If you’re passionate about supporting children, animals and the environment, did you know that with a single donation to the Community Foundation of North Okanagan you can support all three?
“A lot of charities focus on a single issue or a particular cause, but we’re really a 360-degree funder,” explains executive director Leanne Hammond.
For donors, that means they can easily support a variety of causes or charities important to them with a single donation. If they prefer to direct everything to a single charity or cause, that’s fine too!
And if you know you want to contribute, but you’re unsure who you want to support, donate – and get the tax receipt – today, and park the funds with the Foundation until you decide, Hammond says.
How your Community Foundation works:
The registered, charitable Community Foundation of North Okanagan pools donors’ charitable gifts to create endowment funds, then uses the investment income to make grants; the more funds in the endowment, the more investment income there is to distribute. In fact, the Foundation today holds more than $16 million in assets and works with hundreds of caring donors and high-impact community organizations.
How the Foundation works for donors:
Like the 191 other community foundations across Canada, the Foundation provides leadership, monitoring the region’s quality of life through its Vital Signs initiative, and brings together people, ideas and resources to build stronger, more resilient communities.
“Through the Vital Signs report, we regularly check in on the health of our community and that leads us to having our finger on the pulse of what’s happening and where help may be needed,” Hammond says.
The annual grant cycle also keeps the Foundation connected to all the work the local charities are doing.
“We’re very knowledgeable about who’s working in our community and what they’re doing, so we can advise donors if there’s a project or initiative that might be a good fit.”
Working with individuals, businesses, organizations and families, lasting relationships often develop between the Foundation and donors, who appreciate the flexibility – and responsiveness – that comes from the organization’s unique approach.
“We encourage donors to be involved as much or as little as they wish. Some really appreciate our ability to advise them about local organizations, while others are very clear about the where they want to direct their funds,” Hammond says.
“And for those who prefer to remain anonymous with the charities they fund, we can do that too.”
***
Since 1975, the Community Foundation of the North Okanagan has connected philanthropy with community needs and opportunities to make the region the best place to live, work, learn and grow. Governed by a diverse volunteer board of community leaders, high standards of accountability, transparency and stewardship are reflected in all aspects of their work. Learn more at cfno.org
READ MORE: A Charity for all charities: Helping donors make a lasting difference