ELFEC Achieves Significant Milestone, Passing $50Million In Managed Assets ELFEC is thrilled to share that for the first time its managed assets have exceeded fifty million dollars. “This benchmark of success is a solid measure of the quality of the charitable programs and services offered by ELFEC. It is an affirmation of the superior relationships with a wide-variety of stakeholders; both within and outside the Lutheran faith traditions, that ELFEC is pleased to foster”, said Bill Gastmeier, Chairperson of the ELFEC Volunteer Board of Directors. “Through our dedicated team of professionals and volunteers, ELFEC has and continues to work tirelessly; offering faith-based and ethical investing, superior stewardship and professional expertise. Our programs and services have clearly resonated with our stakeholders and ELFEC believes they make an important difference to the lives of so many”, summarized Lee Gould, ELFEC’s Executive Director. $50 million dollars in managed assets is a clear validation of ELFEC’s importance and role and speaks to the charitable intentions and goals held by so many Canadians. Further details available here .Read more
Latest News
Posted: November 3, 2020
Are You 50 or better? Attend our Free Financial Planning Virtual Workshop Presented by the Canadian Foundation for Economic Education, the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa and ELFEC. Please join us for an informative workshop to answer any questions you may have regarding your finances. Take part in a virtual conversation with a representative from the Canadian Foundation for Economic Education , and other seniors in your community, to gain a better understanding of your financial issues and concerns. Tuesday, November 24 th , 2020 Noon – 1:30 p.m. (EST) including opportunities for Q&A Register for this Virtual Workshop online at: https://cfee-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QsgCKNheRP6IknkDJczmdg Topics of discussion include: Making estate arrangements Moving as housing needs change Dealing with attempted fraud or financial abuse Caring for a loved one Living with long-term illness or disability Managing retirementRead more
Posted: October 21, 2020
Q3 2020 saw engagement with 20 companies held within our portfolio. Themes discussed included Covid -19, Climate Transition, Decent Work & Human Rights and Reconciliation. A full report by company is available here .Read more
Posted: September 29, 2020
ELFEC Partner Grant Impact at Good Sheperd Coquitlam This year, under Gail Tremain’s leadership, the Outreach Team obtained an ELFEC partner grant to upgrade Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Coquitlam’s fluorescent fixtures to energy efficient LED tubes. ELFEC's partner Grant Program purpose is to address social needs and/or environmental impact in their church community, as well as support for projects and new mission initiatives for their greater community. The upgrade at Good Shepherd, completed in July 2020, significantly reduces the church’s carbon footprint associated with lighting needs. Besides reducing overall energy consumption by 56%, the new LED tubes operate without a ballast and last 35,000+ hours, compared to the 7,500 hours for the ‘old’ fluorescent tubes. Since these new tubes are directly connected to the power source, there is no more flickering due to ballast discharge, and the use of a “natural white” LED tube provides a bright pleasant atmosphere. Annual electricity savings are expected to be in the order of $800 to $1000, and considerable savings in human resources are expected due to the longevity of the tubes and the elimination of the need for ballast replacement. Furthermore, this lighting upgrade provides a host of future environmental benefits that we normally would not really think of: reduced glass, ballast, and plastic waste, and the elimination of mercury pollution. Remarkably, a 56% reduction in energy demand impacts the long term need for more dam construction and the associated flooding of forested areas. With the help of the grant, Good Shepherd can celebrate taking this first step toward reaching the collective goal proposed by the National church of zero Lutheran carbon emission by 2050! Submitted by: Gail Tremain and Louis Giguère- Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Coquitlam’s Council Member and Caretaker, retiredRead more
Posted: July 20, 2020
Q2 2020 saw engagement with 25 companies held within our portfolio. Themes discussed included Covid -19, Climate Transition, Decent Work & Human Rights and Reconciliation. A full report by company is available here .Read more
Posted: April 23, 2020
"The recovery from the COVID - 19 pandemic will reshape the Canadian economy from top to bottom. Those of us who hold a vision of fairness and sustainability can embed these values in the economic recovery." Anthony Schein, Director of Shareholder Advocacy, SHARE Q1 2020 saw engagement with 13 companies held within our portfolio. Themes discussed included Climate Transition, Decent Work & Human Rights and Water. A full report by company is available here .Read more
Posted: March 23, 2020
We are proud to support the work of Dr May Joy Philip. Earlier this year we received a grant application from Martin Luther University College to support the sabbatical project of Dr. Mary Joy Philip, Associate Professor of Lutheran Global Theology and Mission. During her time away from teaching responsibilities, Joy plans to travel to Liberia, Indonesia and South Africa, collecting stories from mothers and grandmothers in the third world countries/global south on weather prediction, climate change, the earth and the environment. The result of her visits will be several different resources on care for the environment, designed for use in worship, children's ministries and university classrooms. Funds approved from the David Pfrimmer Social Justice Fund to support this work because it addresses our environmental strategic priority. You may be interested in this brief story , which recently appeared in the LWF weekly newsletter.Read more
Posted: January 23, 2020
Q4 2019 saw engagement with 8 companies held within our portfolio. Themes discussed included Climate Transition, Governance and Decent Work. A full report by company is available here . Responsible Investment for a Sustainable, Inclusive and Productive economyRead more
Posted: January 9, 2020
Due to the pending retirement of our incumbent Executive Director, our Board of Directors is searching for an experienced, dynamic leader who can guide the organization through its next phase of growth. ELFEC is a faith-based charitable foundation based in Kitchener, Ontario. We have two primary program areas: responsible investing and gift planning . Interested persons are invited to find more information for this full time position and submit an application through the Charity Village website . The application deadline is March 1, 2020, with the successful candidate expected to begin employment on June 1.Read more
Posted: November 11, 2019
ELFEC recently finalized our latest impact investment in Emmaus Place , an affordable housing project in Langley, BC. Located on property belonging to Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church (SVLC), Emmaus Place will provide 82 units of affordable housing in apartment and townhouse suites. Rev. Kristen Steele, pastor at SVLC, said, “We're very excited that ELFEC is investing with our project partners, Catalyst Community Developments, to help make our affordable housing project, Emmaus Place, possible. This development of housing for seniors and families has been a vision this congregation has held for many years and we are excited to see it come to fruition. Thank you ELFEC for investing in the work of the church here in Langley.” ELFEC’s board of directors chose to invest in Emmaus Place because it addresses the elimination of poverty in Canada, one of the foundation’s three impact investment priorities. The investment will provide interest income to ELFEC partners while generating social benefits to the residents and the broader community of Langley.Read more