Our Story | The Davies Charitable Foundation

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.

Our Trustees

Sam Davies

Chair

Sam is a personal injury lawyer at Bergeron Clifford LLP which primarily serves clients in eastern Ontario. He recognizes the integral role Kingston's charitable organizations play in the success and prosperity of our community and enjoys helping applicants reach their specific goals.

Jack Davies

Vice-Chair

Jack holds a BA (Hons.) in Business Administration from Western University's Ivey Business School. Jack manages an Independent Health Facility in Ottawa. His funding interests include education, food security, healthcare, and the environment.

Caroline Davies

Trustee

Caroline is a graduate of Queen's University's BSc (Hons.) and Education programs. Caroline is now retired from her french immersion teaching career. She has been an active member of the Kingston community volunteering with a number of local organizations for over 30 years. She gravitates to hands-on opportunities to make a difference in her community, particularly around issues of food security and empowering women re-entering the workforce. Caroline's volunteerism has also taken her further afield to Haiti and Jamaica working alongside local educators teaching best practices as well as health and wellness initiatives. Caroline enjoys broadening her scope and awareness of the needs and creative initiatives in her community.

Eric Davies

Trustee

Eric Davies holds a BA (Hons.) in Political Studies from Queen's University and an MBA from the European School of Management. Eric has previously held project management, operations and marketing oriented positions in Kingston, Ottawa, Montreal, Paris and Toronto. Eric is recently retired from his land development and home building business. Eric has enjoyed volunteering with the Kingston Tennis Club, Trinity College School, the Kingston Market Square Restoration Committee and Able Sail Kingston.

Gregory Davies

Trustee

Greg holds a BA (Hons.) from Queen's University in Economics and an MD from McMaster University. Greg is Professor Emeritus at Queen's University in Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Diagnostic Imaging and the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies. Greg was Chair of the Davies Charitable Foundation from 2013 - 2021. Greg has volunteered with a number of local charities and is a former board member of the Kingston Community Foundation. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic related lockdown in April 2020, Greg raised $500,000 in 48 hours that was then distributed to some 5,000 Kingstonians unexpectedly out of work prior to the availability of any federal government support.

Ben Davies

Trustee

Benjamin grew up on Vancouver Island but spent his summers with family in Kingston. He attended the University of Guelph where he studied Biology before moving back to British Columbia after University. He now works as a Non-Destructive Welding Inspector in the Shipbuilding, Pulp/Paper, and Oil industry. He is an avid outdoorsman and spearfisherman.

Elaine Davies

Honorary Trustee

Connor Tidman

Trustee

Connor holds a BA (Hons.) in Media Studies from Trent University. He has been heavily involved in volunteer opportunities throughout his upbringing, graduating from high school with a volunteerism award for over 250 hours. Connor currently works at Brockville Honda, serving local communities with reliable transport. His interests include anything with a set of wheels or motor, and is always looking for the next adventure.

Daniel Rottman

Trustee

Daniel is an engineer by background and has spent nearly a decade working in natural resources finance across investment banking, private equity and private credit. Based in London, England, Daniel currently works for a private business active in the mining, materials and specialty chemicals sectors with assets on four continents.

Daniel graduated from Queen's University with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Mining Engineering. As a Queen's University alumnus, Daniel is passionate and excited about giving back to Kingston and the surrounding community.