Investing in Community: Recognizing Connor, Clark & Lunn
The Ottawa Mission is known as the city’s largest housing and homelessness service provider. But behind the meals being served and the housing applications being sent, there are very dedicated partners working to make it all possible. One of those partners is Connor, Clark & Lunn Financial Group (CC&L Financial Group), an investment management firm with a strong social conscience.
As a multi-boutique asset management firm, CC&L Financial Group is comprised of different investment organizations across Canada and in the United Kingdom. Each affiliate group contributes to CC&L Financial Group’s charitable foundation, the CC&L Foundation, which exists to support the arts, communities, education, the environment, science and medicine.
“The work that The Ottawa Mission does is really important in the Ottawa community, and it is a great alignment with our values,” explains Michael Walsh, Managing Director, CC&L Financial Group.
While the work of The Mission falls most clearly within the group’s “community” charitable pillar, it actually spans several others as well. In addition to providing needed food, shelter and clothing to people who are vulnerable, The Mission also offers educational support and healthcare for clients.
With a hospice, dental clinic, primary care clinic and addictions treatment on site, The Mission offers wraparound care for clients in need. Its Stepping Stones Learning Centre helps clients finish high school, go through job training, and even work through college courses.
CC&L Financial Group first got involved with The Mission in 2018 with a corporate donation, driven by Richard Pope, Vice President at CC&L Private Capital. Growing up in Ottawa, Pope has a personal connection to the Ottawa Mission.
“After my parents divorced when I was young, my mother lived in Ottawa below the poverty line and used many of the local support services in the community” notes Pope. “Before her passing in 2015, she had good things to say about The Ottawa Mission. For me, supporting the work of The Ottawa Mission is my way of saying thank you and giving back to a great cause in the community.”
Over the years, CC&L Financial Group’s involvement has grown and they were a matching partner for the 2021 Blue Door at Your Door musical fundraiser and also sent a special gift for Covid-19 relief.
“The Covid pandemic has affected each of us in a different way and has been particularly challenging for the low- and no-income community,” says Walsh. “We wanted to try to support that community as much as possible in these tough times.”
As investment managers, CC&L Financial Group understands the importance of planning ahead and ensuring a strong future.
“You can point to all the great work that The Mission has done over the years and continues to do, and [our partnership] continues to support those needs and helps them plan for the future.”
This ability is invaluable to provide stable support for those in need. The Mission’s Erin Helmer works with companies of all sizes to help The Mission do just that.
“Our corporate engagement program has something for everyone and is fully customizable,” she says. “We are proud to partner with companies like CC&L Financial Group, and we’re grateful they’ve stepped forward to be a Business on a Mission.”
For any companies looking to invest in The Mission’s essential community programs and services, you can learn more at ottawamission.com/corporate-giving.