A Message from our Executive Director

2024 has come and almost gone. It was a positive year for our club. We saw growth in membership, programs & program participation, revenues, fundraising, donations and yes unfortunately some unbudgeted expenses as well (i.e. grease traps). In 2024 we were able to offer over 20 weekly programs and over 120 free programs like our popular weekly Conversation and Learning Cafés. It is so gratifying to have days where over 100 members and guests are enjoying our facility and programs.

2024 also saw significant growth in Super Memberships and Super Membership partners. We are approaching 15 Super Membership Partners and 1,000 Super Members. We anticipate going live with our Super Membership website at the beginning of the year and we expect to announce significant sponsors and partnerships with local businesses that will make the Super Membership even more valuable.

As we approach 2025, the staff will be focused on maintaining a diverse program and event offering at 2024 rates. To achieve that we will focus on cost efficiencies. One new measure we will be introducing to maintain a $12 lunch offering on Wednesday’s is we will kindly ask everyone to bring their own take-out containers for any leftovers they take home. After analysis, our compostable takeout container costs are almost $1 per serving. We will still have take-out containers available for everyone, but we will be initiating a $1 charge going forward.

Thank you to the City of Calgary Council and FCSS funders who have recommended and approved Bow Cliff to have sustainable funding for the next 4 years. With this funding certainty, we will be able to budget with confidence enhanced program and preventative support deliverability to minimize social isolation amongst seniors.

Thank you also to our numerous sponsors and donors who supported us in 2024. Grant funding is getting more challenging every year and we couldn’t offer as many of our programming and events without your support. We are most grateful!

Our year was successful because of our incredible volunteers who supported our lunches, member socials, fundraising programs, and casino. You are and will always be the heartbeat of Bow Cliff.

Thank you to our Board of Directors, who volunteered their time and whose leadership and guidance helped us maintain a strong, vibrant, and compliant organization.

Please consider Bow Cliff as part of your charitable giving. As a registered charity, Bow Cliff can issue tax receipts. We know there are many great and deserving charities in our city that require everyone’s support. We thank you for considering donating to Bow Cliff.

On behalf of our incredible staff, Elanor, Liz, Despina and George, I want to wish all of our wonderful Members and Super Members a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a wonderful and safe December.