Built to Give Back: How Community Became Mainstay’s Foundation

At Mainstay, building projects is just the beginning. Our true purpose is to build people, and through them, to help communities thrive. For us, business goes far beyond profits and balance sheets. It’s about ensuring that the places where we and our partners live and work have the resources and opportunities they need to grow, succeed, and flourish. 

The Origin of the 1+1 Methodology 

Our journey toward community investment didn’t start with a single decision, it grew out of who we are. As Mainstay evolved, we realized that success wasn’t just about growth or profit. It was about impact. That’s why we created our 1+1 Methodology. 

It’s simple. The revenue generated with our client partners triggers a direct investment back into the community. One percent goes to the Buffalo River Dene Nation youth, because that Nation is our partner and we want to support their future by helping them protect, nurture and educate their youth. One percent goes to the broader communities in Saskatchewan, supporting scholarships, Indigenous awareness campaigns, and grassroots initiatives. Sometimes small, sometimes big, but always in service of lifting up Indigenous and under-represented people across our province. 

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Building Giving Into Our DNA 

From the beginning, we didn’t want to wait until year-end, when profits were calculated and accountants had their say. We wanted giving to be automatic, guaranteed, and part of the way we operate every single day. By tying it to revenue, we ensure our communities benefit immediately when we succeed. This isn’t charity after the fact. It’s commitment in real time. In the past several years we have provided over $30,000 for initiatives in our communities including Mainstay Meals, hockey sticks for youth programs, computers for the schools as well as significant contributions to Wanuskewin to provide education and awareness to Indigenous culture and history. 

Why Education and Awareness Matter 

We believe every scholarship, every youth program, every dollar that fuels learning and leadership creates a ripple effect, not just for the individual, but for their families, their communities, and ultimately, for industries like ours that depend on smart, capable, and passionate people. 

Inspired by a Larger Movement 

We didn’t invent this idea. Movements like the B Corporation model inspired us, companies that choose to build their values into their business models, not as an add-on but as a foundation. But for us, it goes deeper. Mainstay is proudly Indigenous-owned. Giving back to Buffalo River Dene Nation youth and communities across Saskatchewan isn’t a marketing campaign. It’s our identity. It’s who we are, and it’s what we believe business should look like. 

Looking Ahead: An Invitation 

Today, when you work with Mainstay, you’re not just getting engineering and project expertise. You’re joining a journey where success is measured by more than deliverables. By choosing us, you’re saying yes to investing in the next generation of Indigenous leaders. You’re saying yes to stronger communities, better opportunities, and a future built on partnerships, not just profit. 

We know projects don’t wait, and neither does the next generation. Together, we can make a bigger splash than any of us could on our own. This is Mainstay. By supporting us, we support others. 

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