The Brakemen Foundation
Built on Western Roots.
Driven by Community.
Since 2012, The Brakemen Foundation has brought businesses, supporters and communities together through fundraising, partnerships and memorable experiences. In 2016, we created Zero Hungry Kids to turn that community support into practical action for children.
Our Story
Built on community from the beginning.
The Brakemen Foundation was established in 2012 with a simple belief: bringing people together can create meaningful change in the communities we call home.
For more than a decade, Brakemen has created fundraising events, corporate experiences and grassroots initiatives that bring businesses, friends, volunteers and community supporters together around causes that matter.
In 2016, Brakemen created Zero Hungry Kids to focus that momentum on childhood hunger. In 2026, Zero Hungry Kids became a registered charity - giving that mission a dedicated platform to grow programs such as Fill the Fridge.
The experiences have evolved. The purpose has never changed.
Our Evolution
More than a decade of community impact.
Brakemen has grown from a grassroots nonprofit into an established community fundraising organization. Zero Hungry Kids now provides a dedicated registered-charity platform focused on childhood nutrition.
How Brakemen Brings People Together
Experiences built to make an impact.
Brakemen brings people together through distinctive events, corporate experiences and community fundraisers. Participation, sponsorship and partnership help us support causes that matter while creating experiences people genuinely want to be part of.
Calgary Stampede
Ten nights. One unforgettable Calgary experience.
Each July, Brakemen brings corporate partners, clients and guests together around the chuckwagons, western hospitality and one of Calgary's most iconic traditions.
From behind-the-scenes access around the barns to the energy of race night, the experience gives companies a memorable way to connect with their people while helping Brakemen generate support for the causes and programs it champions.
Signature Events
Original Brakemen experiences built to return.
Celebrity Chef Showdown, Honky Tonk Olympics and Runway for Tomorrow each have their own identity, audience and growing place in the Brakemen story.
Explore Signature Events
Special Fundraisers & Collaborations
Good ideas do not all need the same format.
One-off fundraisers, collaborations and new concepts give Brakemen room to try something different without forcing every idea into the signature-event lineup.
See How We Build EventsOur Charitable Impact
Zero Hungry Kids
No child should have to learn on an empty stomach.
Zero Hungry Kids is the registered charity created by The Brakemen Foundation to focus on childhood hunger and practical school-day nutrition.
Through programs such as Fill the Fridge, participating schools can provide fresh milk and essential nutrition where children spend their day - helping make nourishment available when it is needed most.
Illustrative imagery. The children shown are not represented as program recipients.
Impact Today
Purpose made practical.
Brakemen's fundraising history has supported community causes for years. Today, Zero Hungry Kids gives that work a clear and measurable focus on school-day nutrition.
Zero Hungry Kids Today
Growing one fridge, one school and one community at a time.
The goal is simple: keep expanding reliable access to nutrition, one school and one community at a time.
Coming Up
Join us at the next Brakemen event.
Brakemen is home to a growing program of signature events, annual experiences and special collaborations. Explore what's coming up and join us at the next one.
Runway for Tomorrow
An evening of fashion, connection and purpose in support of Zero Hungry Kids and its Fill the Fridge initiative.
Celebrity Chef Showdown
The 12th annual live culinary competition returns with mystery ingredients, western atmosphere and serious bragging rights.
Honky Tonk Olympics
The 3rd annual Brakemen original brings back team competition, western-inspired challenges and live music.
Get Involved
There is more than one way to make a difference.
Brakemen works because people and organizations choose to participate. Attend an event, sponsor an experience, build a partnership, volunteer your time or donate directly to Zero Hungry Kids.
Attend
Show up, bring people together and be part of a Brakemen experience.
Sponsor
Support an event or annual experience while connecting your organization to the community.
Partner
Bring ideas, resources, services or relationships that can help us do more.
Volunteer
Share your time and energy with a 100% volunteer-led Foundation.
Donate to Zero Hungry Kids
Make a direct donation to Zero Hungry Kids.
Powered by Partnership
We can't do this alone.
Every Brakemen experience and community initiative is made stronger by the people and organizations that step forward with us. Partners, sponsors, venues, suppliers, volunteers and supporters help turn an idea into an experience - and an experience into meaningful impact.
Whether that means sponsoring an event, contributing products or services, opening doors or creating something new together, strong partnerships have always been part of how Brakemen gets things done.
Be Part of What Comes Next
Good people. Great experiences. Real impact.
Whether you attend, sponsor, volunteer, partner or donate to Zero Hungry Kids, you are helping Brakemen create memorable experiences and turn community energy into meaningful impact.