It is our honour to award the 2018 Pendle Award for Philanthropy to Chief Emmanuel Mbulu, business leader, philanthropist and community builder.
The Community Foundation of Mississauga owes much of its success to those who helped to steer it through its formative years. As a young organization, there was much to be done. To ensure that our organization could fulfill its mission, we needed to raise critical dollars. As well, the Foundation needed to know that when decisions needed to be made, the infrastructure was in place to guide us.
Chief Mbulu served the Community Foundation of Mississauga during asignificant period in our Foundation’s history. He joined our Board as a Director in 2005 and remained on the Board for seven years. His voluntarism with the Foundation in the early years contributed steady leadership and a strong voice. During Chief Mbulu’s time on the Board of Directors, a focus on relationship building with our professional advisor community translated into growth and support from our community.
Chief Mbulu believes in the philanthropy and the power it has to transform communities. His family created the Mbulu Family Fund at the Community Foundation of Mississauga, which benefits Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario each year. This leadership led the way for many other families discovering their own charitable path. Many new endowment funds were established during this time and they continue to be an important source of funding to charities across our community.
The Mbulu family is well known for their philanthropy through the Chief Mbulu Family Foundation, which they established in 2004. Many acts of kindness preceded and followed this milestone.
Chief Mbulu has long prized education, having received a scholarship that helped him complete his high school years. Attending York University, he worked part time jobs to fund his education. Here he met his wife, Annia, and graduated with a BA with honours. He went on to complete an MBA and MPA. Ultimately, his talent and training led to Chief Mbulu’s success in business as an entrepreneur - he is the President and CEO of Tone-A-Matic International Inc.
For Chief Mbulu and his family, philanthropy comes naturally. “I know that God’s purpose for me is to give back and help those in need” said Chief Mbulu. They support the Chief Emmanuel Mbulu Family Award at York University, a scholarship that helps needy and community oriented students of Nigerian descent to complete their education. Abroad, the impact that the Mbulu Family Foundation has made is quite extraordinary. They have made Delta State, Nigeria, the focus of much of their philanthropy including building schools and student dormitories, supporting youth in fulfilling their post-secondary academic dreams, civic buildings such as community centres and police stations.
While Chief Mbulu has received accolades, awards and has a Mississauga street named in his honour, the desire to do good is what propels the family’s philanthropy. According to Chief Mbulu, “I believe the more you give, the more you receive. Having financial success without sharing is very empty. Making a difference and helping others is just part of my DNA.”
We are so fortunate to have the friendship and support of Chief Mbulu and his volunteer involvement through our formative years. He shared his business expertise with us and we know that this was significant in forming the Foundation we know today.
For sharing his time, talent and treasure, we are so delighted to award Chief Emmanuel Mbulu with the 2018 Pendle Award for Philanthropy.
