About the Diewert Foundation
About the Diewert Foundation
Foundation Overview
The Gordon L. Diewert Foundation is a registered Canadian charity (BN: 88446 1328 RR0001) established to honour the life and values of Dr. Gordon L. Diewert — a gifted scholar, dedicated educator, and passionate community builder.
Today, the Foundation carries forward his legacy by addressing urgent social needs with integrity, innovation, and compassion. Our primary focus is ending food insecurity among post‑secondary students through dignified, scalable solutions like the Cocendo initiative — transforming everyday commerce into reliable grocery support for students who need it most.
Investing in Future Leaders
For more than 40 years, the Foundation has supported students through the Gordon L. Diewert Scholarship at Simon Fraser University (SFU), awarded annually to undergraduates in the Faculty of Health Sciences (formerly Kinesiology).
We also steward endowment funds and entrance awards that recognize academic excellence, leadership, and community service — ensuring Gordon’s belief in education as a force for good continues to shape future changemakers.
Details on eligibility and nomination processes are available through SFU Student Services.
How It Works
Innovative and Sustainable Funding Models
The Foundation uses a hybrid model that blends traditional philanthropy with modern commerce:
Charitable Donations
• 90% of every donated dollar goes directly to student grocery support.
• 10% supports essential charitable operations — including compliance, accounting, and governance.
Cocendo Partnerships
Participating merchants contribute $1.50 per eligible transaction:
• $1.00 funds student groceries through the Foundation
• $0.50 sustains Cocendo’s technology, merchant network, and platform operations
Endowment Income
Long‑term investments generate ongoing support for scholarships and student‑focused programs.
All charitable assets are held and governed exclusively by the Foundation, ensuring full CRA compliance, transparency, and mission integrity.
Campaigns
Focused Initiatives With Measurable Impact
At the heart of our strategy are targeted campaigns that mobilize communities, campuses, and businesses around shared goals:
Campus Hunger Relief
Partnering with colleges and universities to distribute private digital grocery cards to verified students — ensuring dignity, privacy, and choice.
Merchant for Meals
Enrolling local and online businesses to turn everyday customer visits into reliable grocery support for students.
Legacy Giving
Encouraging donors to include the Foundation in wills or estate plans — sustaining impact for generations to come.
Each campaign is designed for transparency, scalability, and dignity — because lasting change begins with respect.
About Dr. Diewert
GORDON L. DIEWERT
About Dr. Gordon L. Diewert
Dr. Gordon L. Diewert was a gifted scholar, educator, and community builder whose life and values continue to inspire the Foundation’s mission. His legacy lives on through scholarships, community impact, and the work of the Foundation.
Learn more →
About Susan Diewert Kwong
SUSAN DIEWERT KWONG’S STORY
“Gordon meant the world to me. His passion for the people around him—and his pursuit of excellence in all aspects of his own life and the lives of others in the communities he touched—was an inspiration to all who knew him. I miss him every day.”
Susan Diewert Kwong founded the Gordon L. Diewert Foundation to ensure his values—intellectual curiosity, integrity, and care for others—would continue to serve society.
“Although I cannot carry on with Gord’s diverse areas of work, I can carry forward his social and community concerns—with the same dedication and commitment that he demonstrated during his life.”
Today, she remains deeply involved in guiding the Foundation’s mission. She welcomes inquiries from individuals, institutions, and partners who share a commitment to compassionate, evidence‑based action.