The William and Nona Heaslip Foundation – created by the co-founder of clothing retailer Grafton Group Ltd. and his spouse, a former journalist, public relations executive and arts lover – is in the hands of its board, which includes two of their nieces.
Founded by the couple in 1997, the Toronto-based organization supports the arts, education and health care, key passions of its founders
Both Order of Canada recipients, the Heaslips, while they did not have children, saw their philanthropic legacy carried on by the next generation through nieces.
William Arthurs Heaslip retired in 1993 from his position as chairman and CEO of Grafton, which had become the second largest men’s retail clothing company in Canada. He believed that with monetary success comes the responsibility to support the community. Beginning as early as 1969, his support helped the Canadian Opera Company, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Art Gallery of Ontario, many other arts organizations, theatres, educational institutions, and hospitals. He died in 2006.
She developed a lifelong love of Canada’s creative culture and led various funding initiatives for the Shaw Festival, the Stratford festival, Theatre Museum Canada, and the National Ballet of Canada.
The couple’s foundation gave more than $2 million last year and had revenue of more than $3 million, according to Charity Impact.
Today, their nieces, Nona Louise Macdonald (named after her aunt) and Brenda Radford (niece of William), work alongside other board members to honour the founders’ philanthropic spirit. They carry concern for the involvement of the next generations, with the difficulties younger people face today.
Here, Nona Louise and Brenda share how they intend to uphold the legacy of the family foundation, regardless of what challenges might lie ahead.
What has your role been within the family and with the foundation?
“Nona Louise was invited to sit on the board of the foundation in 2004 or 2005, but the first board meeting she attended was in 2006, months after Bill died. She has been a member, then director, and secretary of the board ever since.
What are some things you remember most about the Heaslips?
“Both of them were very hard working in their careers, but they also enjoyed a very active social life. They took it for granted that they would also be involved in giving back to the community through philanthropy and participation in organizations.
They sat on boards of charities and used their gifts and connections to assist those institutions to thrive. They were both people who loved to meet people and to have fun – dancing, going to performances, golfing, wintering in Florida, etc.”
What was it about the arts that were so important to William and Nona?
“Nona was a dramatic individual who engaged enthusiastically in the arts as a young person and never lost her love of live performance. She was enamoured of artists, especially actors, and wanted to support their efforts.
Nona always managed to get to the performances she wanted to see. Her careers in journalism and the media made this quite possible. Her love of theatre was infectious.
Starting in 1985 Bill served as a director and in some cases fundraising chairman on many arts organizations boards. He became a regular attender at the symphony, ballet, opera, art galleries and theatre. The foundation continues to support these, among other arts organizations.
He was a good dancer and enjoyed social engagements that included music. His love of these activities naturally led him to support them financially.”
Both Bill and Nona wanted to ensure that the arts were supported and that established Canadia companies could continue to contribute to the society at large.”
As a family, how do you continue to support William and Nona’s legacy?
“We will continue to sit on the board of the foundation for as long as we can. We are the living memory of our aunt and uncle. We are grateful for the other friends and colleagues who have been board members, officers, and advisers over the years. They have ensured that we can continue to follow Bill and Nona’s legacy.
In the last couple of years of his life Bill was more and more concerned with supporting human potential and not in ‘bricks and mortar’ or ‘names on buildings.’ He was keen to engage us in conversations about these priorities and how he saw the foundation developing as an awarding institution.
Are there plans to involve next generations in the family’s philanthropic initiatives?
“Continuing this legacy into the future may be a challenge. On the Macdonald side, there are only two nephews in the next generation. They are quite young.
On the Heaslip side, there are more younger people, but as is true of their generation these days, they must focus a lot of energy on finding sustained work, building their careers, and trying to make a home for themselves.
However, just as Nona and Brenda have been involved in volunteer activities outside the foundation, so, too, have these great nieces and nephews and other relatives been contributing to their local communities in a variety of endeavours. We trust that this spirit will eventually fuel the foundation.
The board has always included members beyond the family connection. We anticipate that there will probably always be a mix of relations and others keeping the foundation’s mission and vision alive.”
What initiatives will continue as William and Nona’s legacy?
“First and foremost, the university scholarships (generally referred to as The Heaslip Scholars) will remain a priority. This was the founding initiative and focus of the foundation.
It is also likely that the foundation will continue to fund the major arts organizations with which we have been involved for decades. Nona and Bill sat on some of their boards, so remembering them and carrying their legacy forward remains important.
We will keep their interest in the arts, education, and medical research in mind as we move forward.”
Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length.
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