For the first time, assets of the Quesnel Community Foundation have reached $1 million. The Foundation manages a Community Fund (an unrestricted pool of resources) as well as donor advised funds and scholarships.
“We are honoured and very pleased to have reached this important milestone in 10 short years,” said the Foundation’s President, Alex Coffey.
“It’s wonderful to see how residents, local businesses, and government have supported the Foundation so far. We look forward to more growth, which will help us to support many more important area projects.”
At its Awards Gala Saturday night, John Massier and Roberta Faust from the Cariboo Regional District presented the Foundation with a cheque for $100,000. The Regional District has also committed to give the same amount to the Foundation next year, which will raise their donation total to $200,000.
“The northern Cariboo Regional District Directors are thrilled to present the Quesnel Community Foundation with this cheque to establish funds for Electoral Areas A, B, C and I within the Foundation,” Area C Director Massier said.
The Regional District was able to leverage their donation with a matching grant of $200,000, to be given over the next two years, from the Northern Development Initiative Trust through their Community Foundation Matching Program.
“With this contribution and the matching dollars from the Northern Development Initiative Trust, the Foundation’s endowment will continue to grow and its ability to continue awarding grants to our rural communities will be stronger,” Massier added.
“Northern Development Initiative Trust believes in community foundations as a way of strengthening the quality of life across our region. We are thrilled to assist the Quesnel Community Foundation in topping the million dollar milestone,” Northern Development Chief Executive Officer Janine North said.
“Since the inception of the Community Foundation Matching Grants program in 2007, $1.1 million has been provided to community foundations across central and northern BC.”
The Gala raised more than $15,000 for the Foundation. Dalton Hooker, former chair of the original Foundation Steering Committee, returned to Quesnel to emcee the event and share his enthusiasm for the Foundation with the Gala audience.
Another highlight of the evening included the establishment of a new Memorial Endowment Fund. Colin Keis presented a cheque for $5,000 to the Foundation, to establish the Keis Family Fund in memory of Larry Keis.
The Gala was well attended and included a wonderful meal catered by the River Rock Pub and Restaurant, a fundraising auction led by auctioneer Wayne Wark and to cap the evening, fun and spirited music by the Jazztronauts, featuring Jeanette McDonald, and the band The Reeves as well as comedy skits by Olivia Drabbé and Danielle Robert. Edie Ferris won the deluxe Rocky Mountaineer Trip, donated by Rocky Mountaineer Vacations.
The Foundation began in 2001 with a $50,000 grant from the BC Winter Games Legacy Fund and a matching grant from the City of Quesnel. It is a registered charity, meeting the needs of Quesnel and district through the growth and management of permanent endowment funds. These funds now total $1,101,340, while income distributions have provided more than $175,000 in grants for community projects since 2002. For information about the Foundation, contact President Alex Coffey at 250-992-5495 or visit our website, www.quesnelfoundation.ca.
