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About usWhat is a Community Foundation? Community Foundations are all about people giving back to their community... Community foundations also have established roots and are growing legacies in communities all across Canada. Standing apart in the field of charitable giving, they are dedicated to enriching the quality of community life in specific geographical areas. Community foundations are not charities supporting their own programs, nor do they compete with other agencies for funds. Rather, they pool the charitable gifts of many donors to cultivate and grow permanently endowed legacy funds to provide lasting support for local priorities. Income earned by the permanent funds is distributed to support a broad range of community agencies, while the original investment is left to grow over time. The three principle roles of a community foundation are to:
The Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Seeds for a local community foundation were first planted in the early 1990's by a small group of community-minded Penticton residents. Their vision for the organization, originally established as the Penticton & District Community Foundation, was to cultivate an enduring legacy that, with careful tending, would grow over time and see the quality of community life flourish well into the future. First to place their trust in the Community Foundation were founding donors Penticton Rotary Club, City of Penticton, HSBC, and Vancouver Foundation who collectively gave $200 thousand. The Community Foundation gave back to the community for the first time in 1994, distributing $2,600 generated by the early funds to six charitable agencies. By the late 1990's, interest in the Community Foundation grew and the mandate was expanded to encompass all communities throughout the Regional District of South Okanagan-Similkameen. Our name was changed to the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan and the constitution, bylaws and policies were re-written to acknowledge the unique identity of all communities in the region. By branching out, all people in the region are now offered the opportunity to cultivate, grow and share permanent legacies to support their own personal charitable objectives. The Community Foundation of the South Okanagan is now a living legacy firmly rooted in the communities it serves. Since its inception, over 80 Funds have been established, the value of which at the end of the year 2009 will exceed $5 million. Over $100 thousand is now granted annually, enriching the quality of life by supporting a broad range of charitable agencies whose programs encompass a wide variety of programs that meet evolving needs and opportunities. The Community Foundation of the South Okanagan is also a proud member of the Community Foundations of Canada. People of the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan The Community Foundation is governed by a volunteer board of twelve community leaders who collectively represent the broad public interest and diversity of all communities in the region. Standing committees include investment, audit, nominating, and granting. The Board is supported in their efforts by a part-time executive manager. To be responsive and accountable to donors, grantees and the communities served, we operate with policies and practices that reflect clearly articulated values, vision and mission, that inspires trust and stresses flexibility and inclusiveness. High standards of accountability, transparency and stewardship are reflected in all aspects of our work, in keeping with recommendations of Community Foundations of Canada, the national membership organization. |
Meet our Directors and Staff
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