The Quesnel Community Foundation is spreading Christmas wishes and gratitude this week.
As 2019 winds down, the foundation has good news to share, as it has met a major fundraising goal.
“I just want to wish a Merry Christmas and the best for 2020 on behalf of the Quesnel Community Foundation to our entire community,” said Mary Sjostrom, president of the Quesnel Community Foundation (QCF).
The QCF recently held a donation drive trying to reach a $50,000 goal by Dec. 15, as an anonymous donor pledged to match $50,000 if the foundation met that goal.
The foundation met and even exceeded its goal, raising $56,280, to which the $50,000 matching funds will be added.
“I want to thank the generous folks,” said Sjostrom. “We have been able to exceed our goal once again this year, and thank you again to our anonymous donor and to the entire community and beyond.”
Sjostrom says they received donations from people who used to live in Quesnel but don’t live here anymore, as well as local donations.
“The funds that were raised, that allows us to keep giving back,” she said.
As well, this year, the bursary in memory of Dr. Neil and Eva Barber reached its goal. This bursary will be awarded in 2020.
The $106,280 that the QCF just raised will go a long way to supporting community groups and organizations.
This year, the foundation provided $80,400 in grants to 12 organizations, and any organizations who are hoping to benefit from a QCF grant are encouraged to apply for the next round of funding now.
The QCF has extended the intake period for 2020 grant applications. Groups who want to apply for a grant can go to quesnelfoundation.ca and download a project proposal form. The intake is now open, and it will remain open until Jan. 31.
“We heard from folks they didn’t have enough time, and it was over Christmas, so we’ve extended the grant application to Jan. 31 so it gives them a little bit more time,” said Sjostrom.
READ MORE: Quesnel Community Foundation presents $80,400 to 12 groups
The Quesnel Community Foundation was established in 2001 to meet the needs of the community by granting funds resulting from the growth and management of a permanent endowment fund. The QCF operates under the premise that all donations received will be added to the endowment fund, and only income generated is used to fund grants. The capital created by those donations is never spent. As the endowment grows, the foundation’s ability to fund grants also grows.
“I would just like to thank our board members — we have a very hard-working crew — and our co-ordinator, Anna Rankin, for another very, very successful year,” said Sjostrom. “We couldn’t do it without the community and all our sponsors and sustainable partners and everybody who supports us.”
editor@quesnelobserver.com
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