Transformative gifts in the fields of education, health care, and social services.
Education
Healthcare
Social Services
Mission
“The Bickle-Wilder Foundation empowers change through transformative gifts in the
fields of education, health care, and social services for youth-at-risk.”
About The Bickle-Wilder Foundation
The foundation was created in 1959 by Toronto businessman and philanthropist Edward William Bickle and was called the E. W. Bickle Foundation. In 2020, the Wilder name was added when Toronto business man William Price Wilder and his wife, Judith Ryrie Wilder gave additional funds, in the same spirit of philanthropy.
The Bickle-Wilder Foundation meets twice a year and the annual deadlines for submission are March 31 and September 30.
CURRENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT – Martha Wilder
VICE-PRESIDENT – Martin Abell
DIRECTORS – John Barford, Justin Vergne-Wilder, Ellen Wilder, Geoff Wilson
SECRETARY/TREASURER – Ginny Leuty
PAST DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT – William E. Wilder
VICE-PRESIDENT – Andrew Wilder
PRESIDENT – William P. Wilder
VICE-PRESIDENT – Billie R. Wilder
DIRECTOR – Grant Reuber
DIRECTOR – Robert Patterson
DIRECTOR – Patrick Vernon
DIRECTOR – James Walker
PAST PRESIDENT: William Edward Wilder
Bill Wilder Jr. was President from 1995 to 2021. As President, he was a dedicated leader, sympathetic and generous to the many charitable requests. Bill led with a steady hand in guiding the Board in its deliberations and demonstrated how to effectively transition from one generation to the next. He preserved legacy causes important to his parents while expanding the scope of the foundation to include initiatives that are important to the next generation.
“Bill led in a collaborative manner by ensuring all at the table were heard and by building consensus in deciding on a course of action for the Foundation His gentle manner and sense of humour put people at ease and facilitated outcomes that everyone could support.” John Barford
“Bill led a transition to more focused guidelines for giving that embraced his generation’s interests while remaining fully respectful of the past. His concise words and caring actions made this a smooth transition, and we still work with the results today.” Martin Abell
Learn More About Our Generous Contributors
Our foundation was created using start-up capital from Edward William Bickle, William Price Wilder, and Judith “Billie” Ryrie Wilder.
For administrative questions, please email: admin@bicklewilder.ca
For all other enquires, please email: info@bicklewilder.ca
FOUNDER: Edward William Bickle
Ed Bickle was born in 1890 in Toronto and attended public schools, leaving at a young age to work in a variety of jobs. At the age of seventeen, he entered the finance field when he took a job with Wood Gundy. However, when the First World War broke out, he joined the 48th Highlanders and served in France with the 1st Division. He fought at Ypres and was invalided home in 1916.
After the war, he formed Wills Bickle & Co., which financed many interesting initiatives, including Maple Leaf Gardens. In the early 1930s, he became a Director and then President of the Gardens. A memorable tradition was established when the 48th Highlanders opened the first game of each season!
William Price Wilder
Bill Wilder was born on September 26, 1922, in Toronto. He attended Upper Canada College, then commenced a commerce degree at McGill University. However, his studies were interrupted by the Second World War. After officer training at Royal Roads Naval College, he was seconded to the Royal Navy and saw active duty as a sub-lieutenant on the destroyer HMS Whitshed.
Wilder returned to McGill after the war to complete his degree. He then joined Wood Gundy as a bond salesman. After a few years, he decided to pursue an MBA at Harvard Business School, a life-changing experience.
Judith “Billie” Ryrie Wilder
Billie Wilder was born on November 16, 1928, in Toronto, the daughter of Edward William Bickle and Helen Ryrie Bickle. Although her birth certificate stated “Judith” as her name, she was christened “Billie” and was affectionately called “Billie” throughout her life. She attended Havergal College, then McGill University. Interested in pursuing a career in journalism, she enrolled in Lorne Green’s Radio Academy. However, soon afterwards she met Bill Wilder, to whom she was married for over 66 years.
She was generous to family and friends and gave her time as a volunteer in the community. As a voracious reader, she took an active interest in the Osborne Collection of Early Children’s Books. She was a loyal supporter of Canada’s National Ballet School and The National Ballet Company over many years. Her love of classical music inspired her to give a transformative gift to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra at a crucial time in its development.
Application Process
Funding Interests: We support education, health care, and youth-at-risk
Granting Region: Within 100km of the Greater Toronto Area or the Greater Montreal Area.
Deadlines for Submission: We meet twice a year, and the deadlines for submission are March 31 and September 30.
Types of Support
We grant to Canadian registered charities.
Our grants typically go to schools, universities, hospital foundations, and youth-at-risk programs.
Support for schools, university, and hospital foundations is mostly in response to capital campaigns.
Support for youth-at-risk is often given to social service charities that offer programs such as mentoring, tutoring, shelter, addiction support, and after-school recreation. Many are member agencies of the United Way.
We also strive to be active grantors who meet the critical needs of the day. During the Covid pandemic, we pivoted to food banks and continue to support them.
Funding Restrictions
Grants will not be made to individuals for research projects, conferences, and seminars; deficit financing or emergency funds; or to individuals for awards, fellowships, and scholarships. While we support mental health and addiction issues for youth, we do not support many health disorders.
Criteria
When considering applications, the foundation looks at strong and trusted leadership with a track record of results.
All charity applications must include the full financial statements. For charities with more than $250,000 in revenues, these financial statements must be audited as per the CRA Charity Directorate’s guidance.
Role of Charity Intelligence
Charity Intelligence plays a consulting role in reviewing applications. Charity Intelligence’s analysts may contact you for further program information about your grant application.
To learn more about Charity Intelligence’s important work, visit its website: https://www.charityintelligence.ca/
Charities We’ve Supported
