On Thursday August 14, 2025 the Community Foundation was excited to host our third annual Friendraiser event at the Conexus Arts Centre. This year, we had a wonderful turn out with nearly 100 charities in attendance and over 400 board members, partners, charity members, and friends that lit up the room together; sparking conversations and illuminating the room with positivity and a sense of community. This annual Friendraiser event sought to bring together donors and charities to share impactful stories and to bring awareness to the current needs within our community. There was also a spotlight put on connecting the charities work with the focus areas highlighted with our most recent Vital Signs research, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action. This afternoon featured many engaging activities including live orchestral music, a live painter, a photo booth with polaroid photos, the presentation of the VSCN Award and Lasting Legacy Awards, the Light Lines activity, and a delicious variety of appetizers and beverages.
As the Student Leadership & Project Manager, Karley Stangel expressed the meaning of this year’s innovative theme and its’ relevance to our community. She expressed that, “This year our theme, illuminating impact, was a play on the idea that when we come together—we shine brighter— and that light often reveals the things we may not otherwise see. Being able to “shine a light” on nearly 100 local charities and give them a platform to gain community awareness continues to be such an incredible feeling, and what makes the event so essential.”
Once again, this annual event was an illuminating success due to the hard work and dedication of the student team! Their dedication, hard work, communication, and professionalism allowed their vision for this event to truly come to life. Our mighty student team consisted of both event planning veterans and those who have never been to a Friendraiser. Despite having various levels of event planning experience, the team came together and put executed a truly inspiring event. Armaan Sehgal, the Student Events Lead at the Foundation, stated “It was a privilege to be joined by over 400 donors, fund advisors, dignitaries, passionate change-makers, and of course—friends. The room was glowing with community spirit, and taking it all in was truly breathtaking. Watching a summer’s worth of work come to life in one unforgettable afternoon of energy, connection, and impact was an incredible experience.“
The Community Foundation would like to take a moment to highlight all of the amazing sponsors of our third annual Friendraiser. Without their dedication to supporting community, this event would not have been possible. We’d like to extend our gratitude to our Spotlight Sponsor Affinity Credit Union, our Lantern Sponsors Impact Printers, PFM Capital Inc., Casino Regina, DCG Philanthropic Services Inc., Virtus Group, PearTree, our Candle Sponsors Capital Automotive Group, Special Event Rentals, CIBC Private Wealth, Campbell Haliburton Group, Saskatchewan Blue Cross, and our Spark Sponsors MicroAge, Painting by Jen Fong, Moments by My Photography.
We would also like to extend our thanks to everyone else that made it possible to have yet another successful event. The communication and cooperation from local suppliers and individuals who provided appetizers, beverages, musical entertainment, decorations, photography opportunities, volunteers, and venue space was truly appreciated.
Many of the radiant charities featured at this year’s Friendraiser were excited to be a part of such an impactful event. This year, we had nearly 100 charities featured at the event, with an amazing 42 charities attended for the first time! With many of these charitable organizations addressing a wide variety of community needs, there were many opportunities to learn what others are doing, and to make meaningful connections for future collaborations. These organizations provide support, programming, and services to address focus areas like housing, music, food security, mental health, environment, sports, and education of the arts. During this event, both charities and guests exchanged stories of impact and connected over their passion for community. One of the charities expressed how “We had so many different stories of connections – some people came up and were [in] tears as they talked about a loved one, some talked about their “glory days”…, there were [many] stories of passion and causes that people want to support.”. This was also a great opportunity for charities to make connections with one another. Another charity mentioned how “After chatting with a newer non-profit, my organization is going to help elevate their voice and expand their reach on our social platforms, and my organization will in turn also reach a new audience. A small act, but potentially huge return… community helping community… Win-Win!”.
The guests and friends who attended the third annual Friendraiser were able to reflect on their past engagement with the community, and learn more about the great work being done by our local charities. As a Community Foundation, we exist to connect donors and charities, and so we were thrilled with the turn out of this event, how many conversations were had, and how many new relationships were sparked. After the event, Rod Donison from GSD Strategies shared his experience of this illuminating event stating “I thoroughly enjoyed attending today’s “Friendraiser” that was brilliantly put on by the Community Foundation. I loved seeing how the foundation helps organizations “Spark Change so we all Shine Brighter” by supporting our charitable and non-profit sector in Saskatchewan.“.
This annual event continues to bring community together, provide an opportunity for the public to learn about emerging needs within our community, shine a light on the charities that work tirelessly to address these needs. It allows guests and donors the opportunity hear the success stories of impact that has already been made, and how they too can continue these legacies. When hundreds of individual lights come together to shine, it creates something beautiful that is powerful, and impossible to ignore. Executive Director Donna Ziegler put a spotlight on this sentiment perfectly when she said, “Our annual Friendraiser is truly a celebration of connection — bringing people together in the spirit of kindness and hope. It’s a chance to meet the caring faces behind incredible charities and to feel the true strength of our community. When we come together with open hearts, something beautiful happens: we shine a little brighter, and our shared impact becomes a light the world can’t help but notice.“.“