From Our Executive Director
While the weather is starting to cool down, your Community Foundation is gearing up for a busy fall season as we embark on new initiatives in support of our work FOR GOOD ∞ FOR EVER ∞ FOR ALL.
The pandemic continues to be a major concern in the world, but the Foundation is working diligently to support our community on the long road to recovery. In June, we launched an Agency Fund matching campaign to help charities rebuild financial stability after the damaging effects of COVID-19. I am so pleased to hear such positive feedback from local charities looking to develop their own sustainable sources of funding. You can read more about this initiative below.
Applications to our Fall 2021 Community Grants program closed yesterday. Thank you to everyone who applied. We were happy to see four organizations apply to us for the first time – a demonstration that our work to increase the awareness and accessibility of the Foundation is working.
I was also very pleased to learn from Yu Jier (our wonderful new Grants Coordinator) that, in notes sent along with their applications, three charities expressed appreciation for the ease of our application process, with one sharing that “the streamlined forms and guidelines have made this process easier and clearer - allowing us to dedicate more time to our programs!” That was fantastic to hear, as that was exactly our intention!
We are grateful for all the incredible work local charities do in our community and look forward to sharing the results of this granting round with you in the first few weeks of November.
Finally, I would like to give a warm welcome to our three new Board members – who we announce below. We are happy to have you on the team!
As always, I invite you to reach out to me with questions, comments, or ideas. I can be reached at tina@cfka.org or 613.546.9696.
With best wishes,
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Tina Bailey
Executive Director
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2021-2022 Board Members
Welcome to our new Board members! Willa Henry, Donna Armstrong Segal, and Roger Wilson have all joined the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors – bringing their passion, expertise and unique experience to the Foundation.
Rob Wood has assumed the role of Chair of the Board, taking over from Gayle Barr, who moves into the role of Past Chair. Ian Gemmill will also be joining the Executive team, taking on the Vice-Chair position.
Further to these meaningful additions, we bid farewell to three of our esteemed Board members. Thank you to Sue Bates, Julie Burch, and Richard Kizell for your many contributions to the Foundation and your continued commitment to serving Kingston and surrounding areas.
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What's Your Will Power?
The Community Foundation is proud to have partnered with Will Power, a national movement made up of charities, financial advisors and legal professionals working together to show Canadians that they have the power to make a difference through their Will.
Many donors believe that they can’t support both their loved ones and their favourite causes with their Will. The truth is, even a small share of your estate left to the Community Foundation can have a BIG impact on our community, while still leaving the majority to your loved ones.
For more information, check out these articles from Will Power about the benefits of leaving a charitable gift in your Will:
Visit our Will Power page to see how the Foundation can help you establish a permanent legacy with your Will:
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Chris Groeneveld-Barry Memorial Fund: Update
In July, the Chris Groeneveld-Barry Memorial Fund presented its inaugural grant to The Mess Studio. The funds were used to purchase two new air purifiers worth $4,000 to improve the air quality in a basement studio, a space that welcomes artists from all walks of life and backgrounds.
The Chris Groeneveld-Barry Memorial Fund was established with the Community Foundation soon after Chris’ death in 2019. His family, with support from the community, wanted to honour his legacy by providing annual grants to local art organizations that promote messages of social inclusion and community engagement.
Chris’ mother shares why this focus was selected: “Chris believed in the magic of people coming together, in community, to create without judgement. Chris loved the idea that Art could build Community for those, who, like the arts, were often misunderstood.”
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Anonymous Donor Sparks Action and Reflection
In June, we shared the story of a community member who anonymously donated $10,000 to the Tha’teioneniienawa’khontie: In the Spirit of Cooperation Fund. It was the donor’s hope that instead of a few large donors, it would be more impactful if hundreds of individuals showed their support through smaller gifts. You can read the full story here.
Since this call to action, the Tha’teioneniienawa’khontie: In the Spirit of Cooperation Fund has received $2,450 in gifts along with numerous commemorative messages, such as:
- I was very happy to read about this fund.
- A small way to acknowledge the hurt and pain felt by our Indigenous people.
- In Honour of All the unnamed and unknown.
The first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation will be marked on September 30, 2021. We hope this approaching day of commemoration will encourage you to reflect on the legacy of residential schools, the resiliency of Indigenous Communities, and consider what you can do to support the Truth and Reconciliation process.
If you are looking for a good place to start, the following article provides concrete steps on how to be an Indigenous ally:
(While outdated in its view that Canada is only 150 years old, we like it because it identifies very specific actions that individuals can take).
Please also consider supporting the anonymous donor’s vision by giving a gift of any amount to the Tha’teioneniienawa’khontie: In the Spirit of Cooperation Fund, so that it can fund more projects like Ndoo-miijiminaanin – an Indigenous Food Sovereignty project being delivered by Kingston Indigenous Language Nest in partnership with Loving Spoonful.
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Matching Opportunity for Charities: Update
Over the summer, the Community Foundation announced that it would offer a dollar-for-dollar match for up to ten charities to establish a new Agency Fund with us. We know the pandemic hit charities hard, and this is one way the Foundation is investing in our community's long-term recovery.
Agency Funds are endowments managed by the Foundation and provide a sustainable income stream for charities to support their ongoing operations and programs.
A smaller match of up to $1,000 was also made available to the twenty-five charities that have existing funds held at the Foundation.
The response to our matching campaign has been overwhelmingly positive, with many charities expressing keen interest in this opportunity to build a sustainable source of long-term funding.
We’re not quite ready to announce the charities who will be establishing new endowment funds with us – as many are making the decision during their September board meetings – but we will look forward to announcing them next month.
We can share that many of our existing Agency Fund holders have jumped at the opportunity and ran campaigns over the summer, spreading the word over social media. Last week, Kingston Community Credit Union (KCCU) announced that it will be offering an additional $1,000 match for gifts to the Loving Spoonful Fund– tripling the impact of gifts made to the Fund. Thank you KCCU!
So far, Youth Diversion, Pathways to Education and Land Conservancy for Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington have all achieved their $1,000 matches – Congratulations to them!
Our matching opportunity is on until December 31, 2021. You can help support your favourite charity in the long-term by making a gift to their endowment fund today.
For a full list of Agency Funds held at the Foundation, visit our website.
P.S. – Are you a charity that is interested in this opportunity? Or are you a donor who would be willing to also offer a match to our match? Contact tina@cfka.org.
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Now Accepting Applications: 2021 Nan Yeomans Grant
The Kingston Arts Council (KAC) is now accepting applications for the 2021 Nan Yeomans Grant for Artistic Development. The grant supports emerging artists and/or artisans working in visual media to further their artistic growth and education
The deadline to apply is Wednesday, October 20, 2021.
This annual grant is made possible thanks to Nan’s generous legacy gift through her Will to establish the Nan Yeomans Fund at the Community Foundation. The Kingston Arts Council administers the competition for this annual grant.
For more information, on Nan’s legacy fund and how to apply visit our website.
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