CAHF appoints permanent CEO, readies for operations
CAHF’s Board of Directors this morning publicly announced the appointment of well-known social profit sector leader Mike Meldrum as its founding Chief Executive Officer.
“Mike is a respected leader in the social profit sector, and we are pleased to have him on board to help deliver on the CAHF vision of ensuring everyone in Calgary has a place to call home,” said CAHF Board Chair Dave McElhanney in a public news release.
Over the past year, CAHF has been working to solidify launch funds to move into fulloperations. CAHF is a Calgary-founded organization that exists to help affordable housing organizations raise the required capital for below market housing.
CAHF was formed when leaders from five housing agencies involved in the former RESOLVE Campaign realized that there was a significant and ongoing need to seek financial support for affordable housing. With CAHF focusing on raising philanthropic capital for affordable housing projects, housing providers can then focus on what they do best -- build and operate affordable housing.
“There continues to be a significant lack of affordable housing in our community, and CAHF is one solution to help Calgarians find homes,” said Meldrum. “I am excited to take on this role and work with our valued Housing Provider partners, Government, the philanthropic community, and the housing sector as we contribute to solving our affordable housing crisis.”
Meldrum has worked with CAHF over the past year developing the plans to move to full operations. CAHF has garnered strong support from the community and all levels of government. Funding for CAHF to date has come from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and the Government of Alberta, in addition to the Calgary Foundation and several community philanthropists. CAHF aligns with the City of Calgary’s “Home is Here” housing strategy.
Newly appointed CEO at CAHF, Mike Meldrum
Mike Meldrum Biography
Meldrum has been the principal at Meldrum & Associates where he assists social profit organizations with fundraising and overall organizational effectiveness. He has worked and volunteered with non-profit organizations large and small over the past 25 years and has specific work experience in post-secondary education, health care, and social services.
Meldrum’s experience in building comprehensive fundraising programs includes planning and executing fundraising campaigns, marketing and communications, and stakeholder relations. He obtained his CFRE (Certified Fundraising Executive) designation in 2003 and has an undergraduate degree in science from the University of Calgary and an MBA from the University of Alberta.
Mike has held senior fundraising/advancement roles in post-secondary for 20 years, working at the University of Lethbridge, the University of Alberta, and the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT). He also worked in healthcare, including leading the Calgary Health Foundation as the President and CEO from 2019-2022. Over the last two years, he has consulted with various clients in the post-secondary, healthcare, and social services sectors.
CAHF readies for launch
This November, CAHF will officially launch operations. Further details will be shared in the coming weeks, including an invitation to join CAHF at a planned launch event.
CAHF is moving forward in its vision of ensuring everyone in Calgary has a place to call home. CAHF is grateful for the support of all founding partners to date, and looks forward to continuing this critical work. If you or your organization are interested in learning more, or having a conversation with the new CEO, please email: ceo@thecahf.com.