AFP Honours The Energizing Communities Collective with Outstanding Philanthropic Group Award in Recognition of Classroom Champions Fundraising
The Energizing Communities Collective, a group of 25 Calgary energy companies, was awarded the 2024 Outstanding Philanthropic Group for raising $4 million in two years to expand Classroom Champions’ transformative mentorship and social-emotional learning programs across Western Canada.
The winner of the Outstanding Philanthropic Group for the 2024 Generosity of Spirit awards hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Calgary & Area Chapter has been awarded to The Energizing Communities Collective – a group of 25 energy companies in Calgary who joined together to raise $4 million in just two years for Classroom Champions. Award winners were announced in a special ceremony on August 28, 2024. Says Geri Greenall, Founder of The Energizing Communities Collective, “On behalf of The Energizing Communities Collective, we are honoured to be recognized with the Outstanding Philanthropic Group award and is a testament to the collective power of our group coming together for a common cause. We are truly grateful to be included in this year’s Generosity of Spirit Awards, and believe our success reinforces the impact we can have when we unite our efforts. We are inspired as a group to continue striving for meaningful impact and change in our community.”Spearheaded by Greenall in 2022, The Collective is the first philanthropic organization of its kind in Canada – uniquely bringing together a range of competitors in the oil and gas industry in Calgary to support a charitable cause. “We were incredibly proud to nominate The Energizing Communities Collective for the Generosity of Spirit Awards. Their remarkable collaboration has united fellow industry competitors for a common cause, resulting in a transformative impact on our communities,” says Steve Mesler, Co-founder and Board Chair of Classroom Champions. “The $4 million they’ve raised for Classroom Champions will significantly expand our athlete mentorship programming and social and emotional learning curriculum across Western Canada, reaching more students than ever before. The Canadian oil and gas industry’s support shown is truly unprecedented, and we're thrilled to see their efforts recognized.” Research conducted by Classroom Champions comparing change from the beginning of the program through to the end of the year and highlighted in their 2022 Impact Report shows that teachers implementing the Classroom Champions program have seen an 84 per cent increase in student engagement; with 68 per cent of teachers reporting improved student grades. Studies have also shown 94 per cent of teachers reported Classroom Champions enabled them to better engage their students, with 97 percent of teachers reported Classroom Champions programming improved their classroom culture. “The impact of The Collective on students in Western Canada has been completely transformative,” says Seth Rosenzweig, CEO of Classroom Champions. “With programming growth of 600 per cent across Western Canada, the support from The Collective has been a game-changer. In one northeastern Alberta city alone, classroom participation skyrocketed from just one teacher to 40 across eight different schools in a single year. This incredible expansion highlights the significant and lasting impact on students who are empowered through our mentorship programs. The $4 million raised by The Collective has directly impacted our growth, including 87 schools, 380 teachers enrolled, 31 Indigenous communities signed up for customized programs, and almost 10,000 students participating.” The AFP will celebrate The Energizing Communities Collective and all 2024 Generosity of Spirit honourees on Friday November 15, 2024 in honour of National Philanthropy Day at Calgary Telus Convention Centre.