get these funds to communities and individuals on the North Shore as soon as we can.
It’s our intention to be as transparent as possible about the fundraising and disbursements from this fund. We’re very grateful for the trust that donors, communities, and partners place in CFNL to steward donations. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or feedback: ndawe@cfnl.ca or (709)221-1030.
Recovery Funds: December Update
This post is written by the Community Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Executive Director, Nicole Dawe
Last week, I was grateful to be invited to attend two events on the North Shore of Conception Bay. A town hall organized by the Town of Small Point to Adam’s Cove to provide a report about funds that had been raised to support recovery and the North Shore Volunteer Fire Department’s Firefighters Appreciation Dinner, celebrating and recognizing the courageous volunteer firefighters who responded this Spring and Summer to the many wildfires in this area of the province.
We’ve been focused on supporting fundraising for the area. After being in the community more last week, it felt like the right time to provide a more detailed update on the recovery funds. It’s our intention to be as transparent as possible about the fundraising and disbursements from these funds. We’re very grateful for the trust that donors, communities, and partners place in CFNL to steward donations. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or feedback: ndawe@cfnl.ca or (709)221-1030.
Town Hall Recap
At the town hall, CFNL provided a detailed update on fundraising and disbursements for the Recovery Funds it stewards.
CFNL began supporting the North Shore after the Adam’s Cove Fire in May 2025. At that time, the fund (Adam’s Cove Fire Recovery Fund) was focused on supporting volunteer firefighting equipment and capacity. The entire fund was disbursed in December 2025 to support volunteer firefighting and capacity on the North Shore.
As this unprecedented wildfire season continued, two more funds emerged in response to what was happening in communities:
- North Shore Fires Recovery Fund – Because of the devastation of the Kingston Fire, communities on the North Shore wished to shift fundraising to support individuals rebuilding their primary residences. Thank you to the many champions of this fund who have been working tirelessly to inspire donations. No funds have been disbursed from this fund yet. To maximize its impact, it will be used to fill in gaps presented by other funding sources. Once we have more clarity on those other funding sources, we will work to get these funds out into the community with care and integrity.
- 2025 NL Forest Fires Recovery Fund – As wildfires burned across much of the province, CFNL, along with Community Sector Council of NL, Municipalities NL and United Way of NL, launched a fund intended to support community recovery from wildfire across the province. This was intended as a provincial fund; due to the devastation experienced on the North Shore, the partners have decided to focus the majority of the fund there. No funds have been disbursed from this fund yet. Partners will be working with communities and community leaders in the area to guide disbursements from this fund.
Recovery Fund Financial Update (October 31, 2025)
| As at Oct 31, 2025 | Adam’s Cove (Fire Fighting) |
North Shore (Individual Primary Residences) |
NL Forest Fires (Community Infrastructure and Groups) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Raised | $68,316.90 | $207,822.91 | $133,215.08 |
| Donation Processing Fees | $890.51 | $405.77 | $676.23 |
| Funds for Distribution | $67,426.39 | $207,417.14 | $132,538.85 |
| Total Donors | 419 | 272 | 86 |
Note – CFNL has waived its administration fees for all Recovery funds.
Firefighters Appreciation Dinner – Saturday, December 6
“Even in the worst situations we find ourselves in, good often emerges. The support for the fire department and our communities is nothing short of remarkable. Our sisters and brothers in volunteer firefighting were with us. This province is full of people who want to help and do everything they can to help our communities recover. Time, energy, and effort were freely given by so many volunteers.”
— Chief Roger Gillingham, North Shore Volunteer Fire Department
This was a moving and inspiring evening recognizing the many, many extraordinary and caring people who responded to the fires on the North Shore from the first one on Good Friday, in April, to the devastation of the Kingston Fire in August. This included fire departments from Labrador West to Pouch Cove, many of whom were there and recognized on Saturday night.
Chief Gillingham told us the story of this spring and summer, acknowledging the many people who supported their efforts. You could hear in his remarks and from others why so many had so much respect for the Chief’s clear, caring and compassionate leadership, which was essential throughout this year. A leadership lesson for us all.
The North Shore Volunteer Fire Department and the Town of Small Point to Adam’s Cove were the driving forces behind the event, with funding support from Fortis and NL Power. Thank you for all your energy and care in putting together a very touching evening. You can read more about it here in this article from CBC.
We were grateful to be in attendance to present a cheque for $67,426.39 from the Adam’s Cove Fire Recovery Fund to support capacity and equipment for volunteer firefighting on the North Shore. Thank you to the 419 donors who made this a reality, to the many community champions who inspired people to give to this fund, and to the North Shore Volunteer Fire Department for your leadership and courage in the response and recovery on the North Shore throughout this year.
It’s our intention to be as transparent as possible about the fundraising and disbursements from this fund. We’re very grateful for the trust that donors, communities, and partners place in CFNL to steward donations. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or feedback: ndawe@cfnl.ca or (709)221-1030.
Giving Back this Holiday Season
It’s the Giving Season. Many of us give and receive so much at this time of year. We’re excited to share inspiration for incorporating community generosity into your giving.
As we approach the tax receipt deadline of December 31, we’re here to support your giving, too. Please feel free to call or email if you need any help with processing donations for the 2025 tax year.
Giving Tuesday Events & Initiatives
December 2, 2025, is Giving Tuesday. It follows Black Friday and Cyber Monday and is an opportunity to focus on giving back rather than getting. Many charities have special matching or other initiatives that kick off on Giving Tuesday; make sure you check in on your favourites.
1) Give Kindness – Whether it’s making someone smile, helping a neighbour or stranger out, standing up for an issue, community or cause that you care about, there are many ways you can give back by being kind.
2) Give Recovery – Communities on the North Shore of Conception Bay are still recovering from the devastating wildfires this year. Your care gives them hope and will support them as they rebuild. Give to the North Shore Fires Recovery Fund here.
3) Give Choice – Many people like to give gift cards at this time of year. CanadaHelps has you covered with gift cards that allow the recipient to make a donation to any charity in Canada. Also great for birthdays and other celebrations.
4) Give Local – Check out Business and Arts NL’s annual holiday gift guide to find countless local and unique gifts created by 50+ creatives from across the province. Local handcrafted gifts for everyone on your list!
5) Give Social – We have so many community organizations that offer opportunities to give back by purchasing their goods and services. From eating at Stella’s Brasserie to ordering from Food First’s Avalon Food Hub or Western Food Hub to thrifting your gifts at Mokami’s Thrifty’s to delicious pizza at Choices for Youth’s Crust Craft Bakery, you can celebrate and give while supporting your community.
We’ll keep adding to this list. Reach out to us at info@cfnl.ca if you have something you’d like to share.
A Salute to Service: The Maple Leaf and Honorary Colonel Benevolent Funds
In Newfoundland and Labrador, a deep-rooted commitment to supporting military members, veterans, and their families is exemplified through two vital funds. The Maple Leaf and Honorary Colonel Benevolent Funds are more than financial support; they are lifelines for those who have faced the unique challenges of military service and its impacts on family life.
A Vision Realized: Bill Mahoney’s Commitment
The ties to the military in the province are deeply personal and widespread; many residents have friends or family members who have served, making the impact of these funds even more meaningful. At the heart of these funds is Bill Mahoney, whose military background has profoundly shaped his efforts to support these communities. His dedication is evident in every aspect of these initiatives, which have made a tangible difference in many lives.
The Maple Leaf Fund: Community Care in Action
The Maple Leaf Fund was born from the success of the 2013 Atlantic Maple Leaf Tribute Dinner held in St. John’s. The event, which raised over $800,000 and was led by Mahoney, Miller Ayre and other dedicated community leaders, did more than gather funds; it was a significant step in fostering mutual understanding and respect. “It was about connecting the community with our military members and their families,” reflects Mahoney.
The fund, administered through the regional Military Family Resource Centres, provides extensive support across Newfoundland and Labrador. It addresses the everyday struggles of military families, offering assistance in times of family emergencies, childcare needs, and other family challenges.
The Honorary Colonel Benevolent Fund: Meeting Immediate Needs
The Honorary Colonel Benevolent Fund, which started as a personal initiative of Bill Mahoney, plays a crucial role in providing immediate emergency assistance to military families. Notable for its flexible administration, the fund empowers military chaplains to deliver prompt aid in critical situations. This approach has been life-altering for many military members and their families, offering timely support when it’s most needed.
“During my conversations with the chaplains, it became clear that in emergency or distress situations, military families often need immediate financial support but face challenges accessing public funds due to strict oversight,” Mahoney explains. “They expressed a real need for quick access to emergency funds without complex application processes, for those critical moments when even a few hundred dollars can make a significant difference.”
With Mahoney’s significant personal contribution, the fund ensures rapid assistance for necessities, helping military families navigate crises with dignity and support.
A Legacy of Support and Gratitude
The Maple Leaf and Honorary Colonel Benevolent Funds go beyond financial aid; they embody the community’s heartfelt respect and support for those connected to the military. With the commitment of these individuals and sustained community involvement, these funds will continue to offer vital support, ensuring that these resources remain a reliable and steadfast source of assistance for military families. You can join this support by donating to the Maple Leaf Fund here or the Honorary Colonel Benevolent Fund here.
Learn more about how CFNL can be a partner in your generosity with the Giving Guide.
New Voices, Shared Vision: Welcoming Our 2025 Board Members
Earlier this year, after an open call for recruitment, the Community Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador proudly welcomed three new members to our Board of Directors: Mohsen Ali Heydari, Astrid Arumae, and Alysa O’Keefe.
Each brings a deep commitment to community and a wealth of experience across sectors, from economics and social innovation to law and the arts. Together, they help shape CFNL’s vision for a more connected, generous, and resilient Newfoundland and Labrador.
Mohsen Ali Heydari
Mohsen Ali Heydari is an economist with over 15 years of experience in economic modelling, financial analysis, and public policy development. He holds a PhD in Econometrics and has worked across academic, governmental, and private sectors to advance evidence-based decision-making.
Currently based in St. John’s, Mohsen is passionate about community development and inclusive economic planning, especially in support of immigrant communities and equity-seeking groups. His recent work includes designing ESG-aligned investment strategies and advising on regional development initiatives in Newfoundland and Labrador.
He is excited to bring his expertise and collaborative spirit to the CFNL board to help foster vibrant, resilient communities across the province.
Astrid Arumae
Community Builder, Coach, Field Catalyst, Social Entrepreneur & Climate Action Lead. Obsessed with possibilities of Place.
After 14 years in Montreal, Astrid is now based in Herring Neck, a beautiful small outport community in Central Newfoundland and Labrador. Astrid is passionate about place, nature, and being in service of community — and deeply devoted to making contributions through her work.
For three years, she worked with the Tamarack Institute supporting communities and local changemakers in developing strategies and shared goals. Before that, she spent over 15 years in operations, leadership, and project management in the private sector. In 2020, she founded a nonprofit in Montreal focusing on mutual aid, combating social isolation, and social innovation for sustainable local delivery and climate action projects.
A serial entrepreneur, Astrid has founded six businesses since 2004, two of which remain active today. She believes that community, connection, and belonging are essential to our wellbeing and is inspired by those who work to help shift systems and uplift others. Astrid is certain that when we lead with care and trust, we create environments where everyone can let their light shine.
Alysa O’Keefe
Alysa O’Keefe is an Associate Lawyer at Cox & Palmer, where she helps individuals and families plan for the future through wills, powers of attorney, health care directives, and estate administration. She takes pride in helping her clients protect what matters most.
Alysa earned her Juris Doctor and Certificate in Health Law from the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University. Growing up in a family of business owners and health care providers, she learned early the value of hard work, compassion, and thoughtful planning — lessons that continue to guide her legal practice today.
Outside of her legal work, Alysa is deeply involved in the arts community. She serves on the Board of Directors with the Quintessential Vocal Ensemble and sings with the group as a chorister. With a Bachelor of Music (Honours) in Vocal Performance from Memorial University, she believes in the power of music and community-building. Her passion for advocacy, creativity, and connection strongly aligns with CFNL’s mission, and she is honoured to serve as a director.
Looking Ahead
As we prepare to celebrate 25 years of community generosity in 2026, we’re inspired by the leadership and vision our new board members bring to CFNL. Together with our full Board of Directors, they help guide our work to strengthen communities — for today and for generations to come.
Anchored in Hope: Leonard and Doris Clarke Memorial Fund
The Leonard and Doris Clarke Memorial Scholarship and Awards support Bell Island’s youth in shaping their tomorrow.
St. Michael’s Regional High School is in the heart of Wabana, a small town with a population of fewer than 2,000 residents, situated amidst the windswept landscape of Bell Island, just off Newfoundland’s coast. A scholarship at the school encapsulates the very essence of what it means to be a part of Bell Island: the indomitable spirit of its people, the value of community, and the innate desire to create a better future for generations to come.
Nurturing Dreams and Ambitions
Principal Jasmine Brazil – a Bell Island native and a proud St. Michael’s graduate herself – champions her students’ dreams and ambitions, all the while empathizing with their challenges and the significant hurdles they encounter. “Bell Island is a wonderful community, but we face the challenges of a dwindling population and limited access to amenities,” Brazil explains. “The cost of living is at an all-time high, so you can only imagine the struggles our students wishing to attend postsecondary school face today. Either they are working part-time jobs, taking out large student loans, or both to survive.”
The Leonard and Doris Clarke Memorial Scholarship and Awards
This is where the Leonard and Doris Clarke Memorial Scholarship and Awards, a bequest from the late Clarke couple that bears testament to their community dedication, comes into play. The $2,500 scholarship and five supplementary awards applaud academic achievement, with a focus on kindness, compassion, empathy, hard work, and determination. Doris and Leonard chose a spend-down model for their funds, ensuring that all their resources are used over the course of 20 years to support the scholarship and awards.
