Darren Baumgardner knows first-hand how philanthropic giving can come with both personal and professional benefits.
By Olivia Piché
Photographs by Ryan Parker
In 2014, a year after joining the Cross Cancer Institute Golf Classic committee, Darren Baumgardner received a call from the Alberta Cancer Foundation asking if he would be interested in co-chairing the annual golf tournament, which was set to raise funds for colon cancer that year.
Coincidentally, Baumgardner took that call while at the hospital with an IV in his arm, because he was waiting for test results to see if he had colon cancer. Luckily, he didn’t, but Baumgardner describes the experience as the start
of a very active journey with the Alberta Cancer Foundation.
“I really started to evaluate what I
was doing with my life and what I was contributing back to my community. That was a very large push for me,” he says.
In 2023, Baumgardner retired from his position as Co-Chair for the tournament, after nearly 10 years, to make time to
be an Alberta Cancer Foundation board member. He remains involved with the golf classic in other capacities, and he’s also helped support patient care and cancer research through events like Toast of the Town and Jammin’ for a Cure. Through this involvement, he’s witnessed the impact philanthropic giving can have: research advances and better care.
For Baumgardner, this kind of impact is personal. His father was diagnosed
with prostate cancer a few years ago
and a clinical trial saved his life. While the success his father experienced motivates Baumgardner’s efforts to support cancer research, the passing of his father-in-law to cancer is an equally important driver.
“We have a tremendous way to go. And, someday, we’ll find a cure for cancers,”
he affirms. “We must keep trying to fund research — research is the way to the long- term goal.”
While improving cancer outcomes is at the forefront of his charitable giving, Baumgardner explains that practicing corporate philanthropy has additional benefits.
As the managing partner of Westbrand Group of Companies, his charitable contributions are interconnected with
his professional work. “In our group of companies, we have three partners, and we are all very committed to raising money for cancer and other health charities,” he says. “We make it part of our business plan because we really do believe that we have to support the communities that we serve.”
Baumgardner explains that corporate philanthropy helps companies gain a deeper sense of purpose and, in turn, strengthens the business. As corporate donors, Baumgardner and his partners represent their employees, stakeholders, distributors and an entire team who make it possible for them to give back. It’s truly
a team effort, and that collective sense of giving supports the purpose behind what they do. Westbrand sells bolts and gaskets to distributors across the country, which Baumgardner acknowledges isn’t the most glamorous business. That’s why he goes “beyond the bolt,” as he says, by giving back to give more purpose to his business.
Corporate philanthropy also indicates integrity and trustworthiness, which attracts customers, he says. Through
his journey, Baumgardner has made and strengthened many friendships, which often turn into business relationships, too. It’s about the cause, first and foremost, and relationships and good business will follow. “Save a life, make some friends and do business,” says Baumgardner on what he believes make up the three legs to the stool of fundraising.
“My hope is to encourage other entrepreneurs, and, more importantly, the younger generation of entrepreneurs, to recognize that building your community should be in lockstep with building your company,” he says.
