October 17, 2019, Victoria, BC, Canada – The David Foster Foundation is proud to announce Walter & Maria Schneider, as its newest Life Legacy Members. This recognition of a Life Legacy Member acknowledges the generous donors that have committed over $1 million to the Foundation.
Walter is the President and Co-Founder of RE/MAX INTEGRA Group of Companies and the Foundation is honoured that he has served as a Board member since 2014. Today, Walter and his business partner own and operate the RE/MAX brand in 40 countries worldwide, with over 3,100 operating offices and an agent count of more than 43,000, which equates to nearly 1/3 of the entire RE/MAX network. Last year, their agents were able to sell a property every 64 seconds.
In addition, he has been named CEO of the year by the Financial Post, received the Queens Diamond Jubilee Award for his work with the Canadian Forces, and most recently the T. Wilson Award from his alma mater, University of Toronto, which recognizes outstanding achievement by alumni in business and charitable work.
“I am very honoured for Walter and Maria’s continued commitment to giving back and always looking for opportunities to help others,” said David Foster. “The generous support directly assists families as they go through the darkest time of their lives. For this, I am eternally grateful.”
Walter also plays a very active role in the community, sitting on three diverse boards, including The David Foster Foundation where he serves as Business Development & Corporate Relations. During the 30th Anniversary Miracle Gala & Concert of the David Foster Foundation in October 2017, he received the prestigious National Business Leader of the Year Award. “It’s not every day you meet someone like Walter Schneider,” says Michael Ravenhill, CEO of the David Foster Foundation. “Walter is more than a national business leader. He’s a global influencer who never forgets his roots – where he came from and the people who helped him get where he is today.” In 2016, Walter was appointed Honorary Consul General for Austria in Toronto.
Walter and Maria have been married for over 30 years and reside in Toronto, Ontario. They have three children, Shelby, Conrad, and Simon, and recently welcomed their first grandchild. The Schneider family enjoys their summers together at the family lake house in Muskoka, Ontario.
The Schneider family’s generosity and giving philosophy has led The Schneider Family Foundation to support a variety of worthy charities across Canada. “What the Foundation does every day resonates with Maria and me,” said Walter Schneider, President and Co-founder, RE/MAX INTEGRA Group of Companies. “We know that what they do every day makes an impactful change in these children and family’s lives.”
“We are very thankful for Walter and Maria’s support and commitment, from sharing his time on our board and also reaching this extraordinary financial commitment,” says Michael Ravenhill, CEO of the David Foster Foundation. “The David Foster Foundation would not be where it is today without the support of our Life Legacy Members.”
About the David Foster Foundation
Launched in 1986 by famed Canadian David Foster, The David Foster Foundation provides financial assistance to families of children for all non-medical expenses while their child is going through the major organ transplant process. Thanks to its annual fundraising efforts and the generous support of its Life Legacy Members, national partners, and donors, families receive financial support for day-to-day expenses such as mortgage/rent, car payments, travel expenses, utilities, groceries and more while their child is going through the major organ transplant process. David Foster, O.C., O.B.C., LL.D. has the prestigious honour to be a recipient of the Order of Canada, the Officer of the Order of Canada, and the Order of British Columbia. David is well-known within in the entertainment industry as a 50-time nominee and 16-time Grammy Award winner, three-time Oscar nominee, Golden Globe winner, seven-time Juno Award winner, Emmy Award winner and has the distinguished honour to have his star on both the Canadian and Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The success of the David Foster Foundation would not be possible without the generous support of Life Legacy Members including the GAIN Group, Jim Pattison, TELUS, The Slaight Family Foundation, Parq Vancouver, Jim & Sandi Treliving, Walter & Maria Schneider, and the Newton Glassman Foundation in Partnership with the Catalyst Capital Group. The Foundation is also supported by national partners WestJet, Aird & Berlis LLP, Honda Canada Foundation, Schnitzer Steel and OUTFRONT Media, and community partners Boston Pizza, Oak Bay Beach Hotel, Tom Lee Music and RBC Wealth Management Dominion Securities.
For those who wish to have a deeper involvement with the organization, there are a number of ways to contribute including the donation of RBC Rewards and Aeroplan miles, all of which will directly help families going through the organ transplant process. The Foundation also promotes organ donor awareness and registration in both Canada and the United States. For more information, visit www.davidfosterfoundation.com.
Bravo Walter & Maria on being Life Legacy Members! Helping make Canadian communities happier and healthier! Proud of all you do!