Tim, Todd, Alan and Michael were deeply affected by the increasing number of Canadian casualties in Afghanistan and the young families they left behind. As university students and graduates, they understood the benefits of post-secondary education and felt that the best way they could help was to provide the same opportunities they were fortunate to have themselves. The Canadian Hero Fund was born with a mission to provide scholarships to the children and spouses of fallen Canadian soldiers.

From the very start, the goal was for the Canadian Hero Fund to become more than just a charity: it was to build a national movement of young Canadians in support of military personnel and their families. This began by creating an online network of other students and young people across the country.

The Canadian Hero Fund’s initial website, launched in 2008, was a tribute site to Canadian soldiers killed in the Afghanistan conflict, which received over 100,000 visitors, many of whom were asking how they could get involved and help the families. The organization then turned its efforts to fundraising for its scholarship fund, incorporating as a registered charitable organisation.

The Canadian Hero Fund’s online following grew exponentially over the years and today counts thousands of Canadians nationwide. In December 2009, the Fund officially launched its fundraising and media campaign, attracting national attention from mainstream media outlets from coast to coast. The Canadian Hero Fund has since been featured in interviews on national radio and television broadcasts.

Through traditional and social media marketing campaigns, the Fund has had a consistent message for the public: get involved. While the organization’s charitable mandate is to fund scholarships for military families, its civic purpose is to be an outlet of civilian support for soldiers and their families. Through community fundraising and by joining the movement, Canadians recognize the sacrifice of our soldiers.

From the very start, the goal was for the Canadian Hero Fund to become more than just a charity: it was to build a national movement of young Canadians in support of military personnel and their families. This began by creating an online network of other students and young people across the country.

The Canadian Hero Fund’s initial website, launched in 2008, was a tribute site to Canadian soldiers killed in the Afghanistan conflict, which received over 100,000 visitors, many of whom were asking how they could get involved and help the families. The organization then turned its efforts to fundraising for its scholarship fund, incorporating as a registered charitable organisation.

The Canadian Hero Fund’s online following grew exponentially over the years and today counts thousands of Canadians nationwide. In December 2009, the Fund officially launched its fundraising and media campaign, attracting national attention from mainstream media outlets from coast to coast. The Canadian Hero Fund has since been featured in interviews on national radio and television broadcasts.

Through traditional and social media marketing campaigns, the Fund has had a consistent message for the public: get involved. While the organization’s charitable mandate is to fund scholarships for military families, its civic purpose is to be an outlet of civilian support for soldiers and their families. Through community fundraising and by joining the movement, Canadians recognize the sacrifice of our soldiers.