TELUS Friendly Future Foundation Gala raises record $3M to transform lives of underserved youth across Canada with Lionel Richie headlining event
The funds raised will fuel the
Presented by TELUS, the gala brought together hundreds of leaders from
The evening builds on the recent announcement of TELUS President and Chief Executive Officer
"When we bring together passionate supporters, business leaders, philanthropists and community partners who are all dedicated to empowering young Canadians to reach their full potential, we are investing in the innovators and changemakers of tomorrow," said
"Our third annual gala united Canadians from coast to coast who believe in the power of investing in youth," said
"Canadians came together to raise a record amount for youth at a time when affordability, mental health and educational barriers are making it harder than ever for young people to succeed," said
Building on the success of the first two galas, this year's third annual event brings the three-year total to over
Since 2000, TELUS and its team members have contributed more than
The Foundation extends sincere gratitude to presenting sponsor TELUS, and all donors, sponsors and partners who made this remarkable event possible, including:
- Luminary Sponsor: Darren &
Fiona Entwistle - Trailblazer Sponsor:
RBC Capital Markets - Innovator Sponsors: AECON,
Asurion , Amazon, BGIS, CIBC,Garofalo Family Foundation ,Google Cloud ,Ledcor ,National Bank , Samsung, The&Partnership,TD Securities , WestJet - Activation sponsors:
AFL , Amdocs,BMO Capital Markets
Every young person deserves the chance to reach their full potential. To support the
A sustainable legacy through TELUS Shares
Following the
Acquisition of TELUS Shares
Caution regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains statements about future events and plans that are forward-looking, including statements relating to the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation's intention to purchase TELUS shares and to use dividends from the TELUS shares as a source of funding for bursaries. These forward-looking statements are made based on a number of assumptions about the availability of TELUS shares for purchase, the trading price of those shares at the time of purchase, and the expectations regarding dividends that the TELUS board of directors may declare in the future. Decisions regarding dividends on TELUS shares are made by the TELUS board of directors, based on the Board's assessment of a number of factors on a quarterly basis, including TELUS' financial situation and outlook. These are subject to risks described in detail in TELUS' 2025 annual Management's discussion and analysis (MD&A) and first quarter 2026 MD&A, which are incorporated by reference herein, and in other TELUS public disclosure documents and filings with securities commissions in Canada (on SEDAR+ at sedarplus.ca) and in the United States (on EDGAR at sec.gov). Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as there is significant risk that actual results may vary materially. These statements are made pursuant to the "safe harbour" provisions of applicable securities laws in Canada and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Except as required by law, TELUS disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements.
About the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation
The TELUS Friendly Future Foundation is driven by the conviction that every young person deserves the chance to reach their full potential.
As a Canadian registered charity and part of a larger global movement, we're turning that belief into action. Since 2005, the Foundation and TELUS Community Boards have contributed $150 million in funding to over 11,000 charitable initiatives in Canada and around the world, helping to make the future friendly for millions of youth. In Canada, we have provided $140M in grants, and since launch of the TELUS Student Bursary program in 2023, we have also awarded 2,000 bursaries and counting, worth over $6 million, to deserving students nationwide, helping to ensure that every young person in Canada who wants a post-secondary education will get one.
Every year, we empower underserved youth, helping them build the skills, confidence, and lasting sense of belonging they need to thrive by funding over 500 grassroots charities and awarding over 500 bursaries. In 2025 alone, our Canadian impact exceeded $10 million in grants and TELUS Student Bursaries, directly supporting critical youth-focused health and education programs and empowering the next generation of changemakers to pursue their post-secondary dreams.
For more information on the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation, please visit friendlyfuture.com or follow @FriendlyFutureFoundation on Instagram and LinkedIn.
About TELUS
TELUS (TSX: T, NYSE: TU) is a world-leading communications technology company operating in more than 45 countries and generating over $20 billion in annual revenue with more than 17 million customer connections through our advanced suite of broadband services for consumers, businesses and the public sector. We are committed to leveraging our technology to enable remarkable human outcomes. TELUS is passionate about putting our customers and communities first, leading the way globally in client service excellence and social capitalism. TELUS Health is enhancing approximately 170 million lives across 200 countries and territories through innovative preventive medicine and well-being technologies. TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods utilizes digital technologies and data insights to optimize the connection between producers and consumers. TELUS Digital specializes in digital customer experiences and future-focused digital transformations that deliver value for their global clients. Guided by our enduring 'give where we live' philosophy, TELUS continues to invest in initiatives that support education, health and community well-being. In 2023, we launched the TELUS Student Bursary, which strives to ensure that every young person in Canada who wants a postsecondary education has the opportunity to pursue one. To date, the program has distributed over $6 million in bursaries to 2,000 students and counting. Since 2000, TELUS, our team members and retirees have contributed $1.85 billion in cash, in-kind contributions, time and programs, including 2.5 million days of service--earning TELUS the distinction of the world's most giving company.
For more information, visit telus.com or follow @Darren_Entwistle on Instagram.
For more information, please contact:
Camille Grenier
TELUS Media Relations
camille.grenier@telus.com
SOURCE TELUS Communications Inc.