
Arnold James Charbonneau was a successful Alberta entrepreneur and a generous philanthropist. When he passed away in 2018, a family foundation was established by his estate, and its directors meet annually to make recommendations about causes and charities to support.
This year, the directors of the Arnie J. Charbonneau Foundation have chosen to make a major gift to CKUA.
Tim Haufe, one of the foundation’s directors, says that CKUA’s current fundraising campaign “seems like something Arnie would have supported,” noting that Charbonneau made significant donations to a variety of charities, including hospital foundations, women’s shelters, and medical research. He funded the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute at the University of Calgary. Charbonneau also loved live, local music. Living in Radium, BC, prompted him to support a small music festival in Edgewater.
“He was very successful, and he set aside significant funds for charitable purposes,” says Haufe. As Charbonneau dealt with his own cancer diagnosis, he made plans for his generosity to continue through his estate. “He was a community-minded person,” says Haufe. “The amount of money that he set aside is significant, but he was a low-key guy.”
The timing of this gift is as important to Haufe as the amount. The directors of the Arnie J. Charbonneau Foundation want this grant to generate additional momentum by inspiring others to donate. “We’ve made this donation in the hope that it will help CKUA’s current fundraising campaign.”
“For me,” says Haufe, “music is a powerful thing, maybe the most powerful of all the arts. That’s what draws people to CKUA. We can hear different things. I’m all over the place, musically, because I listen to CKUA. There are things I would not have found without CKUA. The hosts are passionate, and they open us up to all kinds of music. I like the grass-roots approach to choosing and playing music, and the fact that they play lesser-known and local artists.”
When Haufe speaks about this gift inspiring others to give, he mentions estate planning and legacy giving specifically. He says, “I’m not a wealthy person, but I can give to charity.” He says that his work with the Arnie J. Charbonneau Foundation has expanded his ideas about estate planning. “It’s caused me to think in different terms. Not every gift is going to be in the millions, but a lot of people together can make a difference.”
Kevin Fitzgerald, CKUA’s Chief Development Officer, says, “We thank the Arnie J. Charbonneau Foundation for its generous support at this important time. By responding to CEO Marc Carnes’ address to the community in April, this major gift will have real impact. We’re grateful, and we hope this gift will inspire other foundations to support CKUA.”
Fitzgerald adds that the Fund Development team at CKUA is always available to speak with you about supporting CKUA, whether you are making plans as an individual, a family, a corporation, or as a representative of a foundation. “We’d love to talk with you and answer any questions you may have about supporting CKUA,” he says.
Kevin Fitzgerald, CKUA’s Chief Development Officer, can be reached at kfitzgerald@ckua.com