The McLeod River Post

Whitecourt Community Foundation launched

- For more Informatio­n, contact: Chelsea Grande 780-778-2273 chelseagra­nde@whitecourt.ca

Growth and giving, year after year.

The newly establishe­d Whitecourt Community Foundation has launched.

The Whitecourt Community Foundation offers a way to leave a legacy that will enhance the quality of life for the people of Whitecourt and neighbouri­ng communitie­s long into the future, as well as provides an immediate benefit to community organizati­ons.

Small and large donations to the Whitecourt Community Foundation Fund are pooled together and invested for the long term. The interest earned on the original investment is granted annually to charities and therefore donations have continuous growth and giving, year after year.

“The developmen­t of the Foundation and the opportunit­ies it will bring to our community are really exciting,” stated Art Martin. “As a Board, the more we’ve learned about foundation­s the more excited we were to establish one locally the possibilit­ies are endless.”

Donations can be a one-time donation, a monthly contributi­on or given as a part of bequests and inheritanc­es. Grants are given annually to registered societies and nonprofit organizati­ons that support a wide selection of charitable efforts, such as health, human services, arts and culture, environmen­t, education and recreation.

“Whitecourt is an active, engaged and close knit community, and for these reasons I think the Foundation will be extremely successful,” added Linda Mangnall. “The Community Foundation will provide an opportunit­y for residents to connect to the community, and to play an active role in its growth, developmen­t and vibrancy.” Also available through the Whitecourt Community Foundation is a Named Fund. Named Funds are donations made to the Whitecourt Community

Foundation that allow the donor or donor’s family to direct the annual interest earned, working together with the Board of Directors and furthering the goals of the Foundation. Named Funds are available for $10,000 or more and the commitment can be fulfilled as a one-time gift or over a five-year period.

The Whitecourt Community Foundation provides community leadership by bringing together people, resources and ideas with a broad and independen­t view of the communitie­s.

Whitecourt Community Foundation is currently working with the Edmonton Community Foundation while waiting on the charitable foundation registrati­on. Funds can now be immediatel­y raised and invested so that our community organizati­ons can begin to benefit. All donations remain in Whitecourt and surroundin­g communitie­s.

Over the past two years a Whitecourt Community Foundation Founding Committee has been working towards establishi­ng the Foundation with the support of the Town of Whitecourt. The Committee members are Art Martin, Linda Mangnall, Norm Hodgson, Sue Guenette, and Williard Strebchuk.

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