Calgary Herald
Published: Philandthropy Awareness Week: November 11 -18, 2009

Carma Developers - Honoree for Outstanding Corporate Philandthropist

                             - Unique Perspectives
             
                       
 

Sometimes, what goes around and comes around is very good.

Last spring, Carma Developers LP was celebrating its 50th anniversary as the largest residential developer in Calgary, with offices throughout North America, when it was decided that the company needed to build something special to commemorate the event.

Calgary had been good to Carma, and the company would continue in its long tradition of serving the city by bringing together about 350 of its employees from across the continent to build Carma House, a permanent home for Wellspring Calgary's cancer support centre.

''Our community involvement has been very diverse and consistent as we have always supported many organizations dedicated to arts and culture, education and health. But the Carma House project was a special project we took on in celebration of our 50th anniversary because we wanted to work together as a team to build something that would have a lasting impact on the community," says Alan Norris, president and chief executive officer of Carma Developers.

Last May Carma House opened the doors of the $2-million,4,000-square-foot home to cancer patients, their families and caregivers. Now, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Calgary and Area Chapter is honouring Carma with a corporate Generosity of Spirit award.

Carma Developers designed and built the new facility, and also donated a portion of the cost of the land.

Norns says it was a memorable day when hundreds of Carma employees gathered for a house-raising ceremony as the exterior frame of the house was built.

''Many people view philanthropy as a cost — a place where they allocate a certain amount of their profits," says Norris. "We have to report to our shareholders, and we certainly believe in being responsible, but that also means viewing philanthropy as an investment in the communities we are helping to build.We don't call it philanthropy. We call it good business."

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NOMINATED BY WELLSPRING CALGARY