Recognizing Our Funders, Donors & Sponsors

ACT depends on donations and sponsorship to allow us to develop and sustain our information and training resources which are accessible across B.C, throughout Canada, and around the world.

In addition to our generous donors and sponsors, listed below, we are very grateful to all the individuals and organizations who donate their time and expertise to our board, committees and live events.

ACT welcomes donations year round:  there are many ways to donate.

Interested in knowing more about the tax advantages related to donations? Blair Dwyer of Dwyer Tax Law, a donor and presenter for ACT has written a paper called ‘The Giver: Ebenezer Scrooge in a Taxable Canadian Context’.

Acknowledging ACT’s Community Partners

ACT's Community Partners, Autism & Developmental Disorders Lab, Province of British Columbia Gaming Fund, Government of Canada's Emergency Support Fund, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Collaboration in Autism, Provincial Outreach program for autism & related disorders, Purly CRM, Simon Fraser University, Surrey Schools, Vancouver Foundation, Sheraton Vancouver, and XE Live Broadcast.

Monthly Donors

  • Anne and Garth Stoll – In honour of Christian
  • Brent Shirley
  • Chris Hill – In memory of David Finkelstein
  • Chelsea Werrun
  • Claire Arnold
  • Deborah Pugh
  • Dr. Joseph Lucyshyn – In memory of Edward G. Carr, Ph.D.
  • Jennifer Persello
  • Maureen D’Aquila
  • Shannon Muir

2023 Donors and Sponsors

  • Agnes Neis
  • Alessandro Brienza
  • Arlaina Waisman
  • Barb & Ray Kester – In memory of Karen Raye Kester
  • Brian Mauch
  • Carol Anne Owen
  • Catherine Sereda
  • Deborah Gibson
  • Deborah Pugh
  • Harold Schellekens
  • Helga Marshall
  • I-Chih Chen
  • ISABC Math – Heads of Department
  • Javier Lacroix
  • Jennifer Persello
  • Jill Beaumont
  • Joseph Lucyshyn
  • Laila Karwa
  • Leomaris Rosario Arias
  • Marguerite Smith
  • Marna Nelson
  • Maureen D’Aquila
  • Melissa Reed
  • Michelle Miller
  • Mitz Kakazu
  • Pat Mirenda – In memory of Jack Brown
  • Preeti Sehrawat
  • Samuel Yik
  • Shirley Chau
  • Stephanie de Wild
  • Tran Uyen Nhi Nguyen
  • Yee Pei Aw Yeong

Major Sponsors

  • CIBC Miracle Day Initiative – In memory of Dr. Karen Kester
  • Dr. Tony Yue
  • RBC Foundation
  • Oceanside Fisheries

2022 Donors and Sponsors

  • Ashley Gillespie
  • Atia Anam
  • Claire Arnold
  • Dave and Marilyn Smith
  • Etleva Bazi
  • Eva Echell
  • Grazia Demontis
  • Heather Maureen Gray
  • I-Chih Chen
  • James Webster
  • Josef Barnes
  • Juliani Kusmanto
  • Kavita Kamat
  • Laila Karwa
  • Marco Cardoso
  • Marilyn Crestohl – In memory of Sam Levy
  • Marna Nelson
  • Mary Yamashita
  • Michael Powell
  • Michelle Miller
  • MLA Hannart
  • Nicola Lewis
  • Pacific Blue Cross Health Foundation – On behalf of Simone Hung
  • Samuel Yik
  • Thais Turner
  • Vasileios Migkos
  • Veo Cassaro
  • William and Deborah Gibson – In honour of Graeme
  • Yana Svergun
  • Yee Pei Aw Yeong
  • Ziyu Xie

Major Sponsors

  • Blair Dwyer
  • CIBC Miracle Day Initiative – In memory of Dr. Karen Kester
  • Dr. Pat Mirenda
  • Dr. Tony Yue
  • Ray & Barbara Kester – In memory of Dr. Karen Kester With thanks to Justin Hui & Faye Hui

2021 Donors and Sponsors

  • Alaknanda Majumdar
  • Alexandra Delange
  • Anonymous – In memory of Dr. Karen Kester
  • Arlaina Waisman
  • Axis Family Resources Ltd.
  • Baljit Sidhu
  • Barbara Rettie
  • Blair McGuffin
  • Brian Cheng Law Corporation – In honour of Vanessa & Brian
  • Brian Mauch
  • Canada China Language and Tourism Culture Bridge Association
  • Canada China Language and Tourism Culture Bridge Association
  • Carol Mirenda – In honour of Patricia Mirenda
  • Chantelle Cephas
  • Christina Tsang
  • Cindy Tam – In memory of Dr. Karen Kester
  • Claire Arnold
  • Constructive Pathways Behaviour Consulting Ltd.
  • Dana West
  • Dave and Marilyn Smith
  • Debbie Kallen
  • Deborah Gibson
  • Dilys Hanna
  • Doremi Happy Mommy Society
  • Dr. Paola Colozzo
  • Elizabeth Too
  • Fay Ferris
  • Gina Dillon
  • Immanuel Starchild
  • Javier Lacroix
  • Jennifer Munch
  • Jennifer Skelton
  • Jessica Sullivan
  • Jodi Yager
  • Joyce Johner – In memory of Dr. Karen Kester
  • Keith Reed
  • Kwok-Hung J Tam – In memory of Dr. Karen Kester
  • Laila Karwa Medical Services Inc.
  • Lara Barmi
  • Linking Autism and Families (LAAF)
  • Marco Cardoso
  • Margie Hibbard
  • Marna Nelson
  • Michael Powell
  • Michelle Lantaigne
  • Ming Itakura
  • Mitsugu Kakazu
  • Nan Zheng
  • Natalia Subrt
  • Nina Pichler
  • Patricia Zimmerman
  • Paul Monk
  • Peter Glennie
  • Rachel Keeler
  • Randall Haime
  • Ray & Barbara Kester – In memory of Dr. Karen Kester
  • Samuel Yik
  • Sandra Stefanovic – In memory of Dr. Karen Kester
  • Sandra Walker
  • Simone Hung
  • Stacy Wallwork
  • Stephanie Young
  • Tiffany King-Campbell
  • Tyler Kelly
  • Valerie Yiu
  • Vladimir Klapman
  • Wendy Waters
  • Yee Pei Aw Yeong

Major Sponsors

  • Catherine Broderick
  • Dr. Kelly Price
  • Dr. Tony Yue
  • Jo DiTommaso – In memory of Dr. Karen Kester
  • Oceanside Fisheries Inc. – Sponsorship of 4th Annual Herring for Autism Fundraiser
  • RBC Foundation
  • Steveston Harbour Authority – Sponsorship of 4th Annual Herring for Autism Fundraiser
  • Tse-Min Chen

2020 Donors and Sponsors

  • Anna Donnelly
  • Anonymous Donation In Honour of Rae Schan
  • Ashley Ramsden-Wood
  • Carol Mirenda in Honour of Pat Mirenda and Jackie Brown
  • Chelsea Werrun
  • Chris Hill – In memory of David Finkelstein
  • Constructive Pathways Behaviour Consulting
  • Dave and Marilyn Smith
  • Deborah Gibson
  • Dr. B Gill Inc.
  • Dr. Joseph Lucyshyn – In memory of Edward G. Carr, Ph.D.
  • Eve Poudrier
  • Helga Marshall
  • Hilary Winston
  • Hunter Family Foundation Fund, held at Vancouver Foundation
  • I-Chih Chen
  • Isabelle Pitkanen
  • Joan Kirkby
  • Ken Johns
  • Linking Autism and Families (LAAF)
  • Lisa Woudzia
  • Lori Woods
  • Louise Broadley
  • Lynn Savoie
  • Marna Nelson
  • Michelle Lantaigne
  • Nina Pichler
  • Peggy Liu
  • Pharid Jaffer
  • Salish Sea Behaviour Consulting – In memory of Valerie Elsharkawi
  • Shannon Muir
  • Yee Pei Aw Yeong

Major Sponsors

  • Allison Nelson
  • Aman Grewal
  • Anne and Garth Stoll – In honour of Christian
  • Barbara Rettie
  • Brent Shirley
  • Calpurnia Band (Finn Wolfhard, Malcolm Craig, Ayla Tesler-Mabe and Jack Anderson)- Proceeds of Calpurnia Merchandise Sale for Charity
  • Chris Macintosh
  • Deborah Pugh
  • Denise Ching
  • Dr. Tony Yue
  • Hisashi Shimamura
  • Jane Vale
  • Janet Kouwenhoven
  • Janice Malic
  • Kevin Tam
  • Kimberley Eggert
  • Laila Karwa Medical Services Inc.
  • Laura Pettry
  • Leader Fishing Ltd – Sponsorship of 3rd Annual Herring for Autism Fundraiser
  • Marco Cardoso
  • Marilyn & Robert Crestohl in memory of Harvey Crestohl
  • Mark Su
  • Mary Ellen Ross & Blair Dwyer
  • Matt & Lorraine Mannix
  • Michael Powell
  • Michelle Baril
  • Oceanside Fisheries Inc. – Sponsorship of 3rd Annual Herring for Autism Fundraiser
  • Pat Harding
  • Salish Sea Behaviour Consulting – In honour of those impacted by autism on Vancouver Island
  • Samuel Yik
  • Steveston Harbour Authority – Sponsorship of 3rd Annual Herring for Autism Fundraiser
  • Su Langdon
  • The Estate of William Walter Glenly Olds
  • Tse-Min Chen
  • Victoria O’Connor
  • Wendy Pellant
  • Wendy Walters

2019 Donors and Sponsors

  • Alison Narod
  • Andrew Lam
  • Bard on the Beach – Donor for “Summer in the City” Bundle, “Songs on the Water” Fundraiser
  • BC Lions Football – Donor for “Sports & Scuba” Bundle, “Songs on the Water” Fundraiser
  • Bethany Becker
  • Betty-Ann & Harley Garreck
  • Bev Kalegaric
  • Birinder Narang
  • Butchart Gardens – Donor for “Vancouver Island Get-Away” Bundle, “Songs on the Water” Fundraiser
  • CAMS Software
  • Carol Mirenda – In honor of Jackie Brown and Dr. Pat Mirenda
  • Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Collaboration in Autism (CIRCA) at UBC – Sponsorship of Autism Videos @ ACT
  • Chelsea Werrun
  • Chris Hill – In memory of David Finkelstein
  • Constructive Pathways Behaviour Consulting Ltd.
  • Dave and Marilyn Smith
  • David Faibish
  • Daylight Films
  • Deborah Gibson
  • Deborah Pugh
  • Dominic Tam
  • Doug Swanson
  • Ella Lee
  • Eva Major
  • Glenn Sorensen
  • Joan Vale
  • Kuenjo Han
  • Laura Pettry
  • Margie Hibbard
  • Marna Nelson
  • Mary-Ann Fulks
  • Michael Pellent
  • Michelle Baril
  • Oceanside Fisheries Inc. – Sponsorship of 2nd Annual Herring for Autism Fundraiser
  • Purely CRM Consulting
  • Rebbeca Ramleb Cacho
  • Ripple Web Design
  • Rona Drewell
  • Salon 14 – Donor for “Summer in the City” Bundle, “Songs on the Water” Fundraiser
  • Samuel Yik
  • Shannon Muir
  • Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa – Donor for “Vancouver Island Get-Away” Bundle, “Songs on the Water” Fundraiser
  • Teresa Blackstone
  • Trail Appliances – Donor for “BC Craft Beer Lovers” Bundle, “Songs on the Water” Fundraiser
  • Vancouver Canadians Baseball – Donor for “Sports & Scuba” Bundle, “Songs on the Water” Fundraiser
  • Vancouver Fairmont Hotel – Donor for “Summer in the City” Bundle, “Songs on the Water” Fundraiser
  • Victoria Symphony Orchestra – Donor for “Vancouver Island Get-Away” Bundle, “Songs on the Water” Fundraiser
  • Water Street Cafe – Donor for “Summer in the City” Bundle, “Songs on the Water” Fundraiser

Major Sponsors

  • Anne and Garth Stoll – in honour of Christian
  • Denise Ching
  • Dr. Pat Mirenda
  • Dr. Tony Yue
  • Dwyer Tax Law – Sponsorship of “Supporting Indigenous Families Affected by Autism through Engagement & Research”
  • International Autism Foundation CANADA
  • Mary Ellen Ross & Blair Dwyer
  • Salish Sea Behaviour Consulting
  • Simon Fraser University – Sponsorship of “Supporting Indigenous Families Affected by Autism through Engagement & Research”
  • Trisura Guarantee Insurance Company

2018 Donors and Sponsors

  • Allison Arai
  • Anonymous – In honour of Mary Ellen Ross
  • Anonymous – In honour of Matthew Pestano
  • Bethany Becker
  • Betty Ann & Harley Garreck
  • Brennan Kovacevich
  • Carol Mirenda – in recognition of Jackie Brown
  • Carol Mirenda – in recognition of Pat Mirenda
  • Chantal Juilfs
  • Chelsea Werrun
  • Chris Hill – In memory of David Finkelstein
  • Christina Tsang
  • Constructive Pathways
  • Dave & Sharan Kunkel
  • Dennis Tal
  • Dot Murray
  • Dr. Joseph Lucyshyn – In memory of Edward G. Carr, Ph.D.
  • Dr. Robin Friedlander
  • Edward Lee
  • Elizabeth Too
  • Eva Major
  • Eve Minuk
  • Gary Jone
  • Heather MacNaughton
  • Helen Taylor – In honour of Declan Taylor
  • Hendrika Koster – In honour of Deborah Pugh
  • Herbert and Susan Stoll
  • Jennifer Benjamin
  • Jennifer Persello
  • Joan Vale
  • John G. Wong
  • John Ross – In memory of Eileen Dwyer
  • Kathy Lowry
  • Katrina Price
  • Kavita Kamat
  • Keeley Cotton
  • Kenneth Cole
  • Lara Therrien Boulos
  • Laurel McKinnon Duruisseau
  • Let’s Chat Services
  • Lilly Wong
  • Linda Leung
  • Linking Autism and Families (LAAF)
  • Lori Woods
  • Louise Broadley
  • Lyle Lexier
  • M.J. Nelson & M.P. Poulin
  • Marcus Linden
  • Mark Su
  • Mary-Ann Fulks
  • Matt & Lorraine Mannix
  • Michael Craig
  • Mike Allen
  • Ming Itakura
  • Mitsugu Kakazu
  • Pathways in ASD and PACE Coaching Project Lab at UBC
  • Patty Zimmerman
  • Peter Slootweg
  • Preetinder Narang & Manpreet Suhi
  • Rebecca Heuser
  • Richard Mirenda – In honour of Pat Mirenda and Jackie Brown
  • Ripple Web Design
  • Roberta Niccoli-Morrison – In honour of Adam Elsharkawi
  • Rona Drewell – In honour of Adam
  • Rosemary Coupe
  • Salish Sea Behaviour Consulting
  • Samuel Yik
  • Shannon Muir
  • Shelby Dawson
  • Shopbrain
  • Stacey Kelly – In honour of June Mrazek
  • Stephanie Porter
  • Valerie Little – In honour of Jemana Elsharkawi & Caitlin Lamonth
  • Valerie Little – In honour of the Rathy/Miller Family
  • Xiao Zhong

Major Sponsors

  • Amir Nowtash
  • Anne and Garth Stoll – in honour of Christian
  • Brent Shirley
  • Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Collaboration in Autism (CIRCA) at UBC – Sponsorship of Setting the Stage for Success: PBS in School, Home and Community
  • Deborah Pugh
  • Dr. Deborah Gibson
  • Dr. Pat Mirenda
  • Dr. Tony Yue
  • Dwyer Tax Law – Sponsorship of Helping Teens Prepare for the REAL Adult World (Sidney) and Social Stories with Carol Gray (Nanaimo)
  • Helen Margaret Ross
  • Jemana Elsharkawi – In Honour of those impacted by autism on Vancouver Island
  • Mary Ellen Ross & Blair Dwyer
  • Oceanside Fisheries Inc. – Sponsorship of Herring for Autism Fundraiser
  • RBC Foundation – Sponsorship of the ACT Bursary Fund
  • Simon Fraser University – Sponsorship of ACT’s 14th Annual Focus on Research: What is Research Telling Us About Girls and Women with ASD?
  • Sisters of Saint Ann
  • Surrey School District – Sponsorship of Introduction to ASD: Practical Applications (Surrey)

2017 Donors and Sponsors

  • Alaknanda Majumdar
  • Anne and Garth Stoll – in honour of Christian
  • Anonymous via United Way of Calgary
  • Anonymous via United Way of Lower Mainland
  • Barbara Rettie
  • BRAVO Inc
  • Brent Shirley
  • Carol Mirenda – In honour of Pat Mirenda and Jackie Brown
  • Catherine Roper
  • Chris Hill
  • Deborah Gibson
  • Deborah Pugh
  • Dennis Tal
  • Dr. Joseph Lucyshyn – In memory of Edward G. Carr, Ph.D.
  • Dr. Kenneth Cole
  • Dr. Robin Friedlander
  • Evans Consulting and BI Agency
  • Heather McNaughton
  • Iraj Akbari
  • Karen Herbert
  • Katrina Price
  • Ken Brown
  • Kimberley Eggert
  • Linda Anne Geary
  • Lori Woods
  • Manpreet Suhi & Preetinder Narang
  • Marna Nelson
  • Mary Ellen Ross and Blair Dwyer
  • Mary-Ann Fulks
  • Maura Majano
  • Neetika Bains
  • Richard Mirenda – In honour of Pat Mirenda and Jackie Brown
  • Shannon Muir
  • Sheila Gabel
  • Tal Paula and Avital Perach Jarus-Hakak
  • Thais Turner
  • Yi-Wen Chen

Major Sponsors

  • Anne McCaw & Michael Rekis
  • Dr. Balbinder Gill
  • Dr. Pat Mirenda
  • Dr. Tony Yue
  • Dwyer Tax Law – Sponsorship for Cutting Edge Strategies to Improve Executive Function Skills (Sidney)
  • Helen and Cyril Ross
  • International Autism Foundation CANADA
  • Purely CRM Consulting Inc.
  • RBC Foundation – Sponsorship of the ACT Bursary Fund
  • Simon Fraser University – Sponsorship of ACT’s 13th Annual Focus on Research: Mental Health – Looking Beyond Autism

2016 Donors and Sponsors

  • Annie Wolverton
  • Anonymous via United Way of Calgary and Area
  • Anonymous via United Way of Calgary and Area (3)
  • Anonymous via United Way of Lower Mainland
  • Anonymous via United Way of Lower Mainland
  • Anonymous via Vancity Community Foundation
  • Charlene Groves via United Way of Fraser Valley
  • Consensus Medial Systems Inc.
  • Deborah Gibson
  • Deborah Pugh
  • Leila Meyer via Vancity Community Foundation
  • Liz McCaffery
  • Matt Mannix via Canada Helps
  • Michael Craig via United Way of Lower Mainland
  • PosAbilities – Sponsorship for 12th Annual Focus on Research Conference
  • Team Telus Cares
  • The Penticton Centre for Exceptional Learning Society

Major Sponsors

  • Pat Mirenda
  • Dwyer Tax Law – Sponsorship for Positive Behaviour Support: What Parents Need to Know!(Sidney)
  • RBC Foundation
  • Simon Fraser University – Sponsorship for 12th Annual Focus on Research Conference
  • Tony Yue via United Way of Lower Mainland

2015 Donors and Sponsors

  • Alfred Cheng
  • Annie Wolverton
  • Anonymous via Team Telus Charitable Giving Program
  • Anonymous via the United Way of Calgary
  • Anonymous via the United Way of Lower Mainland
  • Anonymous via United Way of Calgary
  • Anonymous via United Way of Fraser Valley
  • Charlene Gloves via United Way Fraser Valley
  • Christopher Meyrick
  • Consensus Medial Systems Inc.
  • International Autism Foundation – To support ACT’s Bursary Fund
  • Liz McCaffery
  • Simone Hung
  • Trevor Hughes

Major Sponsors

  • Autism Speaks Canada – South Asian Autism Awareness project
  • Dwyer Tax Law – Sponsorship for Teaching Social Thinking through Stories and Play for Early
  • Learners and Implementing Social Thinking Concepts and Vocabulary into the School and Home (Sidney)
  • NeuroDevNet – To support development of ACT’s Information Database (www.actcommunity.ca/aid)
  • RBC Foundation
  • Tony Yue via United Way of the Lower Mainland

2014 Donors and Sponsors

  • Anonymous – In honour of Patricia Mirenda
  • Anonymous Online (5)
  • Anonymous via Canada Helps
  • Anonymous via Telus Charitable Giving Program
  • Anonymous via United Way of Calgary
  • Anonymous via United Way Ottawa, United Way of Calgary and the United Way of the Lower Mainland
  • Christopher Meyrick
  • Jill Bert
  • Nicole Sapriken & Friends of Autism Ride for Success
  • Tracey Dumoulin
  • Ying Li

Major Sponsors

  • Autism Speaks Canada – Getting the Word Out on Employment for Adults with ASD project
  • BC Association of Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologists (BC-CASLPA) – Sponsorship for Teaching Social Thinking Through Stories and Play (Kelowna)
  • BC Government and Service Employees’ Union – Sponsorship for Teaching Social Thinking Through Stories and Play (Kelowna) Canucks Autism Network – Sponsorship for Ready, Set, Coach (Vancouver)
  • Dwyer Tax Law – Sponsorship for event Navigating Puberty and Adolescence (Sidney)
  • Els for Autism – Sponsorship for Autism Videos @ ACT (AVA)
  • Row4Autism – Sponsorship for Autism Videos @ ACT (AVA)
  • Tony Yue

2013 Donors and Sponsors

  • Amy Severson
  • Anonymous via Canada Helps (2)
  • Anonymous via Canada Helps (3)
  • Anonymous via United Way of Calgary (2)
  • Anonymous via United Way of Calgary (3)
  • Anonymous via United Way of Greater Victoria (2)
  • Anonymous via United Way of Ottawa
  • Anonymous via United Way of the Lower Mainland
  • Deborah Pugh
  • Dr. Lee Tidmarsh
  • Jill Bert
  • Joanne Flowerdew
  • Mackenzie Financial (Ting Ying Zhong)
  • Michael Alvin Reimer
  • Sarah Alvarez
  • Sharon Randhawa
  • Sinneave Family Foundation – Focus on Research 2013
  • Telus Corporation
  • The Coast Capri Hotel
  • The Hydrecs Fund
  • Vivian Walker  – In memory of Richard

Major Sponsors

  • Autism Speaks Canada – Sponsorship for Focus on Research 2013 (Vancouver)
  • Dwyer Tax Law – Sponsorship for Social Thinking Meets RTI and PBS (Sidney)
  • NeuroDevNet – Sponsorship for videotaping of Focus on Research 2013
  • The Edith Lando Charitable Foundation – Sponsorship for the Sibshop Training (Vancouver)
  • Tony Yue

2012 Donors

  • Autism Speaks Canada
  • All those who donated so generously in memory of Anne Brown, mother of Jackie Brown.
  • Arlene Gallagher
  • Romy Chan
  • Saint Margaret of Scotland Anglican Church
  • United Way of Calgary – Donor Choice Program
  • Team Telus Cares
  • Blair Dwyer
  • Dave Singh
  • Mackenzie Financial (on behalf of T. Ying Zhong, a long-time ACT volunteer and Mackenzie Financial employee)
  • The many donors who gave under $100 in 2012.

2011 Donors

  • All those who donated Memorial gifts in honour of Hugo Chan.
  • All those who donated along the way to Cheryl and Leslie’s Triumph Tiger 800XC Adventure to Alaska and to Cheryl and Leslie for making the journey
  • Team Telus Cares
  • The City of Burnaby
  • Project Equal
  • Smart Centres Management
  • Anonymous – In honour of Pat Mirenda and Jackie Brown
  • The many donors who gave under $100 in 2011