RCMP Foundation builds bridges through community engagement across Canada
By Alexandra Cotroneo
Human interest
A Mountie Shop plush pup with one of our mini-Mounties!
Image by RCMP Foundation
August 18, 2025
Content
You know that item you've had your eye on at TheMountieShop.ca website? It's more than merchandise - it's a way to give back. All proceeds support the RCMP Foundation, a Canadian registered charity that raises funds for projects and programs that improve the communities the RCMP serves. From youth programs in remote regions to cultural events and grassroots initiatives, the Foundation makes sure every dollar goes toward trust-building, connection and opportunity.
Established in 1994, the RCMP Foundation plays a crucial role in helping the RCMP build bridges with communities across Canada, particularly with youth and in underserved or Indigenous communities.
A mission rooted in youth engagement
The Foundation's core mission is centered on enhancing youth programming, especially for those most at risk. By leveraging licensing partnerships and charitable donations, the RCMP Foundation generates revenue that directly supports grassroots initiatives led by RCMP officers.
“These aren't just one-size-fits-all programs, it is programming that meets the unique needs of local communities,” says Kevin Lawton, Executive Director of the Foundation.
In the month of June, the Foundation sent 15 youth bike helmets to an RCMP detachment hosting a bike safety course. In another initiative, an officer coaching Special Olympics athletes brought merchandise to Milan for the Winter 2025 games, an opportunity made possible through the RCMP Foundation's support.
“Being able to showcase the work of the RCMP abroad and through such an amazing event like the Special Olympics makes it that much more special,” says Lawton.
Connecting through community driven support
Indigenous engagement remains a consistent focus for the Foundation. From sending soccer balls to northern regions to support officers coaching local teams, to helping cover expenses for Elders during special events, the RCMP Foundation is always seeking ways to promote connection.
“These small but meaningful gestures help build trust and familiarity, reinforcing the presence of RCMP as allies and supporters within the community,” says Lawton.
With support from the Foundation, RCMP officers host and participate in community events that encourage youth involvement and cultural pride. The Quebec-based Volleyball fest is one of the ways the Foundation is engaging youth. This Indigenous-focused tournament welcomes over 700 youth athletes.
The Foundation also contributed 2,500 RCMP-branded items to the CHEO Teddy Bear Picnic over the last few years. These are small tokens that carry a big impact. In areas hosting the RCMP Musical Ride, 10 per cent of event proceeds are donated to local initiatives such as arenas, reinforcing long-term community partnerships.
Merchandise with meaning
Beyond events and donations, the Foundation supports community engagement through retail - with a purpose. Over its three decades in operation, the Foundation has raised over $10 million through the sale of branded merchandise, helping to fund more than 1,000 community initiatives across the country. All merchandise ties back to public education. In Montreal, officers transformed an RCMP detachment's cafeteria into a merchandise kiosk, boosting employee morale. The Foundation is now building a case study to help other detachments do the same. The profits from Montreal's kiosk went directly to charity, showing how small retail efforts can have a wide-reaching impact.
Child ID kits, for instance, are distributed free across the country and include a storybook introducing kids to the RCMP. Each item tells a story of pride in an organization that is in many ways a part of the backbone of Canada.
As the RCMP Foundation continues to grow, one principle remains at its core: the more connected RCMP officers are to their communities, the safer and stronger those communities become.
