Our Mission

Building the Future, Informed by the Past

The Vimy Foundation is a leading voice on the First World War in Canada and the home of the collections of the Canadian Centre for the Great War.

The Foundation works to preserve and promote Canada's ongoing legacy of leadership

The First World War victory at Vimy Ridge in April 1917, a milestone where Canada came of age and was recognized on the world stage, acts as a symbol of this rich legacy. Our actions here at the Vimy Foundation are informed by our commitment to three strategic pillars:
Leadership - shaping informed and engaged leaders of tomorrow
Legacy - evolving our connection to our First World War heritage
Longevity - delivering on a commitment to maintaining operational excellence

A brick wall with The Vimy Foundation logo and Centennial Park mounted on it.
A group of students at the Vimy memorial

The Foundation carries out its mission by:

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  1. Spreading awareness through our educational youth programs, both domestic and overseas;
  2. Spreading awareness through innovative digital projects and unique commemorative initiatives;
  3. Spreading awareness through promoting recognition of April 9th as Vimy Day.

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Brief Overview
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‍The Vimy Foundation, a Canadian non-profit established in 2006, is dedicated to preserving and sharing the legacy of Canada's contributions during the First World War, particularly at the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Inspired by the history of Canadian Forces at Vimy Ridge, the Foundation believes that understanding our past is key to building a successful future.

Committed to ensuring that the stories of Canadian leadership and sacrifice are shared with future generations, the Vimy Foundation works with diverse partners on commemorative initiatives and forward-looking educational programs. These projects aim to spread awareness of Canada’s First World War history, inspiring young people across the country to use history as a tool for creating a better tomorrow.

‘The Past is Worthy of our Present’: Vimy 105 to Vimy 110

After three years of reorganization and the 105th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, the Vimy Foundation has developed a strategic planning process to implement a five-year organizational growth strategy with short- and long-term goals leading up to Vimy 110.

Building on our existing strategic pillars of Leadership, Legacy, and Longevity, we have engaged in consultation with partners and stakeholders to understand viewpoints that help us reflect on our purpose, understand scope, and contribute to our collective goals.

We invite you to read the strategic plan that will guide the Foundation's actions over the next five years for building the future, informed by the past.

Vimy 105 to Vimy 110, English version
Vimy 105 à Vimy 110, version française

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On sale
Dogs have been used in war for centuries worldwide. Their duties have ranged from pulling carts, sentries, scouts, messengers, as mascots, rat catchers in the trenches, search and rescue, bomb detectors and first aid dogs. Countless stories of incredible heroic acts performed by these animals have been told throughout the First World War and beyond. Dogs continue to be put to work in military service to this day as their role expands to include service animals for veterans. The Vimy Foundation partnered with Dog Hair INCluded (Montreal) to design these quality and durable bandanas featuring our Vimy Plaid. Honor those four-legged friends who also helped shape our history with this rugged and stylish pet bandana.

Vimy Foundation Pet Bandana

$ 22.00 

$ 22.00 

On sale
Walter S. Allward: Life & Work chronicles the artist’s life from his formative years in Toronto working for the architectural firm Gibson and Simpson to his success as a leading sculptor. The book explores Allward’s early works, including the South African War Memorial in Toronto (1904–11), the Baldwin-Lafontaine Monument on Parliament Hill in Ottawa (1908–14), the Bell Memorial, commemorating Alexander Graham Bell’s invention of the telephone in Brantford (1909–17), and the Stratford War Memorial (1919–22), before discussing how the artist turned his talents toward the Vimy Memorial, an icon of Canadian sacrifice and a legacy for future generations. About the author Philip Dombowsky is an Archivist at the National Gallery of Canada. He holds an MA (Art History, Concordia) and a Master of Library and Information Studies (McGill). Dombowsky has curated numerous exhibitions for the NGC Library and Archives, most notably in the area of book design and illustration. He is the author of Index to the National Gallery of Canada’s Exhibition Catalogues and Checklists 1880–1930, which won the Melva J. Dwyer Award in 2008.

*NEW* Walter S. Allward Life & Work

$ 30.00 

$ 30.00 

On sale
Introducing The Vimy Foundation's NEW Cotton Tartan Socks! We partnered with Friday Sock Co, a Calgary based business, to create custom socks using the Vimy divisional stripes. Proudly Canadian designed and made with love. These socks are perfect for every occasion, from office wear to conquering the great outdoors. Purchase a pair today and continue to support our mission!

Vimy Foundation Cotton Tartan Socks

$ 18.00 

$ 18.00 

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