THE OFFER

The  Vidar Foundation is a Canadian non-profit charitable organization,  registered since 2001. Its mission is to enable values-aligned  investments that foster a more humane and balanced economic system—one  that supports the well-being of individuals and communities.
 

With more than $2.6 million invested, the Foundation’s primary focus is  lending to Waldorf schools across Canada, helping more children grow  into independent, creative thinkers capable of meeting the future with  clarity and compassion.

Grounded in an anthroposophical understanding of economics, Vidar  promotes social responsibility, long-term sustainability, and human  development over short-term financial returns. Every loan is approached  with care and integrity, and Vidar maintains a direct, personal  relationship with each borrower. Lending decisions are made through the  board and are guided by the belief that the strength of the community is  the true foundation of success.
 

As a financial intermediary, Vidar:

• Aggregates investments from values-aligned individuals
• Manages investor relations, administration, and repayment
• Lends funds to schools while supporting their success throughout the term
   

All Vidar investments are secured by real property, but the Foundation  sees its true collateral as the commitment of the school community.  Vidar lends only when there is a strong local investment—typically  demonstrated through a successful fundraising or bond campaign—ensuring  that parents, families, and faculty are aligned in vision and support.
 

To learn more, please visit: vidarfoundation.org

Investor Repayment (Redeem-ability): ere is demonstrated financial commitment from the school community.  Once that commitment is evident—through fundraising, bond campaigns, or  other efforts—The Vidar Foundation steps in to provide the financing and the financial  structure needed to help the school succeed.
 

Key Advantages of Working with Vidar:

• Arms-Length & Simple: Vidar  serves as a trusted, third-party intermediary—managing investments on  behalf of the school and its supporters with transparency and  professionalism.
   
• Efficient: As  a single, accountable lending partner, The Vidar Foundation provides the full mortgage  amount the school requires, eliminating the complexity of multiple  agreements. They have a dedicated administrative infrastructure already  in place to:
   
  • Receive investments
  • Administer loans
  • Manage investor communications and interest payments
     
• Secured: Vidar holds the mortgage in first position against the school’s property, providing clear security for investors.
   
• Investor Repayment (Redeemability):  Investors are repaid at the end of the agreed term, in accordance with their individual investor agreements.
   
• Reduced Operational Burden for Trillium: Partnering with Vidar allows the Trillium Waldorf School to avoid managing  numerous individual loan agreements, reducing legal, accounting, and  administrative costs.
   
• Philosophical Alignment: The Vidar Foundation Board is composed of former Waldorf parents and alumni, with a  deep understanding of the movement. Rooted in anthroposophical economic  principles, their mission is to support the financial stability of  Waldorf schools across Canada.
   

Traditional lenders rarely approve mortgages for independent schools or not-for-profits with tight cash flow.

Trillium's strong asset base and community commitment make this community-backed model a better fit.

1. Refinance and pay off the existing mortgage
    
2. Eliminate operating deficit that was accrued during and after COVID.
    
3. Begin 2026 on solid financial footing with projected surpluses and growing reserves
    

The school Purchased the property for $4M in 2021.

Appraised in 2025 at $4.8M (based on the low or medium density development potential of the property).

The Trillium Waldorf School holds $1M in community bonds and will have a $2.6M mortgage, leaving over $1M in equity.

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Please see the most recent appraisal with our Financial Details
 

The  Vidar Foundation maintains a direct, personal relationship with each of  its borrowers, fostering a deep level of trust and collaboration. This  hands-on approach has resulted in an exceptional track record—zero  defaults to date—as the Foundation works closely with its project  partners to ensure their long-term success.

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Their model combines the security of asset-backed lending with a mission-driven approach and flexible investment options.

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With a 20+ year track record and  over $2.6 million actively invested, Vidar offers investors a way to  put their money to work in service of education, agriculture, and the  arts—while preserving principal and supporting real-world  transformation.

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We are confident in the  long-term value of the Trillium Waldorf School's property, supported by  the school’s five-year financial plan, which projects growing surpluses  and no anticipated need for additional debt.
 

A 5-year business plan projects balanced budgets starting 2025–26 and growing reserves by 2028.

Conservative enrolment and cost assumptions ensure stability.

Mortgage (P&I) payments to the Vidar Foundation are fully accounted for.

Please see an overview of our Steps Toward Financial Sustainability. 

​For more please see Financial Details

Trillium Waldorf School holds $1M in community bonds. The current community bonds are due in 2027-2029.

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The intention is to ask existing  bondholders to renew at a new interest rate and look for new investors  to replace bondholders who choose not to renew.

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Bond interest payments have already been accounted for in the budget.

• Since the purchase of the school in 2021, the school has not missed a mortgage payment.
   
• Forecast surpluses (2026 and on) are projected to be over $100,000 annually. 
   
• The school's leadership is  focused on a strong financial plan and contingency planning that will  ensure repayment with confidence.

The Vidar Foundation will be responsible for administering the funds, paying annual interest  payments, and paying back the principal at the end of the loan term.

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While all investments are  secured by real property mortgages, the VIDAR Foundation also offers a high  degree of liquidity for smaller investments:

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• Investments up to $20,000 – typically redeemable within 1 week
• Investments up to $50,000 – generally redeemable within 1 month
• Investments over $100,000 – subject to customized terms, with a minimum investment horizon of 3 years
   

The Vidar Foundation has the capacity to repay loans with a network of investors and several sources of funding.

The interest-bearing investment is a secured investment certificate with the Vidar Foundation with interest of 4% paid out annually.

Vidar prefers investments for a 5-year commitment or longer

Arlene Kamo - akamo@trilliumwaldorfschool.com 

Barry Orme - borme@trilliumwaldorfschool.com 

Christian Mahlstedt - christian.mahlstedt@gmail.com 

Christie Young - christie@artisanale.ca 

Duncan Young - duncan.a.young@gmail.com 

Graham Read - graham.read84@gmail.com 

John Wright - jwright@rowanlea.org 

Matthew Lee - matthewrlee@gmail.com 

Mike Craig - mikedjcraig@gmail.com 

Thomas Kleinschmidt - tpkontheroad@gmail.com 

Ushe - ushet@upxcel.com