The Shuswap Community Foundation took its 20th Anniversary as a chance to look back on those who built the successful community organization.
Today, the foundation holds more than $7.5 million in assets and over the 20 year history has disbursed grants totalling nearly $2 million to groups in the Shuswap.
Grants were awarded to 27 diverse charitable groups in the Shuswap.
In commemoration of the founders, who had the vision to realize the significant contribution an endowment fund could make for philanthropic enterprise in the area, a plaque has been created and will be placed in the foundation office for permanent recognition.
In addition, those in attendance at the foundation’s annual community meeting had the chance to thank former president and retiring director Karen Angove, who has served with the foundation since 2008.
Angove was involved in spearheading the Vital Signs project, which culminated in a report which “took the pulse” of the Shuswap in a variety of areas from arts to transportation.
At the recent annual community meeting, the foundation awarded $97,106 in grants from the foundations discretionary funds to 27 charitable organizations in the Shuswap. In total, the foundation grants for the year came to $309,917.
Stretching their donation dollars
Your dollars could do double duty this year for the Shuswap Community Foundation.
At the recent annual community meeting, a new foundation initiative was announced which will see the foundation match donations dollar for dollar with community contributions that meet the criteria for the program.
Bryan Kassa, chair of the fund development committee for the Community Building - Matching funds program, notes the program will run for one year, ending on Sept. 30, 2016 or until the available funds are exhausted. The minimum donation for the matching program is $1,000 and the maximum is $5,000.
The program was started after the foundation received a donation of $74,200 from the estate of Albert Spencley. The board agreed to establish a fund in memory of Spencley and his wife Muriel in the amount of $20,000. The remaining $54,200 will be allocated to this new program.
This will allow for matching donations under specific criteria. For details on how the program works, call the office at 250-832-5428 to make an appointment. Those interested can also email finance@shuswapfoundation.ca.