The gift was announced on June 22, 2022. Pictured from left to right: Sarah Murphy, board chair Hamilton Community Foundation, Paul Paletta, Michael Paletta, and Cheryl Jensen, vice-chair Hamilton Community Foundation. Photo credit: CNW Group/Hamilton Community Foundation
Last week, local philanthropists from the Paletta family announced a $50 million financial commitment to the Hamilton Community Foundation.
The gift establishes the Pasquale and Anita Paletta Family Fund with a $25 million donation and a $25 million legacy pledge. When fully realized, it will represent the single largest charitable contribution in the organization’s near seven-decade history.
“The Hamilton-Burlington area has been integral to our family, giving three generations the opportunity to learn, work and be successful,” said family spokesperson and president at Penta Properties Paul Paletta.
“Our parents met and raised their four boys who have raised their own families and still live here. Our dad started his business in this area, which has now been passed on to the next generation, where it is still headquartered. This fund is a great way for us to continue to give back to the communities that have given us so much.”
Over the decades, the Paletta family – led by late patriarch Pasquale “Pat” Paletta, who died in 2019 – has donated millions to a variety of local charities and initiatives.
In 2016, the family launched the Pasquale and Anita Paletta Family Match Challenge in support of the redevelopment and expansion of Burlington’s Joseph Brant Hospital, matching all donations up to $5 million.
According to Paul Paletta, the family decided on the Hamilton Community Foundation to make its historic contribution for a number of reasons.
“It’s local, it was highly recommended for its exceptional reputation, and we really enjoy working with its team of community-driven people,” said Paletta.
“Giving is important for us all to do. We all needed some help to get where we are today. It doesn’t matter how much or how little, what’s most important is that you give. Not only will you achieve what you hope to, you’re probably going to do a lot more than you thought. We hope that this commitment will inspire others to give back as well.”
Three of the fund’s first grants were revealed last week as part of the family’s announcement, reflecting the Palettas’ gratitude for the health care their father received as he aged.
- $250,000 to the Halton Healthcare Foundation to support kidney-related programs.
- $250,000 to Hamilton Health Sciences for cardio-vascular programs.
- $100,000 to the Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation’s “More than a Business” campaign.
A previous $500,000 grant made to support Hamilton Community Foundation’s pandemic response brings the impact of the Pasquale and Anita Paletta Family Fund to $1.1 million to date.
Patriarch Pat Paletta emigrated from southern Italy to Canada in 1949 at the age of 18, settling in Hamilton in 1951. After working at several local meat shops, the Italian emigree purchased his first animal and, according to his obituary, “this was the beginning of the empire.”
By the 1980s, Pat had built both the largest private meat packing business in Eastern Canada and the largest feedlot in Ontario.
Pat started investing in real estate in 1967, owning lands across Ontario and by the time of his death becoming the largest land holder and developer in the Region of Halton and City of Hamilton combined.
