About Our Initiatives

The Walter & Maria Schroeder Foundation is committed to improving healthcare services for all Canadians, educating the Canadian public on the severity of economic problems in Newfoundland and Labrador and empowering youth and Indigenous communities. The Foundation’s work on healthcare spans from large donations for advancement in medical research to advocating Canada on the need for a reformed and more affordable healthcare system. In Newfoundland and Labrador, the Walter & Maria Schroeder Foundation aims to celebrate the cultural significance of the Atlantic provinces and shine a light on their economic problems. Finally, Walter and Maria believe in supporting the First Nation communities that have been the most disadvantaged in Canada.

Newfoundland & Labrador Healthcare Reconciliation

Newfoundland & Labrador

Supporting Newfoundland and Labrador

Throughout his career, Walter frequently traveled to the province of Newfoundland & Labrador. Enthralled by the people’s resiliency and humour, he fell in love with the province’s deeply emotional and melodic music.

Walter became interested in the province’s economic history and future, in particular, the problems started by the one-sided Churchill Falls deal, and how it led to the province’s current perilous financial state. Long a fan of musical theatre, Walter conceived a new musical, using favorite Newfoundland and Labrador songs to tell the story of Churchill Falls and its devastating effect on the province.

Titled No Change in the Weather, this new musical successfully launched this year and continues on its path towards a Broadway debut. Meanwhile, the Schroeder Policy Institute was set up to educate and inform Canadian politicians about the poor economic prospects for Newfoundland and Labrador and offer creative solutions to its looming insolvency.

See all Newfoundland & Labrador updates

Healthcare

Advancing Canada's Healthcare System

As an investor and private citizen, Walter has long had an intense interest in the science of healthcare, and how healthcare is delivered in Canada. Much of the Foundation’s more high-profile efforts have involved large donations to Ontario hospitals, to assist in research and special projects.

In 2017, the Foundation established the Walter & Maria Schroeder Institute for Brain Innovation and Recovery, with a $20-million gift to the Toronto Rehab Foundation – the largest ever made to a rehabilitation hospital in Canada. The Institute has allowed Toronto Rehab to build a collaborative group of multi-disciplinary experts in engineering and the clinical neurosciences, developing new therapies for brain-related disorders, such as Alzheimer’s, Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS) and Parkinson’s.

Recently Walter has started a campaign, through the Schroeder Policy Institute, to increase federal government funding to 6% from its current 3%.

Impact of Schroeder Foundation Felt Across Canada

Over $22 million gifted to medical and education initiatives with total multi-year commitments of over $80 million.

June 15, 2021 Read More >>

The Schroeder Foundation is helping St. Michael’s Hospital break down barriers to health care for people experiencing homelessness.

The Schroeder Foundation has made a major investment to pilot the Homeless Outreach Coordinator program (aka the Navigator program) and break this cycle of illness and hospital readmission.

May 5, 2021 Read More >>

The Schroeder Foundation is helping St. Michael’s Hospital stop “Canada’s disease” in its tracks.

St. Michael’s, with a major investment from The Schroeder Foundation, is set to become one of the world’s top centres for MS research, education and patient care.

May 5, 2021 Read More >>

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Reconciliation

Empowering Canada’s Indigenous People

The Walter & Maria Schroeder Foundation is founded on the ideal of personal and community-based action, to giving a helping hand to those most in need, offering dignity and hope to those falling through societies’ cracks.

Walter and Maria are both big believers in the value of education. The Foundation supports a wide-ranging system of scholarships, bursaries, grants, technological, educational and community supports for Winnipeg North End high schools. Walter’s work in these high schools gave him a window into the lives of young Indigenous Canadians, who have often been left adrift financially when they leave northern reserves and move to Winnipeg.

The Foundation has worked to create a unique school support program for these young people, tracking those most at risk and providing financial, academic and other supports.

Donor to subsidize milk program cut by school division

A city philanthropist will serve up a $210,000 donation to restore a milk-subsidy program drained from Winnipeg School Division’s budget this month.

March 20, 2021 Read More >>

In north end, pandemic can’t kill kindness

“The school’s food bank program wouldn’t exist without the vital support of the Walter & Maria Schroeder Foundation.”

April 3, 2020 Read More >>

Food Insecurity: Our Response

The Walter & Maria Schroeder Foundation provides funding and resources to students in a number of communities in…

November 26, 2019 Read More >>

See all reconciliation updates