The Kingston Whig Standard Building
About the Foundation
For 65 years, the Davies Family owned and operated the Kingston Whig-Standard, Canada’s oldest continuously published daily newspaper. Following in his grandfather Rupert’s and father Arthur’s footsteps, Michael Davies became Publisher in 1969 and sole owner of the newspaper in 1976. With the sale of the newspaper in 1990, Michael and his wife, Elaine, established the Davies Charitable Foundation to continue and expand their philanthropy in the Kingston, Ontario region.
Michael Davies, beloved husband, patriarch, friend, publisher, sailor, helicopter pilot, and adventurer died in 2022 at the age of 85. Michael received many accolades for his lifelong commitment to his community and philanthropy including the Order of Canada, the Order of Ontario and an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Queen’s University.
Although Elaine and Michael have passed the management of the Davies Charitable Foundation to their children, grandchildren and their spouses, Elaine remains active in the Foundation’s gifting.
To date, the Davies Charitable Foundation has funded over 525 registered charitable organizations since inception in 1990.