The Tenaquip Foundation: A Legacy of Giving, A Future of Hope

One man’s decision to give back is now helping give hope to thousands.

When Kenneth “Ken” Reed started selling industrial products out of his basement in 1968, few could have predicted the lasting impact his work and values would have on communities across Canada decades later.

Ken, who grew up in Verdun, Q.C., left school at 14 to help support his family, and believed in working hard, staying humble, and helping others.

“Ken was kind and generous,” recalls his son-in-law, Michael Fitzgerald. “He was deliberate and saw things from other people’s point of view. He ran a company with 250 employees at the time and still made a point to say hello to each one every morning.”

That same warmth and compassion led Ken to make a lifechanging decision before he passed from ALS in 2006: he ensured that his company, Tenaquip Limited, create a private foundation that would give back to communities in need – year after year.

Nearly 20 years later, the Tenaquip Foundation, under the leadership of executive director Michael Fitzgerald and the Reed family, gives approximately $5 million annually to more than 100 charities. Since its founding, the foundation has given away over $50 million, supporting causes close to their hearts – particularly those addressing homelessness, poverty, hunger, and mental health.

One of the Tenaquip Foundation’s longstanding partnerships has been with The Salvation Army. To date, the foundation has provided over $1.1 million in financial support and hands-on volunteering to help transform lives in Quebec.

“Our connection to The Salvation Army fits into what we are doing,” Michael explains. “While we support some medical research, humanitarian causes are at the heart of our mission. That means helping people who are suffering daily.”

Over the years, Tenaquip’s generosity has supported a wide range of Salvation Army programs: from rebuilding a community kitchen in Saint-Laurent and replacing beds and furniture at a men’s shelter in Montreal, to donating a refrigerated food truck, and providing $80,000 worth of Christmas hampers for families in need, ensuring hundreds of children had food on the table and gifts under the tree.

But their support goes far beyond financial contribution – it’s about presence, participation, and people.

“Our employees care deeply,” says Michael. “They’ve asked if they can be involved in the foundation, so we look for opportunities, like we have with The Salvation Army, for them to get involved and come and give a helping hand.”

That spirit of generosity and action is carried forward by Ken’s children, his widow Shirley, and extended family – a testament to the strength of one man’s values and the power of giving. The legacy continues, not only through the work the foundation does but through the ripple effect of compassion it spreads among families, colleagues, and communities. That belief is also why they continue to support The Salvation Army.

“With The Salvation Army, we know it’s a large organization, it’s well run, and they’ve figured out how to help people,” says Michael. “So even if we don’t see that smile [on a client’s face] in person, someone at The Salvation Army has seen that smile. We can’t be everywhere and do everything, so we take an organization like The Salvation Army and put our trust behind them.”

This deep level of confidence has made the relationship between the Tenaquip Foundation and The Salvation Army a model of partnership – one built on shared values, mutual respect, and a common purpose: to bring hope where it is needed most.

When asked what keeps the foundation committed to this partnership after nearly two decades, Michael answers simply: “We believe in The Salvation Army, that they can do good. And we give them money so they can continue doing good.”

In a world that often feels overwhelming, the Tenaquip Foundation offers a reminder that generosity, when rooted in belief and guided by purpose, can create lasting change. Through their partnership with The Salvation Army, they are not only honouring Ken Reed’s legacy, they are ensuring his belief in compassion and community lives on in every meal served, every shelter bed provided, and every life changed.

To learn more about how you can support The Salvation Army or become involved like the Tenaquip Foundation, visit salvationarmy.ca.