Nest egg to serve community in perpetuity

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Posted: December 11, 2017

Columbia Basin Trust provides $50,000 matching grant

The Fernie Community Fund has recently received a $50,000 matching grant from Columbia Basin Trust to assist in continued endowment growth for the fund.

“The matching grant from the Trust is an important milestone for the Fernie Community Fund,” said Eric Johnstone, Chair of the Fernie Community Fund Steering Committee. “As of January 2018, including the $50,000 from the Trust, the Fernie Community Fund will hold approximately $125,000 in permanently invested funds. This ‘community nest egg’ will produce interest that will come back to our community, every year, forever, to support local programs and projects that help local people.”

The Fernie Community Fund was established in the fall of 2016, under the auspices of the Cranbrook and District Community Foundation (CDCF), with initial donations from the City of Fernie, East Kootenay Community Credit Union, Fernie Rotary Club, an anonymous donor through the CDCF, TECK’s employee donation program, and a group of anonymous donors from Fernie.

Dave Struthers-CDCF President (left) and Carol Hatala-CDCF Vice-President (right) share their sincere thanks with Rick Jensen-Columbia Basin Trust Chair (centre) for the Trust’s $50,000 matching grant to the Fernie Community Fund. Photos submitted

“Community foundations are an important tool for residents in meeting their own needs through local giving, community leadership and a local granting process,” said Johnny Strilaeff, Columbia Basin Trust President and CEO. “We’re pleased we can help the Fernie Community Fund establish a solid base that will benefit the community long into the future.”

Dave Struthers, President of the Cranbrook and District Community Foundation said: “The CDCF is so pleased to see the on-going growth in the Fernie Community Fund. The interest from this endowment fund will be an on-going resource for non-profit organizations in Fernie and area. The impact from this fund will continue to grow every year, providing sustainable and locally-directed support for important projects and programs that make our communities great places to live, work, and play.”

“In 2017, because we are part of the Cranbrook and District Community Foundation, and through the Canada 150 matching grants, the Fernie Community Fund was able to grant $5,400 to three great projects in our community. In 2018, we will be granting about $1,500, which is interest from our endowment. In 2019, we anticipate having over $3,000 available to grant,” Johnstone added.

The Fernie Community Fund will be accepting applications for 2018 grants in the New Year. Local non-profits are encouraged to visit www.cranbrookcf.ca for more information.

The Fernie Community Fund has two upcoming fundraisers: Fernie Brewing Company’s Cheers to Charity program and the Fernie Cardlock Charity Program. To donate online to the Fernie Community Fund, visit www.cranbrookcf.ca or www.facebook.com/cranbrookcf and click on the donate button. Once you reach the online donation page, click on the link to the Fernie Community Fund.

Donations to the Fernie Community Fund can also be made via cheque, cash, investment vehicles, or estate gifts by contacting Lynnette Wray, CDCF Executive Director, by phone at 250-246-1119 or email [email protected].

The Fernie Community Fund’s catchment area includes the City of Fernie and stretches east to Hosmer, west to Elko and the South Country. The Fernie Community Fund is led by a local steering committee which includes Eric Johnstone, Patty Vadnais, Aysha Haines, Tammy Ogden, and Randal MacNair.

The Cranbrook and District Community Foundation is a CRA-registered charity and was federally incorporated in 2003. The CDCF is governed by 13 volunteer board members and employs one staff person. The Cranbrook and District Community Foundation currently holds 27 permanently invested endowment funds covering a wide range of interests, including arts and culture, sports and recreation, history, healthcare, and the environment.

For more information about the CDCF, please visit www.cranbrookcf.ca and like/share our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cranbrookcf/.

Lead image: From left to right Members of the Fernie Community Fund Steering Committee, Patty Vadnais, Eric Johnstone, and Aysha Haines, celebrate the Columbia Basin Trust’s $50,000 contribution to the Fernie Community Fund’s permanent endowment. Photos submitted

Cranbrook and District Community Foundation