Gordon Hoffman, CM, KC, MEd'71, Hon.LLD'24

Gordon Hoffman’s life has been one of extraordinary accomplishment. This is not because of accolades or titles, but because of the deep and lasting imprint he has made on the lives of others. 

For more than four decades, Hoffman, CM, KC, MEd’71, Hon. LLD’24, has been a cornerstone of Calgary’s philanthropic and volunteer community. His name is synonymous with service, and his list of achievements is as inspiring as it is extensive. He has chaired, co-chaired or served on the boards of nearly 100 charitable organizations, dedicating his life to building initiatives that address real community needs and rallying others to join him in making a difference. 

He is the founder of four Alberta-based charitable non-profits: Project Warmth, Operation Kickstart, the Alberta Champions Society and the Gordon Hoffman Charity Golf Classic — each one a testament to his vision, tenacity and compassion. 

Hoffman’s first major charitable initiative, Project Warmth, began in 1996 with a simple, but powerful mission: to keep Calgarians in need warm through the harsh winter months. Since then, the organization has provided more than 60,000 items of warm clothing annually to more than 20,000 people, while also raising funds to support local families. Project Warmth also hosts an annual A Christmas Carol night at Theatre Calgary, offering deserving families an evening of joy and community. It’s an event that has now welcomed more than 10,000 children and their families. 

Also in 1996, Hoffman launched Operation Kickstart, designed to support individuals facing barriers to employment, whether due to age, disability, lack of education or other systemic challenges. The program has helped countless Albertans find pathways to employment and greater independence. 

In 2003, Hoffman embarked on one of his most enduring legacies, the Alberta Champions Society in Recognition of Community Enrichment. His vision was to commemorate the extraordinary contributions of Albertans whose achievements, while significant, were often under-recognized. Through this work, the Society has created seven “Fields of Fame,” each featuring beautifully crafted monuments honouring more than 40 exceptional Albertans. These tributes, placed in public spaces across Calgary, recognize figures ranging from Indigenous leaders and groundbreaking physicians to cultural icons and political innovators. Among them are Dr. Clara Christie Might, MD, Calgary’s first female obstetrician; Joan Snyder, Hon. LLD’11, CM, a visionary philanthropist and the Grandmother of Canadian Women’s Hockey; and Tatanga Mani (Chief Walking Buffalo), a Stoney-Nakoda leader who was present at the signing of Treaty 7 in 1877. 

Hoffman’s Charity Golf Classic is another standout example of his ability to combine community spirit with tangible impact. Since its inception, the tournament has raised more than $1 million to support children with learning disabilities, funding educational programs and resources that make a lasting difference in young lives. 

While his charitable work is widely celebrated, Hoffman’s commitment to education is equally remarkable. A graduate of the Werklund School of Education, he later earned a law degree at the University of Alberta and became a founding partner of Hoffman Dorchik LLP, a successful legal practice that has employed dozens of Albertans and mentored many young lawyers. 

In 2024, at the 50-year reunion of the law Class of 1974 at UAlberta, Hoffman learned that a bursary his class created, intended to assist law students with financial need, had not grown significantly in years, even as tuition for the program had risen from $350 when Hoffman entered law school to nearly $20,000, making financial support more critical than ever. Asked to help, Hoffman went far beyond expectations. He began calling and reconnecting with classmates, one by one, determined to make a difference.  

“Once I started, I ended up contacting the entire class of 156,” he recalls. “I kept calling, following up and sometimes hassling them — all in good fun — to get them on board.”  

His efforts paid off: to date, Hoffman has raised more than $100,000 for the bursary. And he’s not done yet. He continues to work closely with UAlberta’s Faculty of Law and bursary committee to grow the fund “by leaps and bounds” in the coming years. 

And, while others might begin winding down at his stage of life, Hoffman has only deepened his commitment to giving back. Hoffman’s impact is felt not only in the causes he champions, but in the way he brings people together. His initiatives have united Indigenous Elders, community leaders, political figures, faith groups and everyday citizens, all working toward shared goals.  

His generosity of spirit bridges cultural divides and inspires collective action. Even during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hoffman ensured that all of his charitable programs continued without interruption and, in many cases, emerged even stronger. Sustainability, long-term impact and meaningful change are the hallmarks of his approach. 

Alongside his professional and charitable commitments, Hoffman is a man of varied interests and deep personal accomplishment. He holds a black belt and second-degree dan in Korean martial arts and is the author of several mystery novels. He seems, in every sense, to live fully — and generously. Most importantly, with his wife, Eva, he has raised a family that shares his values of kindness, service and commitment to making the world better. 

His work has earned him a long list of honours, most notably his 2019 appointment to the Order of Canada. Then-Mayor Naheed Nenshi described him as “a true steward of kindness and volunteerism.” Other distinctions include the Generosity of Spirit Award for Lifetime Philanthropy (2021), the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award (2014), the Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012), the City of Calgary Citizen of the Year Co-Honoree Award (2010), and many more. 

But Hoffman has never sought recognition. To him, these honours are reminders of what’s possible when a community rallies together.  

It’s no exaggeration to say that hundreds of thousands of Albertans have been touched by Hoffman’s efforts, whether through a warm winter coat, a new job opportunity, a scholarship, a public monument or simply the encouragement to believe in their own potential. 

“We’re blessed if we’re able to help other people,” says Hoffman. “That’s what we’re here for.” 

That philosophy, lived out day after day for more than 51 years, has made Gordon Hoffman a leader, a builder and a legacy-maker.