Healthy Foundations for Success: How Anson Funds CEO Moez Kassam Brought APPLE Schools to Ontario
Entrepreneurs and investors understand the value of making strategic choices that yield meaningful returns. Moez Kassam, Chief Investment Officer of Anson Funds and a prominent philanthropist, applies this principle not only in his financial ventures but also in his approach to social impact. His latest initiative—bringing Alberta’s successful APPLE Schools program to Ontario—is a great example of how education and health can combine to create lasting societal benefits.
The APPLE Schools program, which stands for A Project Promoting Healthy Living for Everyone in Schools, aligns perfectly with Kassam’s vision of addressing inequality through targeted, impactful action. “When my wife Marissa and I established The Moez and Marissa Kassam Equity Fund, we decided to approach philanthropy with the same discipline and strategic thinking we apply in business,” Kassam explains. “We focus on initiatives that create sustainable change, and APPLE Schools fits that model. Its proven success makes it a smart, scalable investment in health equity and education.”
Founded in 2007 at the University of Alberta, APPLE Schools was designed to promote healthy eating and physical activity among students in marginalized communities. Backed by data-driven insights, the program has reached over 100,000 students, demonstrating impressive results: children in APPLE Schools are 35% more physically active and 40% less likely to experience obesity compared to their peers. These improvements significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases and enhance the academic and social success of participating students.
According to philanthropist Allan Markin, who helped launch the initiative, APPLE Schools has not only transformed lives but also saved Canada hundreds of millions of dollars by mitigating healthcare costs associated with poor nutrition and sedentary lifestyles.
These outcomes are particularly compelling for Kassam, who sees a direct link between healthy habits and long-term success. “Healthy children are better positioned to excel academically and professionally. By improving their nutritional choices, we’re creating a foundation for brighter futures for individuals and entire communities,” he says.
The Moez and Marissa Kassam Equity Fund has committed $300,000 to bring APPLE Schools to Ontario, where it will be spearheaded by Dr. Katerina Maximova of the MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. Dr. Maximova, who has been involved in the program since its inception in Alberta, will lead its expansion in Canada’s most populous province.
For the Kassams, this initiative is deeply personal. Both Moez and Marissa share immigrant backgrounds and an acute understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable populations in Canada. Through their philanthropic work, including previous collaborations with the Toronto Foundation for Student Success (TFSS), they’ve witnessed how access to healthy meals and education can transform young lives.
“We’ve seen firsthand how proper nutrition can make a difference,” Kassam notes. “Programs like APPLE Schools give children a fighting chance to break the cycle of inequality and build meaningful, successful lives.
The connection between health and success is well-documented. Proper nutrition and physical activity improve cognitive function, boost energy, and foster resilience—all traits essential for academic and professional achievement. For children in underserved communities, access to these resources can level the playing field, giving them the tools they need to compete and succeed in any field.
“Healthy, educated citizens contribute to a more productive and equitable society,” Kassam explains. “By investing in programs like APPLE Schools, we’re not just improving outcomes for today’s children—we’re strengthening the workforce and the economy of tomorrow.”
Through the Kassam Equity Fund, Moez and Marissa Kassam prioritize initiatives that address both health and education, recognizing the powerful synergy between the two. By supporting APPLE Schools, they are advancing their broader mission of tackling systemic inequality and promoting sustainable, data-driven solutions.
“As an investor, I look for opportunities that create measurable impact,” says Kassam. “APPLE Schools has a proven track record, and bringing it to Ontario is a powerful step toward greater equity in education and health.”
Through their support of APPLE Schools, Moez Kassam and the Kassam Equity Fund demonstrate that strategic philanthropy can create meaningful change. By addressing health and education simultaneously, they are setting the stage for a more equitable and prosperous society—one child at a time.
