From our vast volunteer network to our generous support of invaluable local charities and organizations, we know the Campbell River community is special.
But what if your donations could work beyond this year, beyond even next year? What if they could work to build an even better community forever?
That’s exactly the role of The Campbell River Community Foundation.
Inspired by the longstanding work of community foundations across Canada, in 1990 then-municipal councillor Mary Ashley shared the concept with council: Funds are set aside in perpetuity, and as that principal grows, the interest is used to provide grants to charities working to make the community a better place.
“The idea that the funds support the community forever really appealed to me,” Ashley says.
Council agreed, providing $5,000 in seed funding for a new Campbell River Community Foundation, and with community leaders coming together to establish a volunteer board, several years later they provided their first two grants.
“We really got started with donors who could see the potential and got excited about this early on. As we grew, the interest grew too and the grants became bigger,” Ashley says.
Today that endowment has reached just over $2 million, and the Foundation last week celebrated a record $60,000 granted to 27 different organizations, plus a further $7,300 distributed through specific funds!
“It has really blossomed, especially in the last five years or so and we have a board that is very dedicated.”
Vital Signs has vital impact
Helping guide the Foundation’s granting is Vital Signs, a community snapshot taken every two years that assesses what’s working well in Campbell River and what needs a little help. An invaluable tool not only for the Foundation’s granting committee, but also local governments, donors and others looking for guidance about local needs, Vital Signs leverages local knowledge to measure community vitality and support action towards improving the region’s collective quality of life. “It really shows us where the needs are,” Ashley explains.
How you can help:
• Create a lasting legacy –donate to the general endowment fund or create your own fund within the Foundation. “As we’ve grown every year, the interest gives us more scope for the grants we can provide the community,” Ashley says.
• Volunteer – the Campbell River Community Foundation is a working board, with members taking on various roles in the organization.
To learn more, visit the Campbell River Community Foundation today at crfoundation.ca or call 250-923-5575.