The Hamber Foundation was established in 1964 with a gift of $1 million from Aldyen Irene Hamber, in memory of her husband, to continue his interests in the enrichment of the lives of the people of British Columbia, and to ensure that his civic, philanthropic and charitable initiatives would last into the future.

On October 3, 1988, Aldyen Hamber died at her Shaughnessy home at the age of 103. After providing for a large number of charities under her Will, she bequeathed the residue of her estate to The Hamber Foundation.

For six years, Mrs. Hamber was the sole governor of the Foundation and personally guided the distribution of grants. In 1971, at the request of Mrs. Hamber, a volunteer board of governors assumed management and allocation of the Foundation’s assets. Currently there are nine governors, eight of whom are nominees of other bodies; two of the Board of Governors of The University of British Columbia; two from the Doctor’s of British Columbia; two from the Chartered Professional Accountants of BC,  and two of the Benchers of the Law Society of British Columbia.

Over the years, such distinguished members of the Board of Governors as Kenneth Bagshaw, Q.C.; Paul S.O. Barbeau, R. Paul Beckmann, Q.C.; Dr. Daniel R. Birch, Darrell T. Braidwood, Q.C.; Dr. Douglas Clement, Leslie Cliff, The Honourable J.V. Clyne, C.C.; Dr. Marshall Dahl, Dr. Lynn Doyle, Dr. David Farrar, Mr. Mark Killas, Dr. Walter F. Gage, John Gjervan, CPA, C.A.; Raghwa Gopal, Jacqueline Gorton, CPA, Dr. Nasir Jetha, Mr. Todd L. Kerr; Thomas E. Ladner, Q.C.; John L. Leathley, Q.C.; Gerald J. Lecovin, Q.C.; Dr. J.F. McCreary, G.W. MacLaren, Robert H. McMurray, F.C.A.; Kenneth W. Mahon, F.C.A.; Tony W. Martin, CPA, CA.;  Bruce Milley, F.C.A; Mr. Roland Mitchell, CPA, C.A.; The Honourable Madam Justice Mary V. Newbury, Dr. Heidi Oetter, Janet Pau C.F.A.; Dr. Simon Rabkin, MD; Dr. Pam Ratner, Emily Reid, Q.C.; Dr. F.N. Rigby, Dr. Angela Redish, Bryce Rositch, Dr. Mark Schonfeld, Nancy Self, C.F.A.; Dr. Jeffrey Simons, Bill Slater, Tricia Smith, Sandra Stevenson, Dr. John Turner, and Dr. W. Robert Wyman have volunteered their time, expertise and enthusiasm in carrying out the aims and goals of the Foundation.

Present Governors
Mr. Greg Allen (President)
Ms. Mary Gilzean

Dr. Karen Gelmon
Dr. Arig al Shaibah
Ms. Samantha Chang
Mr. Jon McKinney, CPA, CA
Dr. Colin Siu, MD
Mr. Matthew Tan
Mr. Bryce Davis, CPA, CA