Royal Canadian Mounted Police Foundation
Encyclopedia
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police Foundation provides funding to support the voluntary work of Royal Canadian Mounted Police
members who support programs to enhance the lives of Canada’s youth at risk. By midsummer 2011, the RCMP Foundation had provided over $3 million to 670 community groups to help Canada's youth at risk. The RCMP Foundation has a volunteer Board of Directors, a President and CEO and supporting staff in Ottawa
.
Revenue streams include the RCMP image licensing program, revenues from the Foundation’s Mountie Shop retail locations and website sales, and from its Golden Spur Gala fund raising events. Corporate sponsorships and personal donations also play a role in fundraising.
helped the Foundation to establish its licensing program, but Disney never controlled the RCMP’s trademarks.
Following expiration of the Disney contract in 2000, the Foundation`s Executive Director, reporting to its President and Board of Directors, assumed responsibility for licensing. In 2007, RCMP Commissioner Beverly Busson ordered that the operating name should be changed to the RCMP Foundation. In addition, the Foundation supports the Musical Ride Centre in Ottawa by coordinating tours with tourism organizations and individuals.
Licensed products under the scheme include clothing, jewellery, books, toys and games. In 2009 the Sesame Street
line, featuring the Muppet
character Elmo
dressed as a Mountie, was introduced. Products are sold at many Canadian retail stores as well as at the RCMP’s online retail store. In 2007 the RCMP Foundation took over the on-site retail facilities of the RCMP canteens, rebranding five stores as The Mountie Shop; net profits from the sale of licensed products helps fund community-based projects.
In 2011, the foundation launched a second Calgary gala titled The Swing into Spring Auction. At this event, the Golden Spur Youth Leadership Award is presented to a youth "who has shown exceptional leadership in his/her community".
The foundation also holds other events in Ottawa and elsewhere. The Sunset Ceremonies, held each June at the Musical Ride
Centre in Ottawa, showcases a performance by 32 mounted police.
authorized the sale of surplus RCMP horses through the RCMP Foundation. This auction gives buyers the opportunity to purchase trained horses. Surplus horses, including foals, brood mares and former Musical Ride horses, are turned over to the RCMP Foundation for sale. Since 1995 the bi-annual horse auctions have generated enough funds to allow the foundation to provide over $1,000,000 to enhance the breeding program that supplies horses for the RCMP`s iconic Musical Ride.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police , literally ‘Royal Gendarmerie of Canada’; colloquially known as The Mounties, and internally as ‘The Force’) is the national police force of Canada, and one of the most recognized of its kind in the world. It is unique in the world as a national, federal,...
members who support programs to enhance the lives of Canada’s youth at risk. By midsummer 2011, the RCMP Foundation had provided over $3 million to 670 community groups to help Canada's youth at risk. The RCMP Foundation has a volunteer Board of Directors, a President and CEO and supporting staff in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
.
Organizational Overview
The RCMP Foundation (legal name: Mounted Police Foundation), is an independent, arm’s-length, self-funded, registered charitable organization which supports community programs across Canada that benefit from voluntary RCMP involvement. With a minimum of $250,000 donated annually, the RCMP Foundation does not provide funding directly to RCMP detachments or members, nor do they fund core policing functions. RCMP Foundation funding goes directly to youth Canadian community groups..Revenue streams include the RCMP image licensing program, revenues from the Foundation’s Mountie Shop retail locations and website sales, and from its Golden Spur Gala fund raising events. Corporate sponsorships and personal donations also play a role in fundraising.
History
As master licensor for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Foundation manages the commercial use of the RCMP name, image and trademarks. In exchange for royalty payments, the Foundation allows allowing companies to produce and market "official" RCMP merchandise. The Canadian subsidiary of The Walt Disney CompanyThe Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company is the largest media conglomerate in the world in terms of revenue. Founded on October 16, 1923, by Walt and Roy Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, Walt Disney Productions established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into...
helped the Foundation to establish its licensing program, but Disney never controlled the RCMP’s trademarks.
Following expiration of the Disney contract in 2000, the Foundation`s Executive Director, reporting to its President and Board of Directors, assumed responsibility for licensing. In 2007, RCMP Commissioner Beverly Busson ordered that the operating name should be changed to the RCMP Foundation. In addition, the Foundation supports the Musical Ride Centre in Ottawa by coordinating tours with tourism organizations and individuals.
Licensing Program
The Foundation donates the proceeds of royalties from the sale of authorized RCMP merchandise to various community organizations that support youth at risk. Groups may apply for funding under the program in either April or October of each year.Licensed products under the scheme include clothing, jewellery, books, toys and games. In 2009 the Sesame Street
Sesame Street
Sesame Street has undergone significant changes in its history. According to writer Michael Davis, by the mid-1970s the show had become "an American institution". The cast and crew expanded during this time, including the hiring of women in the crew and additional minorities in the cast. The...
line, featuring the Muppet
The Muppets
The Muppets are a group of puppet characters created by Jim Henson starting in 1954–55. Although the term is often used to refer to any puppet that resembles the distinctive style of The Muppet Show, the term is both an informal name and legal trademark owned by the Walt Disney Company in reference...
character Elmo
Elmo
Elmo is a Muppet character on the children's television show Sesame Street. He is a furry red monster and currently hosts the last full 15 minute segment on Sesame Street, Elmo's World, which is aimed at toddlers. His puppeteer, Kevin Clash, uses falsetto to produce his voice...
dressed as a Mountie, was introduced. Products are sold at many Canadian retail stores as well as at the RCMP’s online retail store. In 2007 the RCMP Foundation took over the on-site retail facilities of the RCMP canteens, rebranding five stores as The Mountie Shop; net profits from the sale of licensed products helps fund community-based projects.
Awards of Distinction
The RCMP Foundation took over the management of the RCMP Awards of Distinction Program in February 2011, a program to recognize the service achievements of RCMP employees..Child Identification Kits
The RCMP Foundation partnered with Walmart Canada in 2005 to provide free child identification kits to Canadian families. With over 750,000 kits distributed annually, by 2011 over 3 million kits had been distributed through RCMP detachments, community locations and Walmart big-box stores.Events & Galas
The foundation holds an annual fundraiser in Toronto called the Golden Spur Gala. Between 2006 and 2011 the event has raised over $400,000 for foundation activities. The Golden Spur Award is presented to four RCMP members "who have shown exceptional dedication to their community"..In 2011, the foundation launched a second Calgary gala titled The Swing into Spring Auction. At this event, the Golden Spur Youth Leadership Award is presented to a youth "who has shown exceptional leadership in his/her community".
The foundation also holds other events in Ottawa and elsewhere. The Sunset Ceremonies, held each June at the Musical Ride
Musical Ride
The Musical Ride of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is a formal event showcasing the equestrian skills performed by thirty-two cavalry who are regular members of the force. The event is held in Canada and worldwide to promote the RCMP...
Centre in Ottawa, showcases a performance by 32 mounted police.
RCMP Horse Auction
In 1994, the Canadian Treasury BoardTreasury Board
The Treasury Board is the Government of Canada's only statutory Cabinet committee and is responsible for the federal civil service much of the operation of the Canadian government. Among its specific duties are negotiating labour agreements with the public service unions and serving as Comptroller...
authorized the sale of surplus RCMP horses through the RCMP Foundation. This auction gives buyers the opportunity to purchase trained horses. Surplus horses, including foals, brood mares and former Musical Ride horses, are turned over to the RCMP Foundation for sale. Since 1995 the bi-annual horse auctions have generated enough funds to allow the foundation to provide over $1,000,000 to enhance the breeding program that supplies horses for the RCMP`s iconic Musical Ride.